Completly Misleanding, almost fraudulent! The staff in the office of Dr. Bermel, attempted to sell me an eye procedure for my daughter. (Ortho-K/Gentle Molding). They quoted me a price of $2,000.00- $2,500.00 for the Gentle Molding procedure. They stated that Dr. Bermel needed to consult with my daughter to give me an exact figure. They charged me a consultation fee of $189.00, and upon meeting with Dr. Bermel, he came back with a fee/price of $7,000.00. He stated that my daughters eyes showed signs of advanced myopia. But he knew that prior to the consultation, because they had just done her eye exam, and subsequently informed me that she was a good candidate for the Gentle Molding procedure because of her advanced myopia. After the quote from Dr. Bermel, I contacted the office manager that origially talked me into the consultation. She seemed shocked about the high quote, and stated she would look into what she could do and call me back. Side note, I didn't get a call back, and I had to reach out to her to only hear that there was nothing she could do. I reminded her that she told me the cost would not exceed $2,500.00 and I should get an opinion from "the best, Dr. Bermel". They refused to give me back my consultation fee even after being shocked about the price Dr. Bermel quoted $7,000.00. Sadly I already purchased glasses with them for my daughter. I was going to continue our services with this office for my whole family, not anymore. I honestly should have been provided a refund based on their failure to provide a price quote within the range originally quoted. This office could care less about you, and more about high pressure sales with little reguard for how their actions seem misleading. Round of applause for Dr. Bermel's office for failure to stand by their word. Oral contracts are binding in Virginia. And perhaps they need to fully disclose prices and not mislead potential customers. I have made a complaint to my employer so they are aware of the misleading sale tactics they used. I have also subsequenlty filed a complaint with the BBB to have them put on notice. read more

Steer clear of Optometry - Dr. Bermel Gainesville Office. They have one goal in mind and that is to sell you high priced glasses and then forget you exist once they get your $. A telling sign is the timeshare like assembly line once you arrive. You fill out your paperwork, then you do a screening with the office staff, then you see the Dr. for your eye exam and then they send you to Jeff (CEO) who sits on site with a purpose of selling you whatever he can possibly sell you. We live an hour from their office. My wife, my son and myself had eye exams and after spending an hour or so with Jeff after the exam, we purchased 3 sets of glasses for $1200. We got a phone call this past Thursday saying our glasses were ready. We told them we would be by Friday to pick up our glasses. We show up around noon on Friday and the office is closed. We called the main number and Jeff (CEO) answered and said an employee got sick and had to go home and they closed the store. Myself and my son took off work and we drove over an hour one way only to find out the store had closed. Knowing we were coming, a phone call would have been nice, but I do understand things happen so we asked when they would be open again so we could come back to get our glasses. Jeff told us they will re-open on Tuesday of the following week. We show up Tuesday at noon and, shocker, the store is closed yet again. We call the number and a lady answers and says the store is closed yet again because they had nobody to go in today. We ask to speak to Jeff because now we are mad that we drove over an hour (one way) for a second time expecting the store to be open. They informed us Jeff is on vacation. Jeff knew we were coming Tuesday because that is what Jeff told us to do...and yet the store never opened and they never bothered to tell us. The lady that answered the phone said she was going to text Jeff to see how we proceed, but we have no faith we will hear back today. We are done at this point trying to guess when the store will be open and wasting our time and gas running up and down the road. We have taken off of work three days now (including exam day) and traveled two + hours three times now and still don't have our glasses. If we don't hear from them by close of business today (close of business means nothing to them as they are closed all the time) on how to proceed, then we plan to open a case with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). If you want an honest assessment, fair price and good customer service....then I highly recommend you look elsewhere. These people will take your money and run. read more

Today I had an eye exam done at this location and it was a great experience. Dr Sun is very knowledgeable and friendly. She answered all my questions and never rushed throughout the process. I definitely felt like I was in good hands. The ladies at the front desk were all smiles and very personable as well. I don't know how their selection or prices compare to other places, but I can't imagine a better comfort level and friendlier staff anywhere. PS. The office has recently moved form the address here, to the Wegman's shoping center on route 29. They are next door to the AT&T wireless store now. read more

*Fairfax Office* Staff are friendly and professional, HOWEVER Be ware of scams. They will try to submit a claim towards your medical insurance to get more money from you and your insurance. They will do unnecessary tests before telling you. The DR. is a salesman. He will keep talking about products for you to buy, He will even take the product and put in your pocket if necessary, in order to charge you. I went for a routine contacts eye exam. Ended up paying $50 for a medical eye exam and didn't get my prescription. Dr. wants me to go for a follow up for another 50$ thru my medical. and then he will do the eye exam in the third appt. thru my vision ins. in order to make more money and submit three claims. Unbelievable! read more

I wouldn't give any stars. The staff in the Gainesville office is incompetent and inconsiderate, and when my contacts were finally in, they told me to pick them up at AT&T, yes, they failed to tell me the office was moving, but on top of that, they charged me additional fees for things that were included or rather covered, by my insurance. The doctor seemed annoyed during the exam because I couldn't see the chart and just cut it short, so when I finally got,my contacts, I was seeing double. I have found a wonderful new place, but I highly advise everyone to stay away from this doctor's office. read more

If - 5 starts would be an option that will be my review. When I called to set up the appointment the girl was talking to someone else at the same time so she hanged up the phone on me. I called her back and she apologize saying that she was the only one etc. We went with my husband and two daughter for an anual check at 10 am on Saturday. They took forever we stay until pass 1 pm, most of their staff already left. After a long and frustrating wait ( trying to figure it out the cost) we decided no change frames so I left my old framed to get the new prescription. Couple weeks later. the guy called to tell me that the cost was going to be more so I told him to cancel my order . We were not happy with the service. So we wait for my new annual coverage to come back to our regular eye doctor in Bristow VA , when I realized that I left my Michel Khors pair of glasses there . Then the frames got lost. The guy who helped us doesn't work there any more and the manager is extremely rude and daring. read more

I give this office one star for the optometrist Trisia Jarvis, because she was very thorough, takes her time with patients. As far as the others there...nothing I had to go there four times just to get my contacts which were the wrong prescription, they reordered one pair to hold me, meanwhile a friend whose wife is an Eye dr that has her own practice set we up with a couple pair Then they reordered, a years supply for over $300.00 I call to let them know the presciption is wrong again and Samantha was so rude She said she couldnt understand me i repeated again then she says If I can't understand you i cant help you I let her know Ive had 6 strokes Well that went on to the point she pissed me off then asked me if I was alright...seriously Karma is a bitch if you are, youll never understand till it happens to you!!! read more

Although the staff at Dr. Bermel's office are professional and friendly, the actual vision services I received there were very poor. I visited on two separate occasions, two years apart. During the first visit, I was seen by Dr. Bermel's associate who was polite and professional, and seemed mostly okay at the time. I expressed some concerns to her about the prescription she came back with after my exam because it was off a lot from my normal prescription and my vision had hardly changed in 10+ years, I had quite a few headaches when wearing the glasses she prescribed so switched to my old ones. I later found out the prescription she gave me was incorrect. I had been wearing the wrong glasses for nearly two years! After that experience, I had been hesitant to visit again, but the end of the year was approaching and I needed to use my vision benefit or lose it. During the second visit I saw Dr. Bermel himself, and it was that visit which cemented my determination to never go there again. Although the admin staff were all nice, and I was seen fairly quickly by the assistant, I was asked for my medical insurance information. I expressed my concern as to why they would need that when my vision insurance was separate, and was informed it was in case there was ever a medical emergency while I was being seen by the doctor and that it would not be accessed or my records pulled until or unless such an emergency occurred. I relented, but told her point blank that they did not have my permission to access my insurance, and even wrote it onto the consent form, initialing and dating where I made the note to that effect. When I saw the doctor, the visit took nearly an hour. I had never had such a long eye exam. On three instances during the exam he walked out of the room, only to criticize his staff for not having pushed a specific service or product on me while I was waiting to see him. After the lengthy exam, he pronounced that I had a condition that would require eyelid cleansing cloths, which were around 30.00 per box. When I asked if it was serious and what would happen next, he told me it could also be treated by antibiotic eye drops. When I asked for the drops, he said he wanted me to try the pads first. I looked on my phone and saw I could get them elsewhere for around 8.00 per box, while he wanted around 30.00 so I told him I wasn't interested. When I was checking out, he told the receptionist that I was getting the cleansing pads and forcibly put them into my bag when I reminded him I was going to get them elsewhere. He then proceeded to tell her to add them to my bill, which I of course did not allow once he walked away. When I tried to check out, my bill was 35.00 more than it should have been. When I asked why, I was told that it was because of the medical eye exam that he performed...without my permission. When I said I had not approved such an exam (and I had been quite clear from the time I first made my appointment that I wanted a vision exam and contacts fitting only) she said "but your insurance covers it so why wouldn't you want it?". I was obviously quite upset since I had blatantly told them earlier they did not have my permission to access my medical insurance. I pointed to the form that I had earlier initialed and dated showing that I had written they did not have my permission. When she told the doctor, he got so upset at her for not telling him before he did the exam (which was not scheduled in the first place) that she nearly cried. Overall, the constant push of very expensive add on services that are not covered by insurance, combined with the attempt to force me to purchase products and services I had already point-blank refused, resembled nothing so much as a used car salesman. I was eventually able to get my money back for all the services except the basic vision exam, and also eventually got my written prescription (which I had requested multiple times on the actual day of the visit, and which he was required by law to provide if I requested.) but only after many repeated calls and written communication requesting it. This doctor engages in practices that make it a very unpleasant experience to go there. He ignored my expressed wishes on three occasions during a single visit. He left during my exam three times, all to curtly remind his employees about added (non insured) services or products they were supposed to have tried to push on me before I ever got to the exam room. I would definitely not recommend him to anyone, and in fact would encourage those who have been there in the past to visit another doctor at lest once to make sure they are not also being treated for conditions they do not have (or are not wearing the wrong glasses for nearly two years, potentially doing damage to their vision). While it is possible that you may have gotten acceptable care from him, based on my experiences, it is just as likely that you have been treated for conditions you may not have. read more

I have gone here a few times. The staff is nice enough. However in two separate days I called and each time had a child screaming or chatting into the phone. The staff member said she had to bring her child into the office. I swore I called an eye doctor, not a daycare, but whatever. I go to my appointment and pick out frames. The associate said it would take 2 weeks. I called on week three. They weren't in so she advised to call after the holiday weekend. We are approaching week 4. Still no eye glasses. An associate told me sometimes it takes longer for "customization". Um what? It's a simple prescription into some frames. No glass tinting or bifocals. I paid well over $300. I'm about to cancel it and go else where. read more

i wish i can put zero star here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dont go there....they put the dilated eye drops to my 5 years old son, put one for me, then said the insurance company will pay for everything. Ended up we have to pay for a bill over $150. They tried to ask u go back and do all the unnecessary exams, follow ups.... read more

I saw Dr. Bermel in his Fairfax office. Dr. Bermel seems to care a lot, but I will never go back for a few reasons. 1) He must have a post nasal drip problem because he clears his throat all the time "by coughing directly of whomever he is talking to". This occurred on all three of my visits. My last visit he coughed directly on me 7 times. 2) Finally, he is a salesman first. I mean that two ways. He constantly states how great he is, and he sells extra services and products as very important - afterward those expensive services seem to have little to no use. His use of the debridement tools seemed not to be as sterile as I am used to in a medical faculty. He and his people (not so much with them) are constantly pushing patients to buy products he stocks. It is very possible that they all may help, but it comes off to me as heavy handed. Change those few things, and I might go back. read more

The first two appointments were ok but when we went back for follow up the third time, we waited over an hour past our appointment time. After we finally got to see the doctor, he spent five minutes total on both of my kids. Then I was told to pay an $80 co-payment. Five minutes for $80??? I feel like they should pay me $80 for waiting over an hour! This is totally ridiculous. Will not go back to this doctor, EVER! read more

Frustrated, frustrated, frustrated after several visits to the Gainesville Office. It took 2 weeks for a refund for glasses that I decided not to get due to an insurance goof up. I had to ask several times for the refund. First I was told that they had to figure out how much to refund me. Then I was asked for the card number AGAIN. Why wasn't that with my paperwork? I visited the location twice to pick up glasses for my daughter and for eye care solution and both times I had to wait for over 30mins because the office was closed while the staff was out to lunch. The second time this happened I actually did myself a favor and called first, but to my surprise after waiting for 35 mins I found out that the staff left 3 mins before my arrival. I had to ask twice for my eye glass prescription. I was told the first time that since a doctor wasn't in the office it would be faxed to another office and mailed to me. Two weeks later when I went for my follow up contact exam, I had to ask for it again. Everyone is very friendly, however the office seems VERY unorganized!! I was very disappointed, especially because I prefer going to a private office to receive that one on one care. I realize that they are typically more expensive, but was willing to pay for the service. I will not go back to the office again. read more

Wow, my prior reviews are no longer there, even though they are only 18 months old. Unbelievably horrible service and experience. Insurance companies should watch this office closely as well as anyone unlucky enough to walk in for service before checking reviews. read more

very bed experience. Stole 5000+ dollars and never performed services Offers services that are scam. read more

Money grubbing, lying, thieving people there. Don't waste your time or money. They attempted to make me do another eye exam when less than 8 months had passed instead of a year, when all I was in for was a contact lens fitting. Of course I refused. They told me several conflicting things over the phone vs in store both times I was in there... They did not use my insurance and told me it was unavailable but when I checked eyemed, I was completely available for both contacts AND glasses... Rude staff and I really only went to them because they were in-network and close to me... I believe I'll have a better experience at Target rather than there, and that's saying a lot. read more

I don't even know where to start. I waited until I finally got my prescription in hand before I wrote a review. First of all, I did an annual eye exam and a contact exam. I used 2 insurance companies and still paid $200 at the end of the appointment and walked out with nothing in my hands - no contacts, no eyeglasses. When I inquired about replacing the lenses in my Juicy Couture glasses, they told me they couldn't because the glasses would break. (complete B.S. by the way) Then they showed me the JC glasses they were selling for $225...frames only! I asked for my written eye glass prescription and they told me I shouldn't buy glasses anywhere else because my insurance would give me a discount there. (B.S. again!) There are two ladies that work the front area who are rude, pushy, and completely inconsiderate. The doctor is actually a nice guy, but when you have two loonies running the place, you're just uncomfortable the entire time. Do not go here. Just don't. read more

Dr. Bermel should honestly have his license taken away. Waited in a disgusting waiting room that made me feel like I was in a 1950s horror movie while I listened to him talk to a customer about person matters, very awkward. He then waived me back and started the exam WITHOUT CHANGING HIS GLOVES FROM THE LAST PATIENT. He then continued to stick his finger INSIDE of my eye (I've never had this done before) and told me how alarming and dangerous the scars on my eye were. I've had them for half of a decade and never been told this. I also confirmed that there is nothing alarming with them from the new optometrist I'm now going to. He then continued to push gentle molding and 500 other services only he could offer on me and when I said I wanted Lasik he said he could do it but does not suggest it at all. I understand this is a matter of opinion but he was so obviously biased towards his ways I knew he wasn't considering the actual results of Lasik. I was then charged an obscene amount at checkout that I refused to pay and also given another 10 minute selling point for some $100 contact solution!? The appointment took over an hour for a regular check up and most of this time was spent in a sales pitch. I requested another exam for a different doctor from my insurance due to the fact that this appointment was outrageous and wrong in so many ways. Oh, he is also the only doctor that has ever told me that I have astigmatism and my current doctor does not agree. Total scam and should honestly not be able to practice. If he actually cared about anything but his wallet he would be caring for patients completely differently. Pathetic. read more

Dr. Bermel is a complete fraud. I went to him two years ago and they tried to charge me $800 for contacts! AND I have insurance! They will charge you and your insurance. They should be reported to the Better Business Bureau to be shut down. They will also charge you to polish your contact lenses. FYI, no other eye doctor does this. It proves he doesn't care about the health of your eye, just the money. And don't ever expect him to be on time. His practice should be shut down. read more

I was very unimpressed with their level of skill. It seemed like they had just started yesterday.I have been going to an optometrist for 15 years and this is the worst service I have ever received! Not only did the doctor provide me with the wrong prescription and contact lenses they took no responsibility for the blatant error on their end. As a result of being prescribed the wrong lenses and inaccurate prescription I suffered from horrible headaches and got four separate eye infections! They are a nightmare to work with and over priced is an understatement. I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN AND SUGGEST EVERYONE STEER CLEAR!!! read more

We will never go back here due to the following reasons: They try to upsell you to products and services you don't need. I have a very slight correction and they tried to get me to buy $800 glasses! I think they tried to commit insurance fraud. They charged me full price for my exam until I called them on it. I had supplied all of my insurance info, so they likely billed them too. The office manager is rude. Dr. Bermel is not there. It is a different parade of doctors. Run from this place. I just went to Target optical in Leesburg and they were great. Costco in Leesburg is also good. read more

I've been seeing Dr. Bermel for about 3 years now. I've been to three of his locations (Fairfax, Leesburg and Gainsville). At each location his staff has been polite, friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful and courteous. (Not sure why the other reviewer has anything bad to say?) Dr Bermel, himself, is amazing. He knows his stuff period. He is extremely diligent in his diagnostics and passionate about what he does. He lets you know exactly what's going on with your eyes and gives you all the options so you can make informed choices about your eye care. Unfortunately insurance doesn't always cover all the tests he offers, so it can get pricey when you have to pay out of pocket. But it is always your choice to do the tests or not. You decide if your eye health is worth it. He just provides state of the art equipment that you won't find at most optometrists' offices. Also his glasses prices are high, but again it is only because he offers the highest quality, state of the art/designer best. Overall I would highly recommend him (and I have many times). He is great at what he does, he spends time with his patients, is willing to educate them as much or as little as they prefer and is genuinely a nice guy. Think that covers it... just go see him for yourself and you'll see what I mean. read more

Horrible experience for me and my son on several occasions. Each exam resulted in a wrong prescription which forced me to seek out another center. I will never go back! read more

Cannot recommend this place at all. So many reasons--will list a few. Overview: it took almost a year from 1st appointment to getting a pair of glasses my wife and I were happy with (spent $3,000 for both of us). First appointment I called the day before and they said, "Oh, the doctor will be out of the office, can you come in next week?" WHAT!? I had that appointment for over a month and they cancel the day before and never even called me? Came in the next week. Dr. said she really would rather be in another field than eye care. What idiot would say something like that? Picked out our lenses, told 2 weeks... called... "oh, your glasses are not in yet, maybe another week, we'll call you". 4 weeks later go to pick up glasses. Neither of us could see well, but they said, "oh, you have to get used to new glasses". A few days, wife had headaches and I could not see as well as with my old glasses. But we kept wearing them for a couple more weeks. We complained, they said come in. We came in, told us they need to try a new prescription. Okay, waited until they came in. Magnet spacing for sunglasses was off, they had to send back. Came back WITH THE WRONG frames! Had to re-order the ones I wanted. Then when we went in yet again, she had to install the frame on the lenses and cracked a lens. Other things happened, but this is the highlight. Rhea is the worst manager I have ever seen--she should not be allowed near people unless in a rowdy bar maybe. Claudia was very helpful to both my wife and I in picking out glasses--the only positive in the store. I'll go blind before coming here again! read more

I recently took my 7 year old to this office and had a not so pleasant experience. Started with my appointment being over 30mins past the scheduled time due to the doctor not being in the office. I was asked to come back and waited another 20 minutes because he was with another patient. When it was time to get the glasses for a 7 year old they wanted and pushed for use to get items that really were not necessary for a child that has a hard enough time knowing where she put her DS let alone a pair of glasses. When I asked for items to be removed that I was billed for, the items were removed however I was still charged and had difficulty having the charges put back on my card, as they are under staffed. My suggestion find another office. read more

I went in here the other to look for a pair of glasses and was greeted by a gentleman, John. He was very pleasant and picked out a frame that naturally fit my face. He was very helpful in listing lens options as well. He gave me all the options available and didn't pressure me to purchase anything. This type of customer service is why I will be coming back to their office. John was very knowledgeable and so was their staff. The doctor I saw explained everything in detail for me and assured me that they would do everything they can to help out my vision. read more

I finally found an eye doctor that really understands me!! I got the best eye exam I've ever had in Gainsville, Va. The staff was very professional, but Dr. Bermel was impeccable, to say the least. He surely knows his stuff. I had a follow up visit at his Leesburg, Va office and the staff was just as nice as in Gainsville. I wish I had found Dr. Bermel sooner, but oh so happy I FOUND a dr so educated and dedicated in his profession and his patients! Thank you, Dr. Bermel!!!! read more

I have never been treated this poorly at an optometrist office before. Watch out for insurance ignorance and/or scams. Basically, I called up my insurance before heading to the office to confirm my co-payment. Then I called up the office to get an idea of my co-payment and I got the same amount. When I get there and get done with my exam. I went back to the front desk to pay, I was given some ridiculous amount. When I questions the amount, the lady at the front desk looked at my file and told me that I qualify for a 50% discount on my contact lens exam. This would not have been known if I didn't ask them to check again.(The same lady also lied to me about online contact lens retailers being comparable to their prices. I just ordered my contact lenses today for 1/2 the price they quoted me). The amount was still high and then I realized that the co-payment was twice the amount I was told by my insurance it should be. I wanted to confirm with the insurance. So I left the office and called my insurance company that tried calling them but they said they were closed and would get back to them the next day (they never got back to the insurance company). I went back there to check on my charges and was treated like they were doing me favors for checking on my charges. Basically there were three at the front desk. One employee said that he spoke to the insurance company and that I was right about my co-payment. the other two were stubborn about giving me my money back and one of them actually told me it was a very small amount so it can wait. When they figure it out with the insurance (which they will never call), they would refund my difference. The people that work at the front desk do not know the difference between a regular eye exam and examination by a Ophthalmologists (specialist eye doctor). They do not know they difference between medical insurance that cover an annual eye exam and the type of insurances that give discounts for eye exams. It pathetic when they treat their customers so poorly. Rule#1 of running a business - At least give the customer the benefit of the doubt. read more

I had never had an eye exam before, and this was not a great experience. I told all personnel that I encountered that this was my first time, and please be patient with my questions. The optometrist was great, she was very helpful. However, I got the impression that the sales people in the portion of the store were not employed by Dr. Bermel. They were very pushy, and I am not sure I was getting accurate information. They were trying to sell me glasses before I was handed my prescription. Once I asked the doctor about how the process worked and if I would get a written prescription, she told the sales people that I wanted my prescription, and then they left me alone. This was the office next to the Dunkin Donuts and Wegman's in Gainesville. I cannot imagine that all optometrists and eye glass wear sales people are like this, I hope not anyway. I would avoid this place if I were you. read more