Tidewater Eye Centers

Poor experience with the medical records office and issues getting in touch with the optical department via phone. After 3 weeks of trying finally a wonderful front desk representative went above and beyond to resolve the issue. Many thanks to her (forgot to get her name unfortunately) she was pleasant, followed through and got it done much faster than expected!

This place is extremely clean, the staff is very friendly and Dr P is brilliant. My biggest complaint is the amount of time it takes to be seen. I clocked it today because it's always like this. I arrive at 11:05 for an 11:05 visit. I get pulled back at 11:25 with a tech which lasts 4 minutes and 24 seconds: That's is from the moment they call my name, sit down in an exam room for a quick eye check, and get moved to the second waiting area. It's not until 12:15 that I get pulled back to see the provider. I Literally see him for 62 seconds before being told I'm done. There has to be a better way to see patients for five minutes without making them wait an hour.

The wait time is terrible. I think they constantly overbook. Doesnt seem like emergencies. Been waiting 2 weeks for return call to set up for surgical date.

I understand why there are so many bad reviews. First, I agree with reviewer who stated the staff members do not seem happy in their jobs. Second, the day of my appointment my eyes were dilated. Nothing new as I have had this done with other eye doctors in the past. The problem was after the appointment I noticed my eyes were more blurry than usual when they have been dilated. When I mentioned it to the receptionist when I was scheduling the next appointment, she stated they use two different types of drops for dilation whereas most establishments only use one. She then stated it would take two hours for me to see clearly. As a result of the extreme blurriness, I had to sit in my automobile for two hours. It was impossible to drive. No one told me when I made the initial appointment that I should consider having someone drive me to the appointment or else I would have to wait two hours before I would see clearly. Had I known this fact I would not have driven myself to the appointment. Third, when I inquired about choosing eyewear, I was told I would need to call the Portsmouth office because that is Tidewater Eye Center's only optical center. What? I was not told this either when I made my initial eye appointment. So I called the Portsmouth office and spoke with Debra. She was not polite. She discouraged me from purchasing my eyeglasses with them. Who turns down business? She then went on to state the business hours vary. She stated the hours are 8-4 most days and that day they would be closing at 3. Fourth, when I went to pick of my trial contact lenses, I was asked to show my ID. I have a family member who picked up his contact lenses at a different establishment. He stated he did not have to show his ID. The same person who asked for my ID stated if the contact lenses worked for me to call and let them know and they would finalize the prescription. A prescription should not and can not be finalized until a patient is examined by a doctor. She obviously needs more training. Lastly, my second appointment was scheduled for the Virginia Beach office. About three weeks later Alexis or Alexa called and stated my appointment was rescheduled for the Portsmouth Office. I called and left a message to let her know that was unacceptable. I never received a return call. Instead I was sent an email confirming the Portsmouth appointment. I then called the following Monday and spoke with Evelyn in the Virginia Beach office. I told her I needed to be rescheduled to be seen in the Virginia Beach office and that my second appointment was rescheduled for the Portsmouth office without my permission. She rescheduled my appointment for the Virginia Beach office but she did so with an attitude. On the other hand the facility is beautiful and clean. Everything looks modern and new.

About 10 years after PRK I ended up with early on set cataracts, likely due to both the steroids used for PRK and family history. My eye doctor highly recommended Dr Edmonds so I started the process. Two years later, just finishing my final follow up on the second eye, I could not have asked for anything to have been better. The staff was always friendly, whomever I was with for all the measurements or before I'd see Dr Edmonds as quiet or chatty as I wanted to be. Times that I was nervous, they took the time to walk me through the process and ease my mind. I went to appointments in Va Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth with the same great experience. Dr Edmonds was always pleasant, answered any questions I had and he explained things so I knew what to expect every step of the way.

Quite frankly the best doctors but THE WORST STAFF. You will wait for over 45 mins before being seen (I've been coming here for over two years) each time (doesn't matter the doctor) I wait AT LEAST 45 mins. On top of that- the front desk and prescription refill departments are most unhappy, unfriendly people I think I've ever met. It's taken me 36 hours (still waiting) for a prescription that wasn't approved by insurance to be redone..... I'm currently on my FIFTH call to this office to try and get this done and I've been on hold with them for 9 mins 47 sec so far. I just don't understand how THE BEST doctors can work for the worst managed practice I've ever seen. Just found out Sheryl Dorsey manages the practice - can't wait to shoot her an email about my experiences because it's insanity. Again; Dr. Iacabucci and Dr. Mercer = amazing. SLOW, but knowledgeable and professional. The staff, just doesn't care and has not ambition to get anything done in a timely manner, pretty sure I'll be blind in my right eye by the time I get this RX figured out. 5th call, currently 19 mins and 27 secs on hold.

All these offices & no customer support. 7/15/25 No phone number associated with these medical offices is being answered. When I call, I immediately have to leave a voice message. It's a corporation that has streamlined to control us pesky patients (who supply the income, remember?) Doctor was professional & helpful. Yes, lots of waiting.

I got lasik eye surgery done last week and worked with Dr.Edmund, Dana, and Lindsey. All three and front desk staff were incredibly helpful and a pleasure to work with. Dana walked me through my consultation. Lindsey did my pre op and assisted dr Edmund in my lasik eye surgery. Both were thorough and detailed oriented which I appreciated very much. They explained every step and any questions I had they were able to answer. I came to each appointment knowing what to expect, no surprises whatsoever. Dr. Edmund was awesome. He was very knowledgeable efficient and professional. I chatted with other patients of dr Edmund's and they all said he was amazing too. The whole process was a great experience. I was nervous, but also felt I could trust this team. The lasik surgery itself was pretty cool. This place was recommended to me by my eye doctor at blink eye care and I would recommend this place to everyone.