MaineHealth Ophthalmology - Damariscotta

the technician was lovely, he was very kind and helpful and seemed very knowledgeable. before my exam I expressed that because I'm at elevated risk of retinal detachment due to severe myopia and was told when I had surgery to be vigilant about screening. there didn't seem to be any sort of problem with my request and I was able to have a scan done. Dr. Nolan was came into the room and almost immediately seemed to hate me. I simply gave her my relevant medical history bc I sometimes rush through certain forms and I just wanted to make sure as a new patient she knew my history. she just seemed annoyed that I was talking and visibly cringed when I brought up my most recent *relevant* medical history and left the room to complain about how difficult/annoying I am, within earshot. she came back in to perform a retina check. I'm very glad I asked for the scan because she finished the exam without finding anything and was ready to write me a clean bill of health until I brought up the "freckle" the technician had pointed out on my scans, even after I mentioned that the exam was difficult because I was feeling a significant amount of pain in my right eye. she took another look, during which I was having significant difficultly due to the pain and the fact that all I could see were the veins in my own eye and I tried to pretend I was just looking at a cracked wall but it was very deeply unsettling. I tried to express that I was in pain and discomfort and she just said "stop talking." and I immediately shut my mouth. she seemed to realize that this was unprofessional at best but all she could offer was a callous "the less you talk the quicker we're done". she then told me I had a torn retina and she went to go grab some tools/continue to make disparaging remarks about me but decided to whisper this time so it was difficult to make out but it was very clearly about me. I was very quiet/distant for the rest of the exam and she just left without really saying anything to me. a nurse (I presume the one she was talking about me to) came in a few moments later and asked me if I was waiting for something. I replied that I was waiting for the sunglasses I was offered and to be told my exam was finished so I could leave and I mentioned that I had heard the doctor and she should probably wait to talk badly about patients until after they leave. she looked like she felt EXTREMELY guilty and seemed genuinely sorry and introduced me to the practice manager. she was doing her best to seem sympathetic but it was not really very convincing and I just don't believe she cared much, she seemed more interested in getting me on the schedule with their other doctor. the lack of compassionate, empathy, and common sense is absolutely abysmal.

This team definitely deserves 5 stars. They are very approachable, treat you like you're the only patient of the day. Dr.Nolan did a great job helping me get through cataract surgery successfully, had time to answer questions, (as did her staff) was down to earth and professionally friendly, as was all the staff I met, including the check-in/check-out folks. I'm very grateful to them.

She is fantastic !!! I love her. She identified my eye problem and fixed it. She is kind and knowledgeable very rare in a specialist.

I was very pleased with my first visit to Dr. Nolan, and will continue with her as my ophthalmologist.

On campus of local hospital.

Very professional with a great staff