Note: I went to this clinic after not being able to reach my prior eye doctor. My goal of coming to…read morethis doctor was to get an exam to see if my vision had changed since early in the pandemic, to get new glasses because my old ones, while working great, were a bit beat up, and to get an updated contact lens prescription because those prescriptions expire (far too quickly in my opinion).
Beginning with the callous way Dr. Levin informed me of the tragic passing of my previous eye doctor (hence why I couldn't reach my prior doc), I probably should have guessed this experience wasn't going to be great. I was shocked and visibly upset (we loved our previous doctor; he was a young family man gone far too soon). Dr. Levin's demeanor was awful and lacked empathy, especially in a snide comment about my deceased prior doc's approach to my vision correction. Even beyond that, his approach was incredibly off putting and paternalistic. And he did not listen to me when I asked explicitly for what I needed, including no interest in correcting a very minor astigmatism that was never corrected before and has never affected my vision.
When the lens came, they were far too strong. I could not read with them (as I can with my prior prescription from years previous; my prescription has been very stable). New lens were ordered. These were better but not ideal. I asked repeatedly (prior to the new lenses) to just replicate my old prescription since it worked so well for me - I work on a computer or reading all day, I'm not a sniper, I don't need 20/15 distance vision at the expense of not being able to read up close. And I've never needed readers, as I can read and work perfectly without glasses on. For now, the glasses I ended up with are ok, but I still have trouble reading and just take my glasses off. I feel that I was trying to be upsold for progressives or a second set of glasses for reading, but again, I have never needed them in the past (my old glasses are on my face as I type this and work exactly as I need them to).
Meanwhile, I was trying contact lens trials at the same time, to zero in on that prescription. This also did not go well. First, I was corrected for the minor astigmatism that I explicitly said was never an issue and was never corrected for previously (hence, his snide comments about my previous doctor "missing it"). Second, I could not read at all with the new contact lenses - everything was a blurry mess. And as they're in my eyes, I can't take them off to quickly read. I tried two other trials, each time explaining exactly what I needed, and never got the lenses I needed. The last set are still blurry while reading or using a computer, but I can see read a road sign an extra 1/2 mile away! Completely unnecessary.
This was over a six month period, delayed because I have a busy schedule. I'm writing today out of frustration (they'll STILL taking up my time). Today, I called again to maybe finalize the issue, to check if the prescription of my ok-but-not-perfect glasses could simply be replicated in my contact prescription. It was rudely explained that the "glasses and contact prescriptions are never the same, because one touches the eye and the other doesn't". It went on. I get it! I didn't need to be talk to like a child. I'm not versed in your jargon, but I think you know what I meant - regardless of prescription, I want contacts that work like my glasses. The patient should not be held to the same technical standard as a co-worker in the industry. Pedantic and rude!
This final conversation was via a returned call. The caller began by telling me they were dismissing my case (assuming also dismissing me as a patient) and mailing my final (not correct) prescription to me. Much of the conversation is detailed in the above paragraph.
I will never return to this office, nor will I recommend it to anyone. I train young people who are learning to become healthcare providers. I would be mortified to know that any of them would act in their future practices the way Dr. Levin (or the technical staff) acted with me. Thankfully, my previous doctor's practice has been purchased and reopened, and I hope that I can return there when my next appointment comes around. In the meantime, I'll muddle through with these less-than-ideal glasses and contacts until my insurance is available to try again. Likely, I'll just continue to use my glasses prescription from years ago!
