What an odd experience...

[susandennis]

I went to the eye doctor today - one that I had not been to before and it was a really odd experience all the way around.

The receptionist was great.  She was easy to understand, fun to talk to.  She looked me in the eye when she spoke and was careful to make sure I understood everything she was saying. 

I filled out all her stuff and then waited.  Then a guy came out - Greg, I think - who was also very nice and did all the preliminary testing.  He explained every test and was efficient and comfortable.  When he was done he said the doctor wasn't ready so I would wait.

Then the doctor came and got me.  He was an odd duck from the get go.  He would not look at me.  In the first 3 minutes. he made it clear that he did not approve of my wearing my contact lens although he was not clear why.  He did a bunch of tests and he was efficient.  And then he hit on the two things that the past few eye doctors I have seen have mentioned.... dry eyes and blepharitis.

Only all the others acted as if both were problems only in comfort and looks.  Since neither ever bothered me, I never paid a bit of attention.

But he got my attention.  He explained the problems that dry eyes could cause with abrasions on the eyes and said I clearly had had untreated dry eyes for a long time and he noted the blepharitis, if not treated, could really fuck me up. 

He told me to take simple over the counter artificial tears and put them in the fridge.  Then three times a day, drop some in my eyes and blink a bunch to flush.  Then three times a week take a soft cotton cloth and run it under hot water and then hold it to my eyes for 20 seconds and then wipe the lids inside and out once each and then switch to cold water and hold that on for 20 seconds and do this no more than 3 times a week until it was all cleared up and it would take a while.

Then, he was clearly through with me.  He said he wrote me four prescriptions.  He wants me to wear special computer glasses when I am at the computer but I cannot drive or read with them.  So he prescribed reading glasses and some others that I don't even remember what they were for and contacts.  He rushed through all of this so quickly and curtly that I couldn't follow very well.  He ended with 'but I'm guessing you are going to ignore all of this advice and wear your contact, so here's a prescription for that.' 

And then he put his hand on the door knob and said "Do you have any questions?"  with a tone that said "We're done, get out of my office."

I tried to ask a few questions and got nowhere so I gave up.  WTF?

Back to my receptionist who, apparently, understood exactly what he had been saying and had looked up my insurance.   She had a piece of paper typed out with stuff on it and was pointing and talking and I could not see shit.  I told her I could not see shit and she said 'well, see, here it says...'  I CAN'T SEEEE!!!!!

I finally got her away from the paper and was able to ascertain from her that my insurance covered enough to pay for one pair of glasses.  (or contacts, but the contacts prescription is the same and I still have about 9 months worth.)   So I said ok, let's get the computer glasses.  She took me over to the glasses room to Troy.

I told Troy that I had never had glasses before so I did not know anything but I was only interested in comfort and staying within the price that the insurance would pay - and... that I currently could not see shit.

He showed me two pair and when I asked what the difference was he said they were just not the same.  Oh, so helpful.  Then I said fine, I'd take them and the starts showing me on paper what I owed. 

You would think that people who work in the vision industry would be sensitive about and understanding of people who have vision issues.  But, turns out, they are not - not one single bit.

I explained once again that I could not see.  And he said 'ok, well, you owe $175.00'  WTF??  What happened to the insurance paying?????

Turns out that he meant $75 and it included the co-pay and a special test that I had authorized.  But, it was not easy to get that information out of him.  I gave him my credit card  and signed the receipt.  And then he stared at me. 

So finally I said... 'could you tell me what happens next?'  And then, acting as if it was a huge imposition, he allowed as how they would call me in a week and a half and I could come back and pick up my glasses.

And I busted out of that joint.  Holy fuck.  I am not cut out for human interaction.  Give me a computer any day.  I left home at 10:45 and was back here at 1:30.  It's now 3 and my eyes are still not back to where they were this morning when I left.  Note to self:  the next appointment with an eye doctor will be only when absolutely necessary!