I had a very upsetting experience here today and will also be filing a complaint with the Optometry Board. What I experienced is similar (but more extreme) to the other reviews of Dr. Kim, and was a worse version of the exam I received from Dr. Kim last year. I should've trusted my gut and not returned.
I have worn contacts for about 30 years. I know the brand that works for me, and my prescription has been stable for about 20 years. Last year, Dr Kim lowered my prescription, which seemed very unusual. When I questioned her on it, she didn't like that so I just went with it.
This year she tried to change my contact brand, saying that my eye irritation wasn't caused by my 6 week old contacts, and she would determine what brand I should use. I told her I would prefer to stick with my current brand, when I've tried to switch I get eye infections. I also asked for her respect that I know what works for my eyes. Then she said, "well ok, I guess I'm just here to do what you want and make you happy." She said that sarcastically several times during the exam, which was very uncomfortable and aggressive.
She also tried to tell me that I was having trouble switching to near and far vision, and "if you would let me I could help you with that." She continued to insist that she knew what she was talking about, she's been an optometrist for 30 years. At that point I told her, I am not having eye strain issues, it's not my concern. I just need my contacts, my eyes hurt and I just came for fresh contacts.
Then at the end of the exam she tried to raise my prescription two steps, but then said "just because I'm trying to make you happy, I'll compromise and only raise it one step." I tried to point out that the irony is that she lowered my prescription last year, and that her communication style made me very uncomfortable because it was very passive aggressive. I did not raise my voice, I was very calm, and VERY uncomfortable. She told me to put my old contacts back in and that I wasn't welcome there.
Then, as if that wasn't bad enough, she yelled in front of the whole store for her assistant to come "escort this woman out of the store." It was baffling and totally unnecessary, and embarrassing. Needless to say I won't be back.
An hour later I went to Target in Burbank and left with the same prescription I've had since I went there five years ago, and the same brand of contacts. I even asked the doctor if she recommended I change brands, she said no, my eyes looked fine and it was just an old pair of lenses causing minor irritation.
I would not recommend this business, this was a very disturbing experience. read more