The doctor are excellent. But the reception staff can be very rude and condescending. A senior citizen patient was scolded publicly and loudly for all to hear. Without any regard for her embarrassment. I need to add that this occurred at the Heathbrook location. I had surgery at the surgical center and my experience was very good. read more

I went there for years until I felt like I wasn't getting what I needed... I found a better eye doctor. They treated me like a human being. I had a simple blepharitis condition and instead of getting the help I needed they just dragged me along till I almost went blind... And then I went to a real doctor and told me that I had another condition and they fixed it. Stay away from this place. A bunch of old entitled doctors and don't give a shit about their patients read more

Waiting for over an hour to be seen is ridiculous. Appointment was at 1020am ..was first seen at 1120am Then the whole process... finished appointment at 1250pm. Our time is valuable, so annoying. Maybe you should not schedule so many appointments! read more

I have been a patient of Ocala Eye for a number of years and have always been satisfied with the care received. Today I saw Dr. Samy, a retinal specialist, at the recommendation of the glaucoma specialist that I saw two weeks ago. Dr. Samy was abrupt with his examination. He quickly finished the exam, then gave me a run down about his findings, talking to me as though I was a child. He was very condescending. He was unresponsive to my questions. I thought this might have to do with my age (83). However, I am an actively employed, masters level nurse so this was unnecessary and insulting. Because of the brevity of the exam, I question the validity of his findings. I will be pursuing a second opinion. My experience with Dr. Samy on previous occasions has been positive but that was not the case today. RMc read more

If there was less than 1 star, I would give it to them. Since Mark Jank left the practice, Ocala Eye cannot schedule an appointment correctly not do their care about the quality of care for patients. In 2024 I had to reschedule an appointment 8 times because their scheduling department kept changing the appointment. On the day I finally got to my appointment in 2024, it was scheduled incorrectly. They scheduled for my eyes to be dilatated when I repeatedly told them I could not have my eyes dilated that day. Flash forward to 2025, my regular eye doctor referred me back to Ocala Eye for a procedure. When I scheduled this appointment I repeatedly asked, "Do my eyes need to be dilated so I can arrange for a driver." I was repeatedly told my eyes would not be dilated for Dr. ElMallah to see me. I took off work today for my appointment and AGAIN, they had me scheduled to have my eyes dilated without notifying me of the change so I could arrange for a driver. Ocala Eye no longer cares about patients or patient care, all they care about is how much money they can bill the insurance company. I have notified my regular eye doctor to find somebody else to do the procedure. I will NEVER recommend Ocala Eye nor will I waste my time going there again. read more

Medicare recipients beware, if they say you have something, like dry eye, even if they are not treating you for it, it's no longer an "annual" exam, it's now "medical." Depending on your insurance you'll now have copays and other charges. read more

Ocala Eye Surgery Center was a big disappointment. My husband was scheduled for cataract surgery with new premium lens this morning. He'd been through all the pre-screening and was determined to be a good candidate. We paid cash for the right lens ahead of time. We arrived :30 minutes early for the appointment and they called him back :30 minutes late. So by this time, we'd already been at the surgery center 1 hour. Long and the short, is the anesthesiologist cancelled the surgery because he deemed my husband's BP to be "too high". He never told him the reading nor did they offer options. We aren't sure if the ophthalmologist was consulted or not. As the patient, he is entitled to this information. My husband is a diabetic, and his hypertension is controlled by meds. They went over all this is pre-op appointments and they said "don't worry about your BP". They didn't offer options today (like wait for it to go down) or add a benzo to relax him. They just cancelled him and sent him on his way. Very unprofessional. I was not consulted at all and was sitting in the waiting room. Now we are out the $4300 cash for the lens that will not be implanted. I've been trying to reach their office for 2:30 and cannot reach anyone. When we got home my husband's BP was 124/81. Either their BP cuff was wrong or it was a simple case of white coat syndrome. Whatever the case, we will be taking our commercial Aetna insurance and going elsewhere. read more

My cataract surgery was yesterday, today I can see again. I was so afraid with many questions. Everyone I spoke with before surgery at Ocala Eye was very professional, knowledgeable and friendly. They were able to calm my fears by answering all my questions. Dr. Elhalis was my surgeon. He was amazing in every way. Kind, patient, understanding and reassuring. My only regret is waiting so long for the surgery. I had forgotten the beauty of chrisp color, clear faces and all the beauty of the world. I highly recommend Ocala Eye for ever reason I just gave and more. Beverly M. read more

Dr. Armstrong & each of the staff I encountered were very supportive & helpful in my experience of cataract replacement, both eyes. The follow up was also very reassuring. read more

Go to this place if you like to wait for over an hour for every appointment. Drs were nice but got tired of spending too much time waiting.

Unprofessional and front desk employees not helpful and rude. Nothing about it met my expectations.

I would give them a BIG FAT 0. I recently relocated here from South Florida. I have a genetic eye disorder which I have been treated for the past 7 years at a world renowned eye care facility. I called Ocala Eye seeking a "local" doctor. They refused to take me on as a patient. My guess is, they probably wouldn't be able to make enough money of of me, because I would be smart enough to go back to South Florida if/when a surgery would be necessary. THESE PEOPLE DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOU! read more

I had a regular eye appointment this week. I did not realize that this was such a large practice with so many doctors and support staff. I had a very nice and personable technician do my preliminary testing, and was seen by Dr. Vish. He was very nice, and answered my questions. Turns out, I DO need glasses (I figured I did) and hope that my vision will be better when I get them. No hard sell on purchasing glasses through them, which I appreciate. read more

Unprofessional staff. Information put into computer incorrectly. Poor listening skills. Offensive and rude staff. Poor scheduling. read more

I had something of a blister on my upper eyelid. Urgent care said get an opthomologist to look at it. Call , explain, get appointment with name of Doctor I am supposed to see at Spanish Plains, Villages 441. Place was busy, I got there early do the paperwork and get called into room #6 only to be told that after my exam if I needed an opthomologist I could make an appointment and I was not going to see one today. I left. I called the number I made the appointment with (Magnolia) I think and tried to explain what happened only to be cut off and told If you have had Cataract surgery you cannot see an opthomologist. What? That was out of the blue. Place is a factory. 60.00 for the exam. Unbelievable waste of my time which is limited and not theirs to waste. I will stay away. read more

I wish there was a zero star. I would choose it. The staff at Ocala Eye 8520 S.W. State Road 200 Ocala, FL were dishonest and unapologetic for it.. They lied! My daughter called for an emergency appointment with an Ophthalmologist for the next morning but she didn't get to see an ophthalmologist. Instead she saw ViVi Fretland which is an O.D. ( not a very good one or maybe she was having a very bad day.) An eye doctor at the mall would have been better and more honest. They wasted her time. She told them she had to go to work immediately afterward & she drove for a living and it was too late to call in as her boss did not have a back-up for her. Still they did regular exam instead of checking the problem she was there for and put the drops in her eye where she couldn't drive for several hours. (dishonest) She lost a day's work and her boss was upset for he didn't have a back-up. Ms Fretland's diagnosis were mostly wrong. The one she got right my daughter had already told her about. She will not be going back to them. I had told her not to go to them. I, myself had a problem with Ocala Eye at a different location a few years ago. Maybe it was the same person then too? Maybe they don't vet their people. . She walked in and said to me, Well Mrs Wilson, how long have you been a diabetic (not my name) I told her I wasn't a diabetic and I wasn't Mrs Wilson. Later when my $350 prescription for my glasses was wrong they denied it and & refused to do anything about it. A year and a half after that, I went back to my regular eye doctor at Sears and she said my eyes had not changed but very slightly since she saw my last ( 3 years ago) so she was NOT recommending a new prescription as the slight change did not justify it. So Ocala Eye ripped me off then and it appears they're still up to their dishonest practices.. Ocala Eye was great until it was sold to these people. read more

The LEAST professional medical practice I've ever had the misfortune to attend! One of their eye docs confided she couldn't memorize the eye chart so she wrote it on the palm of her hand to pass her med boards. Made me wait over 2 hours past my appt time... follow up was to be today (1 week later) & I was told they were running at least 90 minutes behind and treatment (eye drops) was TOTALLY ineffectual. Waiting room is absolute chaos with staff screaming from one end to the other. AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE HERPES!!! read more

I called to make an eye appointment and the receptionist was talking like an airhead . She acted like she didn't know anything. So I said thank you, no thanks. read more

I went to Ocala Eye 2 and a half yrs. ago after hearing Lasik could probably help my vision. After my eye test, I was told my age prevented me from being eligible for Lasik, so they recommended cataract surgery on both eyes. I was assured this was a simple process and my vision would be 20/20 or better. I should have known that more attention was given to collecting their fees and signing an Arbitration agreement was more important than my vision. Surgery was performed on the right eye by Dr. Deaton when Covid was becoming very serious in February 2020. I followed their instructions before and after the surgery. I paid to have both eyes done and purchased eye drops they recommended I use following the surgery. After 7 or 10 days my right eye felt like it had dirt or hair in it. Constant pain, blurred vision, and fogging over. After being put off many times I finally went back to another office on Hwy 200 and Dr. Deaton said this pain was normal and it would pass ( common dry eye) with the use of eye drops. It didn't get better after many return trips and being charged every time they saw me, They've examined and performed laser surgery on my right eye with nothing improving, but they keep getting paid for an eye they've ruined. Now I'm living with this bad eye using eye drops every day with the same problems from day one, constant pain, blurred vision and feels like a hair or piece of gravel in my eye. Assembly line eye care and all about the MONEY... read more

Used Ocala Eye for 10 years but no more when I was told I couldn't see an ophthalmologist, had to see an optometrist only. Rheumatologist recommends ophthalmologist and I had started with one at Ocala Eye, then to optometrist for contacts. Poor result also from cataract surgery with a dr who is no longer there. Like cattle being herded there. All about the money. read more

no problems with the doctors, they do a nice job. That said, just received a letter from Ocala Eye billing threatening to take me to collections if I didn't pay my past due balance. I told myself I would take care of it next time in, because we go approximately every 3 weeks. Two days after receiving the statement, a message was sent to my phone stating the same. I called the office immediately and was told that the billing office had sent several statements trying to collect the past due amount. BS, and you know you didn't. Thia was all over the incorrect amount ($10) instead of $20 being collected at office visits. Why wouldn't you call the office and tell them they're not collecting enough. This happened 11 times. I'll bet when I go next, these imbeciles will try to collect $10 again. long story short, I paid them, I owed the amount after all. It's not the professionals, it's the incompetence of administrative management. You need to be choosier on who you hire read more

Ocala Eye Surgery Center - Transcription of message left on my phone by Ocala Eye Billing - Ophthalmologists Near Me - Ocala, Florida

Do not have multifocal implants they say no distance glasses and only reading for very small print well ive got a full set of glasses still after 6k in fees for all these empty promises. Dont waste your money and vet the doc before you let him cut notice most listed at this practice are not MDs. Be ware. They should have at least paid for my glasses since they obviously screwed up leaving me needing both prescription for near and distance. read more

I had a complete eye exam at Ocala Eye. It was like a factory process. Support staff did 99% of the testing, some in training. Saw the Dr for less than 2 minutes. No real feedback from all these tests other than I don't need cataract surgery yet. My eyes are blurry since the exam. Disappointed. read more

I went in to Ocala Eye to have an eye test completed for the Dept of Motor vehicles requirement. My eyes were tested. I was then told that Kathryn Pomakis, OD would have to see me. The doctor saw me and indicated that I had a low pressure of 2 in my blind right eye. I explained to her that when the pressure was checked a week ago by my doctor at University of Florida at Gainesville, the pressure was also at a 2 but he did not have an issue with it. Kathryn Pomakis said that I would have to go to the emergency room at the same hospital in Gainesville FL immediately because they did not have anyone at Ocala Eye that could see me for this issue. Now I already told her that the eye pressure was not an issue with my Ophthalmologist at University of Florida I went to the emergency room as ordered at University of Florida and waited for several hours before deciding to leave. The Emergency room was so extremely busy with the influx of patients. The only time I heard a name called was so they could get an hourly reading from patients that were waiting to see a doctor. I never saw any of the patients actually going in to see a doctor. What I did see was many people wrapped up in blankets either laying on the floor or using chairs to makeshift sleeping positions. I decided to leave because my current Ophthalmologist worked at this hospital and I would just set up an appointment with him on the next day. I also had other health issues and wanted to be at home to take care of them. The next morning the Kathryn Pomakis, OD, from Ocala Eye called me and asked what the Doctor said from the emergency room in Gainsville. I explained to her that after several hours I left the emergency room and I explained to her the reasons why. I also informed her that I had scheduled an appointment with my regular Ophthalmologist at University of Florida on the same day. When I went to my appointment at University of Florida, my doctor told me that my eye pressure of 2 was normal for me. He stated that Kathryn Pomakis should not have referred me to the emergency room because I was in my normal pressure range. Three days later I received a registered letter from Kathryn Pomakis, OD, at Ocala Eye stating that I should seek the services of another eye doctor. That my eye care at Ocala Eye will be discontinued. The reason for this is non-compliance with treatment plan and follow-up requirements. Dr. Samy at Ocala Eye had told me a year ago that there was nothing more that he could do for me to save my right eyeball. I had already lost sight of that eye, that he was only trying to save the actual eyeball. That the shots he had given did not work. After that I went to University of Florida to have an operation on the eye to relieve the pressure. I no longer went to Ocala Eye for my eye problems. I only went to Ocala Eye to get a vision test for DMV because Ocala Eye does vision tests. I do not believe that Kathryn Pomakis OD even cared what I had to say during my visit. I have never seen her for any reason prior to this eye test. I felt like she was just kicking the can forward. I do not know if she even checked my records that she had full access to at that facility or she would have seen I was no longer a patient at Ocala Eye, and had not been one for over a year. I do not understand why she felt she had to basically black ball me from seeing any of the many doctors at Ocala Eye. She advised me to go to the emergency room 35 miles away, which I did. She never called me back to see what my ophthalmologist had said. Also, her reasoning of non-compliance with treatment plan and follow-up appointments are just not true. I have never had any contact with her in the past. In the past I have had many appointments with Dr. Samy at Ocalaeye, and I have always followed thru on those appointments and have always followed my treatment plan. I do not understand why she has done this. I would never recommend her to anyone. I felt like she came into the room with an attitude. I never received a copy of the eye test that I went in for in the first place. read more

Ocala eye is an extremely large and assembly line factory like place. I was so disappointed today. I was seen first by a tech who checked my eyes told me to remove my contacts then told me to put my contacts back in. Then the doctor came in told me to remove my contacts again. I found this extremely irritating. She was also annoyed that I did not want my eyes dilated and she didn't understand why I wasn't told that they were going to be dilated when I made my appointment. I will never go back to this place again. read more

I am VERY unhappy with the outcome of my eye surgery. My vision in some ways is far worse because of this surgery. The doctors specifically left out vital information as to the outcome of my eye surgery, the side-effects, all while constantly assuring me that what I was experiencing was normal and would "go away". Working with these doctors has been a nightmare of rescheduling. I don't know what system of madness they have when keeping appointments, but it is obviously not based on keeping their word or acknowledging the fact that their patients have lives outside of their office. I have a very tight schedule and had seriously taxed my off time, vacation time, and sick leave to work in these appointment, the surgery, and recovery. They don't ask if the new time is OK, they just tell you to be in at a different time, and your plans be damned. They do this even when you schedule appointment a month in advance. Let me explain the entire ordeal: My first appointment in mid march 13' was a two hour discussion, mostly a sale interview and vetting to see if I was a candidate for Lasik. I asked MANY questions during this two hour period, specifically about side effects/ negative outcomes of having surgery done. I was assured that it was safe. Nothing was mentioned about the destruction of my near-sighted vision. We then scheduled my second appointment. The day before my second appointment they call to tell me its changed... Dr. Jenk ran some tests. I asked once again about side effects/negative effects of the surgery and I was told that there were none. I was told that due to age (almost forty) that I may be wearing glasses as most people do to correct their vision, This could be in two to four years. I understood and accepted this completely. Between the 2nd and 3rd appointment I stopped in to pay in full. I spoke with Dana and asked again about side effects/negative effects of the surgery and I was again told that there were none. In early May I had the surgery. The next day my near-sighted vision was much worse than it was before. Dr. Jenk told me this was normal and that it would go away. I booked this next appointment, for June 5th, almost a month in advance to make sure the time slot was available. It was VITAL that it be kept. On June 3rd I was called and left a voice mail that my appointment on the 5th was changed to a different day.... This was completely unworkable for me. I called them to tell them that the new time was unacceptable. They did their best to get me to change it to what best fit them. After a long discussion and many reminders of how far out I booked it, they moved some other poor person around. I hope they weren't in the situation I was in, as far as time. I told them directly and specially not to re-schedule my appointments with out discussing it with me. On June 5th I mentioned that my near-sighted vision as still far worse. This is when Dr. Jenk tell me that its never going to get better and he can prescribe glasses or contacts to correct it! Getting out of glasses was why I had the surgery. This caused an argument to which his response was that he warnd me of this and "due to your age..." I told him in no uncertain terms that he mentioned it would be two to four years before I needed glasses, not the day after. He kept changing the subject to how good my distance vision was without addressing or answering my concerns, then suggested I get glasses, or go to a pharmacy to get those pre-made prescription glasses and "Pick my own prescription", if it was that bad.. I was infuriated. My last appointment was scheduled for July 24th. I get a notice in the mail that they are changing it once again to a date more than a week away. They preach how important it is to meet your follow-up times... I never went. I am done with these doctors and their games. They don't tell you truth, don't care about your life, and have no consideration for anything but themselves. STAY AWAY FROM THEM. read more

I had great results with Cataract surgery. I highly recommend Dr. Polack at Ocala Eye. I now have 20/20 vision and I was legally blind in my left eye. I no longer need to wear contacts or glasses, I just use readers that I buy over the counter. The office is run very efficiently. If you are considering Cataract surgery this is the place to go. read more

Dr. Polack is an outstanding surgeon. My husband and I both had cataract surgery within the past two months with great results. He is a high skilled surgeon who cares about his patients getting the best results possible. I would highly recommend him to my friends and family. His staff are great; friendly, kind and compassionate. read more

If you have to get shots in your eye due to BRVO or something else, do NOT see Dr. Sami. He's a sadist. I'm afraid to write more due to fear of retaliation, but trust me...you will not be treated well, but rather with a bad temper, condescension and a total lack of caring. After he gives you the bad news about your condition, you cannot ask questions. He will over-talk you. I know someone who used to work with him who said he enjoys making people uncomfortable and that after he sees you, he then makes his staff laugh behind the scenes as you're left feeling upset and scared. Not to mention, you will needlessly be subjected to extreme pain during the procedure. I am now with a different practice, and get treated with respect, caring and NO PAIN. I wish I could have voted with 'no stars' but this platform doesn't provide that option. That being said, Ocala Eye does have good cataract surgeons in there other office. But BEWARE. Do your homework. Look for all the reviews you can find before committing to surgery or shots or anything else recommended by this practice in Ocala. read more