Lehigh Valley Eye Center - Bethlehem

In September 2025, Dr. O'Brien performed cataract surgery on my left eye. The result was a significant refractive miss, leaving me without usable mid-range or near vision despite paying for a premium lens. Only after consulting another surgeon did I fully understand that my eye was complex and outcomes could vary. What I cannot accept was the response afterward. When I returned distressed -- unable to read my phone, struggling with depth perception, even falling -- I was given shifting explanations and conflicting narratives and was ultimately made to feel the outcome was my fault. Dr. O'Brien's communication style came across as rushed and dismissive. When I raised concerns, the response felt combative rather than collaborative, leaving little room for genuine dialogue about my care. The payment was complete; the accountability was not. I am now under the care of another surgeon while I explore options to correct what was done.

ZERO STARS IF I COULD. My mom's doctors were Dr Randall, which I like her a lot. She treated her eye infections well and then when it was time for cataract surgery, then came Dr Marnie O'Brain. The surgeon. My mom had both eyes done by her. Shortly after the right eye was done, my mom experienced some pain, so we came back to see the surgeon and was told to bring all of the drops she was on. She got angry with my mom, telling her she was a noncompliant patient. I won't take shit from anyone treating my mom the way she treated my mom so I argued with her that my mom indeed used her drops right. She was then prescribed more drops to help my mom's right eye to heal after the cataract surgery. For about 1.5-2 weeks she was ok, then woke up with pain and discomfort in the eye, so we went back to Dr Randall. She took one look at my mom's eye, and said "you gotta go to Wills Eye immediately. I can't even see your retina because there's fluid blocking the retina." So we immediately went 2.5 hours to Wills Eye in Philly to their emergency room. A doctor there took the fluid out of the eye, gave her some drops, and sent her home. The next day, I get a call from Wills Eye saying "you need to bring your mom back to the ER immediately. The fluid in the back of her eye tested positive for a fungal infection." So we get there, and I asked the doctor how did this happen. He said "it's extremely rare that this happens, but it usually comes from the surgical supplies not cleaned properly enough leading to leftover bacteria on the surgical supplies." So who's ever job it is to clean their surgical supplies failed miserably ( at this Lehigh valley eye center). She has been at Wills Eye for 1 day now, and they are giving her antibiotics drops to see if there's any positive changes. Her doctor said she could lose her vision, because the pain in her eye is going down her face, and she has all the signs of sepsis right now. The fungal infection in her eye has gone into her blood. This happened all because Dr O'Brains surgical equipment was not cleaned the PROPER WAY after another persons surgery. Dr O'Brian is not a good surgeon, nor does she have ANY empathy for you with what you're going through. She also accused me of being on drugs because I was arguing with her the way she was treating my disabled mother. I hate this woman with a PASSION for what she has made my poor mother go through! I recommend going ANYWHERE ELSE THAN HERE. Dr Randall is the only nice person in that clinic. The receptionists are rude, they don't even look at you even tho you're standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR FACES to be checked in. And the techs jobs are so overwhelming that they all have a chip on their shoulder and treat you as patient number 67 and not an actual person.

Honestly, if there was a negative star option that is certainly what I would have chosen. I found the staff to be obnoxious. Not sure why they would choose to work with patients, because there's very little patient care at this office. Front desk staff will ignore you, even though there is no line and you are standing at the desk in front of the office clerk. I felt invisible. Sophia was my optometry assistant and I disliked her so much! She had a chip on her shoulder and was not happy when I announced what I could not see before she got the question out. This young lady has so much to learn about how to treat patients. This was by far the worst experience I have ever had at an eye exam. Dr. O'Brien tried to upsell me and never provided any information on options outside of this office, which I learned of only after leaving and obtaining a second and then third opinion. I was shocked to see any positive reviews and found the negative reviews validating. I have heard the 5 stars are probably family, friends, staff, etc. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

I came to LV Eye center several months ago needing help with 2 different issues and was placed with Dr Randall first as I had to have one issue cleared up before another could be taken care of. The atmosphere and staff very pleasant. I am one that likes to ask questions and all questions were answered fully and my treatment began for the first issue and I was cleared to see The cataract surgeon Dr O'Brien. I am a patient who always abides by the rules meaning signing paperwork about scheduling and rescheduling appointments/ missed appointments was understood have signed these many times before and followed them. UNFORTUNATELY An appointment was made in August to be seen by the cataract surgeon and I had to cancel. But did so in the time frame required in the paperwork so someone else could have the appointment. I was sick with bronchitis and I also informed them I also had my Surgery cancelled on August 28 due to this illness. We discussed in detail my not rescheduling the cataract surgeon appointment until "I was ready" in order to avoid me having to schedule and reschedule again if anything happened. So I contacted them in September sometime to Reschedule And Let them know that my "Other surgery" was rescheduled to January 7, 2026. They scheduled me an appointment with the Cataract surgeon for October 28, 2025. The staff member I spoke to Said and I quote " the doctor will do her own tests, she will determine IF you are ready For Surgery. IF You NEED CATARACT SURGERY" Of course I was frustrated. Explained to her that I "Understood" I had to have the new testing done, HOWEVER I had ALREADY HAD 2 DIFFERENT doctors tell me I WAS READY for surgery. October 28, 2025 CANNOT believe what happened the moment i was taken back. In my lifetime I have sat at these Baseline machines Many Many times because I've worn glasses all my life. If there's one thing that upsets me the most it's when the TRUTH CAN'T BE TOLD I sat at the machine and Did as I was INSTRUCTED to do. Place my chin and forehead against the machine. It was the TECHNICIAN that was having GREAT DIFFICULTY moving the machine around BECAUSE She kept saying that there were children in Before me. She kept asking me if I saw the balloon I had to say "No" at times because she was ADJUSTING the machine and had difficulty. I had TMJ SURGERY years ago after domestic violence and warned her I was IN PAIN yet... Yet LV Eye Center wants to Claim that I didn't cooperate and move back when the technician was trying to adjust the machine? REALLY? You tell me WHY I would have KEPT my HURTING head on that machine. I NEEDED to move back for a break. Whose telling the TRUTH here? My head, my Jaws... Then we get to the exam room and .. No EXAM...staff could have ADVISED me When I made the appointment that the cataract surgery had to be done within 3 months of the exam.

Once you get past the 2 ignorant front desk girls. Everyone in the office was great and helpful. Then the dreaded leaving having to deal with the front desk people again. Couldn't be bothered to get glasses so we walked out.. highly recommend the office but get some new front desk help, if they are that miserable and unhappy tell them to get a new job!

lehigh valley eye center and dr marnie obrien are fantastic. they were thorough in the explanation of all aspects of my medical eye exam. everyone i encountered was friendly and knowledgeable. if you need any care for your eyes this is the finest care facility.

Comforting atmosphere. Prompt issue resolution by doctor and reception. A+ Edit: had surgery and my followup appointment today. Staff was warm, and professional. Tiffany, Dr. Bonaparte's assistant was expecially kind, empathetic and generous. Her commitment to patient safety and care is phenomenal!!! Definitely would recommend this location

Today, I was greeted by a frowning and mumbling receptionist. It was as if I were an intrusion. Granted, it was 7:30 AM, and I passed it off as just that. Then, I was called back by an aide. He also greeted me as if I were encroaching on his time. I went through the preliminary tests and went to an already full holding room with patients waiting to be seen. After 20+/_ minutes, I was called in. The doctor was the first one I saw with the personality and energy to be nice. She was very congenial and competent. However, it was the shortest exam I have ever had there. Lastly, every exam chair I sat in was torn, with the stuffing showing, both on the seat and arm rests: repulsive. I suppose that this company was acquired by OCLI and has to meet a certain number of patients every day because the "fat" of the corporate world has been added. Dr. O'Brian was the reason I gave this place more than a "1." The office personnel need more training, which kept me from giving a higher rating. Note that the person who checked me out was very congenial and professional. Regardless, I will not be returning.