Efficiency combined with courtesy is a rare combination in today's work world. I was very impressed at Dr. Neal Athwal's exam and his ability to communicate and explain changes and results with my eye health. He is truly the "master of his game." He should be commended for his fine service! Thank you Dr. Athwal - I appreciate your wealth of knowledge regarding my eye health! Sincerely, D. Brown read more

Not honest. Not ethical. I went to the Toms River location, but this is the same practice. Went for a cataract consultation and saw Dr. Harjit Athwal, or "Dr. Harry", as he is affectionately called by the staff. If you're new to the world of cataract surgery, let me fill you in on the drill. If you have health insurance or Medicare, that will usually cover a "basic" lens implant. All the eye Drs. will try to sell you on one of several "premium lenses" on the market that should provide you with a better range of vision' The catch is that insurance won't cover the extra cost for this "premium lens". I've been quoted $3,000 - 3,750 per eye EXTRA out of pocket above what insurance pays for one of these lenses. Apparently, what insurance pays isn't enough to keep these guys in the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed. That's why they all try to sell you on the upgrade. Some, like this Dr. Harry guy, sound just like used car salesmen, only with fancier plaques on the wall than "salesman of the month". Now, I am in sales myself, so I realize the difference between misrepresentation and persuasion. But that's the system here, a good lens replacement will cost you mucho $, even if you have insurance. Welcome to America! My point of contention with Dr. Harry is NOT the extra charge (they all do this). He knew I was talking to other Drs, and he tried to FOOL me into believing he's cheaper than the other guys. Yea, did I mention he reminded me of a used car salesmen? You see when they perform the surgery, they can make the incision by hand or by what's called an Femtosecond Laser. The FS Laser, as it's called, is state of the art and much more accurate, as attested to by all 6 of the other ophthalmologists that I've been to. Dr. Harry quoted me a price of $3,250 per eye for the premium lens. This included a cost of $600 for the use of the FS Laser, which every other Dr. said was the way to go with a premium lens. But not Dr. Harry, he was pushing me to have him do the incision by hand "because I'm so good". This would bring his price down to $2,650, well below the other guys. All the other eye Drs I spoke with either laughed or rolled their eyes when I recounted that Dr. Harry said he could do the operation by hand as well as the laser. Finally, I had an appointment with the ophthalmologist next door to him. And when I shared this anecdote, he laughed, and said that Dr. Harry doesn't have his own FS Laser, so he RENTS the use of the laser from the surgery center. It suddenly became very clear. It cost Dr Harry to rent the laser, probably less than $600 ( since I assume he marks that up), but still a substantial amount. So if he cuts out the laser, he can low ball his price and he loses little or no money! WOW He makes the same $$ with an inferior procedure, and the only one who loses is me. And keeping in character, this is the only place I've been to for a cataract evaluation, where they charged an extra $40 (not covered by standard medical ins) for an regular eye exam (I wasn't there for glasses) in addition to the cataract evaluation. There are too many good eye doctors in Toms River area to even consider this place. read more

I've been patient at Athwal Eye Associates for 14 years with out any complaints until this past year. The front desk staff is exceptionally rude. If you ask them why you can't use your medical insurance and your vision plan together as a primary and secondary insurance, they are not able to provide you with a proper explanation but yell in your face and tell you that you can't do that and if you don't like it, make separate appointments for vision test and eye dilation. EXCUSE ME! ? First of all, I AM NOT HARD OF HEARING and fully comprehend! Why should I have to do that for a full, comprehensive eye exam that can all be accomplished in the same visit? The last time I went, I had a follow up appointment for my AMD and they insisted I had an appointment for a full vision exam. So they did both exams and didnt allow me to use the vision insurance benefits as a secondary. It would have covered most of the cost for the dilation exam except for 10 dollars instead of paying 40 dollars full out of pocket cost for dilation plus a 40 dollar co pay for a specialist visit. I spoke to them about it at checkout. I was told- "too bad thats why you are asked about your insurance when you walk in". Is that anyway to professionally address your patients? I wasn't asked. I was only asked if my insurances were the same since last my last visit. There is a sign in the lobby when you walk in that states it is your responsibility to inform them of your insurance and to let them know if you have VSP which I do. Sounds like a money grab to me because I wind up paying a bigger co pay when done that way. No one wants to even make eye contact with you when they are speaking to you from the desk. Such a display of disrespect. If you do that to people like me who are middle aged, how badly do you treat the elderly who are the majority of your patients? If you hate your job that much, quit and get another one. There are plenty of them out there. I am leaving this review because I never made a follow up appointment and I'm getting phone and email reminders to do so. WHO THE HELL WANTS TO GO BACK TO YOU AFTER BEING TREATED LIKE THAT?! It's a shame though because Dr Lisa and Dr. Neal are my doctors and they are great people. I have no complaints about them. I guess I will have to find some other great eye doctors because I refuse to take anymore sh*t from your staff. read more

They special ordered Nike Sport Frames not found at any other local eye glasses outlet (and the others refused to order at all actually.) When the glasses broke a year later, they fixed them for free. The owner is community involved and supports police, fire, and EMS. The doctor has lots of patience and is very personable to his patients. The bottom line is, you can goto glasses fast, glasses in an hour but you will not get the care given, attention paid, or end product you will through this office. read more

I have no freebee and I am not connected to the office. However, when I read the review from a patient that stated his shenanigans regarding the laser, I certainly will not be visiting this guy!! read more

It is a wonderful eye doctors office! Pleasant enviroment, clean, modern and updated with their equipment! All 3 doctors i have visited over the time I've been with them are thorough answering questions ,in my opinion very professional! I feel very comfortable! The staff is plentiful, most times I've been there nice and helpful, some doctors offices staff can be stuffy and not pleasant. i highly recomend it! read more