There are moments in life when you find yourself completely out of your element, far from home, and…read moregenuinely scared. That was me. I live in Northern California, and I was in Tennessee when my retina detached. The thought of potentially losing vision in one of my eyes, while being 2,000 miles from my doctors, my people, and my comfort zone, was terrifying. Southeastern Retina Associates was exactly what I needed when I needed it most. From the moment I walked in, something shifted. The receptionist set the tone immediately. Warm, grounded, no pretense. That feeling carried through every single person I encountered, right up to the doctor. This wasn't a place where staff are just doing their jobs. These are people who genuinely seem to understand that the person sitting across from them is scared and needs more than clinical competence. They need to feel safe. And I did. The care was top-notch, but honestly, it was the humanity behind it that I will remember. When you're far from home and your eyesight is on the line, trust is everything. I trusted every person in that office. If you are visiting from out of state, or even if you are local and need a retina specialist, I cannot recommend this practice highly enough. They showed up for me in a way I won't forget

I came to this practice last year. I started my journey with Dr B. In the Hixson office. I later…read moreswitched to Dr G and I see him at gunbarrel and Hixson location. He is beyond wonderful. The staff is very kind. It isn't hard to get an appointment or speak to someone directly. The ONLY negative is - it's an all day event. It takes forever! The waiting room always is comfy. They have coffee, water, candy and flat screens with HGTV. It's never hot or stuffy. Front desk staff keeps us laughing. I wouldn't go anywhere else. On a personal side note-i was working a great job when I came in EMERGENCY. It was then I learned I would not drive or work and was going blind. My whole world changed. I lost my job and insurance. Dr G said my eyes were more important than money and they would work with me. His bedside manor is unlike any other.

YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE YOU HIRE! In April 2023, I experienced a sudden large floater, 3…read moreweeks after cataract surgery. I called immediately, the female phone person said, "a Tech will get back to you." That did not happen for a WEEK - SEVEN DAYS despite my MANY phone calls and email. Finally me "loosing it" on the phone a week later - demanding I speak with a doctor, got Dr DiStefano's attention and she referred me to a Retina Specialist for surgery. It was TOO late for my retina and macula. In the ensuing 18 months, I've had: laser retina repair (referral) - worsening cloudy vision - multiple eyedrops - eye injections - a Vitrectomy to repair the Macula Hole that developed - and Scleral Buckle surgery when my retina detached a month after the Vitrectomy Have YOU ever experienced lying face down, 20 hours per day, for 7 days straight - twice in two months? This is what is required with both surgeries! I have LOST functionality of my left eye - FOREVER. This means CLOSING my eye to read, write, watch TV, etc. for the rest of my life. I request ALL Tech's and Female phone personnel who worked for DiStefano and Ridner during April 2023 be Terminated and never allowed to work in an field that involves the human body. I've LOST a functional eye. Do YOU really want to chance it???

I had LASIK eye surgery done at her spa in Chattanooga in 2008. It took only 12 seconds per eye,…read moreand afterwards I could see immediately. Sight is a great gift when you've worn glasses most of your life. It's the best gift I could receive, it's now 2025 and I still don't need glasses. Great experience, priceless.

Wait time is ridiculous. My parents are in their 80's. Each visit has been a minimum of 3 hours. We…read morelive 60 miles from the office. Too many patients on any given day. It's a cash mill with little regard to the overall needs of patients. Probably will recommend anywhere else for my parents to go. Waiting area looks like checkout lane at Walmart

Doctors and staff are awesome. Scheduling is not so good. Could take over an hour to your doctorread more

I went here for eye exam and to check for cataracts ,biggest mistake ever ! It is a mill devoid of…read moreany of their clients concerns .I left with my eyes feeling worse than ever . I will not go back .

Went in for an eye exam for a new prescription, 3 hr wait and when they finished, I had no…read moreprescription. Was even told to bring in my old one so they could see it. Then I got a $200 bill that I contested, twice. Both times Galen said they would look into it. Now I have a debt collector calling. Really nice office staff though.

AMAZING!!! Dr. Gerwin diagnosed me with a rare eye disease in a single visit that (as I have…read morelearned) takes some doctors two and three years to diagnose! He was thorough in the testing to confirm the diagnosis and conservative in his treatment (which I appreciate). I've already recommended him to my mother and others!!!

Had cataract surgery with Lee. I had procedure on both eyes. At the 4-6 week exam, I was having…read moredifficulty with right eye. He was evasive and unconcerned. No feed back for me and he actually appeared angry that I had a concern. He walked from the room without out a Thank you, or good bye'. He 'usually' would lead us to check out area. He Left us in the exam room and went to front desk. We came on but he was gone had vanished. And left the info sheet with the clerk. It took my husband and I just a second to gather my purse and walk to from by and he had left us. The receptionist area had two cubicles. The first one was unoccupied because she was assisting with front counter but returning to her area when she could. We were waiting on her. We did see the second cube until my husband walked to see about help. Lee never said first or second etc. he literally walked out of our exam room without saying goodbye , thank you for your business Nothing. My husband walked around to second cubicle area and found an attendant. We then Checked out. Very poor customer service. He was very rude and obviously irritated. Never said thank you, etc. IMPROVEMENT: True Customer Care

Very professional. Very thorough. You cannot find a better place to have your eyes examined.read more

Having been referred in years past to Southeast Eye Specialists (SEES) and having received…read moreexcellent care for retinal evaluations, and cataract surgeries with lens implants, I a familiar with the superior optometrists and specialist opthalmologists at SEES. The staff are caring and thorough in guiding you through the building, explaining their billing policies and procedures along with your treatment options. The doctors are caring, and thorough in explaining their diagnoses and their recommended treatment options. Years after my cataract implants, I developed "secondary cataracts" which is not an unusual nor unexpected occurrence, as I had been counseled at SEES at the time of my cataract surgery that this might well happen. I now live 600 miles from Chattanooga, but having complete confidence in Dr. Bierly and SEES, I decided to return to have him perform the 2 minute laser procedure. Being the expert that he is, Dr. Bierly does not perform this, or most other surgeries or treatments, on both eyes on the same day. As expected, this treatment (YAG capsulotomy) went quite well, and I plan to return to SEES to have the same procedure done on my other eye.

I had an great experience with them.they found that I was in the beginning stages of glocomoa and…read moreare treating me.i am having cataract surgery this Friday.