[Flatbush Location] I think these people do not know what they are doing. I came in for a routine…read moreeye exam but will not go back to them again. TLDR; I went there in person three times and still didn't get the right prescription, and twice they tried to bill me for $50 ($100 total) that I did not owe.
FIRST VISIT: I paid a flat $75 fee. I have medical insurance but not optical insurance. The exam was very strange - quite fast and did not feel thorough at all. I've been getting eye exams for 35 years, and this was different than prior exams. Some parts seemed rushed or not present at all. I wore my glasses there but brought my contacts.
Also, the person testing me when I had my glasses on banged some device against my lenses several times, no regard to the possibility of scratching the lens.
I mentioned that I may need some light reading glasses It was my first time exploring this need (it's new). I was recommended to try some multi-focal lenses. I was advised that I need to test them in various light conditions and if they don't work then I may need to adjust. Unfortunatley, those were terrible. So I made a follow-up appt.
Meanwhile, they mailed me a copay bill of $50; and the bill stated I had only paid $50 so far. In fact I had paid $75, and was told that covers the whole thing. I did not owe any copay.
FOLLOW UP VISIT: I brought my bill with me to get the payment issue sorted. The front desk called someone from the back, who then told me, "oh just don't worry about it." Now imagine if I hadn't challenged this and just paid - they would have just gotten $50 out of me for no reason. I'm very sure there are people who do that.
Between my first and follow-up, I found out from a friend of mine that you can wear near-sighted contacts and also have reading glasses that you wear over the contacts as needed. That seemed like a much better option to me. I came back in and asked if I can just get near sighted lenses and wear reading glasses as needed, and was told yes.
But why wasn't that option presented to me in the first place? Part of their job is patient education and choice. When I was there, they did some optic testing again, which I stated I had already had done the prior week. The staff said it was like taking blood pressure when you see a doctor, they do it every time. That doesn't match any other eye experience I have had in 35 years, but I thought, well, maybe it's a new standard, whatever.
However, he also did the whole series of exams before realizing that I was wearing contacts, and had me remove them, and then did it a second time. Why wouldn't he ask if I have contacts and then tell me to remove them before taking the measurements.
I ended up getting the literal same prescription I had before I came in. But I know that's not right as I can't see as well. They ordered me a sample pair but I had to come pick it up.
So I came by for a THIRD visit to pick them up. When I got home I realized that one of the samples was not the correct prescription. To get it right, I would have to go there a FOURTH time.
I don't have endless time to keep going on errands so I just ordered the prescription they gave me. But now I regret this as I really think I need a stronger one. But I already spent my money for the year on their shoddy exam and on the lenses that are too light for me, so I'll just be a bit blind for another 9 months.
After this third visit, I got a SECOND bill asking me for $50 copay for the second visit. Nope. This is a follow-up appointment. How are they charging me for this when it was a follow-up appointment? And not a medical appointment. I don't have eye insurance. I think they are probably charging my insurance plan as a medical eye exam for each appointment - even the follow-ups, hence the "blood pressure" optic tests, which is generating a copay. But they then aren't actually asking me for the copay when I complain.
I was also told "not to give up" on multi-focals. Well maybe not, but I can't come back every week while you keep running my insurance. I have a job to be at.
If I hadn't complained, I would have been out $100 for no reason. If I hadn't found out about how reading glasses work with near-sighted contacts from a friend, I would have just kept trying the multi-focals without a clue that there was a simple solution that worked well for me.
Also, their bathroom is dank and weird. If people need to wash their hands and change out contacts, put a little table in there.
I do not recommend this business and will not be back. Very disappointing as I live so close.
