I had a great appointment with Michael Mendsen, OD. He gave me the most thorough eye exam I've experienced, dating back to my earliest eye doctor appointment that I can remember, circa 1992. Dr. Mendsen was highly recommended to me by my wife who also works in eye and vision care. It was hard to get an appointment with this guy! He, and I believe UNC Kittner Eye Center in general, is very busy. Dr. Mendsen told me he sees 17 patients a day, nine in the morning and eight in the afternoon. As a new patient, the earliest I could see him was seven weeks out. Based on my wife's strong recommendation and Dr. Mendsen's stellar reviews online, I thought the wait would be worth it - and it was. So, if you'd like to see Dr. Mendsen as a new patient, be prepared to wait at least several weeks, if not, months. If you can afford to wait, I think it's worth it. Once you're in, though, I think it gets easier to schedule an appointment with him. I went in for a routine eye exam, to get current prescriptions for glasses and contacts, and I wanted a good check of my eye health because I'm higher-risk for glaucoma due to my myopia (nearsightedness) and family history. As a new patient who was getting to know Dr. Mendsen for the first time, my entire visit lasted almost two hours. This time included my check-in time, time with the ophthalmic technician Megan, time with Dr. Mendsen, time alone while the dilating eye drops took effect, and time with Kelly Atkins, the contact lens lady. All staff I interacted with, from the COVID-19 protocols lady at the entrance to Dr. Mendsen's team, were terrific. I was seen promptly by Megan at my 1:00pm appointment time. I was told that 1:00pm is a good appointment time to get because it's the first appointment of the afternoon. However, I'm actually not sure that I'll book this appointment slot again because of how badly my vision was affected from the dilation. When I returned home from my appointment, I couldn't work. I couldn't read my phone screen and I really struggled to read the text on my computer screens. I ended up having to take the rest of my workday off sick, which fortunately wasn't a big deal. For my next appointment, I'll probably ask to book the last or a later appointment in the day so my workday is less affected. I was told that Kittner does a "full" dilation. I don't know exactly what that means, but I know I've never been affected from a dilation as much as the one I got from here. Not only were screens super blurry for me, but I was also quite light-sensitive. I really hadn't experienced that until now. In fact, Dr. Mendsen put some roll-up sunglasses underneath my regular glasses before I left so I could leave the office and drive home safely. When I got home, I had to close the blinds in my office, which I normally have wide open. That's how much light was affecting me. I even left the roll-up sunglasses on while I attempted to work on the computer. The blurriness left me feeling a bit nauseated. I think most of the dilation had subsided by around 6:00-7:00pm. I was mostly back to normal by then. Dr. Mendsen used two sets of eye drops to dilate me. The first set of drops burned. The second set of drops did not. He also used another set of drops on me for a different purpose: to see my tear dispersion / how dry my eyes were. This set of drops was a yellow dye. If I recall correctly, after these drops, he looked closely at my eyes as I blinked to see how fast my tears dispersed. My tears had a dispersion time of about five seconds when normally it should be 10. Therefore, I had dry eye. Dr. Mendsen was the first eye doctor to ever tell me this. Maybe it's a recent development. I hadn't noticed my eyes being dry. I understood Dr. Mendsen telling me that my dry eye condition wasn't a big problem and that we could treat the symptoms with lubricating eye drops. My wife regularly uses drops for her dry eye, but I still haven't found the need to use them (my eyes feel fine). Along with the usual reading letters off a screen through different lenses ("one or two?"), sticking my face in at least a couple different pieces of equipment, looking in pretty much every single direction and having lights shined into every part of my eyeballs, Dr. Mendsen also carefully inspected both sets of my upper and lower inner eyelids. When he flipped open the uppers, it was uncomfortable. I think my small eyelids are harder to work with. By the time it was all over, not gonna lie, my eyes felt beaten-up and fatigued. However, I really appreciated Dr. Mendsen's thoroughness and I'm happy to do it every year for my long-term eye health and vision preservation. Thank you, Dr. Mendsen! I also have to mention that before Dr. Mendsen saw me, Megan read my eye pressure, a.k.a. interocular pressure (IOP), with a device that looked like a gun. It was way better than what I was used to - those big, clunky, air-puff machines. I was told the new IOP measuring devices are significantly better. read more

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DO NOT GO THERE!!!!! I went for an exam. A tech did the exam. Dr. Soleimani came in after everything was done and said, "OK, This looks good, any questions?" THAT was the extent of his concern. I left feeling uneasy about the visit. In early April, I went to the Duke Eye Denter and to my surprise, found out I have significant cataracts in both eyes and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Both of these would have been apparent 5 years ago, much less 2 years ago when I saw this doctor. This was the first time I'd heard about either one. The Duke Eye Center tested me for my first visit on no less than 5 machines and did a thorough and comprehensive eye exam. I was there for 1 hour and 45 minutes and had the best treatment and care. My cataract surgeries will be in mid-May and mid-June. Stay away from Kittner: The front desk staff is abysmal and nonchalant, and I simply have no words for the medical staff there that I can print on this review. Now you know. read more

Good luck getting an appointment. Had an appointment canceled by the doc (retirement, perhaps at the last minute) ONE WEEK PRIOR to the appointment and then they were able to reschedule it 10 MONTHS later. Booked an appointment for my child, and same problem occurred - they CANCELED it one month prior and rebooked 9 MONTHS LATER. Why bother with this place, souring UNC's reputation for medical care. read more

Eye doc was good. Assistant who did prescription for eyeglasses was terrible. She was sloppy, inconsistent, and rushed.

Terrible communication after treatment left without painkillers being prescribed for hours multiple times definitely not coming back. Trash.

Never go on an estimate for services and think they won't charge triple that. Overall a terrible experience. The doctor was great and caring, but every other single thing was a pain. My wife had been sent by a doctor post-Lasik for something they wanted looked at out of caution. He wanted a tissue sample done. He could do it himself, but said he liked the doctor here and it would be worth paying to do it here. After waiting and doing questions, we saw the doctor for about 10 minutes. He sent her for scans and then back for him to remove a tissue sample from her eye. Overall about 30 minutes total. And the results? It was nothing. I mean that's good, but then when the bill was WELL over DOUBLE estimate. The original doctor said sorry, he never imagined it would be that much. They knocked off 15% because insurance wouldn't cover it. And upon talking to them they say they won't budge even a little and that an estimate is only an estimate. But they did almost exactly what we came there for. So the estimates are borderline bait and switch. If anything they charged for exam time that wasn't even with the doctor and the time we sat in the room waiting to do the exams. Nothing like over 2.5 grand for 30 minutes of time. (plus labs but that really wasn't the majority of the bill) But also the whole process was disorganized. We signed a release so I could call and do things with the bill after we were there as her work schedule makes it impossible to talk during business hours. They didn't get that filed somehow. We then went through a lengthy process where she worked to file stuff so we could get me access. Then LONG hold times only for reps to curtly tell you they don't budge at all. We actually did manage to force the bill down on a separate call by around 500, not be them working with us, but by looking over the itemized bill and pointing out the things we were double/incorrectly charged for. My wife did get to talk to them about the exam time being listed as a 40 minute one when it was 10 minutes at the max, and she was told since we were sitting in the room waiting, the whole time we was billed as the "exam" time and that's just common practice. That part they refused to budge. After a few more items of like a test for an eye, twice. Which she had to explain they only did one. They'd happily bill that incorrect info to insurance. But even disputing it, they responded to her like she was personally robbing them on the phone. read more

I had cataract surgery here. The Dr was recommended by my optometrist as being "one of the best" and he lived up to it. It was a simple procedure with very little aftercare. The office staff was also professional and helpful read more

This is one of the most grossly incompetent physician practices I've ever come across. Not only did the physician negligently performed what was to be a 'simple' in clinic procedure that turned into a nightmare but also, their front desk staff is simply incompetent. Their Epic system crashed twice over a course of 45 minutes and they couldn't answer a simple question about a referral document being sent to another office. Would NEVER EVER go to this place or recommend to anyone I know. read more

I give it one star, because it won't let me give less. My mother with glaucoma for the last year has had her appointments unilaterally cancelled, and when she finally has an appointment after a year without seeing her doctor, she has to wait up to 3 hours. Her appointment was at 1:45 pm and they called her at 3 pm and they took her out again and she had to wait 2 more hours. They also intend to change his doctor at the last minute. It is the worst place to bring your loved ones. Very bad service, the worst of the worst and at the same time they charge very expensive. Lo peor de lo peor para el cuidado de tus ojos. No tuenen cuidado de sus pacientes read more

I've been coming here for many years and always feel that my eyes are getting The best care from excellent doctors. The doctors are top notch and really take time to answer all my questions. The eye exams are like no others. They really make sure they cover all the bases to be sure to catch anything before it becomes a real problem. The staff is super friendly and very good at what they do. It's best to book your appointment as early in the day as possible. A late afternoon appt can be a bit of a wait till they get to you. read more

Horribly crowded and LOUD from the staff cracking jokes and laughing the whole time. I average 5.5 hours waiting. Way overbooked and they pack them in like sardines. Can't be good for the pandemic. read more

Excellent care by exceptional physicians. The staff treats all patients with respect and kindness.

I want to distinguish the providers from the management at Kittner. All the providers are great, but the management acts in a way common to those whose performance has no bearing on their career. Kittner provides little in the way of patient confidentiality. Sitting in an examining room or waiting room one hears the most intimate details of patients' health and finances. Management's respect for patients is subpar. For example, I received a text telling me that a routine follow up visit would be 60 to150 minutes long. A number was provided for questions. That number takes one to UNC ophthalmology, which never, in my experiences, answers their phone. My recommendation if you are looking for a provider is to try to find a different practice. The Duke Eye Center has a stellar reputation and, in my experience, the concern for patients I've found lacking at Kittner. read more

I am a UNC School of Medicine Professor and I could not get an appt to be seen for severe eye pain. I described my symptoms and was told to call back if it gets worse. I was a former patient at the clinic but my Doctor had retired. After 3 requests, I gave up and called Chapel Hill Opthamologists. I was seen that day, got excellent care and treatment. What's wrong with Kitner Eye Center? I can't recommend them. read more

I met with Dr. Michael Mendsen today and I LOVE HIM~~Great examination, very thorough and very engaging man. And I got good news which made it extra wonderful. I hope he sticks around for a while. read more

Dr. Davis has been my doctor for over a year. His staff is wonderful in the office is always clean in the session.

I was having some non-serious eye issues and didn't want to drive all the way to Duke to see a provider, so I tried Kittner Eye Center first. This was after three visits to Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat in Charlotte, so I wasn't expecting much after a lot of disappointment. I arrived about half an hour early for my appointment, but the lack of clear signage of where to go made me stand in an extremely slow moving line on the second floor. When I got to the front, they told me that I was supposed to check in on the third floor, but they'd check me in here no problem. I must have missed something because I had no idea that Kittner even spanned multiple floors. Anyway, I got upstairs and waited for a few minutes before one of the nurses called me back. She took down all of my basic information and my problem information but wasn't very pleasant about any of it. I was sent back out into the waiting room and then called back by Dr. McGehee. I wasn't scheduled to have my appointment with her, but she said the other doctor was running behind so she would take me, which made no difference to me. Dr. McGehee was extremely pleasant and answered all of my various questions. The best part was that she got the diagnosis right. Soon after I started seeing her, all of my problems disappeared. That's what really matters in a doctor--did they get the diagnosis right, and she did. I had a follow up visit which was rather uneventful save for my left eye being dilated afterwards. They didn't give me any dilation drops, so it was possible that something was cross-contaminated. Dr. McGehee was on call that night and again was very helpful when I brought up my concerns. The dilation went away that night, so thankfully I didn't need to be seen a third time. I'd have no problem going back to Kittner if I needed an opthamologist in the area. read more

By far the worst schduling I have ever seen and I would not recommend! I called back in Dec 2021 to get an new patient appt. I was told that the doctor was booked until May for new patients which is rare but I agreed to schedule for may! In March 2022 I get a email on my chart stating that the doctor will not be in the office the day of my scheduled appt and to call to reschedule. I called to reschedule the front person was very rude and stated that the next availability they had for new patients was Sept 2022! I expressed my concern with the fact that I already waiting 5 months for a new patient appointment and then now I'm having to wait another 5 months because the doctors schedule changes was it anything they could do! I was told no, her exact words were "well we can't do anything about the doctors schedule changes and that's it's only one doctor" this I understood but since it was not my cancellation and my wait has be so long could anything be worked out and I was flat out told NO nothing i can do sept Is all I have for new patients! I say all that to say dont even bother if this is how they handle patients I will look else! Save your energy and money! read more

I come here at least once a year for various eye issues. The doctors are very nice and listens to you when they are with you, I have seen several different doctors for different issues and like each of them. read more

Currently it's 3:06pm. My mother's appointment was at 215 pm. We went from sitting in the waiting room until 230 to sitting an an exam room for going on another 30 minutes. Maybe because I'm no longer from the area but if this was my office visit and I was sitting here until 3pm only to be seen by a nurse I would be PISSED. Idc if ten mins was needed for the eye drops to work but girl you put them in, came and got me from the lounge area and I have been sitting here for with my mom for an additional 30 mins??? You're bsing me. Have to be. 310 and not one doctor or nurse has poked a head in. If my mother wasn't so scared these white ppl wouldn't call the cops on me, I'd have been said something to everyone who'll listen. But, my mother is afraid that no matter how cordial or professional I will be, they will still fear me and escalate things, so I am going to sit here, fuming as I write this review. I'm so glad I live in Texas. read more

Doctor was okay. Glasses facility was excellent, but you pay lots of extra for that good service. I dislike scheduling there, because I've gotten the same woman - Christine - on the phone twice, and she is very rude. I arrived half an hour before my appointment and wasn't seen until an hour after my scheduled time. You basically just take a number when you get there and the actual time of your appointment doesn't matter. After I was taken back, I waited another 40 minutes in the chair for the doctor to come. It was obviously grossly overbooked. I wouldn't go there if I didn't have UNC insurance. read more