Howerton Eye Clinic

I will not be visiting Howerton again for my yearly exams. Between the multiple trips I had to make and the additional unexpected charge I incurred above my deductible, I'm not happy. The experiences with the staff and doctors in the clinic were professional and polite, but there was a $60 charge that I had not been made aware of prior to my appointment. Despite my having called the general line for the company to confirm that I would only be charged the $10 copay with my insurance and having been assured that the copay was all that I'd be responsible for in payment, I was on the hook for the additional $60 for a scan that was standard with the referral from my PCP. I would have searched for a clinic where that test was included in my plan had I been made aware of the additional charge. Further, this was the second trip I had made to the office, as Howarton has two branches in the Austin area, and the text confirmation I received about the appointment time did not indicate which location I'd scheduled with. I arrived to the first appointment at the wrong branch, and left without being seen or warned of the additional $60 charge for the procedure I'd incur when I returned. I was only made sure of the location when I called, again, the general line to confirm my destination that afternoon. For some reason the location was absent in the multiple texts I received confirming the time and date to which I'd agreed. Get it together Howerton; my eye health is important, as is my time. Trevor

Dr. Kelly is an excellent physician. He really takes the time and effort and doesn't make you feel like he's rushing through the day. He has a great bedside manner and inspires trust and confidence. His office staff is friendly and efficient and they were great about getting me in right away! My girlfriend had Lasik surgery with him. Her results are life changing! We are so grateful for his surgical excellence and kind attitude. Thank you!!

DO NOT GO HERE FOR A ROUTINE EYE EXAM. Unfortunately they do not provide contact fittings or pupillary distance, which means you cannot get a complete prescription for eye glasses to be ordered online. And you won't get a Rx for contacts. The staff was friendly; but I would have appreciated knowing before I booked, before I came in, or before completing the visit what all would be included. Now my eye insurance has been billed for an annual visit, and I'll have to pay out of pocket for the remaining past a if the exam required for ordering contact lenses or glasses. This was avoidable with simple workflow clarity. I'm deeply disappointed and delayed in getting the glasses that I desperately need to be able to do my work.

Worst experience I have ever had with a Doctor. Rude grumpy old man who needs to retire and refused to give me a clearance for another Seperate surgery. Wanted to lecture me about getting filler instead of getting my lower eyes done and I left furious. Everyone else there was lovely but the old grump needs to retire. He was AWFUL! He makes the whole practice look so bad and I feel sorry for anyone who has to work with that each day!

The eye doctors and assistants are the best. However, this specific office has some big issues that after years are still not resolved. Multiple times now I have wasted hours waiting in their lobby after being greeted by the receptionist saying I will be seen shortly and then waited up to 2 hrs. This problem doesn't seem to exist at their other locations. I have heard the front desk give wrong info to other patients that use ACA plans saying they are out of network for all ACA plans. Some of the ACA plans will give you the benefit of seeing their doctors as an in-network patient, but you have to be tenacious enough to research all the plans and call ahead. I will continue going to Howerton Eye Clinic because I have scheduled with several eye doctors in town over the years but return to Howerton because I strongly believe Dr. Hawthorne is the best in town and does not reflect the attitude I receive from the workers at the front desk. She is kind, smart, efficient and very helpful. Her assistants mirror her care toward the patients, and for this I am a loyal patient to her. But I will never return to the I-35/Oltorf location as they have wasted too much of my time never offering an apology not being considerate of my time.

The best part of this visit was the optical technician (Leilani?). She explained everything really well, answered all of my questions and was extremely confident. After I saw her, the 1.5 hour really wasn't that bad,if you bring a friend with you. The staff is really awesome at this location!

Howerton Eye Clinic South Austin HI 35 visit was so horrible. They over Scheduled the visiting area was full of patients there was nowhere to sit down, and it was in the winter time. People are coughing without masks. Felt sorry and sad because Most of the patients were senior citizens. We waited for hours my appointments was almost 4 hours. And asked for additional payment of $60.00 plus your $40.00 copay. Beware of the extra charges! And the long wait Wait and extra charges. Bring a mask! don't recommend.

I did not care for this clinic. I checked in and was given a notebook to tell me all about my surgery. I hadn't even seen the doctor yet. I said 'Oh, am I having surgery?' Then, after I paid up front for my deductible and their fee, I was told that my insurance pays only 20%. I asked 20% of what? 'If you have to have surgery'. As I stated...I hadn't even seen a doctor yet. And, if I DID have to have cataract surgery, it's covered by Medicare. I got a refund and left.