Melanie J Buttross, MD

It was about 80deg in the office yesterday! The first eye test left me blinded for several minutes which was anxiety producing, and the heat in the office added to my discomfort. (I overheard many nurses and Patience, complain about the heat) The nurse Maria, who did my refraction was sympathetic, detail, oriented, and helpful in calming my nerves & Trauma induced anxiety. She brought me six glasses of water!!! She listened and wrote down all of my symptoms and questions. I had written out many detailed questions for Dr. Buttross prior to my appointment. I gave her the list of questions as I had already gone through them with the tech who was in the office with me for at least 30 minutes I felt Dr. Buttross glossed over many of my conditions and rushed through my appointment. She gave me two prescriptions for reading glasses and distance glasses. I am switching from progressive, she never even gave me an option for bifocals. I wonder if bifocals might help?She did not address my refusal of dilation. Seems she would have said something I found myself with follow up questions after leaving and was disappointed with my visit

I would not recommend this practice. I was treated in a patronizing and humiliating manner by nursing staff. One nurse was rude, terse, and condescending towards me. Another nurse asked me what my eye pressure was. When I told her that I wasn't sure but could try to look up my records, she said that most patients know their eye pressure offhand (she said that some patients can tough their eyes and tell her what their eye pressure is). I told her that I found that a bit unbelievable. She continued to ask me patronizing questions and when I told her that I found her questioning to be unreasonable (detailed questions that I don't have offhand knowledge about) she became very defensive. I became upset and she asked me if I have sought mental health treatment at which time I told her that was remark inappropriate and said that I would not continue the appointment. Completely unprofessional and inappropriate behavior for any kind of medical practitioner.

I have known Dr. Buttross, for many decades. She has taken care of my late wife and me and resolved a number of her corneal and lens problems. Dr. Buttross, is among the most competent doctors I've ever dealt with and to boot, has a good sense of humor and is a vivacious person. My only relationship with her is as a patient and the husband of a patient.

I worked as an optician for over 30 years and throughout my career I dealt with many of the ophthalmologists in the greater metropolitan DC area, and also with literally thousands of their patients. I look back on all of the eye doctors that I had contact with and a select few stand out in my mind as being especially memorable for their experience, professionalism, and impeccable care given to my clients. Melanie Buttross stands right at the top of that list. Now I am reaching the age when cataract formations are probably inevitable, and though I have moved pretty far away, Dr. Buttross would be my first choice to perform any surgery that I would require.

Excellent doctor. Extremely helpful and professional.