Although I never had contact with a direct optometrist, the frame wear staff, specifically the receptionist was very rude and disrespectful. I left this building twice almost in tears based on how I was talked to by this staff member. I do not recommend Atwater for any frame wear needs, they are shockingly rude and not helpful at all. read more

Service Ruined a very expensive pair of chrome heart frames stress cracked the eye glasses

This review is only for the eye wear center. The medical staff at Atwater is terrific -- FIVE STARS! But the service at the Eye Wear Center can be bad and just outright rude and disrespectful. The last time I was in there, around December 2023, the manager was very short with me. She seemed irritated that I took so long looking at frames and visibly mocked and dismissed me when I said that a pair of new glasses that had just come in for me needed to be adjusted. She acted as if I was merely an irritant and a liar. I had been going there for twenty years and the service had always fantastic. Maybe the eye wear center is under new management or there is a new manager, but I will never go back there again. I am writing this review nearly a year later, and I am still angry at the way I was treated. Maybe I can let it go now that I have left a Yelp review. read more

Amazing! Our daughter had an issue which they quickly got us in on a Saturday and follow up on Sunday. All doctors were thorough and informative. Highly recommended! read more

I've been to Atwater twice now. I had a weird, red eye issue that they solved. I swear I had this issue back when I lived in Chicago and the optometrist just told me to use more eye drops. This place actually took care of me. The first visit the student who looked at my eyes couldn't identify the issue after putting dye and using some bright lights in them. She was very friendly and got the doctor/professor after examining as much as she could. The doctor identified the issue quickly and got me prescription drops and requested a follow-up a week later. A week later, I saw a different student who looked at my eyes extensively again and then the same doctor came back. They gave me samples of new contact solution and drops and seem to have solved my issue. It's been nearly a month, and I have an upcoming appointment for a regular eye exam. I like Atwater Eye Care because it's very close to campus. I've never had to wait very long, and I kind of like that two people look at you each time. It may take slightly longer, but I couldn't really tell. read more

Atwater Eye Care Center - Typical room - Eyewear & Opticians Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

See all

Receptionist at check out was very rude and acted as if I was interrupting her day when I needed to schedule another appointment. When I arrived for the appt. several weeks later, I wa told I was only acheduled for an eye exam and no frames. the frames department had no one in it other than a receptionist who told me they were too busy to add me to that schedule. FYI- if you are a new patient and need glasses, make two appointments (one for exam, one for frames). Never have I ever had to do this at another eye doctor. read more

I have no criticism of the examination (routine) or the competence of either student assistant and doctor, but I am very unhappy that I had to wait an entire hour after my appointment time before the exam began. This was due to urgent cases that had come in earlier in the day (my appointment was in the early afternoon) which was understandable, but it was NOT understandable that no one explained the situation until i had been waiting (and watching other patients being helped) for 45 minutes. I said then that I needed to be finished by 4:30 and was assured that was possible, but I did not in fact get out of there until 5 pm and was therefore late for another obligation that afternoon. I should have been informed at once that my appointment would be delayed and given the choice of rescheduling, rather than being treated as if my time did not matter. It matters! read more

Getting your eyes checked by a fellow student sounds a little scary but the person I had did a great job. The exam does take a little longer than an exam at commercial clinic but they do a great job. My previous eye doctor told me to wear my contact lenses less since it was doing something to my eyes. They told me that wasn't the problem it was the lenses instead. They let me try out two different pairs of lenses and wear the ones I felt the most comfortable with. Probably one of the best eye exams I have had since you get your eyes examined and then checked again by a professor. The price wasn't bad either at $90 minus $35 with the IU health insurance. read more

Not only do you receive excellent professional, thorough, courteous, and insightful care at the clinic, you also get the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping new eyecare professionals develop and hone their skills. Highly recommended. read more

1 hour and 45 min into my appointment and after my eyes were dilated, they finally realized they didn't work with my insurance. Go somewhere else. You will not save any time or money here. read more

I ordered glasses back the first week of August. Still have not received those glasses. Every time I call to inquire I get a different reason or excuse as to why they are not done. Never in my 50+years of wearing glasses have I had to wait nearly 6 weeks to get glasses. And they still are not back when I called today. read more

I come here mainly to support the school, and also out of convenience because it's where I went when I was a student at IU. First you are seen by a student of the Optometry school, then the doctor comes in the check your eyes again quickly and basically check that the student did everything right. Some people might balk at the idea of having a student do your eye exam, but I actually prefer it because all the information is still very fresh in their minds, and they are more likely to listen to your concerns than an experienced doctor because they don't have the doctor ego yet. The doctors have all been very thorough at checking the students' work as well. I have always left with what I feel is the correct prescription. The only cons are that the exams take longer and it is a little pricey. Other than that, if you want quality care and you want to support IU, this is the place for you! read more

I have been going to Atwater for a few years now and have been happy all the time... They take the time to give me a great exam every year. Yes I would remmend them . read more

I spent about five hours and 3 appointments getting a very thorough exam and contact lens fitting. That was fine because I had the time and wanted to help the optometry students. However, I was surprised and upset when I found out a few weeks later that I could not order glasses online because the exam had not included a PD test. I had to take time off from a new job and go over a fourth time, this time to the sister clinic in Indianapolis. The reaction of the staff was to simply shrug their shoulders and tell me it was no big deal. I asked to speak to a manager, that was three days ago and I have still not been called me back. I will not go again. Terrible customer service. read more

After making an appointment over the phone, I come in for my appointment and they don't have my information. Luckily they had an opening while I was there and I got my eye exam. I had picked out my glasses before the exam so I didn't have to do that afterward. It should have taken no time to put the order in after my exam but instead I was there an extra hour and fifteen minutes because someone told me my insurance did not cover these lenses and they would try to figure something out- in which they did not. I couldn't wait any longer so someone was supposed to get back to me about that issue later that day. Two weeks go by and I hadn't heard from anyone so I went in today and the order was not placed and I found out that the lenses were in fact not covered by my insurance. So during the last two weeks none of this was communicated to me and I've gone two weeks without proper eyewear. Long story short, my experience was incredibly frustrating, I wasted over 2.5 hours of my time for nothing and out of the 3 individuals who helped me, none of them were actually helpful. 10/10 would not recommend if you're looking for an efficient business. read more

The eye exam is thorough, though it takes a little longer to be seen first by the student, and then have the worked checked by the doctor. And the first time I went, I was told that I didn't need a new prescription - that's rarely happened before, and I appreciated not being told to buy another pair of glasses I didn't really need. The next year, however, was a different story. This time, I did get a new prescription, and picked out a frame that suited me for two new pairs, including prescription shades. The price was quite high (four figures) because I chose expensive options. The first pair (the shades) took about two weeks to arrive, a little longer than promised, by not too bad. The other pair, however, hasn't come yet, and it's been almost four months. I've called several times to ask what gives. The usually goes to voice mail, which seems to be ignored. The first two times that I was able to talk to an actual person, i was promised a call back within an hour. Didn't happen. I finally went into the office, thinking that would make me harder to ignore. By a stunning coincidence, my frames has come back into stock that very day, and I should have the glasses within a week. Perhaps I'm too suspicious, but I can't help but wonder whether they'd somehow neglected to order them until that day. That was more than two weeks ago. Still no glasses. Time for another trip to Atwater, I suppose. The D.O. students may be learning good practices, but the optical dispensary has some of the poorest customer service I've ever encountered. I think it's best avoided. Update: I did go to Atwater today, and my glasses were waiting. They initially said that they happened to have arrived today, but when I pressed the issue, they admitted that was not true - they'd been in for a while, but I hadn't been called. I asked to talk to the manager of the dispensary, but was told that she was not available. I was told that she would contact me, but (so far at least) that's been as hollow a promise as all of the other promises that I've heard from them. I'm removing the second star of my rating. Incompetence is somewhat forgivable, but dishonesty, I think, is not. read more

I have been very pleased with the care and attention I have received at the eye care center. Very helpful in selecting frames and adjusting them. read more

Slowest experience I've ever had at an eye care clinic - simply unacceptable. A routine checkup where my prescription did not change took TWO AND A HALF hours. At other places I've been an hour was ample time to allot. At my follow up appointment to check my contacts and order a full New Years worth, they took over an hour and a half - other places I've been take 15 minutes for that appointment! They also could not figure out how much my contacts cost and ignored me when I gave them the brand - leading to a half hour check out time. The intern told me they should cost $38 and when I checked out they cost $60 a box. They couldn't even get their prices to match up. Which is obnoxious and unheard of. The interns are useless. It should suffice to say I will not be returning to Atwater after this experience. read more

I stopped by the Atwater eye care center on my way to class to pick up a pair of glasses I ordered. I figured that it would take no more than half an hour, but it did, so I told the receptionist that I would be back after my class. He was unsure why it was taking so long and stated that they will be expecting my return in an hour and will have the glasses ready for me when I arrive. When I come back, there are multiple workers present and I had waited about 15 minutes just to try my new glasses on. The girl helping me probably had to go to the back and come back out to me about 10+ times. She then informed me that I was going to be paying $175 for a pair of glasses that I thought would only be $108. I picked out those specific glasses because the guy from my last visit told me they would only be $108. I tried to explain this to the girl helping me, but she did not know to help. I found it absolutely unprofessional that I was never informed about the change of price. You would think that a business as professional as this one would take the initiative and own up to their mistake, but they didn't. Since I really needed these glasses, I ended up paying the extra $67, which is a lot for a student on a budget. I am so disappointed in this place and I will not be returning. read more

Generally willing to acquiesce with poor service for the sake of teaching and learning, but after my last experience I highly suggest saving the hassle and going to an alternative clinic in town: lenscrafters at the mall, or dr. howard and associates, next to promptcare. The other clinics do not limit the number of contacts ordered, they actually do exhibit a welcome pursuit of customer service, and they will not put your sunglasses for sale in a display case--the other clinics are professionals, while the atwater clinic surfs on the unwitting student sea. read more

I have been in several times on my own and with my wife. In my experience, the doctor misdiagnosed my prescription for glasses. When I came back to tell them that I couldn't see as clearly as I could with my previous glasses, they attempted to tell me that it might be because I needed more expensive lenses. After a lot of back and forth I finally got another appointment and got the right prescription. My wife went in because she had been experiencing some redness after Lasik surgery. Long story short, we went in three times in three months, and each time they wanted to run different tests and prescribe different medicines for different problems. We just went back today for what seemed to be a check up for problems corrected on the last visit, but they didn't even mention those and now wanted to different tests for different problems. All in all, there the doctors that we have seen communicate very poorly and if you try to ask them to explain what they are doing and why they react defensively. read more

A perfect ending....Sat evening while removing one of my soft contact lens it broke and a third of it remained in my eye. I could not see it to remove it but could feel it. Long story short I went to the Clinic Mon afternoon to see if they could have someone look at my eye. The Clinic was very busy but they worked me in to be seen. A intern did a very thorough exam but could not find it. She then had Dr Susan Kovacich take another look just in case she might have missed it. And it had lodged way up under my eye lid which Dr Kovacich removed. Thank you to both of them! Gerry R read more

The students and doctors are dedicated and courteous, but lack proper knowledge. On my first visit, they gave me a glasses prescription that was so strong that I could not see when I ordered my new glasses. Not to mention they didn't give me a PD when I told them specifically I was ordering glasses with the prescription I was getting, and one must have a PD to order glasses. So, I had a second visit to get my PD. On my third visit, I had them re-do my prescription, but in the eye exam room I could not see with the new, lower prescription. They gave up and just gave me a prescription that was exactly the same as my old prescription from a different eye doctor. It's useless to go to a eye clinic that can't write you a proper prescription. read more

High praise for this wonderful clinic. I'd like to specifically thank Dr. Henderson who took extra time and review of my eye exam and sent me for further testing to be sure all was well. Her dedication and persistence in confirming my status and following up with me was a true gift. Warmest thanks to the entire talented staff. read more

One of the worst experience's I've ever had when trying to order new lenses. I have been wearing contact lenses for 12 years now and have never had a more horrible experience. I was told the appointment would take 2 hours. This was understandable as I know both a student and professional take the required steps. My appointment was 3 hours long. I was then charged $115 just for the appointment alone. I have IU insurance and it covered what it was supposed to. Only problem is, with the contact lense center, they charge you for a ridiculous amount of tests. Not only did I get charged an outrageous amount, they don't even know if my contacts will fit! They said, "we'll do some trials until we find the right ones." At first, I took this as a mistake on my part for not looking into my eye doctor. But now, I know I will never go back, nor will I ever recommend. Two weeks after my appointment, I still had not received my contacts, so I called to check in. They were never ordered. The only reason this place has 2 stars and not 1 is because the two doctors that I worked with were really friendly. thats it. don't go there. read more

Probably the worst experience with eye care I have ever received. I have really poor vision, at -7.5 in both eyes, I take great care of what little eye sight I do have. I am extra cautious on everything from eye allergens to cleansing contacts after each wear. To be honest, I usually don't wear contacts that often, but I was hoping to get some to wear on occasion, a date perhaps, to the pool so I can wear sunglasses, etc. I was very explicit in my description of my eyes, super sensitive to allergens, light, dryness, etc. I told them I wasn't interested in a daily lens because they are just too dry. I was berated by this. Both lead doctors pushed me into dailies. I first visited the clinic in the early winter, the days are short, the sky is gray, and the dailies weren't too bad. They had given me several pairs of trail contacts. Recently I tried to wear the last pair, to go swimming, so I could wear sunglasses, two hours in I thought my eyes were going to shrivel up. Thank goodness I hadn't spent the money on actually buying them. When I called the clinic to get refitted for contacts, they told me they were going to charge me another 60$. I argued enough that they told me they would see me for free, and yet again the overseeing doctor was confrontational and berated me about wanted monthly, wetter, better quality, lenses. Well I am now in a trial pair again, and she wouldn't let me just have the monthlys, so I have one monthly and one two-weekly in and I have to return so she can reevaluate them. This has been one of the most irritating and frustrating experiences. read more