East Ridge Eye Center: Dozier Carey MD, James Richmond MD

I had an extremely disappointing and discriminatory experience at this location on September 5 2025. I had an appointment/signed in to be seen, but I was skipped over while at least five other people were taken ahead of me. My name was even marked off as if I had already been helped -- but no one had spoken to me or acknowledged my presence. When I tried to ask what was going on, I felt ignored and dismissed. It was clear that I was being treated differently from other patients/customers, and there was no valid explanation given for the way I was overlooked. I believe I was discriminated against, and this treatment was unacceptable. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and fairness, especially in a medical/service setting. I hope management takes this seriously and investigates how this was allowed to happen.

Dr. Richmond and his team are very professional, friendly. I recommend this practice to anyone that is looking for help with ophthalmology issues

I had an appointment on March 27th 2025 at 9 am with Dr. Richmond which had been rescheduled from March 13th (I had made this appointment 6 mo.before), the office called in February and rescheduled giving no reason but I complied. I live 30 miles north of Chattanooga so I always give myself time bc of traffic/accidents. I left the house at 7:50 am and sure enough there was an accident on 75 south on White Oak Mt. Traffic was backed up past APD 40 exit, it took 10 min. to reach that exit and try to take hwy 11. Again traffic was very slow then another accident on hwy 11. I called East Ridge Eye center and told them I was caught in traffic due to accidents, they said I had a 15 min. grace period from my appointment time. Well finally made it through and to the office but I was 2 min. past (9:17 am). After setting in the office waiting room for 10 min. the office manager said I had to reschedule. I know they have a policy, but 2 min. late! And I have never gotten into my appointment on time, always a 30 to 40 min. wait in the waiting room and then a wait once you get to back. I believe there is a policy if I cancel and reschedule to many times, they have done this to me at least 2 times.

I began seeing Dr Richmond following an eye injury in an automobile accident in the late 1980s. He is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, as is his staff. His associate Dr. Dozier was my Mother's doctor until her death in May 2024. She loved him and was pleased with his treatment of her macular degeneration. I have recommended Drs Richmond and Dozier to my friends and they have been pleased with their treatment.

Dr Dozier is awesome! He is thorough, kind, and professional. I had a procedure and he calmed my nerves immediately and made me feel confident that all would be well. His staff is both professional and helpful.

I love dr Dozier! However, their optical department needs work! I have dementia and needed assistance purchasing glasses. The optician, Tammy, helped me pick out frames that were too large for my face. After I recieved the $500 glasses, they were too heavy for my nose and it was painful to wear them. I called and was told that they could not do anything to help me. I was stuck with them. So I left a bad review. Then they called and they told me if I came in they would help me. So I went back and was told it would be an additional $250 to reframe my lenses. So I left. Two days later I recieved a letter from dr. Richmond that they will no longer see me at their office!

Dr. Richmond found my pseudo tumor cerebral. Lost my vision periodically. With Dr. Richmond care, I was able to see again and no longer had cluster migraines.

The receptionists were rude and condescending. I was coming in as a new patient and they would not listen to what I needed. They told me I had to have my contacts in to receive an eye exam. Well my right contact had irritated my eye and I had thrown them away. I don't know of ANY eye doctor that would want a contact in if it was causing irritation. One of the receptionist said "Don't you remember? I just talked to you yesterday and I TOLD YOU to have your contacts in for the exam". Speaking to me like I was a child. As for the other receptionist....well she has no business working with the public until she learns how to speak to people. As for Doctor Richmond, I never made it back to even meet him. I hope he is aware of the people representing him. All I needed was an eye exam. I went to an eye doctor's office. It should have been a simple process, right?? I took my business to Eyeglass World on Gunbarrel Road. NOT ONLY were they polite and helpful...the first thing the doctor did was ask me to take out my contacts in order to begin my eye exam.