Eye Physicians of Northampton

The lady who checked my eyes and dilated my pupils was fantastic. Very friendly and down to earth. The eye doctor was attentive and seems very knowledgeable.
The receptionist left a lot to be desired. She got irritated because I couldn’t make an afternoon appointment 40 minutes away from where I work.
She got nasty because my card was declined. I miscalculated how much my copay was. I was able to transfer funds to make up for it.
There is really no excuse for someone to be such a twat to people coming in for an eye exam.
She would be the reason I may not have a second visit at that office. Life is too short for people with bad customer service skills.

I love their atmosphere. their attitudes… their characters. They are very friendly and very organized and they take their time with their patients. Very clean facility. They take their time explaining how to wear contact lenses and the pros and cons of eye care and eye wear. Awesome place, the best in the area. Highly recommended!

I have had nothing but bad experiences with the receptionists at this office. I have gone twice now and will never go again.
I had gone there once before for an exam and it was fine, so I expected this year to go smoothly as well. This year, when I called to make the appointment was I was put on hold for 9 (yes, NINE) minutes. When they picked up no one commented on that fact, not even a brief sorry for your wait. This should have been my first clue.
I did not get a reminder call, which is just common courtesy really.
In addition, I wanted to get my «pupillary distance» so that I can order glasses online (times are tight, and Warby Parker has glasses for $ 95!). They refused to give this to me, not even for a fee, since I wouldn’t be purchasing glasses at their optical shop. So my eye doctor, who I paid a pretty penny to mind you, is refusing to give me the information I need to be able to order glasses. Grand. That’s good business practice.
I will continue to tell everyone who asks not to go here. They are unbelievably terrible at customer service. I will never return, that’s for sure. I will add that at the time I thought my eye doctor was fine (Dostal), but if this is how the business is run, I guess he’s not.
Edited to add: I called my previous eye doctor who faxed my pupillary distance right over. That’s more like it!

I have been to Eye Physicians of Northampton a few times.
I have been in for a couple of routine eye exams and have been in for a problem (flashes in my L eye) once also. Both my daughter and I were given very thorough exams and were well-​treated and attended.
I am particularly impressed with Dr. Shatz. He is personable, knowledgeable, and has a light touch. At one point while my L eye was dilated and I had to endure intense bright light being directed into it, I said I didn’t think I could stand the pain of the light any more and he said «just hang in there, it’s almost over.» That was all I needed to keep still and keep going with the exam. I was sold right there. A little humanity goes a long way. I wish all MDs had that figured out.
I prefer the feeling of the Florence office, especially the décor, which is really neither here nor there compared to good medical treatment, but Amherst is more convenient for me and the office is somewhat less hectic.

I see Dr. Dostel at this location. He’s friendly and competent. I have no complain on him nor assistance who check me in whenever I go there.
However, the front desk staff are less than acceptable! I dealt with this receptionist who was rude as one can be. She did not exchange eye contact the whole time and had this attitude! I don’t know what her deal was but am not coming back to this office because I don’t want to deal with her ever again.
In addition, over the last year, whenever I order contacts, they either forgot to order them or to call me to let me know they’re in. I was not impressed with their disorganization.
Despite the fine work with the doctors & assistance there, they deserve 1 star because of the office staff, which is too bad!