I recently took my 4-year-old to Elma Vision Center inside Walmart for his very first eye exam. Understandably, he was nervous since he had never been to an eye doctor before. The assistant who worked with us at the beginning was wonderful—she spoke to him kindly and made the initial tests simple and stress-free. Unfortunately, our experience changed once the doctor came in. While she went through the standard exam process, it quickly felt like we were just another number. My son was already uneasy, and instead of reassuring him or finding ways to ease his nerves, she seemed annoyed whenever he hesitated or looked away. The worst part came when it was time to dilate his eyes. He was frightened and began crying and trying to pull away. Rather than calming him down, the doctor tried to pry his eyes open to force the drops in, which only left him more terrified and upset. This was not the kind of care I expect for a child’s first appointment, and it left a very poor impression. Because of this, I will not be returning to Walmart for vision care. I highly recommend Pleasant Optics in Mount Pleasant instead, where the staff truly know how to treat children with patience and compassion. Don’t make the same mistake I did—go somewhere else.
