Excellent Optometrist and professionally run store - great experience overall, with competitive…read morepricing.
I had prior experience at another America's Best location that wasn't this positive, so I was hesitant at first, but having pre-paid for a 3 year EyeCare Club plan last year I figured it was worth a try. I hadn't planned my supply of contacts well and was on my last pair. I also hadn't had eyeglasses made up with a current prescription in about 10 years...so I was really pressing my luck.
Anxious to finally address the need, I called the Hamilton Plaza (Hamilton Township, NJ) location for America's Best Contacts & Eye Glasses, assuming that I'd have to wait at least a week for an appointment (based on their online calendar page). I had actually thought to try the other location one more time before this, but me trying the number 3 times - and verifying the listing - they never picked up the phone; that just confirmed my bad impression of the other location. I was delighted then, when I called the Hamilton location and someone picked up on the second ring. Even better, I was offered the chance to take an exam slot that had just opened up -- less than an hour off. Perfect!
I went through the preliminary exam - visual acuity test (read the eye chart), color blindness testing, peripheral vision testing (VFT - visual field test), then the auto-refractor (determines prescription), the "puff test" (NCT - non-contact tonometer) to look for early signs of glaucoma, and finally an optional retinal image. All quick, precise, well executed. Then I was back out to the waiting area.
The Optometrist working there from Regional Vision Consultants, LLC is Ahmet Degirmen, O.D. Doctor Degirmen called me back after I was in the waiting area for only a few minutes. I was immediately impressed that unlike many other practices I've been to, Dr. Degirmen was engaging, spoke "with me" and not "at me", and was impeccably professional and thorough. I was already familiar with the whole process, but I appreciated him taking the time to explain every step, ask if I had any questions along the way and actually engage in genuine 2-way respectful dialogue (often missing with some medical professionals) - something all too rare in modern business.
My prescription had changed since my last exam, so I was wondering how it would work out. My prescription was unusual enough so they didn't have samples in stock, and had to order them. When they did arrive about a week later, I brought them home to try out and was absolutely delighted. According to my new prescription, I'm near-sighted in one eye, far-sighted in the other, and have an astigmatism in both! But the sample lenses (which I'm still wearing after about 10 days) are perfect. This really seems to be the best vision I've enjoyed in many years. I also selected, ordered and received glasses for those times when I won't wear contacts - and that was also fast, pleasant and competitively priced. It took about a week for them to come into the store, and they're great.
All in all - this was a great experience. Dr. Ahmet Degirmen was the highlight of this for me: knowledgeable, thorough, pleasant and professional - and he nailed the prescription perfectly. The entire staff at this America's Best location seems to be great. The "vibe" is truly positive, outgoing and welcoming. Staff is attentive - even when they're busy, someone seems to always find you within a minute or two and makes sure you're being helped.
Thanks Dr. Degirmen, and thanks to the America's Best staff at the Hamilton Plaza location in Hamilton Township, NJ. Great experience all around, and an excellent value. Highly recommended.