LEFT IN TEARS!!! Today was my first visit to this office. Came in for my annual eye exam by the recommendation of a friend (though she had recommended Dr. Drucker, but my appointment was made with Dr. Hamburger.)
Pros: Only 5 minutes from my house with free parking and reminders via e-mail, text, and a phone call. Front desk staff was friendly and welcoming when I arrived. Bob, the Technician, is the sweetest, most patient technician I have ever met!! He made me feel relaxed and at ease, which is an impressive and welcoming skill for a doctor's office!! I always have anxiety going to the doctor, but Bob talked me through each step, without any judgment or hesitation!
Cons: Dr. Hamburger is impatient, condescending, and not willing to explain procedures.
The Experience: Bob (the primary technician) called my name and I followed him to the back. He introduced himself and presented himself professionally and warmly. I asked him if he could tell me what he was going to do before each procedure, and he not only agreed, but did it in a very kind and patient manner, which I really appreciated. He made me feel at ease throughout each step. After looking at my eyes through a machine, he took me into a room where he did an eye exam (Does 1 or 2 look better, 3 or 4, etc), then he said he was going to put drops in my eyes. I asked him what the were and get told me they were numbing drops so he could check the pressure. (Which, of course, I asked HOW the pressure would be checked.) I asked if he could drop them into the inner corner and I could blink them in. He warmly agreed, with no judgment. I was nervous about the pressure test, but he was so patient and reassured me that it would be quick and painless...and he was right. Then he dilated my eyes and said Dr. Hamburger would be in shortly.
I only waited maybe 5-10 minutes before a man with glasses (who I recognized as Dr. Hamburger from the brochure in the waiting room), walked in and said, "Hey." (I thought that was kind of a weird introduction, but assumed he was the type of doctor whose philosophy was informal, to make the patient feel relaxed in a medical atmosphere.) I think I said something about this being my first time here, because then he extended his hand and introduced himself. He asked why I had come in and I told him for my annual exam, though I didn't come in last year because I had a baby. He didn't respond, but instead reached for a bottle of eye drops and told me to lay my head back. I asked him what they were and, seemingly annoyed that I asked the question, he said that they were numbing drops to check the pressure of my eye as well as for any dryness. I told him that Bob had just done the same thing and get said, "Well, there is nothing written down and Bob is not a doctor. I am." I told him that I would rather not do it again and he just looked at me with a look of pure annoyance and disgust. He told me, "You came to ME to get MY evaluation, so I need to check the pressure in your eyes if you want me to do this exam." I again said I would rather not go through the pressure exam again and he sighed heavily and shook his head. He said the drops need to go in regardless so he can look in my eye. I agreed that he could look just not another pressure test. When I asked if he could put the drops into the corner of my eye to blink in, his agitation flared, though he complied but missed, so not much went in.
His condescending and unprofessionalism, lack of compassion, patience and bedside manner hit me all at once and I started bawling- an ugly, uncontrollable sob. He didn't even bat an eye. In fact it just added to his annoyance. He picked up the phone and told Bob to come to the exam room. Bob came in, verified to Dr. Hamburger that he did, in fact, do the pressure test and put it into the computer. Bob glanced my way and gave me a concerned look. Dr. Hamburger said; "Then that is all" and Bob left. Dr. Hamburger slid over, examined my eyes (through my tears), mumbled that not all the drops got in my eyes enough to stain them. He sat back with a great sigh and asked in a disgusted voice if I needed a moment. I told him to please just finish. He said he didn't understand why I was upset. I told him a little compassion and patience would serve him well with his patients and he angrily replied that he IS a compassionate person. The exam was over quickly and he asked if I had any questions. He said that I probably wouldn't return to see him, but that it's important to continue to get my eyes examined every year.
Dr. Hamburger gets 0 stars; the 2 stars are for Bob and the front desk receptionist who checked me in. I would give Bob 5 stars if he was a separate entity on yelp.Sorry for the incredibly long review, but I just don't want anyone else to experience this! It was humiliating!! read more