Pacific Eye Associates

4.0

1138 reviews

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Valerie M. Via Yelp - San Francisco

10 years ago

I called to make an appointment specifically with an ophthalmologist (MD), as I'd come down with some sort of eye infection. The receptionist said I should come in right away, and booked me for the following day. I asked for one of the doctors who received favorable reviews here on Yelp, but was told he was booked up, but I could be seen by someone else. That turned out to be Thomas King, who put drops in my eyes, tested my vision, and examined my glasses, all of which I found rather odd, especially that he took it for granted that it was okay to put drops into my eyes without explaining to me first what the drops are for, and what the stuff is made up of. I mentioned that my vision is not perfect with my glasses, as they're brand-new progressive bifocals, and he instructed me, "You'll get used to them." I will? I got the impression that he thought I was there to get a prescription for new glasses, and I felt compelled to ask him more than once what he was doing and why. He replied that the examination, measuring, etc., was standard procedure for new patients. Not what I was there for, but okay. But when we finally got to the infection part of the visit, he told me to apply hot compresses to it a few times a day. That's it. Less than what I learned from a simple search on the internet. A waste of time. At the conclusion of this appointment, I had to ask him for my glasses, which he had set down somewhere next to him, back. I would have to agree with the other reviewers who used the term "patronizing". While paying at the counter, I noticed his card among the others who work at Pacific Eye Associates, and saw that he's not even an ophthalmologist (an MD); the person making the appointment booked me instead with Mr King who is an optometrist, the person who fits you with glasses. Not only a waste of time and money, but I did not accomplish my goal of seeing a doctor. (And it may be only a lingering artifact of this eye infection, but since this visit to Pacific Eye Associates, my glasses seem a bit out-of-focus, as though the frame was slightly bent.) "Buyer beware" is an especially good thing to remember when you are a patient.

Maureen O. Via Yelp - San Francisco

10 years ago

A few years ago, Pacific Eye Associates decided to take the responsibility for testing and writing prescriptions from the opthamologists and give it to their staff of optometrists. I initally went to this practice at the high recommendation of a friend to see opthamologist, Dr. Karen Oxford. I appreciate her skill greatly and trust that any signs of eye disease will be identifiled. And she has an excellent manner. But when I returned for a routine check-up a couple of years ago, I learned that she would no longer do the routine eye exam or write my prescriptions and that I would be seeing an optometrist, Dr. King, instead. After seeing Dr. Oxford, I waited more than an hour to see Dr. King, who proceeded to write a prescription that he admitted was incorrect and had to be redone, leaving me with a wait of many weeks to get new glasses. I also found him very patronizing. Then, about three months ago, I returned again for a scheduled appointment, saw Dr. Oxford, and again was referred to an optometrist for my prescription. Again, I waited over an hour between the appoinments. I knew something wasn't right when the woman who tested me said I needed no changes, although I told her I was pretty surprised since a few months before I had bought a pair of cheap Walgreen's magnifing eyeglasses because I had misplaced my own reading glasses, which I later found. The odd part was that the Walgreen's glasses really helped me read more clearly. At any rate, I went along with her recommendation and had the prescription put into a new pair of reading glasses but otherwise stayed with the other glasses I need. Very long story short, I am convinced that I do need new prescriptions. I called the office today, telling them the problem and asking that Dr. Oxford perform the routine eye test and give me new prescriptions. They said that was not possible - it needed to be done by the optometrists, I then told the office staffer I would not be returning to the practice despite the fact that I like and respect Dr. Oxford. I will add, however, that I don't agree with the negative comments about the staff that some have posted. I have always found them courteous and helpful. But in this instance, there was no way they could help.

Horns D. Via Yelp - San Francisco

10 years ago

Stunningly horrible. I came in after an automobile accident and was first seen by a 3rd or 4th year medical student and then, after sitting around a total of four hours in the office as a whole, was finally seen by a resident - NEVER ONCE WAS I SEEN BY A PHYSICIAN WHO IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES AS AN ATTENDING. This wouldn't be such an issue if it wasn't for the apathy and overall intellectual laziness that everyone showed while evaluating me. Make note that I only said "evaluating" and not "treating" because in the end I was not given any kind of plan of action for a resolution to my problem. In the end, the resident was telling the student that I had some disorder that I did not know what it meant, so I had to ask her what I, sitting there like a stuffed animal instead of a sentient human being, was afflicted with. "Oh, you have double vision. You need to wait and see what happens or we can get you some glasses with a PRISM LENS. Oh, and people can get a drivers license for one eye." Out they go to the next unlucky patient that has to deal with them. My double vision is because of an injured muscle that needed to simply recover by working itself - so I was told by two other doctors I have since gone to see to get a second opinion (the third is the "tie-breaker"). The resident told me to keep my eye covered while the two other doctors told me to use the eye so the muscle could work itself out so I wouldn't have double vision anymore, and this approach is working dramatically. So no prism glasses for me or an eye patch with a specialized license for me!!! Thanks for absolutely nothing, Pacific Eye Associates!!

Becca B. Via Yelp - San Francisco

10 years ago

I agree with the other reviewers. The front office is incredibly rude and unhelpful. They literally make you feel incompetent for not understanding the ins and outs of their job. They do not explain to you what your procedure will be or how to prepare. They transfer you around to hand off the responsibility rather than dealing with you directly. I had a particularly bad experience with Dr. Alan's scheduling assistant Billy. He did not listen to me when I tried to initially explain what is was I needed. He continued to ignore my concerns that we were not understanding each other and he eventually cancelled my appointment (made three week in advance) without notifying me beforehand that I would need certain authorization from my PCP to the insurance company to undergo the procedure.

Norma P. Via Yelp - San Francisco

10 years ago

Very displeased on how this eye practice works. I went there because it was close to the medical center that I work for. It was suppose to be covered under my health plan. Yet when they gave me a physician in their practice, the eye professional was not contracted with my health plan. THIS COST $370.00 OF POCKET, WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONLY, MY CO-PAY OF $10. They gave me the run around about how the account was handled, no one in that front office knows what they are doing. Plus it is way too big. I felt I was in a cattle range. Moving groups of people from one section to the next for testing procedures. Plus the staff spent more times talking with one another than taking care of the patients. I informed them how displease I was of their procedures and no one made any attempt immediately call a manager to resolve my issues. Save your money and valuable time on finding a better eye practice.