UCLA Stein Eye Institute

My pre-operative cataract consultation was explained thoroughly, which helped me feel informed and prepared. On the day of surgery, the nursing staff, anesthesiologist, and Dr. Nejad were all at my bedside, helping to ease my nerves. Even as an ICU nurse myself, it wasn't easy to relax -- but their kindness and professionalism made a huge difference. The transition to the OR was smooth, and the excellent care continued. Most of all, Dr. Mitra displayed extraordinary skill and manual dexterity during the procedure. I woke up with absolutely no pain or discomfort. The color and clarity of my vision afterward were astonishing -- everything near and far looked brighter and sharper than I've seen in years. My post-op appointments were always on time and very smooth. I would definitely recommend Dr. Mitra anytime, anywhere, to anyone seeking exceptional, compassionate, and highly skilled eye care. She is my eye doctor for life. Thank you to Jules Stein Eye Institute for having such a brilliant physician on staff. - Josephine Guevarra

I heard such great things about the Stein Institute, but sadly, it's all a lie. I was approved by my insurance for the Oculoplastic division for Dr. Robert Goldberg. I called to make an appointment and the not only were they rude and insulting, but they lied about receiving my authorization. I had it faxed over to them, and they still refused to make an appt. After weeks of lies, they finally stopped answering their appt line, and sent all calls to voicemail. I've left messages, but no returned calls. Highly unprofessional and irresponsible. Gives UCLA and bad name. I will certainly spread the word.

Eye exam not performed in full, leaving child without updated eye glass prescription. Cataracts were addressed only, which was the secondary reason we had came to be seen. We will be required to take her out of school again, which otherwise could've been avoided. Doctor didn't record field tests properly either. Upon leaving found out alternate services provided were extra charges but not disclosed prior. We didn't mind payment. Told to contact the assistant of the doctor I had concerns with to make a complaint, seems odd-improper. The office number rang with no answering machine or pick up for 15 minutes. Called the cellphone provided, immediate voicemail. While leaving voicemail, call was disconnected by other party. Returned call to find they then disconnected the voicemail. Sub par care to other child's hospitals.

This place is a joke. They do not respond to ANY calls/voicemails. It's literally IMPOSSIBLE to schedule an appointment let alone surgery. What kind of place makes it this difficult to schedule a surgery that you already are pre approved for? Absolutely disturbing. Dr Karlin said that they will call me to schedule my surgery but of course they never did. It's been months. The scheduler lady Maria does not return any calls. Don't even bother leaving a voicemail they won't call you back.

This isn't medical care it is malpractice. I had lens replacement two years ago and it has been the worst nightmare. The lens replacement was done elsewhere but then referred to UCLA Stein for help, blurry vision it feels like I was punched in the eye for a year. So first appointment I had to wait three months to see a doctor, he said oh it's probably just dry eyes, though I do have couldiness on the lens, gave me eye drops, follow up in 3 months, I never received any confirmation when I called no record of another appointment. So then I am told I missed the 3 month follow up when they don't email or text appoint confirmations. That was mid 2025, then I saw Dr Ma and she dilated my eyes, did all the tests and confirmed I needed YAG surgery for the scar tissue on the lens capsule and that was scheduled for September 2025. Then when I got there for the YAG surgery she said she should have done some sort of UV test and let's do that instead of the surgery. OK. Then she tells me should would prefer if I see an occular plastic surgeon first, though I already spent $20K plus on that surgery, that is another month wait. Then I see their occular plastic surgeon and she says "I don't think it looks that bad." I responded I am here because of the pain and pressure, she says I can't remove any more from the eye lid the eye brow is already too low at 20 mm. I responded, yes the brow is too low that is why I am here not to make it lower. She says she won't do anything it looks fine. The Since November 2025 I am trying to get the YAG surgery from Dr Ma and tried many times to schedule but they refused to let me schedule, Oh you have to talk to Dr Ma. So I send her emails and she says she will try and find a time. Now it is February 2026 and there is no way to email her and I am legally blind in my right eye. Thanks for nothing UCLA Stein Eye Institute.

My doctor referred me here for a test, and the office was extremely difficult to contact and schedule with. Given the direct referral within UCLA, I was told that they would reach out to me to schedule, which they never did. Then I called 4 times and waited on hold for >15 minutes each time. When I finally got onto the phone with someone, they said they'd put me through to the neuro-opthamology department, but instead sent the call back to the main menu (for another 15 minute wait). Finally I got someone on the phone and they said that the neuro-opthamology department line was busy and they couldn't schedule for them (even though that's the number I called), so they'd have to leave that department a message, and I would hear back within 2 days. They told me that this was because the neuro-opthamology office was understaffed. I have an urgent medical issue and it's now been a month that I've been trying to make an appointment.

Just had to come an see the reviews while STILL trying to get an actual appointment here after 1 month, an I see im not alone. It has been like pulling teeth trying to get someone who actually works here to call me back. I kept getting a temporary assistant who seems to only be there to answer calls an leave messages for actual staff, an doesn't have the authority to schedule appointments, yet the staff NEVER call back. They finally called me today after the assistant booked an appointment for me yesterday (after explaining that its been a month) only to tell me that they have to cancel my appointment due to not having a referral. How else could I have found out about this place??! I have an approved authorized referral to see Dr. Shibayama, yet the staff says I don't. Im calling my doctor to refer me somewhere else because god daaaamn this is ridiculous. Good luck to anyone else trying to see a doctor here.

I was not impressed at all... Opthalmologist had an I don't care about you attitude. The cornea Dr was behind in appointments. My appointment was at 1:15 PM and I wasn't seen until 1:55 PM and out the door at 2:05 pm. All the Dr did was copy what the opthalmologist said. Waste of insurance money. I went back to my previous opthalmologist and am being treated for keratitis and uveitis. Inflammation from aspergillus mold on my cornea. I'll never go back.