The medical care is good but plan on spending several hours there. My husband had a scheduled appointment for a regular check up. Our appointment was for 3 pm. We arrived at 2:45 pm. Did not walk out of the office until 5:10 pm. We understand that sometimes emergencies happen that create longer wait times but this is a regular occurrence at this institution. Today they apologized for the long wait times blaming it on the leaving snowbirds trying to get their last eye exam in before returning home. Well that's absurd. Who scheduled all those snowbirds. They certainly didn't just decide to walk in and demand to be seen. Someone is responsible for the over scheduling. Maybe they should re adjust the time allotment for each patient as the current scheduling procedures are creating long and unnecessary wait times for each patient. read more

Their patient scheduling leaves a lot to be desired. But then, it is now different than other physicians offices. 10:15 appointment and still waiting 60 minutes later. They have a bunch of TV monitors in one of the waiting rooms. They are all playing an ad for TCL televisions. Over and over again, repeating every 30 seconds. It becomes extremely annoying. Most of the physicians are great. I appreciate their help and support. But this group needs someone on staff to address the patient experience outside of the care from the doctor. Do a better job, please read more

Dr Lenart kept me waiting for an hour or more after I agreed to a schedule change to accommodate him. They don't respect their patients. I won't be back after several years with them read more

I have made an appointment as a specialist visit to have my eyes examined on 4/21/25. The visit was coded wrong and i was charged additional $140 on top of $100 for specialist visit i had paid at the time of registering for the appointment. My husband had been to that same office in Venice few days apart and he did not have to pay any extra money, just the $100 for specialist visit. I spoke to my insurance and they told me that the way the visit was coded is why i have to pay the extra $140, it was not coded as a specialist visit. I reached out to several different individuals in the center for sight company and explained what happened and hoped for correction but instead my erroneous bill was sent to collections. Terrible expe that is affecting my credit score. read more

I scheduled an appointment with Center for Sight for cataract surgery after my eye doctor sent them the necessary information confirming that I needed the procedure. Even so, they required an additional consultation, which was fine -- but I first asked for the cost of the evaluation and provided my insurance details. Unfortunately, I made multiple attempts to call, left messages and no one returned my calls. If a practice can't return calls or answer basic financial questions, it doesn't inspire confidence about something as important as eye surgery. I do want to commend the appointment-setting staff. The woman I spoke with (Shawnisa) was kind, responsive, and clearly tried to help, but she didn't have access to billing information I asked for. She did tell me that the evaluations start at $250.00 but couldn't give me more detail. Since an evaluation seems to be a standard procedure, I would think a better approximate cost or a range, $250-$650 etc. would be possible. Especially since they require payment at the time of service. Overall, the lack of communication and follow-up made it impossible for me to move forward. read more

Venice Center for Sight squeezed me into their already tight Friday afternoon schedule when they learned that I had an emergency eye condition with severe pain, swollen shut eyes and rapidly deteriorating vision. Sarasota office could not find a spot for me. My Urgent Care physician urged me to find a specialist before the weekend. It took Dr. Mertzlufft only a matter of seconds to assess correctly that I had handled milkweed and accidentally transferred the toxins into my eyes. Because of this speedy and accurate diagnosis I am well on my way back to eye health. Everyone at the office was kind and efficient. They even arranged my follow up appointment with Sarasota. My prescriptions were ready for me at CVS on my way home. I was very impressed and am truly grateful. Thank you Dr. Mertzlufft and the Venice Center for Sight. read more

Extremely Disappointed - Misleading Billing and Harassment After Payment I went to Center for Sight in Venice, FL expecting a straightforward eye exam. Since I have Medicare (which doesn't cover routine vision exams), I was told I would need to pay $150 out of pocket. I accepted this and paid in full at the time of service. To my shock, less than a month later, I began receiving persistent phone calls and text messages demanding an additional $474. I went back to the office in person to try to resolve the issue, only to be told that the staff onsite couldn't help because the billing department is located elsewhere. I was given a number to call. When I called the billing department, I spoke with someone who refused to give their name and treated me with open hostility. I was told things like "Pay the bill or we'll report you to collections," and "I don't care if you were taken or not, pay the bill." This kind of treatment is unacceptable. This business does not seem to care about its patients--only the money. I feel misled, disrespected, and harassed. I would strongly urge anyone considering this clinic to be cautious and ask for everything in writing before proceeding. Transparency and respect should be the foundation of any medical practice, and unfortunately, I experienced neither here. read more

When I made my appointment I specifically asked if I was double booked. The scheduler assured me that for an emergency appointment the doctor would be punctual. Well it's been nearly an hour. The doctor is in the room next door with a husband and wife. So they actually triple booked him. ‍ HOWEVER the doctor I see is really great - 5 stars for him mixed reviews. read more

Center For Sight - Venice - Waiting in the room for the doctor who was triple booked. He's with a husband and wife right now - Optometrists Near Me - Venice, Florida

After my disastrous ophthalmologist visit a few months ago I still decided to order myself a new pair of glasses at Jacaranda location. . I've known their licensed optician, Cynthia M. for years and I like her. Unfortunately though their lab is very far from being efficient . It took them two times to eventually put new lenses properly. First time it was so bad, that Cynthia decided to send them back without even showing my new glasses to me . It took another two weeks for them to correct it. I picked my glasses up and only when I got home and looked at them more carefully and noticed that lenses are still crooked and not installed properly. I brought them back. After patiently waiting another two weeks, glasses arrived . I picked them up, but would I go to Center for Sight at Jacaranda Blvd again? read more

Now seven years later, I must update this review. I do not have cataracts. I repeat I do not have cataracts and my eye doctor of 30 years in New Hampshire told me I do not even have the suggestion of a developing cataract! I saw my former eye doctor in New Hampshire the same year that I wrote this review. He actually wrote a letter stating that I did not have cataracts, but apparently the Florida board of registration and medicine did not feel that the center for site did anything wrong? Buyer beware! Medicare fraud and malpractice. read more

IF you choose cataract surgery beware of what they DON'T tell you. Following cataract removal and mono vision lens implants I was left with a dark crescent shadow in the outside corner of each eye. My vision says I'm squinting as the crescents mimic the skin on the outside corners of my eyes as if I was squinting. I'm not squinting. I was told this was temporary, but it is not. Very annoying but nothing I can do about it. read more

WARNING: If you have a couple of hours to spare for a basic appt or follow-up, plan on it or if waiting is good for you, have at it. While the expertise of their OD's and MD's may be top notch with many accolades it doesn't make up for their complete disregard for your time, having no concept that a patient may have scheduled their day around the appt. My first appt with the MD was prompt, after that forget it. I was schedule for cataract surgery in Sarasota, the appt was for 7:30, I wasn't taken up until almost 9a, I thought I was going to be taken in for the operation, nope, I was seated in a waiting area with 5 more people in front of me. I left, rescheduled, the second time was faster. Then comes visits with the OD, not seeing the MD who performed the operation, ever. Now the bad part, every time I have been there it is at least an hour wait, you have an appt scheduled, you sit there for a half hour or longer then moved to the back to wait another half hour, all total at least 2 hours. Today was the final straw, my appt was at 8, I was told they tried calling me last week as the test scheduled prior to seeing the Dr. (MD) was cancelled I didn't need it, strike 1. Strike 2, the receptionist ran to the back, came back saying they would do a comprehensive, every time I go in I had a comprehensive, I didn't need another, all I wanted to do was get a follow-up consultation with the Dr. who performed the surgery as I was having, and still am, problems with the right eye which every time I went in told the OD I was having issues, it brushed it off as "dry eye", I don't believe it. I told him I was going to get a second opinion as 2 months later I shouldn't have the same problem. Then and only then did the OD want me to see the MD. I told the receptionist no to the comprehensive she told me to come back closer to 8:30, the appt time with the Dr. (actual MD) Strike 3, of course, I sat there and waited another 15 minutes, once called they wanted to move me to their waiting room again but first, ANOTHER scan. I asked how long I would have to wait in the waiting room, shrugged her shoulders, didn't know. I had a 9:15a appt scheduled that I scheduled a couple of months ago just like this appt that took a couple of months. I walked out the door. I can be patient, but I find no excuses for a Dr. to be a half hour late, I don't care if they are a Dr. or not, your time is just as valuable as theirs. This place is a factory, they try to upsell you on everything and their Dr.'s have absolutely no consideration for someone's time. Maybe it's just the Doctors I have but I am not going to sit around for anyone, at least for 20 minutes or more. Again, plan at least 2 hours for a simple appt with either Dr. Lenhardt OD or Dr. De Roja MD, I don't know about the others. The nurse today asked if I wanted to schedule, I told her no, this happens every appt. I will never go back there again. read more

If any doctors from this practice recommends cataract surgery, run as fast as you can to get a more qualified opinion. This is a cataract mill for money-making! A "no star" would have been more appropriate! read more

Extremely long wait. Young girl at working at counter loudly popped gum for the 90 minutes that I sat waiting. Very unprofessional.

So they definitely get a high rating for fitting me in so quickly. They are very clean and the staff are very professional. The only negative would be that I felt like I was in a production line; you wait 15 minutes to get called, then a tech performs a quick eye exam, then you go back out into another waiting area for the doctor to call you. Once completed, you have to wait again while standing in line to be checked out. Something that should have taken 15 minutes took over an hour. read more

overcharged and waiting over 6 weeks for refund. Doctor needs some training on how to treat patients

Ordered new lenses 2 weeks ago. Found out they weren't sent in. They put a rush and said they would be in a week. Got a call today that it will take another 2 weeks. No reason just the way it is. I will go to another optical place in the future. read more

Always a wait. If you have an appointment with Center for Sight, block off at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours because they overbook appointments. In hopes of avoiding the wait, I scheduled my last appointment at 8:15 am. I waited until 8:40 in the first waiting room before the physician assistant took me back for my pre appointment check. 5 minutes later I was taken to a second waiting room and was told that the doctor would see me soon. 30 minutes later, at 9:15 my doctor took a different patient back for their appointment. At this point I went to the receptionist and told her I was not willing to wait any longer and left. Obviously CFS doesn't respect or value their patients time. I will not be going back. read more

Eye exam showed cataracts. Assigned a surgeon. Offered a variety of different plans. He recommended the most expensive $15,000 plus eye plugs for dry eyes (never had problems with dry eyes) Even though I am on Medicare it is the basic plan. I was told it did not cover vision or dental so I was on self pay. I commented to staff several times of my stress and anxiety abt. procedure and cost. I was told they needed full payment upfront . Or sign up for their payment plan. No mention of my age and Medicare eligibility. I paid with a credit card. I had selected a lower cost eye procedure but after much thought and online searching for information ( and a loan from a family member) decided on the procedure the Dr. had recommended. I tried to contact my "counselor" for 2 days abt. this change. Finally with surgery looming and no contact/return calls, texts or e-mails I decided to cancel and ask for a refund on the third day. (By the way, it took 30 seconds to process my card but will take 10 days to three weeks to receive a refund.) Ofcourse after cancelation I recieve a phone call. It is now Friday, shortly before closing for the wk.end. My surgery was set for 9a.m. in Sarasota. Monday morning. In the mean time I had already found another clinic, another doctor. And guess what? Cataract surgery is a medical condition. Basic Medicare covers 80% of all costs. This ofcourse does not cover upgrades or extras, but does cover exams, medications, surgery and aftercare including contacts or glasses if needed afterwards!. I realize I hold responsibility in not understanding this sooner, but I also know that a large medical establishment like Center of Sight could have and ethically should have mentioned this. (Perhaps a "If they don't ask don't tell" policy exists). Am deeply grateful I found out before it was too late! Would not recommend this facility. read more

This place is aggravating on many levels First, no matter when you call day or night, you are literally on hold for a minimum of a half an hour, sometimes an hour... Unless you press the new patient button, then they pick up right away... If you were thinking about going here... Pretend like you're an existing patient first... That alone is so annoying... Second, every time there's an exam, that is fully covered by my insurance... I got a bill for some additional work that I never knew was even done... Even during checkout I joked about it and they said nope, this is completely covered... Two weeks later a bill in the mail... Buyer beware read more

Now im getting a bill for $25.00. I went into their office im June and handed the receptionist the bill and a box with $25 in pennies Nichols and dimes. They continue to send bills. If they continue i will pay again. This time on video and dump the change on their desk. Live streamed. I have called their billing office twice. read more

I don't even want to give ONE star! This place is such a joke, been dealing with them since May. I have called so many times, wait times are horrible, it took me 45 mins to finally talk to a employee who said 'we'll have the office manager call you'....that was FIVE days ago!!! She said they've been so busy since hurricane, uh no, its been like this since May. Your office doesn't even know what's going on, you push so many patients through. It shows! I also called to get my records to refer myself to a specialist, I simply asked if I could stop in next day, she continued to tell me it could be 15 days before they're ready...then she hung up on me! Really? So if anyone at Center For Sight gives a crap I'm still waiting for a return phone call. I referred myself to a retina specialist (who did EMERGENCY SURGERY right then!) rather than waiting another MONTH like Dr.De Rojas suggested! ATTENTION CENTER FOR SIGHT, still waiting on a call from a manager. Please don't have the one who hung up on me! If you're still reading this, stay away from centered for sight!! Venice retina is amazing!! read more

Tried to charge $35 for specialist and for a test that is part of a regular eye exam. Once I contested, I was refunded. But how many patients just paid for the charges? read more

My wife had an apportionment here for months with one of their doctors for a procedure they can only do there because it required a laser that is only at this location. We arrived early as requested. She goes into the building and i park. 10 minutes later she comes out to tell me the doctor isn't even there. he is working at a different location that day. that location doesn't have the laser. the mistake clearly wasn't ours. i wish i could bill them for the gas and time we wasted. read more

I have also received the wrong information from the Jacaranda office, told my insurance would not cover more than one set of lenses in one year, (false) as I have received more than one set in the past, also trying to call is a nightmare, on hold for half an hour and then you are still not helped but told someone will call back and they never do, very frustrating to deal with these people, too busy, not nice, frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

I have posted before and I think this is a competent and professional organization with flaws. Particularly, they charged me for a refraction exam but did not tell me they were giving me one nor that it was not covered under insurance. I only found that out when I was checking out. Apparently, this is their new way to make more money! I gather others have found this to be the case too.I will be pursuing reimbursement (I am not likely to receive it, tho!) I will have consider whether to go back to them in the future. I certainly won't recommend them without several caveats. read more

My son came home from Collage for winter break (international student). He needed new contacts so I booked an appointment at Venice Center for Sight. It cost $258 for the exam and the Dr. "forgot" to do the prescription for the contacts. The receptionist told my son (I was waiting in the car) that they would email the prescriptions to us. 2 1/2 months later I receive an email with ONLY a glasses prescription. They Never Did the exam for contacts. So now my son has no contacts and can not participate in sports or drive until we can get him an appointment were his school is, and we have to buy his contacts from a foreign country. For what they charge their customer service is TERRIBLE. Their efficiency is non existent, and the Dr. does not listen. Go ANYWHERE ELSE! read more

I wrote a review after I first received two pairs of glasses which were the wrong prescription along with various other issues. I promised to update if the fix was adequate. I was given a second eye exam (this time by Dr Warner as I insisted that I have a different optometrist). She was wonderful, thorough, and professional in every respect. My new glasses were ordered and arrived in two weeks (so now we have waited 4 weeks for glasses) and arrived in good shape and with everything just perfect. I would not give the place five stars because 1. I think they over charge for the exam and the glasses, 2. One of their opticians is not very careful and I was delayed in getting a proper pair of glasses thanks to his ineptitude., 3. When I complained to the salesperson they did not believe what I was telling them and made me take the original pair home despite being made wrong and had multiple flaws. However, upon my return visit, they could not have been more accommodating and I did get a couple of wonderful pairs of glasses in the end. All's well that ends well. My next step will be surgery for cataracts. I am not sure to whom I will turn for that, but time will tell. read more

Run the other way fast. The care I got there border-lined on malpractice. Very arrogant and uncaring.

Stay as far away as possible. standard eye exam is 300 dollars. I called she told me it doesn't matter what they charge its what medicare pays. You are not informed of price gouging till they send a bill. also add 45 dollars for dialate. so its 350 for standard eye exam. Just remember it doesn't matter what they charge. That is insane.... read more

Dr. Newman and his staff have corrected my sun damaged skin! Now I have smooth clear skin with no discoloration or discomfort! I am 65 and my sun damaged skin is gone! Thanks Dr. Newman, and STAFF! Larry Venice, FL read more

Went to be evaluated for cataract surgery at the center for sight. I have excellent insurance benefits that covers all of the medical procedure including laser surgery. The center for sight wraps a lot of the surgery costs into the cost for the lenses you select, but like most Insurance's, mine does not cover the upgraded lenses. Even though I told them that my insurance company was willing to work with them to find the insurance codes necessary to pay for more of the medical procedure, the center for sight was unwilling to change their billing structure at all to accommodate my insurance. In the end this meant that I would pay at least $3000 more out of pocket for the procedure than other competitive quotes. Really disappointing because the center for sight has an excellent medical reputation. Too bad their administration and finance departments didn't live up to that same standard. read more

waited two weeks for appointment monday jan 17 @9:30 they called jan14 to tell me they had to change my appointment to a different office and time because my insurance wont pay called my insurance not true . and why waite two weeks to tell me that. now . i have to start all over again. the WORST PLACE. read more

The doctors and staff have my undying thanks for the incredible outcome from my cataract surgeries. I joke now that at 62, my eyes are better than when I was 10. Way beyond my expectations. I was so impressed with how friendly, comforting and caring everyone was on my surgery days! Love Dr. Mertzlufft! read more

Center for Sight failed to inform me of insurance approval for eye surgery. When I called to inform them that approval had been given six weeks previously, I got a CYA response that they had been in constant "contact with insurance" but they hadn't gotten approval. Of course they were now ready to schedule surgery. I went elsewhere. This office is only as good as their staff; lousy. Paul N read more

Rude office staff. Tried to buy contacts and the office had "prepared" my contacts by opening the bottles. The horrible office staff had left soap residue on my contacts and it burned my eye. Never going back!!!! read more

When I made my annual eye appointment at Center for Sight with Dr. James Lenhart, I said I did not want a refraction exam (for a lens prescription) because they don't take my vision plan and I have that work done elsewhere where my plan is accepted. The person making the appointment said, OK. When I arrived at the reception desk, I reiterated that I did NOT want refraction. The person said OK. When I was in the exam room and the tech began to put the refractory device in front of me, I balked, saying I had already said I didn't want a refraction exam. She mumbled something and continued. Thinking that she and the other two contacts would, of course, honor my firm request, I didn't worry. When I went to check out, I was told that the refraction exam would be $50. I told my whole sequence of telling three people I did NOT want refraction and I refused to pay. When several days later I got a bill for the $50, I called and told my story yet again. It's been over a month and several conversations later and I was just told that I have to pay anyway because Dr. Lenhart wanted to give me the exam. This is unconscionable, it's arrogant, and it's wrong. The patient needs to be able to say what services she or he wants. Be very careful about Center for Sight. You may not have any rights when it comes to services you don't want. read more

Any visit here is minimally 2 hours with at least 90 minutes of that being wait time. Don't be in a rush if you choose to come to this locations. read more

The center told me they accepted my united health insurance. So...I made an appt and went. When I called about the huge bill they sent they said they don't take this insurance - they said it is just easier to say they take the insurance than actually check. Beware of this scam read more

After I was told that I needed cataract surgery and examining the options provided by Center for Sight, I decided to pay the up cost of $8,000.00 for what were referred to as "Advanced Lenses" for cataract patients. The claims were that I would be able to see well at a close range and also at a distance. This appealed to me as I love to read and didn't like the idea of wearing glasses to see the printed page. It is common for persons who have elected to have the basic cataract lens installed to need reading glasses. As things turned out after my surgery I was indeed able to read without prescription glasses, but, unfortunately, I was unable to see well at a distance. So driving became hazardous as I was not able to read street signs. I also was not even able to view my television clearly at a mere distance of 10 feet. When I complained about this problem I was told to wait a few weeks and it might clear itself up. Well, it didn't clear up so I was scheduled for a second post op outpatient procedure with Dr. Kim. Again, I was told to wait a few weeks for things to improve. Nothing improved and six months later I requested a prescription for a pair of glasses so I could see distance clearly. I definitely would caution anyone against paying the enormous fee of $8,000 for the advanced lenses which they advertise. As far as I am concerned, it was money out the window. I still need to wear glasses, and even worse, I cannot see well at night due to the halo effect which has occurred AFTER the surgery. I did not have this problem before the cataract surgery. read more