Beach Eye Care — Local services in Virginia Beach

LASIK Surgery Experience I underwent LASIK surgery on March 23, 2024, with Dr. Levine. During the initial consultation, I was presented with two options: Monovision and standard correction. Based on the experiences of friends and colleagues who had negative outcomes with Monovision, I chose standard correction to improve my distance vision. Dr. Levine acknowledged that, due to my mild presbyopia, I would eventually need stronger reading glasses as I aged, but he estimated this would not be necessary for about a year or more. I accepted this explanation, understanding that my near vision should remain relatively stable after the procedure.

However, one month after the surgery, during my follow-up appointment, I was informed by Dr. Levine that I had achieved 20/20 vision. Despite this, I expressed concerns about a noticeable deterioration in my near vision. He responded dismissively, suggesting that I should have anticipated this issue. He seemed irritated when I pointed out that his estimate of a year or more before needing stronger reading glasses was not aligning with what he said during the consultation. His response, which included suggesting Monovision again despite my previous refusal, made me feel disregarded. His attempt to upsell additional procedures rather than listening to my concerns was frustrating and disheartening. I also explain that my distance vision is not sharp and in focus. He shrugs and says "That's interesting but you have 20/20 vision. Get yourself some cheap readers at 1.25 power and leave them around the house and you'll be fine". He gets up and starts walking me out the door... I go to CVS to get reading glasses at 1.25, my close vision is still not right. Frustrated I message to get an appointment to get measured for progressives. The office messaged me back and tell me I do not need to get remeasured and emailed me a prescription for 1.25 power and tell me my next follow up is in one year. I ask for an appointment with my optometrist to get remeasured anyways... I get no response...

Seeking a second opinion, I visited a new optometrist with experience in post-LASIK care. The new optometrist confirmed that the worsening of my near vision was a common occurrence after LASIK, particularly if pre-existing presbyopia was present. They also found that Dr. Levine’s prescribed reading glasses strength of 1.25 was incorrect, and that my actual need was 1.75. This discrepancy was causing the headaches and discomfort I had been experiencing. The new optometrist explained that the standard follow-up protocol typically includes appointments at one week, one month, three months, six months, and one year. Dr. Levine's office had only scheduled a one-year follow-up, which was inadequate for addressing ongoing issues. They then measured my distance vision and discovered we could sharpen my distance vision with lenses...

I was advised to wait at least 6 months before considering any additional LASIK adjustments or correcting my distance vision with lenses to allow my eyes to fully heal. In the meantime, I received new progressive glasses with the correct prescription, which alleviated some of the issues with near vision but did not resolve my problems with distance vision. This ongoing struggle has led to significant frustration and anxiety.

My experience with Dr. Levine was marked by a lack of empathy and insufficient follow-up care. His dismissive attitude towards my concerns and his focus on upselling additional procedures rather than addressing my concern made me feel like a statistic rather than a valued patient. For anyone considering LASIK, I strongly advise seeking multiple opinions and thoroughly researching your options to avoid a similar experience. The lack of proper care and follow-up has left me worse off than before the surgery, and I deeply regret not exploring other options before proceeding. If you were to ask Edgar Levine... "This was a great outcome"... "Get yourself some cheap reading glasses from CVS,...

Rude staff, incompetent to do their jobs as well and i dont say this lightly. In the span of 2 days i had to call this place over 10 times (not an exageration), only to have them either transfer me to the wrong department or to be left to a voicemail they only check every 2 hours. The reason for my call was to get an emergency prescription filled for glaucoma. Pretty serious stuff that can cause someone to literally go blind without it. I gave the department the pharmacy information 3 different times, each time id call the pharmacy and they said they didnt recieve it. I tried calling back and leaving messages, and 15 mins before closing i tried calling again and their phones were OFF THE HOOK. So unprofessional, if you dont like your job that much find another one, your putting peoples lives in danger. Upon calling sevral times the next day i got a very rude woman on the line who wasnt even in the correct department, but at least communicated to the department what to do (which by the way wasnt that hard, they had to just call the pharmacy instead of trying to send the info electronically) . I never got a call back confirming it was sent to the pharmacy, i had to call again, myself. This place is awful and they should reconsider their staff as they obviously dont give a damn about their patients well being.

Update: 10/24/16 I was contacted by beach eye care via yelp by a woman named Meri and asked if i could be contacted via phone. I agreed. Over 6 days passed and i hadnt heard anything, which just added to my frustration. I contacted them again and was given the excuse of her being out of the office for a couple days and then being sick. Its fine, i still gave them a chance. Upon being contacted eventually i was greeted by a lot of talking and then asked if i wanted to voice my concerns or have her share her findings with me. I agreed to have her share those findings where she just gave excuse after excuse. First of all she told me that she was short staffed and explained why 3 of the staff wernt there, in detail... ? The fact of the matter is this was a serious situation and it should have taken some kind of priority. Im not even saying top priority, just to make it a point to service us, given the situation. I let her keep talking. Then she basically told me i was wrong about the situation and that the medication had been sent to the pharmacy at 2pm and that she had checked it, even though AFTER 2pm i was communicating back and forth to the pharmacy and the doctors office. So, im wrong apparently even though the pharmacy and the doctors office is telling me they dont know where it is??? Then she asked me if i had been taking care of my grandfather, i said yes. She then made the statement saying "someone hasnt been taking care of him very properly". That ended our conversation as it is common sense not to ATTACK your patients. I then proceeded to tell her she doesnt ever need to contact me again, where she proceeded to try to talk over me. During the begining of the call as well i said something and she completely ignored it and continued talking. The rudest staff i have EVER, EVER encountered. Please take my advice and seek another doctor. I wouldnt recommend this doctor to my worst enemy. Let it be known this woman also questioned what i was trying to get out of the conversation. Well, you contacted ME, asking to talk. So i was hoping for an apology. No discounts, no excuses. Just a promise to do things a little differently next time and make things right. Never happened, and the conversation certainly wasnt going in that direction. She was just trying to defend herself and the company. Its not about that. Its about making things right. This woman shouldn't be speaking to customers because she doesnt know how to talk to...

I’ve been with Beach Eye Care for quite a few years, why I don’t know. Yesterday I saw a new doctor; Dr. Coffin who was exceptional! He was professional, personable and very responsive to my concerns. However when I was done I went to the eyeglass department where I just want to cringe. I have walked away from here before and gotten my glasses somewhere else. I don’t know if they are on commission to push eyeglasses but it is very obvious and if you don’t want to purchase the same day they make you feel like a second class citizen. This is why I have walked out before and I should’ve done so yesterday because it was the same experience déjà vu. I made it very clear that my eyes were very blurry and they hurt from being dilated. Going to the glasses department after dilation is not the most ideal time to try on glasses and to make decisions but yet once again I felt forced into my decision. When I asked some questions, the way I got the response I once again felt demeaned. It seems to be the norm in this department and quite frankly I’m disgusted by it. I ultimately purchased some glasses because I’ve had problems with glasses I’ve gotten from other businesses. I did speak with Dr Coffin about my glasses and asked if the glass itself could be inferior and I was told yes. This is why I decided to go ahead and purchase the eyeglasses here because I have not had that problem before. When I tried on some frames and then decided on Progressives I was given a choice of brown or gray blue of sorts. I told her I was never given a choice before at other places so I asked if that changes the outside of the lens or effects the color of objects seen. I was asked sarcastically “well what do you mean”? Then I was told well it changes the brightness some. I was pretty perturbed at this time. Then onto the machine, a new gadget they use to measure that you stand in front of. That didn’t go to well either. Then when she positioned the glasses and said I have it, I did let her know it wasn’t 100% comfortable and I was told it’s measured. So now I’m curious when these glasses come in, will they fit me the way “I would like to wear them” and not what she thinks looks best. Again I made the statement my eyes were blurry and I really couldn’t see clear. I have been contemplating cancelling the order but sadly I need a good pair of eye glasses. And if it were not for Dr Coffin yesterday who is a wonderful addition to Beach I don’t think I’m going back. I’m sick of the eye glass dept who think they are better than the customers they serve. Perhaps Beach Eye care Owner why don’t you look into this problem. It negatively reflects your business.

UPDATE: After posting my review I was immediately contacted by Stephen (Manager) overseeing the eye wear dept. We had quite, a very lengthy conversation where I had the opportunity to share my experience. I not only felt that he listened but he HEARD what I had to say. I actually felt valued as a customer at this point. Stephen is a very positive role model and I do believe that he will channel his energy into that dept so that customers will experience a pleasant visit from here on out. I have no doubt that changes will occur. I was very pleased to receive a phone call from Beach Eye. That told me they indeed were interested in customer care. The outcome from this complaint was above and beyond exceptional, and I'm very grateful for that. Stephen, thank you for your time, both on the phone and in person. It was a...