My son has visited this office several times over the last 12+ years, when structural issues needed to be assessed and/or ruled out. I really cannot speak highly enough of the vast skill and knowledge Dr. Schwartz brings to the equation. Sue, is also extremely knowledgeable in the field, and they both bring a kind demeanor and relatedness to their presence with their patients. I also want to add that their office has been blessed with an office manager 'at the helm' - Kelly. Kelly helps you to set up your appointment, to answer questions you have, and to help you find your way through any follow up steps. To hold this position requires a real grounded presence, an ability to adapt to sudden change, to maintain a clear perspective, and to have people feel in his presence feel like they are heard and matter. Kelly brings such a steady, caring compassion to the experience at this office, and makes everyone feel honored and respected. I am really moved by the goodness of people in life. This office is Goodness. With Gratitude Daniela (Dani) read more

Dr Schwartz office has gotten me seen very quickly and was able to work around my busy schedule. He is very thorough and explains the procedures clearly. I appreciate his expertise and kind professional demeanor. My husband uses him too & is equally just as pleased with the care he receives. read more

Supposedly in the Eye Care Business but have edited the Practice to the Eye BUSINESS! absolutely astounding that they do not care about the Patient but instead behave like the "ILove Lucy" episode in the chocolate factory when the conveyor belt keeps speeding up to an frantic rate so it it impossible to be taken care of. They wrongly assume that the Patient cannot see what is going on! read more

Tried to call this office. Left two messages for a call back never received one. I've been calling the last three days and either no one picks up the phone or they pick it up. Don't say anything and put you on hold. Either just terrible service or extremely understaffed. read more

I had cataract surgery on both eyes. Dr. Schwartz did a great job in removing my cataracts. Now, I have a clear vision. Before the surgery, he explained the procedure and answered all questions. Additionally, he is a friendly and fun person. I felt I was in good hands and was not scared. His office is pleasant. His staff are friendly and efficient. Thank you, Dr. Schwartz and staff, for your excellent work. read more

I was scheduled to see Dr. Peter Schwartz on September 13th at 3:00pm. I did not receive a call day before, which reminds you about your appointment. I called them to check with them, and they told me that I have an appointment at 3pm and they told me that my phone number is not there, that was a reason I did not receive the reminder call. I was at the office 3:08pm, and they told me I can have an appointment with Dr. Peter Schwartz because I am late, and they have a policy if patient is late more than 7 minutes, they cancel/reschedule an appointment. It was very sad, I knew something is going wrong with my eyes, because it is getting harder and harder to read without glasses. I am farmer, it will take me at least 30 minute to come home to change my closing and additional 20 minutes to drive from my home the doctor's office. If there is a "7 minutes late policy rule", I definitely stop my work at farm earlier. Sometime if you middle of something, you need to finish it. They offer me another appointment, but I decided do not accept it. I am not thinking this is my fault that they have "7 minute late policy". If I have known about it, I never missed it. If you have an insurance, which has very high deductible rate, it makes your life not easy. Keep searching ... read more

My husband and I have been going to this office for several years now. It's always an easy and pleasant experience. We barely wait even 5 minutes for our appointments. The staff are friendly yet professional. All our questions are answered and we are listened to as well. My husband had his cataracts removed by Dr Scwartz and is delighted with the results. read more

To be clear, I have never actually seen Dr. Schwartz. He books appointments months in advance. I did have a vision exam done by Dr. Larson, an optometrist who works out of his office. This consisted of a refraction test, and various other tests requiring dilation with eye drops. The exam itself seemed to go fine. The problems came later. Once I decided to make use of the prescription received from Dr. Larson and actually purchase glasses, I made some unfortunate discoveries. First, unless you buy glasses from the optician who works out of their office, they do not do a pupillary distance measurement as part of the exam (other optometrists do this routinely and free of charge as part of an exam; it requires only seconds of the optometrist's time). If you want this very simple measurement done (pupillary distance is the distance between your two pupils, and necessary for purchasing eyeglasses), you have to pay an additional $15. Although in my case, Dr. Larson did not even mention this as an option. Several weeks later, when I had received a different prescription from another optometrist and requested a quick follow-up with Dr. Larson to compare the two prescriptions and see which was more accurate (before spending several hundred dollars on glasses that might not work), the office manager insisted this would require my making a new exam appointment (for the full exam, starting from scratch, and costing the same as the first one, minus the additional tests for eye health problems I had done before). She said that perhaps if I had come back for a "recheck" within 30 days, that would have been complimentary, though she later clarified that typically they would only do that if I bought my glasses from their optician. This deadline of 30 days is stated nowhere in writing on the printed prescription I was given the day of my exam. In summary, I strongly recommend that you do not go to this office for an eyeglass prescription, unless you plan to buy your glasses from their in-house optician, about whom I know nothing (she was busy with other clients when I was there). But given the combination of high prices, unfriendly administrative staff, and poor customer service as a matter of policy, you can probably do better elsewhere. read more

Dr. Peter Schwartz's office is the kind of place I wish I had back home. The office is small, but surprisingly spacious, clean, and bright. When you walk in, there is a nice waiting room, from which you can see the front desk and the room for glasses displays. The administrative assistants are all very friendly, patient, and helpful. They do their best to squeeze you in and to work around your schedule (partially, I think, it's because there is slightly less traffic here in Ithaca than in a bigger city). But, speaking of which, there are always, ALWAYS patients in the waiting room. I think the consistency of business is another good indicator of the quality of care and service that the office offers. While I am not a specialist, I am comparing their office to three other ophthalmologist offices I've been to back home in California. Although Dr. Schwartz's office is in Ithaca, where you might expect a smaller office to skimp on equipment or whatever, this doesn't seem to be the case. They run through all these tests that I don't get at home. While I regularly check eye-pressure, have the light shone in my eye, do the peripheral vision exam, etc at other places...I ALSO got my lens-thickness checked manually, they used different kinds of lights to check my corneas, and did different kinds of exercises to check my vision. Moreover, they are very clean (constantly wiping down the surfaces and instruments), which is something I look for in any health-related-facility. I haven't seen Dr. Schwartz myself, but I've been in five times now, and I've been seen by Dr. Amy Boscia, OD each time. She is wonderful, kind, and great with explanations. She is great at remembering her patient's exact conditions; even before reading the chart, she remembered my family history and the current treatments she put me on three weeks prior. She is also very thorough in finding out what a patient needs. I went in to get new contacts, and she found that my old ones were scratching my corneas. She's run through all sorts of tests to alleviate the scratching and the dryness, and she's been very good about follow-ups. Sometimes, in bigger offices, I feel as though it is my job to follow-up with my issues. Sometimes they won't call to confirm an appointment, or they'll call far in advance so you might forget. Here, they seek you out to make sure everything is okay and they call around 10:30 am the day before your appointment, every time. I really appreciate the quality and meticulousness of her care, as well as the personal attention. Finally, the pricing here is expensive (all eye-care places are), but I think they are also fair. It is $100 (without insurance, because insurance doesn't cover contact lenses) for all contact-lens-related fittings, check-ups, refitting, etc. They order a pair of your latest prescription, fit them, have you come in for a follow-up, and if they don't work out, they re-order a different pair, etc. It's all covered by the one fee. Overall, if you want a personable, small-office feel without sacrificing quality, professionalism, or punctuality, this is the place to go. read more

I needed new contacts about a year and a half ago, so I made an appointment and was seen by Dr. Boscia a few days later. The experience was great, from the fun and efficient office staff to the skilled professional service I got from the doctor. Even though my insurance only paid for a portion of lenses and services, I was happy going to a "real" doctor's office instead of to one in the mall, even though it meant paying more. At that time, they'd have had 4.5 stars Fast forward to now and I lost a contact lens while camping recently (camping, I know! what was I thinking?). Wearing my glasses to see the digits on the phone, I called the office hoping to find out if I could just order a lens or if I needed to make an appointment for another eye exam and fitting. I called three times over the course of 5 business days, each time passing from the Receptionist to Denise's (the Lens Technician) voice mail, simply trying to find out "Can you just order or do I make an appointment?." Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and my glasses aren't exactly adequate for use day in and day out and I was uncomfortable wearing them. I explained this in the last two messages I left. I was pleasant! I was clear! I left my number each time and spelled my name! I probably gave my dob a couple of times, too! Finally, the contact lens specialist called and left me a message to the tune of "Yes, we can order you a new lens. Just call back to confirm that you want me to order it." I have a few questions about this. What took so long for her to tell me this? Why didn't 'Reception', sensing my growing frustration, run some interference for me? Could the Lens Tech not have, oh, semi apologized for the delay in her message, or offer some kind of reason for the several days it took for a callback? Instead it felt like some kind of dope slap response, as in, "Duh, of COURSE we can order you a lens. Do you WANT me to order you a lens?". So, I left a fourth and final message for her saying essentially, "YES, order the damn lens!" and haven't gotten a call back to confirm it's done. Will it show up? (If you normally wear lenses but are forced to wear glasses you know just what a cruel purgatory I'm living in right now.) Next time, if all I need is a replacement lens, I'll definitely go elsewhere, or make my own for all the time I wasted. It's a shame because the rest of the organization is what my grandpa would've called "a class act". read more

I love this office. All the staff was not only professional but went above and beyond to make sure I and my family were well taken care of. Karen is an amazing representation for the care we have received. She was prompt to return my call when an emergency arose and Dr. Schwartz met my daughter at the hospital on numerous occasions during this emergency. I honestly can't thank this office enough. read more

My Dad had an appointment with his opthalmologist at 10:30 yesterday morning. It was snowing heavily and it took me almost an hour to get to his place. He's 88, has had a stroke, has congestive heart failure, and uses a walker. Slowly. Got him in the car, and went to the office. Managed to drag him through the parking lot and pathway, neither cleared of snow. Entered the office, and checked him in. We were 12 minutes late. They wouldn't see him. They "have a 7 minute rule." If you're more than 7 minutes late, they cancel your appointment. They don't, however, have any problem with having my Dad sit in the exam chair for 20 minutes. Twice. In the same visit (last time). We'll find another opthalmologist. read more

The office staff, including the office manager, are rude beyond belief. They make it impossible for us to choose to return to this office, in spite of Dr. Schwartz' competence. The office manager lied to us when we complained about something a tech did during and after a special exam, and we never got our questions answered by anyone. A MEDICAL question about a serious complication one of us has. We had been told the doctor would be asked and someone would get back to us. No one did. Then we asked that the doctor call us, and the office manager said "that will NEVER happen" and slammed down the phone. Several months ago. Now we think maybe the staff doesn't convey messages to the doctor. It's one thing to have staff lighten the doctor's load, but another thing entirely to put up a complete firewall between doctors and patients that negatively affects patient care. read more

Dr. Schwartz has been my ophthalmologist for several years. He has done very successful cataract surgery on me and treated a severe dry eye condition. He is always friendly, professional and informative, explaining the medical condition patiently and clearly. He's an amazing diagnostician, having found MS and other non-opthalmological diseases in patients who are friends of mine when other physicians could not figure out what they had. The office runs smoothly and I am always taken on time. read more

This message review is targeted for Dr. Schwartz bcz apparently all calls/messages asking to speak to you directly are met with frustrations, hung-up calls, rudeness and unprofessional handling by your front office. This is ridiculous that after 90 days (and still counting) since you examined my eyes for Contact lens fitting, your office could NOT produce a Valid prescription that I could use with any retailer but yours. I've been extremely patient with you guys for the whole THREE Months!! and your office claims I am a DISTURBANCE? Karen, you've some issues talking to your patients, I can see that you too know how to use foul language when you're angry.. And BTW, when initially I chose not to go with your trials, your office handed me the Prescription page with the exact same properties you've Copied off my Old Lenses boxes (I stupidly brought with me, dated from 2016!!). please dont tell me I'm making this up, it's all typed on the page you gave me and NO wonder why Retailers won't approve the 'type' bcz you just plagiarized an old prescription. When I called your office back, someone got irritated, hung up on me which prompted me to drive directly to your office, stood outside and finally talked to Kate and 2+ months later I am still waiting for this to be resolved..!! No worries, a dispute case was opened with BCBS on this atrocious experience with you guys. read more

I have been satisfied with the clinical care of Dr. Schwartz and his colleague, but the front-desk staff is so consistently atrocious and has created so many problems that today I bit the dust with this practice. There have been serious errors about appointments, insurance, messages, prescriptions, cancelling at the last minute because of an error on their part (then denying, later, that I had that appointment to begin with! - I think it was struck from the record), insisting that I've come in for something different than what I came for - you name it, they've screwed it up. Today, I asked at the front desk when I could speak to Dr. Schwartz, and the answer was, "He doesn't have time to speak with you." My aunt, who used to go there, refuses to go back even though she's in dire need of help, and a colleague told me he'd had the same problem with the front desk staff. Too bad - because, as I said, the clinical stuff was fine, but at this point the front desk presents too many obstacles to GETTING the clinical care at all. For what it's worth, I came here as a refugee from Arleo, about whom I also have horror stories, so I'm stumped about where to find a decent ophthalmologist closer to Ithaca than Syracuse. (Suggestions welcome!) Still, I think traveling there would be quicker than trying to get something done with these rude, incompetent people. (For the record, I did tell Dr. Schwartz about it and nothing changed.) read more

Never had a problem waiting for an apointment. Never had a problem with insurance at all. Front office is great! As for Dr. Schwartz he came highly recommended. He performed perfect eye surgry on my 2 year old and we have had follow up care for the past year or so. read more

We went to see Dr. Schwartz for my 1 1/2 year olds clogged tear duct. At our initial appointment he was friendly and we had no problems. However, a week later when I found out that I would have to leave my son by himself during the procedure I was uncomfortable with that and wanted to talk to the doctor about being able to stay with my son. However I was unable to do so as he was too busy with other patients. I asked if he could call me back when he wasn't busy, but I was told that wasn't likely to happen. The nurse that I was speaking to did not like the fact that I was asking too many questions, and she canceled my appointment for the procedure. I was matter of fact and polite during the whole conversation, but I was treated as if I was being completely unreasonable. read more

I'm currently search for a really good ophthalmologist that is based in NYC, and Dr. Peter Schwartz came to mind during my search. I was a patient of Dr. Schwartz from 2010 until 2012 when I lived in Ithaca. I saw him due to some blurriness in my left eye, and he discovered that I was suffering from an early stage of glaucoma - which was quite frightening since I was only 21 at the time. Luckily, he was able to control it during the two years I saw him. He has great bedside manner, is very approachable, and has great conversational skills. I would recommend him in a heartbeat to anyone seeking an ophthalmologist in Ithaca - he's truly amazing. I just wish I could find an ophthalmologist like him in NYC! read more

I and my young children love visiting this friendly, professional, efficient office. Dr. Schwartz makes our visits fun and personable while carefully and thoroughly examining our eyes, keeping us at ease throughout the visit, and giving us a clear and individualized summary at the end. His staff is kind and understanding, and contribute to the welcoming atmosphere. He is my opthalmologist of choice for adults and children and we are so fortunate to have him here in Ithaca! read more

There office is nice, and its easy to get an appoinment....although they over book because you do seem to wait close to an hour after your scheduled time. They are charging new fees....I used to pay a $10 co-pay...this time it was $60 for a new $50 contacts charge. Dr Boscia is nice, and I liked her exam. The front desk staff are friendly on the phone, but in person quite rude, and difficult to get any information from them. They want you to purchase glasses from them, but they never seem to want to help you when you look. Good exam....once your finally looked at. Customer service goes a long way in my book....and Ithaca being such a small community word of m outh goes a long way. Spend more time with your patients so they don't mind paying a little extra more if they feel like they are getting something for it! read more

I've been a regular patient here since the practice opened, and the care that I've received is the best in town. As soon as I walk in the office staff always greets me with a warm hello. Dr. Schwartz did my cataract surgery and after that I was put with their optometrist who did my follow up care and was very knowledgeable. The office is always very accommodating if I need to come in for an emergency appointment, or reschedule an appointment. I have a very busy schedule, as I too, am a doctor, and they always seem to fit me in. I could never imagine having the experience that some of these other reviewers have had. I've never had a problem getting my glasses from them, or any problems with their staff. I absolutely recommend Dr. Schwartz's practice to all of my friends and family and to whoever else needs a great eye doctor to go to! read more

Very clean, bright office with caring, kind staff (both nurses and front office managers). I have seen both Dr. Lindell and Dr. Schwartz; both are professional, kind and clear. I feel like I am getting highly competent, knowledgeable care here (which I was seeking when I switched from two previous Ithaca practitioners). If I were to need surgery I would certainly seek it from this office. read more

I was referred to Dr. Schwartz by my primary care physician out of caution that my issues were more than just vision decline and could have e medical underlying cause. At his office, I felt like Iw as on a conveyor belt. The person who did my intake spoke to me in complex jargon, and when I asked for layman's explanations, was treated with contempt. There was zero warmth and zero empathy with the fact that having things stuck in your eyes might cause anxiety. When I saw Dr. Schwartz, he was busy, perfunctory and clearly overstretched that day. he got frustrated with me that I had a hard timekeeping my eye open for the blast of air and got quote short with me. After my appointment, I was ushered into the space to buy my glasses, and a lovely sales girl managed to get me to part with $1300. When the glasses came in (after I had paid), it turned out they were not all there and appointments were required to come and get the glasses fitted to my face. When I finally got them fired, they slid off my face every timeI leaner over. I finally in the end picked up the remaining glasses that had come in, called my usual provider and asked them if they would fit them for me. :"Sure, come on in, anytime!" I am sure if one has a serious problem Dr. Schwartz is great, but if what you need is routine eye exams and care, you are better served going to a more reasonable place. IN short, do not go to this practitioner for eyeglass and routine eye exams. They make the whole process WAY too complicated. read more

Dr. Peter Schwartz and his staff all seem more interested in mkaing money than in doing good medicine. For one appointment, I had to wait an hour beyond the appointment time before the doctor looked at me, and then he neglected to discuss the issue for which my family doctor had referred me. I forgot about it myself because I'd been waiting in the examination room so long, but he should have been reading about it from my chart. Did order glasses, but the (very expensive) frames never fit. Not a place I'd buy them again. Discussed with him the possibility of buying contact lenses and he tried to sell them to me on the spot. He seemed to assume that I'd buy them from his optician rather from an optician elsewhere in town. He even asked the desk person to make a contacts appointment for me, an appointment I later cancelled, since I was being hurried down the hallway to the desk without having said a word about wanting to make the appointment right then. read more

Dr. Schwartz appears to be the only ophthalmologist who takes our insurance, so my son has been in his care for the last couple of years. If you are articulate and very patient, he will answer your questions. He may even give you a very good explanation. I have had no problems with the explanations he has given me. However, he can be rather impatient with children, especially if they are disabled. The last three times I was there he glanced at us and walked by without saying a word. Weird. I've also had problems with a lack of staff friendliness, never anything blatent just passive-aggressive responses like "Sure we can do that," in the nastiest tone possible then a hang up without a good bye. I am very polite! Recently, I asked a receptionist to change the "Race" category for my sons from White to Latino. These are political categories to be sure, but they are important to us and to the government that uses these statistics to determine services! I explained that and I also explained that we do not want to erase the Afro-Caribbean side of the family. Dr. Lindell is very good, Dr Schwartz is efficient but not very patient, most of the staff is rude (with only 2 exceptions), so overall I can not recommend this office. read more