Update: I felt the need to add to/resubmit my review because I really did not appreciate that the doctor and team here responded to my original review by sharing personal health information. Very weird and unprofessional. Original review: If you're seeking help for what you've come to know as Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD), I strongly recommend exploring other options before committing to treatment through Optiks. After being diagnosed with BVD at Optiks, I was prescribed prism glasses and told I would need to continue wearing increasingly stronger lenses every couple of years, likely for the rest of my life. The long-term trajectory I discovered later through more research was that I would need stronger and stronger prisms until eventually corrective surgery. This clinic emphasized the use of their proprietary lense technology/prescription services, and I felt there was significant pressure to continue care solely through them. While I will say the initial assessment was thorough and seemed technically well-executed, what followed was not patient-centered care. I was not offered any alternative treatment paths, nor was vision therapy ever mentioned, despite the fact that it is a well-established and effective intervention for many functional vision issues. After seeking two additional professional opinions from providers, I learned that BVD is not a singular diagnosis, but rather an umbrella term describing a variety of types of disfunction and symptoms stemming from the eyes not working together properly. It’s crucial to identify the specific dysfunction and tailor a plan that addresses this. At my new clinic, my treatment plan includes both prism lenses and ongoing vision therapy, with the specific goal of reducing lens strength over time and eventually eliminating the need for glasses altogether. The care is more rooted in long-term improvement, not permanent dependency on prescription eyewear. My provider also identified additional neuro-visual challenges that are now being addressed, which has already improved multiple aspects of my daily life. One more concern I have about Optiks is how they present BVD as a rare and difficult-to-treat condition, implying that few specialists are equipped to diagnose it. This is misleading. I’ve since found knowledgeable and compassionate specialists not only in Portland, but also in areas like Albany, Oregon. These professionals offer vision therapy and other treatment options that I was never informed about at Optiks. I will also mention the payment situation. As I remember, Optiks wanted cash payment first, then they put the responsibility on you to try to go through your insurance to get the money back if you can. The other two places I went were able to bill directly to my insurance, and appointments and assessments were majority covered which is another nice benefit to going somewhere else. Lastly, I did not feel welcomed during my time there. The doctor I saw was cold and dismissive, and several interactions with other staff members were equally unpleasant. That lack of empathy, combined with the limited treatment approach, left me feeling discouraged at the time, but I’m very glad I chose to seek second and third opinions. If you're looking into BVD or noticing symptoms, I encourage you to do your research, ask questions, and seek out providers who offer a range of treatment options, including vision therapy. I wish I had known all of this from the beginning, it could have saved me time, money, and frustration.
