Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at Naples — Attraction in Naples

The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is the only place to go if you are having eye issues in southwest Florida. They deserve their 5 star rating, as the professionalism, cutting edge technology, and expertise are without equal. Having read some of the reviews about wait times, I was prepared to spend several hours here. Which is what happened. However, it was absolutely worth it, and the wait time before seeing the doctor made sense. I was seen by the first technician about 15 minutes after arrival. I saw two different technicians who handled different parts of the pre-exam work ups (before you see the doctor). The first was quick, and I returned to the waiting room. the second one took longer, as it was a more in depth work up, which included drops in my eyes at the end of the work up. I was then escorted back to the full waiting room. The drops needed time to do their work. All of this took time - the two separate work ups, the drops dilating my eyes, and then I was called to see the doctor. By now it was 2 hours after I arrived. A long time, most would think. But my doctor arrived into my exam room 1 minute after his nurse had shut the door - and he was completely prepared for my visit. He had reviewed the work-ups (which, based upon the reason I was there were more than the usual), and after the initial greeting, began discussing my eye health with me in very clear and succinct terms. He (Dr. Schwartz) was extremely thorough, provided a detailed description of my eye health and instilled confidence! Did I wait a while? Yes. But during that time, tests were completed, and importantly, my doctor had reviewed them thoroughly before greeting me. He then took the time to make sure I understood...

My experience was 100% positive!!

Moved to Florida three years ago and went back home to Michigan to see my eye specialist. I wasn’t happy with a eye specialist in Sarasota at (Center of Sight.) My gut reaction it wasn’t about me the patient it was more about the money. My eye specialist suggested a specialist In Florida. The eye specialist he recommended had mixed reviews. I started see blacks dots after returning to Florida which for me could be a sign of a glaucoma attack. I asked to see Dr. Schwartz after spending a few hours doing some research. I called Bascom the next day and the person on the phone took the time to listen and heard my concerns about my health issues. They were able to schedule an appointment that day! I was so relieved 😌. The office let me know that it could be a long wait. When I walked in the man in front of me was giving the women a hard time due to the wait. I felt horrible for her and thought to myself these are your eyes 👀. I don’t understand how people can treat others so badly. Dr. Schwartz was wonderful, caring, professional, and meticulous. This is very rare these days. He also had me meet with Alison J. Lauter, M.D. Alison was so caring, professional, wonderful and meticulous too!

Yes, it took time out of my day but darn these are my eyes and believe me it was worth the drive and time. I went back the next week and had prophylactic laser iridotomy by Alison J. Lauter, M.D. I'm doing wonderful and no issues at all.

Shout out to everyone at Bascom!

Dr. Schwartz M.D., M.B.A. Alison J. Lauter, M.D. David, Vanessa, and the lady who did my autorefractor!

Thank you 🙏 so...

I made an appointment for cataract surgery at Bascom Palmer in Naples. The surgery was scheduled and I knew I would have to wait several months because of availability. I was willing to wait because I have been a patient at Bascom Palmer for many years. The appointment was for mid April. Six weeks before my appointment (again, for which I had waited several months), I received a phone call from a a woman who said my appointment had to be rescheduled from April to July as they had overbooked for the day of my appointment in April. When I asked why my particular appointment was the one to be rescheduled, she sarcastically replied that it was the “luck of the draw.” I asked about a wait list and was told I could call back every morning and see if anything was available. Seriously?! It was their mistake but not even the courtesy of a call back if something became available. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told one would call me back. No one has ever contacted me even though I have called with the same request several times. Meantime, I can barely see with my right eye and the left eye isn’t much better. The moral of the story is to be very cautious about making an appointment with Bascom Palmer, especially if you need to schedule a necessary procedure that is very important to you. If they tell you that you will have to wait months, find another practice! They are unreliable and arrogant. You may find yourself with worsening eyes...