John T. Bell, M.D.

The office visit was okay. We had to wait about ten minutes just to check in because the lady was on the phone and no one else could help. It was clear that patients that are in person are not their priority. We went last year to and I remember the office just being okay. The girl that came and helped us today, in the back, before doctor Bell saw us was not a good experience at all. She got all her questions answered. But she's very young, and just lacks the ability on how to talk to older person. She walked way to fast for an 80 year old to follow. Her bedside manner was zero out of five. When she asked my mom a question, she faced the computer and did not look at her. She also talked very fast.... For my almost eighty year old mother. There was no explanation of what she was doing.... She just did it, asked her questions, i was not impressed with her at all! She was the worst part of the visit. No bedside manner, lacks the ability on how to talk to the elderly. She was Aweful! Later we saw doctor Bell and that was the best part. He seemed very rushed. I'm trying to ask him questions, and he's trying to walk out the door.... I didn't like that. I have an appointment, i have a scheduled time slot, you can take the time to answer questions without trying to escape the room. All that being said, doctor Bell is the only reason why I went here. I can tolerate him, but the girl that helped prior to him was awful.

I don't understand the negative reviews but I guess everyone has a bad day now and then. I've had nothing but excellent service from Dr. Bell and his staff. Timely and efficient appointments in a crisis, a knowledgeable and informed staff and no hassle insurance filing. Definitely my go to for vision needs in the future.

Doctor did a good job with the cataract on the right eye. It was paid for by Medicare. When we were ready to do the left eye l asked Dr. Bell if l to upgrade the lens on that eye to one that corrects everything. He said yes that lens would work with the one he put in the right eye.Unfortunately, it did not work and to drive and see TV l have to close the left eye. I went to an eye surgeon at eye associates for a second opinion and he said that their surgeons don't even use that particular lens anymore because they had too many complaints. Without proper patient education, Dr. Bell told me the laser would do no harm. But because it was used l can't have the faulty lens replaced. It has been over two years now and l've been praying time would help. So far, nothing has changed except my self-confidence about my vision.

Today,I went to Dr. Bell to see my mother,Anaida Morales,who has cataract and doesn't speak English. However,I,her daughter,Francesca,speak a little English,and when I don't understand something, I use Google translate. At the doctor's office,the doctor's assistant who performed my mother's test was very rude and harsh with my mother and me,because at times I couldn't understand her slurred English. I studied the little English I knew at CIES at FSU. My mother's surgery was scheduled for Tuesday,June 3,2025,which my mother decides to cancel because she didn't have the financial resorces to do it. I requested a refund of the $270 co-pay we paid at Dr. Bell's office. I told Dr. Bell's assistant,"You seem racist", because she roughly grabbed my mother's hand and head,even though she is a 75 years old woman with hearing loss. I speak mainly Spanish,but unlike people like you,I put all my effort into learning English,and we are Puerto Ricans-my father,my mother and I -are all college graduates, we know to read and write.

My optometrist referred me to Dr. Bell - my issue was not cataract related and I had no idea that Dr. Bell specialized in cataract surgery only and apparently found anything else a waste of his valuable time. Dr. Bell was distainful and dismissive - he didn't listen to me and often talked over me - every issue I had that I wanted to disuss with an opthamologist wes brushed off as nothing or "you're fine", He was obviously in a rush and wanted to get me out of there - I was very disappointed and angry and I will definitely NOT be going back. I wonder if he treats all women, especially elderly ones in this arrogant and dismissive fashion. I am not questioning his abilities just his manner .

Part 1 - Dodged bullet. Saw Bell Oct. 10 for cataract surgery. Had lots of ??s, he seemed rushed. Didn't get all the answers. Front desk told me he worked out of CRMC for surgeries & they tell him when.. They expected a call that pm & would call me ASAP with one of the 1st available times. By end of Oct. I hadn't received any return calls. I switched insurance to get a new doctor to help me. New doctor told me I had to be out of my contacts for 5 weeks not bell. By the way all calls go through Dothan alabama. I called back and demanded a manager call me. The manager called and told me she could see I had made five calls and they all went to the general mailbox. And no one called back. She asked why I hadn't called the surgical center, no one told me to. She apologized for the mess up. My eyesight is getting worse but I have an appointment tomorrow with the new doctor so hopefully I'll have cataract surgery soon. Do not use this group. Highly disappointed.

I had both eyes done. My case was more complicated than average. I can't say enough about his patience with me and his ability as a surgeon. His office staff is great.

Very patient and explained everything thoroughly. The staff and personnel was also very helpful and professional...would highly recommend to anyone seeking a optometrist especially a family optometrist.