A few years ago, my coverage from my previous insurance plan ended and I realized I wanted to continue to go somewhere I felt safe and I trusted. I have worn glasses since I was in fifth grade and contacts since eighth. It is safe to say, I empathized with Scooby-Doo's Velma more than your average 90's kid would and have taken my eyes quite seriously. They are my only real physical weakness and with these sentiments, I would like to share my story with those folks who too rely on their glasses/contacts as their trusty steeds of world navigation. As you know, eyes are kind of important and our vision really is something we often take for granted. With that, I owe myself a lot more credit than I give and if you too think something is wrong, you very well might be right and your doubts should never be dismissed as paranoia.
Now, I am a huge advocate for local businesses and this was something I was conscious of when I first began searching for a new optometrist. My previous practitioner told me I could go anywhere for a reasonably priced eye exam, but I still wanted to go to a more reassuring professional who would give me their time as she has all these years. Enter Generations Family Optometry, here was a new business with a cute story and really everything I sought in an eye doctor. When I walked in, they had the most adorable optometry related decor. Dr. Ibanez was sweet and had adorable eyeglass jewelry matching her role as my newfound optometrist. She took her time and I was relieved I was in good hands. This was going to be my new eye doctor for hopefully the rest of my life--generations to come if you will. SIKE
Fast forward to this year, I call in because "switching to a new system" is a euphemism for, we have excuses for not communicating with our patients along with a few other "quirks". I notice my exam is much more brief. Once I get my glasses, Aurelia tells me she will adjust them only to come back saying they're unadjustable (if I read a previous bad review, I would have a better idea why). My contact prescription was marked down as void the same day it was dated--which my contact lenses merchant found disconcerting. Further, I was constantly invalidated over the phone with concerns about my updated glasses. Though I have never experienced being told it would take "two weeks to adjust" to my new prescription from any optometrist before, I comply. After all, these are the experts right? Headaches, double vision, trouble readjusting back to my contact lenses over three weeks later, and not having the heart to call only to be met again with, "it's expected" or "Oh, I think I know who you are, you're the one with a the strong prescription aren't you?" I decide I'm going to gather up my information and do some digging.
I go to my old office, I get my old prescription, bring all the details, and I have them look at my new glasses. The technician was puzzled, "This is very weird. Everything is completely different and you should go back." Dear, I wish she knew what I had been through the last few weeks.
I go back to Generations one last time, where I walk in, I say hello. I am met with Amelia lifting an index finger to shush me on call, before Aurelia walks up to me, asks me what she can help me with as Dr. Ibanez is standing two yards away moving boxes by the frames. I mention, I simply want a copy of all my records which I later receive after Dr. Ibanez nervously messes up twice before finally transcribing it onto the back of a sheet of paper. I leave with my goodbye met with silence and no eye contact.
But, this story ends on a positive note. I show up in the waiting room of my old doctor. It's like the movies, "You!", she smiles, "Do you have your old insurance again?" If only, I had that reason to see her--my regular reason--why didn't I just pay out of pocket with her the first time? Sometimes, I'm just a dork. My old doctor checks my eyes, I leave her with a hug, and healthy tears well up in my astigmatic Velma eyes. I am happy to confirm, I will be getting glasses I can actually use again in the next week. Meanwhile, here I have a little baggie of lenses I have nothing to do with sans see through bullshit.
I do not want my eyes checked again with another wonky prescription, I do not want to be dismissed as a psychopath, I do not want to be dehumanized, I do not want another letter sent to my home with the same history you repeat to me in person hand signed with your fears and insecurity as a new optometrist. I want you to listen to your patients and realize your staff can make mistakes as can you. It is sad because I really did like you, my siblings and friends would probably have come to you too, but they are worth more than subpar service. We are worth much more than the optometry memorabilia you use as sad propaganda to cloak your paltry modes of care. Perhaps, this is the kind of public vs. private forms of health care my professors analyze and I study as an undergraduate. read more
