...possibly the most frustrating, unsatisfactory medical experiences I've ever had. Here's how it went:
1. I made an appointment with Sorensen because my optometrist thought I MIGHT have the beginnings of a cataract on my left eye. She told me that Sorensen's are the experts and would be able to do a quick exam to determine whether or not I had a cataract forming.
2. When I called to make the appointment, I was very clear that I simply wanted to have my left eye looked at because my optometrist thought I MIGHT be getting a cataract. I was very clear that i was NOT in need of an eye exam for anything else, and that I was NOT scheduling surgery.
3. I received an email prior to my appointment asking me to provide all kinds of health information. The message also informed me that I would have a refraction performed for $75, or that I could opt out. I clearly responded that I was opting out. I had no need of an eye exam; I had an eye exam in June 2025.
4. When I checked in for my appointment, I was told that I HAD to have a refraction and that I HAD to pay $75 before I could be seen. I explained that I was only there to have my left eye looked at to determine if I had a cataract forming. The receptionist said that the eye exam had to be done. I reluctantly paid the $75.
5. I was taken into an exam room and I waited for 20 minutes past my appointment time for someone to see me. A young lady came in and did a routine eye exam even though I told her I had had an exam in June and was only there to have my left eye checked for a cataract.
6. I was then taken by another person to a series of machines that performed some sort of examinations/photos of my eyes, none of which were explained to me. I told EACH person I saw that I was only there to have my left eye examined for a cataract. At one point my eyes were dilated, but no one explained to me why it was necessary. Each time I repeated that I was just there to have my left eye looked at, I was told that the doctor would discuss that with me.
7. After sitting through a series of exams/photos, I was finally taken to an exam room by a young woman who did not introduce herself. She simply said she was going to examine my eyes. At that point I was quite frustrated and I told her I did not need an eye exam, I was there to see a doctor about a possible cataract in my left eye. She seemed confused and told me that I could opt out of the test and that the doctor would see me soon.
8. Finally, approximately 90 minutes after I arrived at the offices, after multiple people herding me around to multiple testing stations, I saw a doctor. She came into the room with a young lady. They both sat down and the doctor introduced herself. The young lady said nothing so I asked her who she was and the doctor told me "oh, she's an intern. Is it ok if she sits in?" At that point I asked if any of the "tests" they had performed had indicated the presence of a cataract in my left eye. The doctor seemed confused and told me that those "tests" were measuring me for surgery. When I said AGAIN that I was there simply to have my left eye examined for a cataract, the doctor said "oh, let me take a look" and looked at both my eyes using a lighted instrument. She then told me that I have cataracts in both eyes but nothing needs any treatment at this time. She also told me I have some macular degeneration, nothing to worry about at this time, and gave me a paper grid to look at now and then to determine if it's progressing. She suggested I come back in 6 months to check again for any changes. I spent roughly 10 minutes with the doctor.
It appears to me that if ANYONE had actually listened to me, I probably could have been in and out of the office in 30 minutes or less. Instead, I spent 2 hours of my time being needlessly tested/measured/examined. I was charged $75 up front for an eye exam that I did not want or need, and I'm assuming they will also be billing my health insurance for all of the unwanted, unnecessary tests that were performed.
The whole experience had a mechanical, factory feel to it. It wasn't until I was thoroughly frustrated and spoke rudely to the doctor that anyone actually listened to me. That's an incredibly damming statement about their practice. read more