Smith Mountian Lake Main Office

My initial appointment with Vistar left me undesirous of returning. After the unfriendly check in process, I waited an hour to see the doctor. However, having worked in medical practices for over 25 years I realize that sometimes there are those days. I received text confirmations for my appointment advising me to allow 1 1/2 hours for the appointment. I have worn glasses/contacts for over 40 years and I have never spent 1 1/2 hours at an eye appointment. But, thought that must the be the high side.So, this year I scheduled again for my check up. I arrived 10 minutes early to my appointment. I arranged my work schedule, taking a less desirable shift to make sure I could be there on time. Once again upon entering the establishment there was no greeting or even eye contact. After providing my insurance information, I sat down for my turn. I waited for about 10 minutes past my appointment time. ' Not too bad,' I thought to myself. The tech who took me back ran a few preliminary tests and then said the doctor would be in to see me. So, I sat and waited. Thirty minutes after my appointment time I heard the doctor enter the room next to mine. I sat and waited some more. Fifteen more minutes passed, I heard them room a patient across the hall. Another 10 minutes pass and I hear the doctor enter the room across the hall. I waited until an hour and 5 minutes after my scheduled appointment time, still no doctor. I had waited long enough. I put my contacts back in and exited the room and walked out. I guess 1 1/2 hours is not how long the appointment takes, it is how long you have to wait to be seen. If you like being ignored and your time disrespected, Vistar is the place for you but, personally, I will never go back.

I have been a customer for >15 yrs. This included eye exams each year, purchase of glasses always through vistar, and eye surgery. As of September 2025, I am leaving Vistar as I cannot continue to tolerate the rudeness and unprofessionalism of the receptionists. All of the doctors are great, but the office management is the worst I have experienced in any medical office. In Sept 2025 after waiting outside in the rain for my appt, as the office locks patients outside during their lunch break, I witnessed an elderly man, obviously frightened by seeing blind spots and desperately wanting to see a doctor, told loudly and rudely to "sit down" by receptionist. Receptionist then stated my entire social security number loudly for all in the office to hear, then proceeds to state my 'insurance' is 'just a discount plan and not real insurance, and would not save me much money' then proceeded to loudly complain so all in the office could hear, 'how much would I spend today, did I need glasses'. I did not ask for the receptionist's opinion of my coverage plan, or what i planned to spend or to have my personal info broadcasted to multiple people in the office area. The unprofessionalism and rudeness was deeply unsettling, as well as the abuse towards the elderly man in line in front of me (who was also waiting in the rain while the office was locked for lunch break) . I left without taking my appointment, as I was deeply disgusted and disturbed, and as such, requesting they give my appt to the frightened elderly man in front of me. Vistar, please respect and value your customers as people. I am so disturbed by your office employees behaviors that my myself and family have found alternate coverage.

I injured my eye and called the SML office. Dr Ali and her staff worked me in that very day and she assessed the damage to include a small laceration and hemorrhage. She gave me Rx meds, saw me back in a few days to add another, and then a final visit to be released. Dr Ali explained everything thoroughly and understandably from start to finish and I could not be more pleased.

I had a very nice visit with Dr. Ali. She confirmed my current eyeglass's strength was still appropriate and gave me a new contact lense prescription. My wait time was very short.

came back to Vistar as I’ve been a customer since a child. scheduled an appointment as soon as I could with their Franklin Rd office and filed a request for a weekend appointment, as I work during the week. never got a reply about rescheduling, was told I needed to be seen again ASAP as my eye was bleeding internally. had to schedule with a different doctor for January at a different office due to schedule differences. today, I received a letter by snail mail that my appointment was changed to MARCH, an additional two months, as “Dr Ali had a schedule change”. never received a call confirming if this new day or time works for me (it doesn’t) and I’m unsure why a doctor’s office would casually push an appointment back two months when this felt more serious. i’ve rearranged my schedule twice now and their offices never seem to care. save your money and take a virtual eye exam, you’ll get the same results.