Horizon Family Eye Care

Horizon Family Eyecare is the best! I searched for years to find an eye doctor who would engage seriously with my specific issues and concerns and am so grateful to have found exactly that in Doctor Zarella. His exams are thorough and he never skims over a concern or question. This is also a truly family friendly practice — when my daughter was born they texted to set up appointments so a ringing phone wouldn’t wake the baby, and they gave us both the warmest welcome when I brought her with me to an appointment. They have been flexible and accommodating with scheduling and their friendly staff are always helpful over the phone as well. This practice is an authentically run, loving business and I am grateful it is here in Charlottesville!

The doctor was good and the office staff were very polite. However, my glasses arrived a week late and when I took time off work to pick them up, no one was available to open the box. So, I took another half day off a week later to come get them and I was assured by phone that if I arrived by 3 PM, someone would be present to fit my glasses. Upon arriving, I found a note in the door saying they’re closing early today, at 1 PM. Thus, my glasses were late, I took two half days off a week apart, scheduled ahead of time to pick up the glasses, and the office closed early and did not contact me. This is disappointing because the staff was so pleasant and helpful during my first visit that I looked forward to a long-term relationship.

I highly recommend Horizon Family Eye Care. The doctors and staff are knowledgeable, capable, warm, and pleasant. We recently moved and I needed to find a new eye doctor. The doctors take the time to answer questions, address concerns, and constructively solve problems. I already feel as though I can trust them to care for my family's eye health.

I was not surprised to see that Dr. Z has received many negative reviews. In my experience, he came across as extremely arrogant and dismissive. Patients who ask questions are not challenging a doctor's expertise—they are simply trying to understand their health and treatment options. A good physician should welcome reasonable questions and communicate with patients respectfully. Unfortunately, I did not feel that level of consideration during my interaction. I believe Dr. Z would benefit from being more patient, approachable, and attentive to the concerns of those seeking his care.

I had such a great experience with Dr. Koza and Horizon Family Eye Care. One morning, I called early because I was experiencing a lot of irritation in my eye, light sensitivity, redness, and pain. It didn’t feel like typical pink eye; it felt like something more serious. They were able to fit me in that same day, and I’m so grateful they did. Dr. Koza quickly diagnosed me with a corneal ulcer, and I truly believe that getting in so quickly made all the difference (she prescribed me two different eye drops that once started, began alleviating my pain almost immediately). She was incredibly understanding, patient, and took the time to explain everything to me in a way that made me feel comfortable and informed. Over the next few days, I had to come back multiple times for follow-ups, and each visit was just as great. The staff was always welcoming, and I felt genuinely cared for every time I walked in. As a college student who isn’t in my hometown, it meant so much to receive this level of care and attention. I can’t recommend Dr. Koza and Horizon Family Eye Care enough, they truly go above and beyond for their patients. I felt so reassured from Dr. Koza every single time she walked into the room and she most definitely knew her stuff!!!!! This is an office I will be sure to send my friends to should they need to visit an eye doctor while at school.