Balian Eye Center

I was a new patient yesterday. I requested to NOT to be dilated. But the tech did it anyways. I drove my self there and had to have my Partner come collect me since I would not see clear enough to drive. It didn't wear off for 6 hrs. I am still very upset and I am not paying for the services.

The doctors here are great! I've been seeing them for as long as I can remember. And it saddens me that I will now need to find a different eye doctor after all these years. For those of you that don't know, especially those of you that are currently patients that they didn't bother informing (like me), they were purchased or merged with the Michigan Eye Institute. This is when everything went downhill. They jacked their prices up SO much. If you are one of their current patients and haven't been seen since this acquisition, DO NOT expect your bill to be anywhere near what it ever was before. My bill was almost 140% MORE than it ever was in the past. And I have all my previous bills to compare it to. This is mostly attributed to the fact that they are billing for things now that they never did before. Nickle and diming at its best! Its sad that when businesses change hands that things go downhill like this. And it is especially sad for the doctors, who are great doctors. Because they are going to lose patients because of it. They are certainly losing me as a patient. And I know of others that used to see them as well that have decided to go elsewhere for this same exact reason. I also thinks it's important to note that I spoke with the corporate office's billing department which was of zero help. They directed me to the office phone number. At least they were kind. I spoke with the local office's billing person and all she could do is make excuses and did everything just short of calling me a liar. Little did she know, I had all my old bills in front of me. She was rude.

My daughter has had a sore eye for the last few days and woke up today with a painful, puffy eye... I called and talked to a wonderful receptionist and then was transferred to book an appointment and the very rude person scheduling the appointment said she could see us in APRIL - it is SEPTEMBER... that is 8 months away! I told her she eye was swollen so we couldn't wait and she laughed.... really? You could be the best doctor but when you have a receptionist like that it really doesn't matter!

I've been going here with my family since 2000 and have finally had enough. For years I have dealt with rude receptionists, over an hour of waiting each time and impossible to book appointments. The receptionists whether by call or in person always act as though you are bothering them, are not friendly and even more act like you are an idiot while they do not keep track of your information. I was asked consistently for my insurance card when I was 16, 17 still on my parents (who also went there) insurance, which had never changed and should have been kept on file. To get in for a general check up (which is the only way you can order more contacts, even if you don't need a checkup) you must make an appointment months in advance, as I did last time and then the appointment was first moved because the same doctor would not be in, then cancelled altogether and I was again asked to reschedule. I have since gone somewhere else and am so glad I did! The doctors are fine at Balkan but certainly not worth all the hassle. Do not waste your time, literally. Go somewhere else.

First impressions are a big deal in business. This place might have educated doctors, but lack in customer service and first impressions. I called to schedule an appointment back in February for May 3rd with Dr. Rapthis (today). Pretty booked up, must be a good place. I arrived at the front counter only for the lady to notify me Dr. Rapthis was not in the office today. He has been recommended by 3 people to me, so I specially asked for him. She tells me there is no note of this and tries to get me to see a different doctor, no. The lady then rescheduled my appointment and I find out they have the wrong phone number too. This place comes off as very chaotic and unorganized. I'm scratching my head debating if I should show up for my appointment or go somewhere else. First impressions are EVERYTHING!

Doctors are great. The billing department lacks tact and understanding and took a simple question and managed to escalate it into a full blown argument. Very poor customer skills. Note: when going there be fully prepared to wait for 1 to 1.5 hours as they are never ever prompt or on time. Would absolutely go elsewhere but...as previously indicated the doctors are good.

Dr's Raphtis, Mamaril, & Johnson all took great care of me when I encountered a severe and stubborn case of iritis! Over the course of the several months that it took to get rid of what they told me was one of the worst cases of iritis that they'd seen in ages, I attended appointments with each of the doctors and found them all to be very pleasant and informative. They all took the time necessary to address my concerns and answer my questions, regardless of how silly some of them were. Located right on University/Walton Blvd right near downtown Rochester, the Balian Eye Center has not only a team of great doctors with an excellent support staff, but also a very nice looking facility with a television in the waiting room replete with cookies and coffee for the patients. I highly recommend the Balian Eye Center if you are looking for a new optometrist in the Rochester area!

I was seen here today as an emergency situation. They got me in to be seen within 2 hours of my call. Dr. Raphtis was very nice and he was informative. If I didn't have my own eye doctor, I would consider going here on a regular basis.