Southern Eye Group (formerly Vision Partners)

I am so sick and tired of companies misrepresenting their services, lying to patients, and using unethical practices to extort more money from working class individuals and retired seniors, I could scream from the top of the Statue of Liberty (interesting choice considering it's supposed to represent hope and encouragement and liberty and enlightenment) NONE of which is true with so many organizations I have encountered since moving to this unpleasant location!
I checked my insurance for a company that does eye exams. This place was recommended, so I called and made an appointment. No WARNING was provided when I scheduled. I did not discover that they REFUSE to provide a new perscription for eyes unless I PAID THEM $40 in advance even though I have NO copay.
They said it was for a "refraction" test and, if the doctor discovered that i did, indeed, have a refraction, then I would have to sign an agreement to pay the $40. I said, no. Just don't do the refraction test, just do a regular exam so I can upgrade my glasses. They said NO! No refraction test, no prescription. I said fine (very loudly) and tried to explain that I have no copays. "Well, she said, "your insurance (DEVOTED HEALTH) does not cover the refraction test. So, pay them or get nothing. I left.
I went home and researched this "refraction" test, they mentioned. GUESS WHAT! A refraction test is an EYE EXAM! They're using a new term for an old, standard procedure, so they can EXTORT more money from patients. And they don't tell you this until you show up for your appointent. Here we go again: ANOTHER DISHONEST, UNETHICAL, DECEITFUL, UNSCRUPULOUS organization that's fleecing and defrauding the public! DON'T BE FOOLED. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!

Very disappointed in primarily two things:

1) Last year, the lenses were $250. This year, they were $700+, again just for the lenses (progressive bifocals with transitions)!! I understand that they will cost more without insurance, but in what world are we allowing this to be acceptable?! This feels like extortion.

2) Wait time for Dr. Weaver. Our appointments generally take at least two, sometimes three hours for a fairly standard visit. Key word - MULTIPLE appointments.

I have been going here for over 15 years and this place is terrible now. Its impossible to get anyone in the optical department to answer the phone. I ordered glasses and they were given to someone else in person. I was told they would order me new glasses due to the mix up and have yet to receive them or even an update on the order even after speaking to the manager. Safe to say I will not be coming here again. Zero star worthy

Very slow. They constantly double book and then you have to wait for hours. And very unorganized as they somehow combined paperwork on my twins even after they were both seen here and insisted they were one person.

honestly, giving them 1 star is an insult to stars. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS OFFICE! they are extremely unprofessional. getting ahold of optical for glasses or contacts is impossible. i have asked that a manager contact me about the customer service of the optical department, i never received a call. i have been there in person & their phone is literally on silent. they will watch the orange light on it flash while ringing and continue on doing everything EXCEPT answering the phone. they will not return your call if you leave a message. when they do answer, you can always guarantee to receive an attitude from whoever answered as if they aren’t at work & your call is disturbing their day. i will NEVER use their office after my experience today. i called the optical department for an HOUR to see if glasses that i ordered 2 weeks ago were ready, no one answered. i will attach my call log below so yall have a visual receipt.

If I could give 0 stars I would. I haven't been here since 2019 because life and CVID. So, I go back to find a completely new staff and doctors. I definitely didn't feel like I would have deal with rude, judgmental people, but boy was I wrong. For starters the process takes way to long, you have to fill out 3 sheets of paperwork and by the time you barely finish you get called to the back, while still holding unfinished paperwork that the assistant goes..that's good enough, like really. Then you have to go get (Part 1 out of 5) fitted or whatever it's called. (Part 2), so then you have to go and inform the assistant of all of the medical history that you spent time writing down in order for her to enter it into the system, which took at least 20 minutes to do and then she dilates my eyes at the end. (Part 3) you then get handed off to another assistant who takes more pictures of you... (Part 4) then you have to go back into the waiting area with dilated eyes for another 10 to 15 minutes (part 5) and then ANOTHER assistant comes to get you to finally take you to the great Wizard of OZ, where I waited another 30 minutes before she came in, THE Dr. Slade. So, this is where it gets really fun! Instead of focusing on my EYES exam we spent the time concerned about my medical history and my weight and the fact that her old coworker that gained weight "still looked good" surprisingly...mind you I just informed her I was on steroids due to a very serious condition that had me in the hospital for weeks, but she lacked the bedside manner to recognize just how incredibly intrusive and disrespectful that felt. I came to get JUST an eye exam, not a visit with my PCP who knows all of my medical history. Don't get me wrong I know a Primary Eye doctor needs to discuss your medical history but there is a fine line between professional opinions and observations in regard to how it effects my vision and eye health and YOUR OWN unsolicited opinions. I feel like if you cannot sympathize or just show genuine concern of your patients DO NOT ASK, because you don't really care at the end of the day, and you have made up your mind about me regardless of what I have to say about it. By the end of this visit I was informed because I was needing an exam and everything was fine from a medical standpoint that if I wanted MY prescription printed out that I would have to go get fitted for glasses and that I would be charged...., and I already had a $90 copay which is insane! This was the WORST visit I've ever experienced here. I was there almost 2 hours which is INSANE, it's just really sad what they have done and not for the better. I am grateful I know of other optometrists and hopeful I can find Dr. White who was my doctor since I was an adolescent, because this place is just sad. Thanks for joining my Ted talk.

*AND yes, I felt absolutely wonderful giving my full, raw experience that took me 15 minutes to type to hopefully steer other people that are already weary of doctors, especially those that give unsolicited advice which ends up being insulting.

Sincerely,

Disappointed patient

The doctors are amazing. The optical dept is great for front desk. But if you call to check on your order a month later. 1, 2, 3 useless messages left after spending over $1200 on family glasses without a call back, I will NEVER waste my money on glasses or contacts here EVER again. Take your prescription somewhere else! I’ve learned my lesson.