I took my father here for an eye exam, and our experience with the optometrist, Simone Wallace, was extremely upsetting and unprofessional. I was there to translate for my father, but she repeatedly rushed through the exam and did not give me enough time to explain her instructions to him. She also checked her phone during the appointment, which made it seem like she was distracted and uninterested in providing proper care. When my father said that his vision was blurry and he could not see the letters, she told me to “tell him to guess.” I do not understand the purpose of an eye exam if a patient is being told to guess when they cannot see clearly. Her tone was raised, impatient, and disrespectful throughout the visit. At one point, she asked my father to follow a light without looking directly at her. He was having difficulty understanding the instructions and moved his head, and she raised her voice and said, “Don’t look at me.” My father became visibly uncomfortable and scared because of the way she spoke to him. I do want to recognize Allison, the technician, who was very kind, patient, and compassionate with my father. Her professionalism was greatly appreciated and stood in sharp contrast to the rest of our experience. As a healthcare provider myself, I understand that patients may need extra time, patience, and clear communication, especially when there is a language barrier. We did not feel that my father was treated with compassion, respect, or dignity by the optometrist. I left the appointment feeling that we may have been discriminated against because of the language barrier. I would not recommend this optometrist to anyone looking for patient, respectful, and compassionate care.
