Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A.- University — Local services in Charlotte

Do not see PA Lisa Carlin. I've never been so mistreated by a provider in my life. I left this visit in tears because I felt extremely unheard during this appointment. When I expressed that I felt dismissed she responded with "I'm sorry you feel that way." I would like to describe the situation that unfolded with this doctor.

I called as soon as the clinic opened because of how dire I feel my current condition is. When having the auditory test I was told that my left ear had worse hearing than my right. That is not normal for me. Meeting with Dr. Carlin I feel she didn't complete any due diligence in a medical setting nor ask me any diagnostic questions. I feel she thought I was being dramatic because I used the words "24-7" and "debilitating" to describe my condition. These are not exaggerations.

Only tinnitus and TMJ were mentioned as possible causes. Not the headache, eye pressure, dizziness, or balance issues were considered. I have other diagnosed diseases that were not even explored as options. No questions were asked other than if I was a teeth grinder. Any other information she received was because I offered it, there were no questions asked. She spent a total of maybe 5 minutes with me. When I asked her why my ear would be painful and feeling full, TMJ was the only answer. My jaw isn't currently hurting. I have never been known to grind my teeth. The mouthguard mentioned in her notes was never meant for night, just during the day. She offered no evidence to me that I was a teeth grinder. When I asked if we could drain fluid from my ear she responded there was none. When I brought up my PCP had mentioned it, she said "Your audio results say otherwise." -- both the administrator and her said my left ear was worse, so what did she mean by that? I stated that maybe I wasn't expressing myself clearly with how bad this is affecting me. She mentioned it can cause a "ptsd response". She ordered a MRI however I feel that was done just to suffice a record because of the whole interaction.

As we walked out the door I said, "I want to say that I feel very dismissed right now." and she responded with "Sorry you feel that way." I feel a doctor who listened to their patient would have wanted to know why. In general that is just a very rude and even more dismissive response. I don't expect immediate treatment by any means however I would like respect and care. They should not be a doctor. Describing her with a bad bedside manner doesn't do her justice. I complained to the office manager with no response. Seems they want to protect their doctors who are...

CEENTA Optical center does a great disservice to Medicaid patients. Do NOT expect to have glasses covered by Medicaid, if you go to any of their locations. They will accept Medicaid for the eye exam, but will not cover the glasses. The problem with this is that once they have done the exam, no other optician will provide Medicaid covered glasses without doing their own exam. Since Medicaid only covers one eye exam per year, you can't get the glasses anywhere else without paying out of pocket for them. My five kids have been going to CEENTA for 5-6 years now. The doctors that we have seen have been great. That's why I gave them two stars instead of one. The University location has always provided Medicaid covered glasses. That apparently was quietly changed in February 2023. Had they told us that they no longer provided the glasses, we would have made sure that we went to one of the many other optical businesses that provide both the exam and the glasses. Now we have prescriptions that no one is able to cover through Medicaid. I spoke to many people at CEENTA yesterday, including the Operations Manager at the Huntersville location. No one there seemed particularly sympathetic to the plight of hundreds of Medicaid patients that they have put in this position. I spoke to 20+ different stores that sell glasses yesterday. Most of them are dealing with phone calls and visits from people who are in the same position as my family. All (presumably former) CEENTA patients. Some people bite the bullet and pay out of pocket. Some can't. None of them should have to. It is unethical to accept Medicaid for eye exams, but not provide the glasses, fully knowing that the glasses won't be covered anywhere else through Medicaid, without an exam done there. Since Medicaid won't cover a second exam, those patients have to pay out of pocket. For the record, four of my five kids are adopted family members. That is why they have Medicaid. Not that it should matter why they have Medicaid. There are so many other opticians that accept Medicaid for the eye exam as well as any glasses that are needed. I wish I had known that CEENTA was no longer...

Front desk staff is not very friendly, not enough seating in the waiting area, and sad to say that Dr. Gupta the last two times I have seen him has been INSANELY fast and I felt like he was very dismissive to my concerns/looked like he was in a rush to just get my exam over with and move on. I’ve been on steroid drops for over a year for Uveitis which in my understanding is not great to be on steroids continuously but he ended my exam basically with “get an exam with your primary doctor”, you can keep taking the meds if you want, a very brief diagnosis and see you in three months while he rushed out of the room.. that was it. I’m disappointed with my care here to say the least. Even when I let the tech know that I didn’t have any refills left of my medication, she said “you have a primary eye doctor don’t you? Well they can fill it for you”… I’m sorry what? Am I not at this visit to get the care needed to treat my condition? Why do I need to chase my primary eye doctor down to get medications that Dr. Gupta is supposed to be coordinating my care for? Very much seemed like since the doctor left the room she was no longer interested in assisting.

Also, when I checked out at the desk, the front desk didn’t even have the same information as the doctor told me and said they’ll see me in a year when he clearly said to me three months in the room. Don’t think I will be returning and will continue my care elsewhere after these last two very disappointing visits that were frankly a waste of...