First, I would like to say that my experiences with Dr. Ann Arthur herself have been pleasant. She…read moreis efficient, and while not necessarily the warm and effusive type of doctor, I found her very capable, thoughtful and direct in a way I appreciated.
I recently had an experience with her office, however, that I found extremely upsetting. Glaucoma runs in my family and on my most recent exam, I tested high for ocular pressure, prompting Dr. Arthur to recommend a visual field test. She said I should get this test every year to confirm that I haven't lost any peripheral vision and don't require glaucoma treatment. I had not, at that point, had the test in 2 years.
When I tried to make an appointment for my field test, I was told that the next appointment was in 3 months. Given that deterioration to the ocular nerve can be slowed, or even stopped, with treatment -- but that lost vision can never be recovered, I was understandably frustrated with and made anxious by the delay. But, not wanting to be pushy, I agreed to be patient and wait for my appointment.
The week of my appointment, the office called twice to confirm and I called back to say, "yes, I'm coming." Then, either the night before or morning of (I can't remember), they called to cancel due to an emergency in the family of the person who conducts the field tests. I was disappointed, and concerned about losing my vision, but understand that family emergencies happen and was assured that the office would call to reschedule soon.
When I called to reschedule, the receptionist told me that there were no appointments for the the next 50 days, that they would not make any accommodations for the fact that my appointment was cancelled last minute, and that my test wasn't a "priority." I will not continue to attend a practice in which a receptionist tells me that the potential permanent loss of my field of vision from a genetic condition is not a "priority." It was such a profoundly disrespectful conversation, and I am really disappointed in how they treat their patients. If you cancel last minute on a patient, the onus is on you to re-accommodate them. Particularly when the prior appointment was made 3 months in advance.