I struggle with how many stars to give so I'm just going right down the middle. I had an eye emergency (corneal abrasion) and needed to see someone right away. My eye was killing me and the whole side of my face was seizing up from it. They were so helpful to squeeze me in same day after lunch on a day that dr. Richman wasn't even supposed to be seeing patients during that time slot. He provided excellent service and relief that day. As well he provided me with some much needed information for the future of my eye health, relating to the abrasion.
He put a contact lens on the eye as a bandaid and asked to see me again the following day.
The following day is where the problem presents.
I had spent $165 the first day and because of the pain I was in, I didn't bring up any questions or concerns. I just needed relief and wanted to get back home asap to close my eyes. All I did was listen and answer any questions he asked of me.
That second day he was not as kind, most definitely not as patient.
In fact he indirectly told me to stop asking questions.
I'm sorry, for $165 (plus) I figured a couple questions (literally only 2) would be ok. Especially since my visit was significantly shorter than the day before and he didn't even have to do what I came there for (see below)
I'm local and looking for a new eye doc in the area anyway so I was trying to feel him out and since he was so nice and helpful the day before I thought maybe I had found my new doc. The timing is unfortunate that I had an eye emergency before having an opportunity to book a standard consult. But nonetheless I was there meeting this man so the idea of returning to him for my future needs was in my mind.
It was pretty clear to me that he doesn't care to gain new patients. He kept reverting back to "go see your last doctor" even though he knew I was now local and my last doctor was in LA.
Instead of looking into my eye first to make sure everything was as he left it the day prior...he scrapped my eye ball about 3 times with his finger looking for the contact lens he put in. It hurt very bad and re-irritated the eye for a few hours after.
Turns out the contact fell out on its own.
* found it later on the floor beside my bed.
So that was the extent of my follow up visit. 1. No contact removal needed. 2. Caused pain and irritation that could have been avoided. 3. Made me feel as if I didn't have a right to ask any questions. 4. Made me feel brushed off, not interested in any future business.
They charged me $65 for the follow up visit. I've never been charged for a follow up visit before even in LA with some of the best doctors with the busiest schedules in the whole country. Follow ups are usually free, especially when the intent is simply to remove a bandage they applied.
- Which in my case didn't even happen.
So needless to say I'm conflicted. I'm so thankful for the help and relief on day one. But pretty disappointed that same service wasn't consistent and I did not find an optometrist for my future eye care needs in my area.
On a side note. The masks are beyond ridiculous. How many times do they need to be proven pointless before people pull their head out of the sand?! I have never been so uncomfortable with only one working eye, another eye that's running, one working nostril, another nostril that's running, one side of my face that's twitching, all while wearing glasses and being forced to cover my remaining breathing holes. Fumbling around with tissue every second. Struggling to breathe and speak while inhaling a dirty fibrous mask that some stranger at the front desk just handed to me with her bare hands.
Her bare hands on a mask that goes on my face to act as virus protection!! I have no respect for a medical professional that doesn't see the irony in that nonsense! read more
