Pendleton Eye Center — Local services in Oceanside

As the former Practice Manager of Pendleton Eye Center for 16 years, I feel a responsibility to share what I personally experienced after this practice was taken over by Unifeye Vision Partners (UVP), a private equity corporation. If you’re reading reviews, be sure to check the dates, especially if you are looking for reviews on cataract surgery physicians. Reviews prior to 2025 reflect the care provided by Dr. Robert Pendleton (who retired in December 2024), not by Dr. Richmond Roeske, nor Dr. Carla Berkowitz.

UVP’s priority is business—buy practices, bundle them, and then sell for profit so the investors can get a big payout. I witnessed firsthand how that shift impacted patient care.

Here’s what I saw:

Dr. Richmond Roeske — In my direct experience, he spent as little time with patients as possible, leaving critical parts of their care to technicians. He aggressively pushed the expensive Light Adjustable Lens and explained it in a way that shifted responsibility for surgical outcomes onto the patient, not himself. I was deeply concerned that he left the critical task of verifying lenses for cataract surgeries to others. I saw this with my own eyes while I worked there. I would NOT recommend Dr. Roeske to anyone.

Dr. Nathan Rudometkin — He presents as kind, but in my experience, it felt more like an act. I saw multiple patients request their records be sent elsewhere after receiving painful retinal injections. If he truly prioritized patient comfort, those procedures would have changed. I would NOT recommend Dr. Rudometkin to anyone.

Dr. Carla Berkowitz — She seems caring, but she was inexperienced. I’ll never forget when she told me and a technician directly that she was a “bad doctor.” More than once, she asked a technician and me for help making medical decisions. That should never happen. I would NOT recommend Dr. Berkowitz to anyone.

Pendleton Eye Center used to stand for personal, attentive care. Under UVP, it’s become just another corporate-run assembly line, where patients are numbers, not people. The tagline used to be “A difference you can see…” Now that difference is gone.

This review is based solely on my firsthand experience while working there.

I encourage anyone considering care here to do their own research, ask direct questions, and make the choice that feels right for them. Be your own...

Poor customer service. They called me 24 hours before my appointment telling me they couldn’t find my insurance which resulted in a lot of administration on my part to confirm that there was nothing wrong with my insurance. When I called back the next day they tried again and it worked. Waste of my time.

My babysitter cancelled on me last minute and in my rush to get to my appointment on time with my son I left my wallet at home. I had a $15 co-pay for my appointment, when I arrived on time they told me that there was nothing they could do without me paying the $15 co-pay. It was out of the question for me to call once I returned home with my card information or for them to send me a bill. Front desk girl was rude and unsympathetic. I assume they lost more than $15 by having an unfilled appointment spot last minute. They could have held my prescription hostage as leverage for example. I had to leave. I was very eager to get my appointment taken care of and purchase glasses before the holidays. Needless to say I will not be rescheduling here. Very frustrating experience from start to finish with them and a giant...

DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES! Beware!!! This office only accepts private insurance (no HMO) which is fine. I should’ve known when the doctor himself started complaining about Medicare reimbursement during my initial consultation.. I should’ve known when the financial desk started with the thousands of dollars in upgrades on lenses.. but I want the best so I agreed. I returned. Check in for measurements, they start with asking for more money. I explained I have full coverage primary and secondary private insurance and why wasn’t I told during the consult like I was with the $1.000 + in upgrades.. in the privacy of an office in the back. I cannot stand being nickel and dimed at a check in desk. It’s irritating…. Handled so poorly.. all over a $200 deductible which they just had to collect standing charge at a counter separate from the upgrade bifocal lens I was about to pay for with the treatment coordinator in private. guess the difference between ordering at McDonalds where you pay upfront.. can you imagine Addisons or Ruth ‘s Chris asking for money before you...