An okay ophthalmology office. Appointments usually start late and take a long time. Technicians are polite. The front desk staff, not so much. read more

Arlington Eye Center - Optometrists Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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They need to work on their customer service. First the front desk. People are so unfriendly. They act like they hate their jobs. Second, I sat in that office for two hours. Twice they had me go back and wait in the lobby. I'm going to look for a new doctor. read more

If you go, avoid seeing Dr Jean Park. I was with her less than 5 minutes. She disappeared before addressing some very major problems and concerns. The most negligent, uncaring doctor I have ever seen. Rosa who I saw for initial vision exam, including glaucoma, was exemplary. Sad she works with such a doctor who I suspect likes patients needing surgery. They make a lot from surgery. My problems are very concerning. I wrote to the doctor on the patient portal. She did not respond. All of my other doctors who are with Virginia Hospital Center DO respond and help me on the portal. A doctor like Jean Park should not be allowed to practice in my opinion. Outrageous!!! read more

Don't go here unless you have a bunch of time to waste. Sat there for an hour to not be seen by the doctor. Your scheduled time also doesn't mean anything. read more

In 2021, I was given the wrong prescription for glasses and had to start over with the staff. Of course, they agreed to cover the cost, but it took 8 weeks to correct and $350+. I was pre-approved for cataract and lens replacement surgery by my ophthalmologist and John Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute after monitoring for 4 years. I met with Dr. Park for a pre-surgerical consult. Despite 4 years monitoring, Dr. Park disapproved me for cataract surgery and lens replacement against the recommendation of my doctor in this practice. Dr. Park then re-assigned me as her patient. My doctor referred me back to John Hopkins for cataract surgery THIS year. These folks have significant communication challenges within their practice and inconsistent monitoring/diagnosis. There are so many better eye care practices in the northern Virginia area. read more

Dr. Park is not a good doctor. She let the glaucoma in my left eye get so bad that I am almost blind in that eye. I told her the drops weren't working she insisted they were. Only after my eye sight became so bad she says "I can't help you anymore" and gave me a referral to another doctor for surgery. If you value your eyesight don't go VHC Arlington Eye Center. The eye center physician s are affiliated with Chesapeake Eye Center and are not part of the hospital they simply rent the space. Avoid this place at all costs. read more

I would suggest everyone find alternative care options, Arlington Eye Center is the reason my mom has lost her vision. My mother had very complex issues and Dr. Ahmed didn't let us forget how she was essentially doing us a favor because "no other doctor would touch her eyes". In addition to Dr. Ahmed's poor attitude her communication levels were not up to par, when we asked for a care plan she would just say to take things one step at a time, we were living appointment to appointment and she could not give us a road map of what would come next. Dr. Ahmed was also heard in the hallway outside of the room telling my mom's case to other's which in my understanding is a HIPAA violation. Most recently after losing vision the office administrator whose only job is to schedule appointments refused and dismissed my mother as a patient in her emergent state. My mother lost sight and this non-medical professional stopped her from receiving emergent medical attention due to communication errors on the her end. I see in other reviews the office administrator will try to reach out, please don't, law suits are forth coming read more

Saw Dr. Patel for scratched eye. She determined there was no damage to the eye, but can see a dry patch on the surface of the eye. I asked for prescription-grade drops to help it heal. She gave me a sample of an OTC eye drop. A week later, my vision is still blurry from the dry patch on my eye. I call to leave a message for Dr. Patel. Staff repeats to me what my chart said - that Dr. Patel recommends the OTC eye drop and she didn't prescribe anything. Well DUH! That's why I am calling. I asked for prescription-grade eye drops to help the eye heal faster, as the OTC eye drops aren't helping. Staff tells me to make an appointment. Why would I come in & pay for another visit when the last visit was no value-add at all. Finally, they tell me Dr. Patel will call in a prescription. At the end of the day, I call again to follow up. They said the prescription requires a prior authorization. That was Friday. I call to follow up Tuesday regarding the prior authorization, and staff tells me no prescription was given @ my last visit, according to my chart. So, what happened with "Dr. Patel will send in a prescription" from Friday??? Staff all around seems incompetent in handling correspondence regarding minor eye issue. Terrible communications w/ patients. This practice needs to work on staff training & better communication handoffs between staff, doctors, patients. This is ridiculous. I am JUST asking for a prescription for my dry eye condition that has NOT improved w/ the OTC drops they gave me. read more

I have been trying for a month to obtain medical records for my family who previously were patients of Dr. Kern when she was at this practice. I have spoken with the office manager and sent the office manager (Blayze) three follow up emails that they have not responded to. I called again today to speak with the managing partner, I was put on hold and then someone hung up on me. I have eye appointments scheduled next week in a different practice and have no prior records to share with the new physician. If this office cannot handle a medical records request in a month, there is no way I would put my trust in their team for eye care. read more

I have a doctorate in health services administration and public health. I have spent a lifetime working with healthcare provides. Without question my experiences with Dr. Patel, her assistant Marcus, and the office staff are second-to-none. She is caring, highly competent, and thorough. Just last week after years of dry eye pain and failed prescriptions (from others) she put in eye plugs and recommend very effective OTC drops. The difference is like night and day. But it is more than just great care -- it is an entire office culture from the first call, to the checking, to the healthcare provides that makes all of the difference. In a time of great challenge to U.S. healthcare, this isn't the 10-minute run-of-the-mill experience -- it is real healthcare. Dr. Patel and her team set the standard. I feel so future to be in their care. Thank you! Dr. Bill Freeman Arlington, VA read more

I went there for cataract surgery in both eyes with Dr. Ahmed. My experience was almost always positive. The staff was helpful and the care provided by the doctor was excellent. If anything was not positive it would be the occasional long wait. Same as all doctors... sometimes you're in and out and sometimes it seems like you're just sitting and waiting for no reason. That relates to the office. As for the hospital, it was OK. But, you give the same information over and over again so I've started to rebel against that--it's not necessary that I give the contact person information three times but that's what they do. Next, before the operation, they had me sign a form saying I would pay if they kept me overnight for observation. The form says insurance won't pay for this. So I say, "How much does it cost?" They say, "We don't discuss billing, you have to work that out with your insurance company." I say, "It says right here my insurance company won't pay" and she reads the form like she's never seen it before. So, I said to her, "You know I'm right" which she didn't respond to so I know that she knows I'm right. It was only cataract surgery so I just signed but it's medical extortion!! Honestly, this is why health care is so expensive in this country. Everything is between the doctors and insurance companies until the patient gets a bill without having any idea of what you were going to be charged. It's really BS. But, the care that I received at the hospital was good. I also disagree with them making you have someone pick you up. For this operation, you don't get put to sleep. It's an unnecessary burden. There's no difference between the one second I'm inside the door and the one second I'm outside. I wouldn't drive but a Lyft or Uber would be fine. If they knocked me out, I'd agree with the policy. The important thing is the results. The operations were successful and I can see great. I'm not a month out yet but I'm very happy with the results. read more

I have surgery scheduled for next week. I was told that pre-op tests would be required, but have yet to get that information from staff. The last time I called, it took 2 weeks for the surgical coordinator to get back to me. Both my husband and mother have been in recently for appointments and have spent more than an hour waiting in the examination room. This practice needs to spent a little money on staff training, additional staff, and/or better management. It is the worst practice I have ever dealt with. read more

They handled the business part fine, but the cataract surgery was a disaster.

Specific to Dr. Orkubi: I saw Dr. Orkubi in this practice. Not the friendliest doctor I've seen -- a bit curt, actually. who diagnosed serious eye condition and urged I see an eye surgeon, as follow up. I saw eye surgeon and Surgeon contradicted her serious eye diagnosis but recommended I see a different opthamologist, which I did. This second opthamologist agreed with surgeon's findings. read more

First time patient welcomed by extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff. Doctor's credentials were very impressive as was the doctor I person. Careful and extensive examination. Surgery pending. A very impressive introductory experience Highly recommend. read more

Never even go to see Dr. Jean Park because she kept cancelling my appointment. She cancelled twice. One time she cancelled one hour before the appointment and I was already dressed to go. How is this at all professional or acceptable? Only when I told her I would be leaving a not so happy review did her tone change and become apologetic. Otherwise, it seemed as though this was common practice for her and she did not seem bothered at all about having to cancel one hour before the appointment. If I were you, I would go see another provider. I certainly will. read more

I would give them 10 stars if I could! I had 2 catarac surgeries that were completely painless and hassle free. Dr. Ahmed is aamazing! She's intelligent, professional and very congenial. The office and surgical staffs were so nice and helpful. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone. read more

I booked at appointment and arrived 10 minutes late. I'm an existing patient and have not changed my insurance. I asked several times how much longer I'd need to wait. Finally the 3rd time I asked, 50 minutes after my scheduled appointment, I was told that the tech was at lunch and that it was my fault for coming late and that they needed time to verify my insurance info! Unbelievable! An apology or just letting me know when I walked in that my appointment would be delayed would have helped me reschedule at the very least so that I could get back home to feed my baby!! Unacceptable. read more

I was completely turned off today by the lack of service is I received from the staff of Arlington Eye Center. They completely refused to examine my infected eye based solely upon a single cough they detected during my appointment check in. I was told that I needed to reschedule my appointment based upon a single cough during my check in process. I had made an appointment having experienced serious eye infection symptoms. They refused to see me based solely on a single cough. I have recently returned from a ski trip to Montana. And, I have recently recovered from a cold I caught three weeks ago which has left me with a lingering cough complicated by arriving home to warm weather and everything in my yard in full bloom. I woke up this morning unable to open my eyelid due to secretions of puss and gunk from my eye which had dried overnight. I made an appointment for today, but was denied service when I showed up because I coughed. This practice has no compassion for eye infections--they simply want to make money off cataract surgeries. My advice is to find another eye doctor. read more

Not happy. Took me to examing room and forgot about me. I was in their office for 2 hours for a examination that should have taken 1/2 hour to 40 mins at the very most. I asked different staff over and over about the wait and mentioned that I had another meeting scheduled, but it seemed like my words were falling of deaf ears. No concern for other people's time. read more

Dr. Roshni Patel - Unique Amongst her Peers She is truly a caring and fully skilled professional. Just be certain to be persistent to achieve effective communications with her after the examination (if needed). read more

I just had a cataract surgery done by Dr. Marc Malouf using laser technology to correct my vision. I am very happy to regain my vision especially for driving at night. The office team prepared me for the surgery through several appointments to test, measure and discuss the choices and pricing, obtain the prescription eyedrops needed pre and post surgery and understand the recovery period needed. Dr. Malouf is a personable young doctor who just joined this group practice. He is very professional and welcomes questions. His assistants, especially Brian, are very kind and caring to help you feel comfortable with the procedure. I recommend Dr Malouf for this surgery and will continue to rely on the Arlington Eye Center to remove the cataract developing in my other eye. read more

Dr. Gaspar and his practice comes highly recommended to me by many doctors including primary care and specialty physicians. I was concerned that I would not be able to get an appointment with him when needed but I was wrong. His friendly staff was able to accommodate my schedule. While scheduling, the staff was pleasant, respectful and informative. Upon arrival at the office, I was greeted with a smile and handed some paperwork to fill out. The paperwork was detailed but informative about refraction and such. I was seeing Dr. Gaspar for something called a pterygium which is a growth on the eye that requires surgery. I was first seen by a technician who was Spanish speaking. This was very helpful since my primary language is Spanish. She was able to communicate with me efficiently and effectively so that I could understand the complicated anatomy and processes of the eye. After dilation, I saw Dr. Gaspar. He was very friendly and you could tell he had a wealth of knowledge and experience. He did a very thorough exam and explained my options to me. WE decided to proceed with the surgery to relieve my symptoms and further complications. Dr. Gaspar and his staff went out of their way to help me. At the time of my appointment I was in between primary care providers and they contacted a Spanish speaking MD for me and made an appointment so that I can get a full physical and clearance for surgery. Thanks to them I have secured a great ophthalmologist and primary care physician. Surgery day was a breeze even though I was nervous. Dr. Gaspar came to see me before and after surgery to ensure I was comfortable. I have seen him and his staff for my post operative appointments many times thereafter and I could not be happier. I am very thankful to the Arlington Eye Center for being so good at what they do! read more

Had a general eye check up yesterday and the experience was sub-par. Dr Leah Fuchs was ok, for the 2 minutes I talked to her. The staff, however, needs to learn to be much more professional. While I was being examined by a staff member, someone poked their head in and questioned the results written down for another patient. My examiner was flustered and admitted she didn't write things down accurately. Did not make me feel safe that she would write mine down correctly! Thanks god I have no significant issues. Also had to wait for half an hour to see the doctor, which is always annoying. My time is important too. read more

I've been a patient with this practice for over 10 years and loved it until recently. The doctors have always been very pleasant and caring. The administrative staff, however, was awful during my recent visit. First, they scheduled my appointment on a day when my doctor was out of the office and didn't bother to call me. When I showed up, I sat in the waiting area for 10-15 minutes before the receptionist said anything. When I rescheduled the appointment, they took my new insurance card but never changed my information in their system. My bill still showed my old insurance plan, so I couldn't file for a reimbursement. Finally, I ordered and payed for a year's supply of contacts. When they arrived in the mail, only 6 months' worth were in the box. As a long-time patient, I was shocked at how I was treated. Despite the caring doctors, my overall patient experience was so poor that I would not recommend them. read more

My daughter was running low on contact lenses and I ordered more online. Unfortunately, I discovered the prescription had expired 12/30 (one week prior). I called Arlington Eye Center to see if they could renew the prescription so that I could get more contacts, just until I could get my daughter in the office for her next visit. Dr. Patel refused to renew her prescription unless I bought the lenses through their office. The lenses were $70 per box as opposed to $45 per box online. I was forced to pay their exorbitant rates or my daughter would have run out of contacts. I will schedule her annual eye exam earlier next year, but we will no longer be patients of Arlington Eye Center. read more

As others have stated, I too had one of the worst experiences of my life in that office. I was treated like dirt for no particular reason. I began to think this was because I was a woman, because some elder gentlemen in the office were treated kindly. I was yelled at by Dr. Gersper for no other reason than that I had the audacity to ask him a couple of questions during my exam, very innocent ones. I wanted to share my 23andme DNA results regarding macular degeneration. While yelling at me, he told me he was too busy to answer my questions and that all that DNA stuff was a bunch of crap. I was reduced to tears and made to feel like I had done something wrong, and vowed never to go back. Even his assistants were taken aback by his unprofessionalism and rudeness. read more

I had a great experience at this office! The front office staff was very welcoming and kind. I met with Dr. Patel who was very thorough with her examination and took the time to explain the process, address my problems, and answer all the questions I had. I highly recommend her!!! read more

This review is purely a comment on this practice's business and administrative procedures. This specifically pertains to Arlington Eye Center and the Pediatric services provided by Melissa Kerns and her staff. I have been bringing my daughter in for 1.5 years (she's only 2) for just basic examinations. We did sign a waiver 1.5 years ago that if certain procedures were performed that were not covered by insurance, we would pay. The last time I took my daughter, the physician did a refraction to check her prescription. My daughter doesn't wear glasses. She never has. And no prescription was given. Whether a refraction was necessary or not, I am not medically trained to determine. The physician did the refraction without explanation of the cost, coverage, or necessity. I'm not judging the physician necessarily because she's a professional but also an employee. She does what she is trained to do. However the practice wanted to bill me after the fact ($55) without any explanation during the course of the entire hour we were there in the office during which they could have explained what they needed to do. They simply stuck a bill in my face, and said, please pay. My good friend is an opthamologist and has said that he would only charge for a refraction if he was actually giving a prescription. That's the point of a refraction. If there's no "product" given to the patient, he doesn't in good conscience feel it is his right to charge for something that the patient isn't going to take away. To say nothing of that fact, that not once during my daughters visit, were we told that there would be a charge over and above our co-pay. This is simply poor customer service, poor management, and poor medicine. Businesses that are too lazy to inform their customers (patients) simply do not deserve my money or loyalty. read more

I should have read the yelp reviews first! Possibly the worst medical experience I've ever had. The appt process wasn't very friendly to begin with and it's not like they smile or say hello when you arrive on time or anything like that, or welcome you as a "new customer", but it was the treatment by Dr. Fuchs and her colleague that cinched it. I'd actually been referred to Dr Gaspar but he was "all booked up for months" so I thought --foolishly -- it wouldn't matter. No explanations or description of what was going to happen occurred. After two sets of eye tests (apparently one of them was that elective $55 refraction measurement test which no one explained to me may not have been necessary), and one where Dr Fuchs touched the area around my eyes without telling me beforehand while I'm sitting trapped in some head line-up device (this is after I've said I've nervous about eye exams!), and because I am very sensitive to having someone poke around my eyes, Dr Fuchs offered to use the pressure meter they use on babies (no explanation of what that test was about, either!). I thought that was a good idea. When she went to get it she couldn't get it to work, fumbling with her fingers all over it, trying to make it work (and raising my anxiety some more). She then handed me off to a colleague, saying this device was broken, and without explanation who then proceeded to attempt to put yellow eye drops in my eyes. I said whoa, what's this all about. She then basically said that unless I agreed to have my eyes dilated right then and there, they "weren't going to write up Dr. Fuchs eyeglass prescription" and I "didn't have to pay." When I pointed out that the "baby eye pressure device was broken" she said then that "that test didn't matter" and repeated that Dr Fuchs "wouldn't see me again unless I had my eyes dilated." I said I "would re-schedule for the eye dilation exam due to my now soaring anxiety level" but after realizing I was being hurried and bullied into tests I did not understand by people who seemed not to care in the least, I left anyway without scheduling another visit. I am now looking for an eye doctor who has taken patient communication courses and whose has staff won't bully me. BTW, parking here cost me $5 as they don't have any stamp or redeemable coupon. read more

This is officially the worst place to get your eyes checked out ever. Seriously, ever. Let's discuss shall we? 1. I used to order contacts from them. Once, they handed me a box of contacts with the prescription of -2.00 (i'm -9.00 & -8.50) and insisted that it was mine, the lady at the desk SHOOED me away. I had to wait an entire weekend and when I called back to say they made a mistake they wanted to charge me for the ones I had opened! ridiculous, no apologies. 2. I was attempting to get a new prescription for contacts. It has been two weeks and they still haven't faxed a prescription. Want to know why? First, I called them at least three times before they even took my request to fax a contact lens prescription over seriously. Then they tell me: "Well, there's a problem with your chart, we cannot read the drs prescription (Surprise surprise) and cannot tell if its -7.50 or -8.50, so we are sending you a box over to check. Well, did that box come? short of me prodding, no it did not. finally, i get the box on a friday afternoon. 3. After the weekend, I realized I needed the -8.50. So, I called them on Monday to inform them of this. Well, I was given the run around about ten times. Every time I called someone told me they didn't know what i was talking about, even though i was giving them my full last ame and first name. Then, this lady tells me the dr is going to call me. I wait all day, ALL DAY and I miss a call around 4:54. I IMMEDIATELY (and when I say immediately, I mean the timestamp on the missed call and the outgoing call shows 4:54) the phone is picked up by a DR (hmm, the one I was supposed to talk to?) who informs me that the office is closed and she has no idea who called me and she cannot help me and so on and so forth. I keep her on the phone trying to explain the situation (she keeps interrupting and finally after 5 minutes allows me to speak) and says ookay well i'll have someone fax it to you in the morning. 4. of course the call never came, so i called them, the lady RUDELY told me "we already faxed you a prescription" um, no. you didn't. impossible because you didn't have A FAX NUMBER AT THAT POINT. So she gets back on the line, oh no we didn't. well i'll again have to check with the dr. i respond: I already spoke with the dr. her: err, the technician 5. I wait ALL DAY until tech calls me back. She is yelling at me that the last time I had a prescription was with Dr. Hale in 2010, I calmly tell her that's not true. She insists that it was -7.50 in both eyes, I explain to her that I have a box proving that the last time I ordered contacts from them, it was a -9.00. She basically hangs up the phone in my face. Umm okay? 6. I get a call back with her stating "oh yes, well it does show actually that you have a -9.00 prescription in one eye and the other... me: yes, I think the -8.50 (the BOX That you SENT ME) works best. TECH: no we cannot send that. ME: okayyyy TECH: yeah go get another eye exam. These people only want your money and will only be willing to give you prescription if you order contacts from them. Sidenote: Before this, I had been going to them since high school, I'm now 27. you do the math. that's how they treat their patients. sad and pathetic. read more

Dr. Patel was very professional and took the time to explain everything in a timely and efficient manner. Definitely would recommend Arlington Eye Center. Answered all questions and made me feel very comfortable. Great job! read more

i had to wait 1.15 hours before i i finally saw dr. gaspar. i voiced a mild complaint and he got very defensive and told me that if i wanted to find another dr it was ok with him. and this is exactly what i have done ! read more