On January 23, 2025, I visited Tree City Eyecare in Boise, Idaho, for an eye exam with Dr. Jeremy…read moreBall. Since I do not have vision insurance, I paid for the visit out of pocket. During the exam, Dr. Ball informed me that my prescription had changed, with my left eye's measurement shifting from -2.50 to -7.50. He also did not compare my old prescription to my new one so I could compare the 2.
After returning home to Tennessee, I took my prescription to Sam's Club in Bristol, Virginia, to have my glasses filled. I ordered a regular pair of glasses and a pair of sunglasses, totaling nearly $600, and let's not forget about the 1.5-hour drive each way from my home.
When I picked up my glasses, I tried them on as usual. While I could see well for reading, my distance vision felt hazy, as if I were looking through a cloud. The staff suggested I wear my old glasses for the night and give my eyes a chance to adjust. I followed this advice, but the next morning, I still experienced cloudiness with the new glasses.
After wearing them all day in an attempt to acclimate, I covered each lens to check for clarity. I found that my left eye was significantly blurry, indicating that the issue was with my new prescription glasses.
Consequently, I scheduled another eye exam in my local area, which I also had to pay for out of pocket. The new doctor conducted a thorough examination and concluded that my prescription had not changed at all. This meant I would need to make another three-hour round trip back to Bristol, Virginia, to have a correct prescription filled. Additionally, I realized I would not have needed to order new sunglasses, as I already owned two pairs that were suitable based on my existing prescription.
On the other hand, I do require new regular glasses, as my current pair is scratched and approximately five or six years old.
After my recent eye exam, I contacted Kelly, the manager at Tree City Eyecare, to explain the situation regarding my prescription. She informed me that she couldn't assist me immediately but promised to consult with the owner, Dr. Jaimen Dixson, and get back to me the following day.
When Kelly called the next day, she relayed that the owner would not take any action. I expressed that I was not seeking a full refund; I only requested reimbursement for my second eye exam. I explained that I had incurred over $800 in costs when it should have only been around $430, not to mention the inconvenience and travel expenses involved.
Kelly suggested I return to Idaho for a re-examination, but I declined. I offered to show her my receipt and the new prescription as proof that I had been misdiagnosed and that it was unreasonable for them not to cover my new eye exam. I emphasized that this situation reflects poorly on their business practices, as I am a business owner myself.
