Crown Vision Center

I honestly can’t say anything but positive remarks about my first ever visit to Crown Vision and purchase of glasses and contact lenses at the Lindell location. It’s near my home, my appt was exactly on time, the price was nearly ½ that of other places and the service was exceptional. I’ve always gone to a private provider in the past but due to a change of insurance I pretty much «had» to go here and I’m so pleased I did. Dr. Lopatin was extremely helpful on a # of issues. I would highly recommend the facility, the care and the customer service. Everyone was simply lovely — I write very few reviews but found their service so great I’m taking the time to commend them for a job well done. Seems like a lot of people have complained but that simply was not my experience.

This was one of the worst eye exam experiences I have ever had. Although I usually go to a different location and have loved it, I booked an appointment at this Lindell location because it is closer to work and I could squeeze in an afternoon visit. My appointment was for 3:00 p.m. I arrived a few minutes early and when I checked in, they asked for my insurance card. I said I did not have insurance for vision and I preferred to pay the lowest personal-​pay rate; they wanted to copy my card anyway. I asked how much the exam would be and the front desk person confirmed it would be in the same range as I have always paid for the glasses/​contacts exam. I waited for about 45 minutes — without a single word from the front desk on why the doctor was delayed or how long it would be — and was about to walk out when they finally called me in. Note that there was only one other person in the waiting area — a self-​professed walk-​in.
During the exam, the doctor briefly checked my vision and confirmed my prescription had not changed from my last visit at a different location. He then proceeded to write a prescription for contacts in a different brand than the one I have been using for the past five years without incident. I asked him why the new brand, and he did not have a good explanation — something about oxygenation being improved with the new brand. I said I had not had any complaints with my current lenses. The brand he was prescribing is one I have used in the past and had multiple ripped lenses. He backed down, agreed to actually CHECK my eyes for evidence of oxygenation problems — no problems found — and let me stay in my current lenses. All that leaves me with is the impression that he receives some kind of special treatment from the favored brand.
He then spent at least five minutes explaining to me how to clean my lenses with special instructions to dump the fluid each day (omg duh) rather than re-​using the fluid every day. I smiled and nodded but felt this was an additional time-​waste when dealing with someone who has been wearing contacts for over twenty years and has never had an eye infection. I pointed this out to him gently and he said most of his patients are trying to save a few dollars so they re-​use the fluid from day to day.
I finally got ready to check out and realized they had skipped the $ 20 add-​on exam I had requested. I then had to wait for them to bring me back for that one.
When I checked out, I was billed the same amount as I have always paid in my years at the other location. They tried to pressure me to buy glasses and contacts in-​store (I always buy on line) and seemed disappointed when I did not even look at their selection. All of a sudden now I am receiving a bill for an additional amount of money, reportedly my insurance «Co-​pay» (remember I did not want to use my insurance but simply pay the lowest self-​pay rate). Thankfully, the billing department is being wonderful in looking into the discrepancy. Oddly, they are unable to fax me a price list of the various exam prices.
I am optimistic that the billing department will sort things out — that is not my main complaint. My main issue with this location is the shadiness and lack of clear communication at all levels — billing, front desk, doctor’s recommendations, etc. They need to be more upfront and transparent in their work and billing, and if they are running late, let people know how long it will be and why. Simple respect for patients’ needs and time will go a long way.

The staff are all so friendly. The selection of frames was great and also affordable. I have been a patron for many years. I strongly suggest you stop in and give them a chance.

The location is convenient to my campus so I decided to give them a try and it was worth it. I wanted to switch from glasses to contacts. The contact fitting was fine. I was not happy however that I had to pay for another eye exam in addition to the contact fitting although I had an eye exam 5 months ago. The lady teaching me to put in and take out the contacts was awesome. She was very patient with me and really helped me to get the hang of the contacts. Sandria V (400 211 980)

I feel bad giving a 2 star review, but I have no choice. I came here for my vision exam (obviously). I had a 3pm appointment but wasn’t really seen until 3:45 and the service wasn’t that great. I think the people working here are just doing their job, but I don’t think they were trying to please their customers. I almost got the feeling that they were all just miserable with life and hated everything.
I do have a good humor about me though and so when I was finally seen for eye test #1 I was able to get the girl to smile and laugh at my sarcastic comments about my vision. The doctor is really nice and I really think that he is good at what he does. He spent time with me to make sure that he got the exact clarity for my eyes. He even prescribed me some eye drops that I plan to fill to help with my allergies! Very cool.
I was ready to check out and the girl who helped me was ok, she checked my insurance and told me my total. She asked if I wanted to purchase contacts in the center, but I told her I find them cheaper online. She did tell me that they will price match, so I will definitely take her up on that offer. I enjoy a challenge!
I can’t say the experience was terrible because I did get the service I needed. I just wish I didn’t have to wait so long. I felt like my entire afternoon was wasted! Maybe next time I can try to get the earliest appointment so I don’t have to wait as long. I hate waiting.

I was forewarned…
This location is close to my job so despite a coworker’s complaints about this location, I set up an appointment because it was closest. After waiting three weeks to be seen, I was EIGHT minutes late… instead of being asked to wait, I was told I’d have to wait another few weeks to be seen. Four people were simply standing behind the receptionist counter so it definitely did not seem as though they were extremely busy. And it was only 3:48pm on a weekday, so I’m sure they were not closing shortly thereafter.