North Idaho Eye Institute — Local services in Coeur d'Alene

I recently moved to POST FALLS from HOPE, IDAHO. I had lived in the Hope area over 40 years and, in that time, had never been outside Sandpoint for ophthalmic care. Two years ago, I had been diagnosed with macular degeneration - the most common cause of blindness in the aged. The last time I had seen the diagnosing O.D., he had told me the armd was stabilized but gave no details of what that meant. As far as my research had taken me, I would inevitably become blind and there was no timeline, but meanwhile, my "brand" of armd could become the "wet kind," continually worsen even though I would probably be getting monthly shots in my eyeballs no matter how anti-oxident-filled my diet is. Sure enough, I was already experiencing very blurred vision in my right eye, assuming it had become the "wet" armd and just praying I would make friends in my new city so I would have someone to bum around with when I could no longer drive and had to give up my car. Thank God, I needed to get new glasses and made the appointment at the Eye Institute. I was first given several tests at two different machines using several different kinds of lighting, then taken to an exam room with the normal printed lines of letters and numbers as any eye doctor would have. Then, the doctor came to the exam room. He was soon telling me that, yes, indeed, the armd is stabilized, yes, I do have a lot of astigmatism, I have been growing a film over my right lens which is causing the blurriness, but he can, with cataract surgery, remove the film, replace my lens and restore 20/20 vision and I will need glasses for reading (or sewing, maybe?)!!! NEXT MONTH!!! By next year, maybe there will be something more they can do for the armd in my left eye as well. May all your (medical) news be as good for you as mine was or better. I have to say, it sure is a lot easier having confidence in medical professionals who are ready and willing to explain to us to help us understand what is going on in our bodies and what they are able and prepared to do about it. Thank you, Dr. Thomas and...

I went in for cataract surgery. I met with Dr Dance who was more concerned about selling the bi-focal lens than to explaining the procedure. His sales “I wouldn’t need glasses and people have better eye sight than they did before”. He said the new bi-focal lens makes it so I can see distance and read up close without glasses. He did NOT explain my Medicare only pays for the regular lens. He didn’t tell me anything about insurance nor did anyone else in the office. He said the cost of the new lens would be $5,000. I found the front office woman in their downstairs office to be very rude and unknowable. When I asked about Medicare she was curt. She told me they had a new facility I would have my follow up at but when I asked her the address to the new facility her reply was “I don’t know”. I asked about the anesthesia her reply was “I don’t know” looking lat me like how dare you ask a question. She was extremely frustrating and rude. I had the procedure done. I was told it would take a little time to heal. I followed up with Dr Dance telling him I see halos around lights had itching, watery, weeping eyes and headaches. Dr Dance said nothing and ignored me. He gave me a prescription for glasses. I then realized the new Bi-focal lens I paid $5,000 didn’t work. Dr Dance’s “sells” job previously telling me I’d no longer need glasses plus I’d see 20-20 was a lie. I get the glasses and my eyes get worse now I’m even getting headaches when I wear the glasses. I go back and now I see a female doctor. She checks my eyes and I go through the tests. I find out Dr Dance gave me the wrong prescription for the glasses. I do not recommend North Idaho Eye Clinic. I want my...

Taking my business else where. They got my left eye 13 levels off.

The front desk was unwelcoming. I went in to ask a question about my glasses but didn't know where to go. One of the front desk ladies that wasn't busy completely ignored me and wouldn't even look at me when I stood quietly at the front, but she kept staring at another set of customers that the other front desk lady was helping already. When the other lady was done helping the other customer, I went over to her instead since the other one wouldn't even look at me, but when I walk away, she conveniently starts clicking on her mouse and stares at her monitor then just sat there doing nothing.

Then the other lady made me stand there some more and said "hold on a second." When she got done typing she tried too take my papers I set down before asking me what I needed. I said " Oh I just need to ask a question about my glasses." Before I even finished my sentence she cuts me off and says "Oh go over to optometry." Then when I went over to where she pointed, none of the staff wanted to help me and would look away when I looked at them for help. Until one girl finally made eye contact with me, and looked irritated when she ushered me to come over to her. I already have social anxiety so I felt even worse after all of this. Never going back again, at least to...