Friedenwald Eye Institute

I am one to complain although I don't speak up or voice my displeasure. I've been going to University of Maryland for practically everything, my endocrinologist encourages me to see Ophthalmologist, instead of going to Vision works, Lens crafters or Americans best, places like them. Since I've had diabetes for 35 years, I had moved to Maryland July 2019. So seeing an Ophthalmologist. I scheduled my appointment 2:30pm taking time off work, I showed up to my appointment A little before 2pm, I checked in and wait in the waiting room by 2:55 pm, A nurse took me back weighed me check my blood pressure I did a simple eye check (cover one eye & read, cover next eye & read) nurse also handed me a University of MD be involved with your care, some kind of card to acknowledge if the nurse, resident or doctor washed or sanitized their hands. When she was done I returned to the waiting room. I over heard another patient about the facility hours, so checked on my phone UM Friedenwald Eye closes at 4:30pm. It was A few minutes before 4:pm when I asked the receptionist if I was going to be seen. Suddenly A young medical Dr. took me back to the room asked why I was here, well everyone says I should see an optometrist for my yearly exam see if my vision has gotten worse. He proceeded to do some exams with the focus on the red barn, put drops in my eyes and use the light and then he proceeded to put more drops to dilate my eyes. Note he was leaving and coming back to the room because it didn't seem like the room had everything, I questioned shouldn't I be having an eye exam for my vision to read and question the lenses. From my previous experiences they would do that first before dilating my eyes. He proceeded to put the device in front of my face turn the lights off and ask if I could read, I couldn't read anything I couldn't see anything everything was blurry my anxiety was eating me up inside. I was literally puzzled, he said my eyeglasses after a while we're perfectly fine I can wear them for another year and another doctor came in the room and asked why I'm here. It's a yearly vision exam. I overheard him talking to the other doctor the younger one that I didn't have diabetic neuropathy who said I had diabetic neuropathy. And he said everything looks OK and to Schedule for next year, I should be seeing yearly. As the younger doctor was walking me out the receptionist had left for the day this was way after 4:30pm I got to the garage by 5:10pm cried in my car because I was too petrified to leave and drive because my eyes are still dilated and I didn't pack sunglasses with me. This was a horrible experience, I have eye insurance, i have no way of getting eye glasses, I have no script to go anywhere to get eye glasses. How can I be the last patient & my appointment was at 2:30pm.

Dr. Samuel Friedel ..Top Eye Doc!

Friendly and knowledgeable staff

UMMS- MIDTOWWN CAMPUS...