Excellent practice- extremely well run. Appointments are almost always on-time, staff is excellent. Physicians caring.

I hate to say it but I have to agree with the fact that the waiting time at this practice is ridiculous. However I loved being able to see Dr. Gillies for the past few years and I was very upset to learn that he was retiring. read more

Dedham Ophthalmic is first-rate. My eye plastics surgeon, Dr Daniel LeFevre, is among the top three surgeons I have ever received life-saving surgery from. After five surgeries to repair my eye architecture deformed by Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease (TED) I have close to 20/20 vision. Through it all, my board certified surgeon was kind, patient, wise and almost philosophical-- and answered all my questions. He treats everyone this way and for this, the staff love him. Sometimes, he gets behind in his appointment schedule. Well worth it. Wait until it is your turn. Be patient. Try kindness. read more

One of the worst medical experiences I've ever had! I arrived right on time for my 3:30pm appointment and FINALLY saw the doctor at 5:45PM, after being moved from room to room and being told that I would be seen next. I was in limbo for most of my visit and was never told when the doctor would see me. And, to make matters even worse, they broke the stem of my glasses and couldn't repair them. I had to drive back the next day to get them repaired and that was a hassle. I was told by the doctor that because of the broken glasses that I wouldn't be charged by the visit. I'm sending them a letter to confirm that later today. PS: They hang sloppy printed notices (that are quite old) asking us to be "patient because they are unusually busy today." And I saw the same thing happening to other patients! Stay away! read more

Keep calling for a new patient appointment and cannot get anyone to answer the phone, keeps saying leave a message and you will get a call back Several messages left and never a call back, tried on line appoimtmemt amd same, no response back. read more

I would give 0 STARS if I could. I was charged twice on my daughter's appointment, and I was told every week for 3 weeks "it's in process." Then I find out they need proof which I've provided & crickets. Now that someone bought them out, they are saying "it's out of our hands. They have to process." I guess last straw, my bank will fight it. read more

The absolute worst place! I had an appointment at 4 was told at 4:45, only after I asked how much longer to see the doctor, that there were five patients ahead of me. I wouldn't get to see the doctor until 7 or later. While sitting in the waiting room I observed the receptionist being so rude to a gentleman who was asking very politely why they didn't tell him they didn't take his insurance until after his appointment. I heard her say look this money isn't going into my pocket! I honestly couldn't believe she was speaking to a patient so rudely! Once the gentleman left the staff began talking about him loud enough for everyone in the waiting room to hear! So inappropriate! read more

I had an 11:30 appointment, wrote it down and added it to my calendar as she gave it to me. I showed up and was told it was 11:00. Normally I would assume it was my mistake, but in this case it was not. I was confronted by a "receptionist" that mumbled constantly, asked me my 3 times in the space of a few minutes, and was short with me bordering on rude. She made me feel like I was bothering her! When asked if I would like to reschedule I declined, as I am never going back to this office to be treated that way. read more

I am shocked at the negativity here regarding Dedham Ophthalmic Consultants. For starters, I received the most thorough and detailed new patient packet when I first booked to see them in 2015. It extensively covered what is required of me as a patient and what to expect. Sadly, many here have clearly failed to go through their Welcome Packet - which does forewarn you of potential wait times. It even provides you an explanation as to why this can happen. Over the past four years, there have been occasions when I have been given a courtesy call, on the day of my appointments, to alert me they are behind schedule. (I have no other doctor practice that extends this courtesy). I have actually worked in doctors' facilities in my previous lifetime. I am FULLY SENSITIVE to the FACT that many people sign on for insurance without bothering to understand what is and what is not covered. That IS NOT the responsibility of a doctor's office - believe it or not. Yes, they bill insurance companies and yes they sign on as providers of various insurance - but again, it IS NOT the responsibility of ANY physician practice to know the ins and outs of your own. I will TRY to put this in simple terms. If you are employed by Corporation A with BC/BS you may have a better deductible and lower co-pay with Corporation A, than an employee who works for Corporation B who is also covered by BC/BS. (So knowing that even with the same insurance provider - reimbursements differ.) Please explain, how you would expect any front desk receptionist to know the intricacies of not just every plan, but the actual terms of each and every contract for every corporation out there. I felt, as a former employee in the healthcare sector, and having been faced with many patients who never bothered to understand or know their insurance - this is a bone of contention for me. So, I had to rebut some of the comments here. KNOW YOUR INSURANCE. Wait times at Dedham Ophthalmic Consultants are the result of the thorough eye exams followed by an informative exchange of my condition with the doctor. So, if a physician spending too much time is a problem, then the walk-in clinic might suit those complaining here better. But for me, my eyes and their health are worth the wait. read more

I had a great experience overall with the staff and also Dr. Aswad. I came in for a regular eye appointment for a new glasses prescription, and when I mentioned a family disease regarding my sight and blindness Dr. Aswad did an additional check up for me the same day. The staff was extremely welcoming and they made sure I felt comfortable throughout my appointment. read more

Both the nurse and doctor who checked my eyes were great, so why the poor review? The receptionist was rude and disrespectful. I won't name her but let's just say she is working at the time of this review. She seemed annoyed and put out with having to deal with me, as if it's SO hard to make a follow up appointment that's not due for a YEAR in the future. Then she dismissively tells me to go to "the person" around the corner to order contacts, and when I tell her no one is there, she says, "He must be at lunch, you'll just have to wait a 1/2 hour." Yeah, like I want to wait a half-hour looking at her! That appointment next year? No thanks. Not with that kind of customer service. read more

Excellent practice. Every exam over the years has been thorough and professional. I recently had cataract surgery with Dr. Aswad. He explained everything during the pre-exam. The actual surgeries (2) were amazing with a knowledgeable and caring staff. Dr. Aswad is an extremely competent surgeon. This team really does an amazing job. read more

I was referred here for my son at age 9 because his pediatrician highly recommended this practice. I like his ophthalmologist but the wait time is absurd. Be prepared to stay 2 hours? It's an eye exam! The staff and technicians seem stressed and overworked and the office needs updating. It's shabby and drab. The exam technician was short with my son and his exam was incomplete. I was concerned it wasn't accurate. We will find another practice. read more

As a formerly new patient, I recommend avoiding this place like the plague. My experience started in I believe May? It is finally settled now at the end of August because I gave up and decided to pay a questionable bill. From the start, a rude front desk but nice staff. The problem started when it came to insurance coverage. Instead of informing me there was an issue, I was billed full price. I reached out to insurance to solve things and billed full price again before anything is sorted out. Things are sorted out, I'm still billed a third of the total. This place removed a charge and billed me separately and I was told by my insurance I'd pay just the co-pay. I resubmit under my non-medical dental plan and low and behold billed again. Maybe regular patients are treated better, but as for me if I'm asked to recommend an eye doctor I'll be sure to say anything but Dedham. read more

Every dealing I've had with the office has been extremely positive. The staff is friendly, efficient, helpful, and patient. Dr. Lafavre is amazing at what he does, incredibly attentive and reassuring. I would highly recommend them to anyone. read more

Horrific experience here during Covid. Doors to the practice were locked. Patients (and staff) standing in the hallway trying to figure out how to get in. Behind the glass door, the waiting room (seating adjusted for spacing) was full. Sign said you were supposed to call their number to sign in. No one answered the phone, it went through several menus. One lady with me did not have her phone so I said I would give her name as well. When I reached a staff person finally, she rudely told me she could not sign in two people at the same time. Seeing the full waiting room we said we would rather wait out in the hall. The told us we "weren't allowed" to wait in the hall. Someone finally came to the door and let some of us in. There were up to eight people in that waiting room and we had to sit there, indoors, for over an hour past the time of our appointments. One patient walked out and told them she would never come back to that practice. A staff member walked through the waiting room eating an apple. The staff behind the glass window paid no attention to those waiting although there seemed to be 3-4 staff there at any time. After an hour when the assistant came to get me she asked me if I had filled out the paperwork. No one had given me any papers to fill out. She rolled her eyes. Dr. Fischer was very nice and I am sure very competent but this practice is a horror show. read more

The staff is beyond rude. I waited for over an hour to see the dr, and witnessed dozens of patients shifted in and out of rooms, it's a factory. Stay AWAY! read more

Hour wait. Rude staff. They provided incorrect information about my insurance company.

So, it seems like I had a similar experience to others who have spent time at this office. Three times over. I scratched my cornea, which required an initial urgent care visit with Dr. Gillies, then two follow-up appointments with Dr. Aswad. I started calling Dr. Aswad "Dr. five minutes" because every time he left the room to go attend to another patient, he kept saying "I'll be back in five minutes". Both doctors were pleasant and knowledgeable, but being offered coffee or hot chocolate by a technician/concierge does not make up for loss of my precious time. I work part-time, and every hour away from my job is money out of my pocket. read more

Yes I experienced a wait as other reviewers have mentioned, but I could not have been more satisfied with the exam by the technician and with my consultation with Dr. Gillies who is thorough, direct, and clear. I came away completely understanding the nature of my issue and could not have received more capable care. read more

Horrible reception. Never seen anything like this before. They called us and asked for around $200 without really explaining why. My father was just asking for an explanation and since his English isn't very good, he needs my sister to translate, as he doesn't let me deal with money and insurance. My sister was in the middle of an important meeting at work, and the receptionist just continuously asks her to come, and when my dad says, "She is in a meeting with her boss right now. Do you want her to lose her job?", the receptionist immediately said "yes, she should lose her job." We didn't get the name of this receptionist, but she should definitely be the one to lose her job. She should get replaced, as she is making her company look bad. Why is she acting all high and mighty for no reason? Another reason I rated this one star was because of the Covid experience. They asked us to call them once we were outside the door, they picked up and asked us to hold after we said we were outside the door. We stood there outside for 5 minutes before someone else, who also had an appointment also came and dialed them as well. The reception team just completely forgot about us as they led the other person into the room, while we were still on hold. Rude? Not doing their job? Looks like it to me. read more

I agree with the past reviewers that the wait is very long, minimum 1 hr. I was referred here by my optometrist for a potential eye problem. Dr Gillies was great!, patiently explaining what my condition was, the treatment, and even encouraged me to get a second opinion because of the seriousness of my condition. I really appreciate his professionalism, kindness, and taking the time to talk to me and answer my quesitons. The technician was also really great in telling me everything that she was doing and the tests she was putting me through. The negative aspect is the long long wait. It's a great office just be prepared for the wait, and don't stress. read more

I have to say that almost every person I have come across in this office, has been quite rude! I can understand it may be busy, however, there is no reason to treat your patients this way. They have a good setup and plenty of great equipment, just wish the staff was better to people! read more

This was an awful experience from beginning to end. Scheduling an appointment took weeks and then the wait once you got in the door was almost an hour. There was no clear pricing policy and the fee for a contact lens fitting was outrageous. On top of everything else, the staff was brusque and bordering on rude. read more

Here now. It's 4pm and my appointment was at 2:50pm. So it's more than 1 hour since I got here and I haven't seen a doctor yet. I've been going here since I was a child. Love Dr. Aswad and Gillies but I wonder if they're overbooking people because I shouldn't have to spend hours at the office to get my eyes checked. My annual eye exam takes a minimum of 2.5 hours and I don't know if that's normal. Some poor elderly lady is here currently and is very anxious because she hasn't seen a doc either and she has to go pick up her grandchildren and the tech told her "you should expect to be here for 1.5 hours every time you make an appointment". Doesn't sound normal. I may not come here anymore despite liking the doctors because of the overbooking read more

If I could give them a zero I would. On Thursday, January 25, 2018, I called the office to once again ask for an appointment concerning styes in my right eye that I have had for over 4 months. Usually I see Dr. Aswad, but I asked for Dr. Gillies who I was told was on vacation. I have had many appointments with Dr. Aswad who is a cornea specialist, and two years ago I had shingles in my left cornea. I have been given so many different eye drops due to dry eye and use Lumigan to address the pressure in my eyes. I believe another eye drop is due to my eyes being swollen. Last fall, Dr. Aswad gave me eye drops that stung my eyes and caused me to be so light sensitive, I cried while driving because I could barely see the road. I always wear sunglasses and bought a hat, and that did not help. I stopped using them on my own, and it took at least a few weeks, if not more, for me eyesight to feel better. For a couple of years now my eyesight has significantly deteriorated. I have a prescription from them for a change in my prescription reading glasses, I had the prescription changed yet I see double with letters or even triple with numbers. I've told them this many times, but no change. I asked for Dr. Gillies on Thursday to see what he thought about these styes that will not go away despite putting a hot gel pack on them several times a day. I have used hot wash clothes and a specific wash to keep my eyelashes clean. It's been a full time job. A month or so ago I asked Dr. Aswad if he could recommend a doctor for a second opinion. I never said I intend to leave this practice. In fact, Dr. Donna Valentini has been my eye doctor since this group was part of Dedham Medical Associates. I only have nice things to say about her; she is the reason I went with her to her new office. I have been frustrated that nothing seems to be improving. Every time I go there I make a $60 copay which is paid at time of check-in. I don't owe them any money; I have always been polite; yet I got KICKED TO THE CURB during my phone call on Thursday. The front desk person, S, who is a relatively new hire, told me after I was put on hold for a long time, that my medical records have been transferred to the second opinion doctor that Dr. Aswad recommended, and I should contact that doctor for further treatment. I was obviously dismissed from an office I have been going to for years. They do not have the right to dismiss me just because Dr. Aswad, who is considered on of the best in Boston, has been ineffective in helping my eyesight be the best it can be which includes correcting the prescription so I can actually see better. If a patient who has a long history at DOCS can be so easily dismissed, any one can. I do not recommend this practice. read more

the girl at the desk was rude and not helpfull at all.they screwed up my prescription for my right eye the young girl who did the exam was just a tech not a full optician.don't think she knew what she was doing.i have to go back but i think i will look for a better doctor. read more

I arrived 20 minutes early to my appointment this morning. This is my 3rd visit with Dr. Valentini. I had no intention of ever leaving her and have full confidence in her. The office was crowded and there was 3 people in front of me. I was greeted by a woman named Nxxx, who was all business and did not even crack a smile. She asked me for my insurance card. I gave her my vision card and she said "What's this?" I told her it was my vision insurance. She asked me if my exams were billed through medical or vision. I answered I wasn't sure but I thought it was both while thinking, isn't this her job to know this. She proceeded to tell me that they do not take United Health Care anymore. I felt panicked. I asked why wasn't I notified of this? I made the appointment a year in advance. I never received an answer to this and my question was completely dodged! She told me my BCBS may cover the whole thing if it's billed under medical, but I was pretty sure it wasn't, which is why I have the supplemental vision insurance because they cover the $110.00 or maybe more, eye exam portion. She told me I would need to check with my insurance company. I asked her, "can't you look in the system and see how it was billed out previously?" She SNAPPED at me and said "that's what I'm DOING!" I'm sorry I'm not a mind reader. She did a lot of staring at the computer, no communication, no eye contact! Fortunately I had the time to call. When I called BCBS they told me that only the medical portion would be covered. They also told me that I should not be calling, the office, SHE should be calling to find out what is covered, because that's THEIR job. I am in the medical field and already know this, but I wanted to hear it for myself anyway. Next I called my vision insurer. They told me that Dr. V. was still in their network. N. said, "oh they don't update their files." BTW, I still have not had any eye contact from this woman. Not knowing what to believe I opted to leave, not wanting to get billed for an eye exam. Now I have taken a day off for no reason, did not get my eyes checked today, have to find a new eye Dr. in the network and have all my records transferred over. If the office had notified me like they SHOULD OF, I would of gladly changed insurance providers as my employer offers several to stay with Dr. V. An apology goes a long way. If I had be greeted like a human being and they had said, we're sorry mame, yes you should of been notified, this review wouldn't even be going up. Dr. V. is great, I can't change insurance until Jan. 1. I would love to go back to her, but I will never forget how RUDE this person was to me and never want to be in the same room as her again. Just to add, Jxxxx that orders the eye glasses is just as unprofessional and very suspicious. Last year an elderly woman was in front of me and was complaining about the prices of the glasses. When she left he unloaded on me how all the old lady's are crabby and cheap. He told me he's been in the business for over 20 years. Clearly he is burnt out and hates his job. Also, he made my glasses wrong. I told him I wanted the smudge resistant film put on them, but he didn't order it. They also will not give you a receipt for your glasses, just a credit card total, very suspicious! I called the office this morning because I want to talk to Dr. V. about the staff. I haven't heard from her yet so my guess is she never got the message! This is not over yet! I will not be treated with such disregard! read more