Contact Lens Institute

Newly arrived from California, I first went to the Contact Lens Institute in 2014. The place got high ratings on Angie’s List, and since we didn’t know anyone here, I thought that would be a good indicator. Also, many places do NOT prescribe Gas Permeable contacts, which I wear.
Interaction: My appt was with Dr. Chin. She was brusque and seemed in a hurry to go to lunch. I was sitting in the chair without my contacts or glasses, basically BLIND in the dark and I asked her to at least LOOK at me so I could kind of see her face.
When I went out to pay the bill, I realized that she had not measured me for contacts; only glasses (Hello, Contact Lens Institute)
I had to make another appointment to have that done. When asked why she hadn’t done contact measurements she said, «When I asked how your contacts were, you said they were fine.»
Yes, I did. But people have been known to say they are «fine» while blood is spurting from an artery, or they are dying from a heart attack.
I was not having problems, but I PAY a professional to CHECK my eyes and SEE if the prescription needs to be tweaked, if the lenses are scratched, etc.
She argued with me about which of my eyes should be the distance eye for mono-​vision lenses. She switched distance to the left eye (my weak eye) although I’ve been successfully wearing the distance contact in my right for over 12 years.
I finally got measured for the contacts. But. I waited and waited, and when I finally called.
Oh surprise. My lenses had not yet been ordered, and it was over a week.
When I finally got the new pair, it was difficult due to the strength being swapped. I did get remeasured, returned one lens for a new one. But. My brain couldn’t adjust. I tried for 6 months and finally went back to an old pair of lenses.
Fast forward to this year. I saw Dr. Laura Riley who is a part-​timer taking up the slack since Dr. Chin is only part time.
I like Dr. Riley. She is very thorough, she is personable, she took her time looking at my eyes. I felt like she really cares.
The assistants and office staff are friendly and helpful.
However.
My most recent appointment was on May 20 of 2015. I had to wait 2 weeks to come back for a fitting for bi-​focal contacts; June 8, because for some reason, this office does not have a bi-​focal contact measuring kit. (?)
On June 18, having not heard back from the office, I called to ask if my lenses were in.
They had not been ordered. THIS IS THE 2^nd time this has happened to me at this office.
The assistant said she would talk to Dr. Riley on Friday (the 19^th), get the lenses ordered and give me a call.
It is Monday the 22^nd and I have still not heard back.
To sum up:
* The people are nice but I don’t recommend Dr. Chin. I have not seen Dr. Hayes
* The system is broken. They need to follow up and actually ORDER THE LENSES.
* My confidence in this office is zilch. These are MY EYES. (I’m 65 years old)
The clock is ticking. I’m not getting any younger,
I only have ONE set of eyes. I should not have to BEG for so-​called professionals to deign to follow through and ORDER contact lenses… it’s the reason I CAME IN.
* it makes one wonder, if such an OBVIOUS part of the procedure is overlooked – what other things might be slipping through? Scary.
I did not have any problems with billing; they are very good about collecting. The front desk staff is excellent.
I think I have been more than fair and given this place plenty of chances. I’m done.
Perhaps Dr. Hayes can fix the glitches in his system. I just won’t be around to find out.

You will measure your wait time in HOURS.
I’ve been coming to Contact Lens Institute for over a decade, but I am finally done. The wait times have always been long, but they are completely out of control now. Waited today for over an hour and never even got in the room to see an optometrist! And to think: I showed up 10 minutes early because I wanted to be considerate to the folks there. It’s a shame that they don’t have any of that consideration for their patients. I was given no explanation, and no updates. It’s clear that the staff here considers wait times of over an hour as completely normal.
There are many ways for a business to show respect, and to show disrespect. Contact Lens Institute deeply disrespects its customers. Do not go here if you value your time, or expect the slightest consideration.
Edit: I should add that after the last debacle, when I left after waiting over an hour without ever seeing an optometrist, THEY CHARGED MY INSURANCE for a full visit anyway. Animals.

I have been a patient of the practice for 12 years and the doctors are extremely friendly and caring. However, the wait times here are ridiculous! Every appointment I have had in the last three years has been a 2 – 3 hour ordeal, even for just a yearly eye exam. I once had a 4:00pm appointment and I didn’t leave the office until 7:30pm! I hesitate to transfer because I have been going here for so long and I really like the doctors, but I just can’t keep taking a whole morning or afternoon off of work for a simple appointment.

I’d been Dr. Chin’s patient for several years, and the wait times weren’t great, but not unacceptable. Until my last appointment. After 45 minutes, I’d had the preliminary check by the clinician. Then I was ushered to Dr. Chin’s small waiting area. There was one patient in with Dr. Chin, and I was #3 in the waiting area. I asked the other 2 if they were waiting for Dr. Chin. When they said yes, I left. It would have been another 45 minutes or so before I’d get in to see Dr. Chin! This complete disregard for MY time was unacceptable. I sent an email requesting Dr. Chin to call me (she never did).
I am now in the process of selecting a more caring doctor for my eye care. Someone who understands that MY time is valuable too!

i have been a patient at the contact Lens Institute/​Dr. Doris Chin, for 5 years now. I have gotten exams, contact lenses and progressive eyeglasses there, and the whole staff is excellent. i would happily recommend them to anyone. My husband is a patient there too and he loves his progressive eyeglasses he got from the optician Bruce Acosta.