Michael Ziegler, OD

My son goes to his pediatric ophthalmologist but I brought the prescription here. His 2 glasses came within 2 weeks, but it was worth it. Mrs. Rita was very nice and helpful.

It was my first time going to Sam’s optical. I was a few minutes late and was still greeted with a smile. Everyone was very pleasant and professional. One of the best experiences I’ve ever had going to the eye doctor.

I went in for a routine eye exam. It started professionally and then went completely off the rails. Michael Zeigler brought up his own family first — mentioning he had to leave to pick up his kids because his wife couldn’t — and then turned it on me, asking whether I have children. Whether or not I have kids is not his business, and it has nothing to do with an eye exam. When I mentioned my dog, he told me having a service animal “isn’t the same” as having kids and that I “wouldn’t know.” My dog is a service animal. She is not a hobby and she is not a consolation prize. He then volunteered a story about friends of his who released their cats during a hurricane and kept their child, apparently as a point in his favor. Repeating that as a reasonable outcome is disturbing coming from anyone, let alone someone treating patients. He tried to walk it back. He couldn’t. He could not read the room, could not take a hint, and continued making everything awkward.