Let me start by saying I've worked as an optician for over four years in multiple clinics, and as a…read moreconsumer I never write reviews, good or bad. But after this experience, I felt I had to warn others.
In August of this year, my aunt and uncle chose this clinic because it was close to home, in-network with their insurance, and had good reviews. Unfortunately, our experience was the complete opposite.
When I first asked my aunt about her glasses she said both pairs of glasses purchased are uncomfortable, and heavy. It wasn't until after that she also told me they were not clear, vision wise. She's gone back to wearing her old pair just to see properly, and to not have any pain when wearing the glasses. When I called to ask about a reframe or return, the optician, Gregg, was dismissive and condescending. He immediately said no to both, and when I tried explaining the situation, he interrupted and spoke to me as if I didn't know what I was talking about, granted I didn't tell him I was an optician, but if this is the way he's speaking to patients/ family members, I don't think it would have mattered if he knew I was one.
As someone who has worked in this field, I know an optician should help patients choose frames that fit their prescription and are compatible with their lenses--not just let them figure it out on their own. Gregg didn't guide my aunt at all; he sat there quietly and only spoke when approached. When I asked and explained that the frames are uncomfortable, he said, "Those are the frames that SHE chose, that SHE wanted." And yes, that's true, but if you do your job properly and inform patients about how certain frames might not work well with their prescription, or how they will fit on a patients face, they're more likely to choose something that functions better rather than just what looks nice. And if after explaining all that, the patient goes with the frame regardless of recommendation, then yes that is on the patient. This is not how it happened that day though.
After being told no on a reframe, I asked about a re-lens. I explained that my aunt couldn't see clearly through her new glasses and had gone back to her old pair, and he interrupted to "correct" me by saying, "Oh, you mean they're uncomfortable and not clear." I clarified, "No, I mean her vision isn't clear at all when wearing the new glasses, on top of the frames being uncomfortable." He then replied, "Now we're just getting into wanting new lenses or new frames."
To make matters worse, the clinic's 60-day policy for prescription changes starts from the exam date, not from when the glasses are actually received. My aunt's exam was at the beginning of August, but her glasses didn't even arrive back from the lab until two weeks later. That's hardly fair to patients, especially when it can take about a month to adjust to new lenses or find the time to return for a follow-up--especially if you work the graveyard shift.
I also called the insurance provider, who confirmed that if the clinic were willing to accept a return, they could re-bill the insurance for a new pair of glasses. The VSP rep told me that they paid the clinic about $600 for the two pairs of glasses (#1 was 300 and the second pair was $280 with a $20 patient copay). Gregg, again being condescending said "well that's just not true. If you would like to get into that they only paid bout $100 per pair and the rest was to be covered by the clinic as a write off". Despite that, Gregg still said no, without any attempt to help or find a solution.
Even if policies exist, there is a professional and respectful way to communicate them, and this clinic failed at both.
Again, I never leave reviews, but this was such a disappointing experience that I had to share. I do not recommend Eye Doctors of Marysville. Save yourself the frustration and go somewhere that truly cares about patient comfort and vision, versus just getting paid (or not paid, I guess, according to Gregg) by the insurance providers/patients.
