Tl;dr: Dr. Ashbaker is patient, knowledgable, talks you through the appointment, and you're eye care. I can't recommend him enough. Best eye appointment I've ever had--noticeably above average.
I had been looking for an affordable place without insurance and kept reading bad reviews from big name places or places promising affordability. but then you're on the hook to buy their glasses.
Honestly, I was putting off making an appointment anywhere, because I was anxious about the exam--I've never had a good eye doctor, always feel rushed and stressed. In fact, I was prepared to speak up that I get anxious about the exam this time.
I called Ashbaker, and the price for the exam out of pocket, $100, was affordable for me, and I was happy to find a small, local business to support during the pandemic.
Speaking of pandemic, they are so clean inside, make sure to social distance, and the first thing they had me do was wash my hands. While they are small, I still received text message reminders leading up to my appointment, including the state appointed mask rules.
Dr. Ashbaker is the best eye doctor I have ever seen. He's patient, which is especially important right now because breathing through the masks causes the lenses to fog, and it can really slow things down.
I didn't need to tell him my prepared lines about needing to go slow, but I did tell him I had prepped because I was so appreciative and relieved by his style. If you're like me, you have children, or special needs, you'll find the right care at this little clinic.
Additionally, at the beginning of the appointment, I told him about a problem I'm having with dry eyes. He asked me questions throughout the appointment while clearly thinking through the problem methodically. He ran what tests he could using instruments, but stopped short when it came to the ones that would require touching my eyes--again, pandemic.
So, he continued with asking questions, and he rooted out a rather innocuous, yet mutually agreeable likely cause that has to do with the way I sleep.
Then! He actually explained to me eye anatomy and what happens we blink. He explained my problem clearly, and then he made sure I knew how to properly use eye drops. I had never been taught the proper way.
I left feeling really taken care of when I left and happy that I picked his clinic over other places I had researched. There was no pressure to buy frames in house, which I did consider to support them more, but I didn't want to touch all their frames and put them on my face! Yet again, pandemic.
I'll go back when I can for a contacts appointment, I'll take my partner their now, and I recommend that you go see Dr. Ashbaker, too. read more