Virginia Eye Institute

My visit to Virginia Eye Institute in Mechanicsville, Va. My experience was exceptional. The staff was efficient, friendly and knowledgeable. The professionalism was top notch. Thank you each for helping me see at my very best.

I was misled about replacement lenses when I had cataract surgery. The nurse came into the exam room saying, "How would I like to not have to wear glasses anymore?" Those were her exact words. After surgery, I thought my poor close-up vision would correct. It didn't. I can't read my phone, print on my computer, or a book--all things I could do before the surgery. The surgery only improved my distance vision, which wasn't that bad and I could see close up just fine. It was a total scam to make money for Virginia Eye Institute. Don't trust the medical staff there. It's a money-making operation.

Mechanicsville, optical only - the doc, Kevin & Amy (who helped me select and order) get 5. The rest of the ordeal, 1. Kevin was a saint! Glasses arrived and did not fit at all as expected. He happily guided me to the right size frame and ordered replacements. Lenses were material that, bc of my astigmatism, made everything blurry. Next lenses, line of sight slightly off but enough that I had to turn my head to focus. Next lenses, good to go. Several adjustments to get the tilt correct , Kevin was so incredibly patient with me. A few months later I returned to have the arms tightened, glasses were slipping off. Kevin was gone from that location, saw someone else, very kind but she changed the tilt, not just tighten the arms. That messed up my focus and feeling of stability. I returned to have that corrected, saw a gentleman who took the glasses to the lab and returned with them so messed up I could not see a thing. I don't know what he did but EVERYTHING was messed up. He offered nothing, didn't even try to correct what he'd done, said I needed to go to the front desk to get an appt with the doc, perhaps I had the wrong prescription. NO! I walked in with glasses I'd been doing fine with for 4 months before he and the person before him messed them up . Front desk lady seems confused, why was I told to see her. This mess ended with someone (manager I believe) comforting me, apologizing and saying I should have not been sent to the front desk, and having Amy (5) come sit with me, calm me (I couldn't have driven home, the glasses were so messed up) and work to get the glasses back to where I could see. I've had great experiences with VEI, several locations, many years - eye issues, eyelid surgery, doctors in general- but I will not use the optical center again. Wanted to get all of my eye stuff in one place and will stay with the doc at VEI but going back to where I bought my glasses for years.

Not the best experience. Appt was at 4:00 pm we did not get to see the Doctor til after 5:15 and left at 5:35. All we got were excuses and was advised if we weren't happy we could seek other specialists. No reason to treat people that way or overbook.

Had a great experience. Staff was phenomenal, especially the ladies at the front desk. Looking for a laugh? Make sure to say hello to the receptionist, Melissa .

Sorry, but they have gone down hill. I visited the Mechancsville location and the lady at the front desk could not have been more rude! I simply walked in the door to be greeted by her rudeness. I've used this location and the River Road location for years, but I am officially done. It is like an assembly line with no regard to PEOPLE. Once you get passed the waiting area, you then get to listen to the nurses complain about their patients. Please do not feel like you need to respond to this review with your canned answers...its fake and robotic just like the entire patient experience.

While my dr was good they scheduled me at hanover office instead of forest. The manager was rude an unpleasant to me. Enough so I will not schedule apts there in future

After reading some of the other reviews, I'm relieved that my first experience was much better than what others described. In fact, I'm glad I didn't read the reviews beforehand--it might have made me hesitate! Scheduling an appointment was easy, and I was able to get in within a week. The office staff also helped me navigate my vision insurance, which I really appreciated. When I arrived, there was a sign-in area to the right, and before I even finished writing my name, someone was there to assist me. Out of the five staff members I interacted with, four were professional and polite. Unfortunately, one staff member seemed short and preoccupied--maybe just having a bad day. I hope things improve for her. On a more positive note, the rest of the team was wonderful! From the friendly receptionist to Dr. Mayer, and Kay Kay, who gave me encouraging advice as I tried on glasses, to Kevin W., who helped me pick out stylish progressive lenses--everyone made the experience enjoyable. Great team overall!