I learned today that my most favorite and respected ophthalmologist dr Ellen merkin passed away due to a very aggressive case of pancreatic cancer. Dr merkin was well educated, so hard working and truly cared for her patients. She treated us just as she did everyone around her. Like we mattered. Her office gals Beth and Cynthia were her rocks. She said so many times she could not run her business without them. They meshed like they have known each other their whole lives. They knew what the other was thinking without saying much. Dr would say hey Beth, or hey Cynthia? Nothing other then "got you doc". I'd look over at dr merkin and she would smile. Their office is always a pleasant vibe. I will miss dr merkins laugh. I looked forward to my visits with her so I could share all the drama in my life so we could laugh and laugh. She always said to me, Natasha, if it wasn't for bad luck, you'd have no luck at all. And she was so right. From getting full blown amputation for a little blister to full on pissing myself when I got a tooth pulled, I had stories for days. The best part of that story was the dental assistant who was assisting the dentist who pulled the wisdom tooth, he was a prick. Almost getting kicked in the face a few times before this. So when I peed I lied and said I spilled my water that was sitting in my lap at that moment. Well I at first insisted I clean it up but I thought hhmmmm....(ding ding ding ) karma is only a b1tch if you are and YUP! you guessed it, I allowed him to clean it up. Bare hands and all. So after a few moments she finally was able to catch her breath and could speak. Dr merkin said she has never laughed that hard in her entire life. Full on belly laugh, gut hurts, please stop I can't take no more laugh. I will hold that memory and that laugh inside my heart forever. Dr Merkin you were taken far too soon. You were a beautiful, vibrant, inspirational soul. A wonderful, well educated, hard working ophthalmologist with so much experience. A natural born leader. A loyal friend and an incredible, loving, joyful and respected mother. I pray your soul is at eternal peace and comfort. Just like you deserve. To the family and loved ones of Dr merkin, I am so so sorry for your loss. I pray you all find comfort knowing how much she was respected and loved by so many. Impressed by how many people she helped and healed. She was a nurturer, a healer. And I am forever grateful and changed by the love and compassion she showed me. This has broken my heart but I am extremely glad she didn't have to suffer for very long as some do. Rest in peace sweet dr ellen merkin. Until we meet again. Always, Natasha read more

I've been going to Dr.Ellen Merkin for over 30 yrs.I left her for about 3 yrs or so because I thought the grass was greener and I was wrong.Ik her boys as we talked about our kids for years,seeing them grow as adults.Dr Merkin was one of a kind in her profession.Finding out that she passed away just now break my heart especially her boys.I got to see her one last time last year on my eye visit before she passed away.RIP Dr.Merkin and prayers to her boys and the staff read more

I just received an email that my beloved eye doctor has passed. Me, my wife, and mom are so saddened by this news. I have been going to Dr Merkin since 2004 and have loved going to see her. She was the best and always took great care of my eyes. When I moved my mom out here, she also started seeing Dr Merkin on 2011. And, when I married, my wife started seeing her. We cannot say enough great things about her. She will be greatly missed. Rest in Heaven Dr Merkin... read more

Our family has been going to Dr. Merkin for years. She's a great optometrist, we love her staff, never have to wait long to be seen. She also has a great selection of frames. We highly recommend Dr. Merkin! read more

Dr. Merkin does a complete, professional exam. She takes an interest in me and remembers my family from visit to visit. The staff always help me find a frame that fits and looks nice. I've been in Las Vegas since the 1980s and have never gone to another eye doctor. read more

I love Dr. Merkin and her staff. They are all friendly and professional and really care about what works best for me. The office was sanitized before and after my visit and everyone was wearing masks and they were especially careful about social distancing. They were obviously following the mandate for Covid procedures. I've been a patient for 8 years and always been pleased with her care and service. I spoke to one of her patients and they have been going to her for 30 year and love the service they have gotten there. I totally recommend this doctor and her office. read more

I've been a patient of Dr. Merkin's for years and have been so consistently disappointed with the service that I'm finally done. The two employees that work for this office are never friendly, there are always errors in insurance billing, and there is a clear lack of communication between the doctor and her employees. Be prepared to wait way longer than your scheduled appointment time, because the doctor is consistently late without apology for the excessive waiting time. read more

I went to Dr. Merkin for my first eye appointment ever on Monday and was very impressed with how smoothly things went. She took time to get to know me during the visit which made me feel more at ease. I would highly recommend her for your eye care needs! read more

Dr. Merkin was recommended to me by my roommates and I want to recommend her to everyone else, she is awesome! She was very thorough with my eye examinations and explained to me the difference of vision within my eyes. She is also very friendly and helpful when it comes to picking out my frames, since my insurance doesn't cover vision 100% I still got a nice pair of glasses. Thank you Dr. Merkin! read more

Doctor Merkin has been my family optometrist for ten years ! Very professional and clean office. Every visit is executed well and efficiently. Doctor Merkin and her staff demonstrate wonderful customer service, and always greets my entire family by first name basis. Great Family Optometrist! read more

Dr. Merkin will ask you very intrusive personal questions unrelated to your health or eye care. She was constantly chatting throughout my exam. I think she was trying to find out more about our personal lives. She is okay to get just routine checks done, and nothing more. Her staff is very misleading and cunning. They mislead my daughter, and made her do only her eye glass exam and refused to do her contacts exam. These petty people did know that both the exams are done together for insurance purposes. They did this because my daughter was not eligible to purchase the contact at that time, and we just wanted her exam done to get the prescription. In the fear that we will go somewhere else to buy her contacts, they refused her exam. We had to pay for entire exam (because they do both the exams together) from our pocket. Greedy and cunning people. Do not go on their sweetness. read more

I had used Dr Merkin a year or so back. Moved out of the area, then, when back visiting tore my last lens (on a Friday afternoon). Since I always buy my contacts in bulk, I didn't know my prescription had expired. So, I called up Dr. Merkin office hoping to get an emergency appt while in town, but nothing was available, so i then asked if I could just purchase a set to get me through the weekend. Mind you, my prescription has been the same for almost 10 years, no changes, but I was told I would have to get a full exam before I could get a single contact. I was pretty disgusted. I've wore contacts for over 30 years, I've ran out before and have had my Dr GIVE me contacts until I could make it in for an appointment.. Not this place. Money first. Patients last. read more

My husband and I have been with Dr. Merkin for over 15 years. She is truly an expert in her field: thorough, quickly goes through tests, diagnoses rapidly and accurately as she explains in layman's terms. If something is out of her expertise, she refers to others within insurance criteria. Her office staff has even made the referral call as we waited. The entire staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They treat you like family, not just a number in this busy world. We highly recommend Dr. Merkin and her staff. read more

The last time I visited her office was when it was located near Decatur & Flamingo. Many years ago. I wasn't impressed.The service was terrible. I had gone in for some eye irritation & all she complained about was people coming in for eye exams with make up on. (I had seen her a few weeks previous for an eye exam @ that time, with no problems.) Not happy with her I proceeded to see another Eye Dr for the same problem . This New Dr took one look @ me & was able to suggest I had a thyroid problem. She was 100% correct. Just Beware if you do decide to see her. read more

This lady is the best eye doctor ive seen . She explains the process of the tests and helped my daughter and i to see again

I will never go back to this office EVER!! I have been wearing readers for years. My employer offers vision coverage, so for the last couple of years I was sent notice that it was time for my yearly eye exam. So this year when I went in to have the normal exam. They suggested that I get some real glasses which they upsold me bifocal lens with transition and some other features. I get that they are in the business of selling glasses, but I also fill that they should recommend what is best for the client and not their practice. I ended up paying almost $400.00 for my glasses (the money was not the problem). When I picked up my glasses for the 1st fitting I told the tech that I can not see anything. She then suggested that I try them out for about a week, which I did. I returned a week later complaining of the same problem. They reexamined my eyes and my vision is 20/30. I fill that I SHOULD have been told that my vision is fine and the come back next year to see if there are any changes. After my 2nd exam (1 week later) my glasses were changed to regular readers. Now keep in mind that I have already paid for all the extras that they UPSOLD. I was told that I could not get any of my money back even though I now have only one of the features that I paid almost $400.00 for. I fill I was ripped off. I would not recommend this practice to anyone EVER!! "BUYER BEWARE" read more

Honestly, the friendliest, most helpful staff I have ever encountered in any optometrist office. Dr. Merkin is fast, efficient, and friendly. The front of the office ladies... What can I say? They're super friendly, super courteous, and flat out super. If you need to see an optometrist, you will be happy here. read more

I have been going to Ellen Merkin for 3 years and I have to say that she is one of the best OD in town. She takes her time and makes sure that you are completely satisfied with your exam. I highly recommend her. read more