The Drs, techs/clinicians and the front desk personnel are wonderful. There seems to be a disconnect at the ppl who answer the phone not understanding how or where to transfer you and the contact lens personnel.....the latter of there two are the worst. They rush, they don't care, they don't listen...and never answer the phone. I've not had any contact with the glasses personnel but I hope you don't need contacts or have any issues with your contacts. read more

Had an appointment at 11:20 - still waiting to be called at 1PM Unacceptable! Not going back!! read more

Had appt at 1130 and still sitting in waiting room at 1227....hour wait so far and all they can say is running little behind little really..... if you ever come here I would recommend coming soon as they open or 30 min before they close if you don't want wait all day.... read more

Dr. Lynch treated my son and I horribly. She was rude, uncaring, dismissive, insulting and walked out of the exam room mid-conversation. I have never been more disrespected by a provider in my life. This was my son's very first eye exam, and now he is afraid to go back to the eye doctor. She has no idea how to talk to adults, much less, children. She should not be able to practice, until she can become a decent human being first. I am appalled by this experience and will never step foot in this practice again. I will suggest to all my friends and family that they do the same. read more

Unbelievable experience, after 20 plus years of giving Gaston Eye Associates my business, my son had the worse experience ever from a "professional" doctor's office. Appt was 3:45 and was not seen by Dr FOSTER until 4:55. This was my son's appointment. When Dr FOSTER finally came into the room, my son nice commented on the long wait and Dr FOSTER closed the file and told him to leave by yelling and a second time in front of the whole waiting room. Even threatened to call the police since my son wanted to make a complaint to the office manager. Well, there are plenty of Optometrist and my whole family is happily going to find another. Something is seriously going wrong with this practice. Bad enough that one is over paying for the services and eye wear but to have a young person be treated so poorly. Shame on you Dr FOSTER!!! read more

They have good doctors. But the optical department is terrible at communicating, had to call the office to ask about my glasses. Took over a month to get a new pair of lenses after I was told it would be 2 weeks. read more

After a 3.5 hour eye exam I was tortured with lights in my eyes which was very painful. I had surgery done by a doctor a little over a year ago and I've had nothing but problems, I was told by a doctor from another company that I had a serious situation so I thought going back to Gaston Eye would pinpoint the problem. This time I chose to see a doctor who didn't do my surgery. Sadly, the doctor I had today was no better. I arrived for my 3:10 appt at 2:20. Of course the prerequisite waiting room time wasn't so bad. But we can't bypass the 2nd waiting room. After a loooooong time in the exam room, including leaving me sitting in there while the doctor was seeing another patient, was more than frustrating. Even more frustrating is that I walked out of there without any answers. The doctor showed his aggravation with me. Dang! How long is someone to sit in an examination room while he's with another patient? What made it so bad for me is that I walked out without feeling confident of that I had answers. read more

I have again updated to one star. I really hated to do it but I had no choice. Multiple attempts to get a simple summary of visit were met with being ignored or being sent a dismissive message. I finally went over there physically and tried to explain my dilemma. I was told they would CHARGE me to print out a copy! No! They refused to post my notes on the portal. I would not pay and I was not going to leave without them. I asked to speak to a manager. A young lady walked up and asked if she could help. We were standing at the counter with four other employees turned around staring at us! I asked if they were going to stand there and listen to everything. SMH. So - we went back to a more private area and I explained how terrible my experience had been. Eventually she printed my notes - simple. Could have ben done weeks ago. She did apologize, but this practice is not competent, dismissive, and dysfunctional. I don't think I can return to these doctors or this staff. I have downgraded my review. I still can't get the doctor's dictated notes to know what he said was wrong with my eyes. A week and a half and they are not posted. I offered to have them mailed or even come by and pick them up and no one replied to that. He only sent a long post of information links about several topics. Whoever answered my message ( another doctor) was snippy and said he didn't know what I was talking about. I am frustrated and regret going to Gaston Eye. I'm not stupid but I've been made to feel that way. I will try to wait a little while longer... and just hope they eventually show up online. I really hate the communication has been so poor. New patient. They re-scheduled on me twice. When I finally got in, I went for my appt. Tip: Don't go in the afternoon! It's a zoo! And, the wait will be long. I had heard wait times were horrible but I experienced it. I walked in and the waiting room was full- the front desk was mobbed. In their defense, they were changing over to a new computer system that day. I had already done my paperwork online so they printed that and put it in my chart. Everyone I encountered was reasonably nice. The wait in the front waiting room was about 45 minutes. I was glad they had the volume down on the TVS and the CC on- people were talking and it was kind of loud and they call out names for optical and Drs... so the TVs would have driven me crazy! LOL. A tech called me back and she was cordial. She seemed experienced and confident and I think she did a good job of getting me through the preliminaries. I wore a mask and I am glad I did - few people in the packed waiting room did and covid is going back up in our county. Tech did not wear a mask, but that's her choice- just like it's mine to wear it. My doc DID wear one when he came in- thanks, sir. After the tech exam I had to go to a smaller waiting are for the doc - that was about 45 more minutes of wait time ( obvious they overbook at GE). I was then taken to another exam room and waited about 15-20 more minutes for the doc. I heard chatter outside the door- all exam rooms were full and it was going on 5:00 pm! whew. Dr. Lee finally came in and seemed cordial enough but he talks more to himself than with you. He mumbles a lot of jargon but seemed knowledgeable. It was rushed. He dictates as he goes. he told me several things wrong with my eyes but there wasn't really time to discuss or get explanations of terms he used with which I was not familiar. I felt like he needed for me to be in and out. When he was done has said goodbye and showed me out. Hmmm- I went to the desk to pay my co-pay. I asked for a copy of my prescription. There was some hubbub about getting printed but they finally did. I asked how to get on the patient portal because I said I'd need to read the notes since I was rushed and didn't know all the terms Dr. Lee used. She said they'd be online in a couple of days. So far they are not there. So, we'll see. I didn't care for the atmosphere very much or the waits but I did feel like they probably are competent. I was looking for eye care closer to home so that was nice not to have to drive to Charlotte. It seems to me they have too many patients and too small a facility. They need to open an office in Belmont. read more

Arguably the worst Eye Dr facility, or perhaps any health care facility I've ever been to for any annual physical related exam/check-up. I went in for my 3:10p appt today for what I was assured would collectively take less than an hour, and technically only because I had new patient paperwork to complete for my first time, and because I was also having my eyes dilated at this appointment. I did not walk out of my appt for another TWO AND A HALF HOURS. Almost immediately pulling into a very rundown parking lot/building I started 2nd guessing my decision, and had the same reaction walking into what I guess they consider their "lobby" however, so was so crammed with 25+ waiting patients (I counted), as well as a very packed eye glasses display area. The entire staff from start-to-finish seemed incredibly overwhelmed, likely overworked, and by default were not able to perform much customer service at all...ironically with the exception of the PRINTED OUT survey they were pedaling very hard as soon as I got there....that was odd? Everything from start-to-finish felt entirely antiquated, untidy, and I found myself sanitizing non-stop for the 2.5 hrs I was there. More than half the paperwork they had me fill out had nothing to do with my reason for being there, and a lot of it was redundant - all of which I could have very easily filled out online in advance of my appt to save a significant amount of time on my end as well as theirs. Every part of my process there felt very incremental - go to this station, do one part of your eye exam - check. Move on to the next station, wait FOREVER until the next person was supposed to see me - finally got that done, check. I didn't feel any level of customer service, honestly more like cattle being herded, all the way down to the Dr's "shpeel" that he went through with me. It was incredibly evident he hadn't even glanced at my chart that was clearly a waste of time filling out at the onset of my arrival, when I asked him a question tied to my medical history and if it was affecting a current medical concern. Not even remotely on his radar - he was completely flustered, quickly pulled up the notes from my file and THEN went ahead and read my history - this was at the end of my appt with him. There's so much more I could go on about, as I had been there for 2.5 hours, but I'll close with this.....JUST as I thought I was finally ready to leave this massive time suck/hell hole, I end up having to wait 15-20 mins to even check out (as they're holding my eye glasses prescription hostage at the check-out, otherwise I would have left my phone number and they could have called me with the bill), and upon inquiring with another attendee behind the front desk who was not busy if she could help get me checked out, the solo lady who was both scheduling new appts, as well as checking customers out at the pace of a geriatric snail, yelled at me to be patient, she was the only person allowed to check out customers and she was "doing the best that she could." She got all frazzled and then in front of me to three of the customers ahead of me continued to passive-aggressively speak to them ABOUT ME in front of them, complaining about being there late, she was overwhelmed, trying to get some empathy from them - it was incredibly unprofessional and again, wrapped up my entire experience with what was very consistently some of the worst customer service experience I've unfortunately ever witnessed. I would rather pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket than go back to this place. read more

The doctors are knowledgeable, however the wait times are awful, no matter when you have an appointment, things are never completed on time, and the office staff doesn't return calls. My son ordered glasses last year and was told they would be in within 2 weeks. After hearing nothing from them for 3 weeks, he called. He was told they had issues and would get back to us, but did not. It took another week and a half to finally get them. He wanted to try contacts this year and was told it was a $60 non refundable fee for a "class". I completely understand paying for using contacts that are used in the training but is it really $60 worth? He wasn't able to wear contacts so chose to get new lenses that should have been really easy, but it has been a month since they sent them. Of course he has called them but no return calls from the office. I do not believe this establishment cares at all about patients, only the money that can go into their pockets. read more

I had both cataracts removed last year and had not one issue with Gaston Eye. Dr. Brown is great. Then this year, I had the most common complication from cataract surgery and had to have two laser procedures. I've worn glasses for 53 years and it's wonderful to be able to see without glasses! My husband is also a patient of Dr. Foster and he is awesome! Our daughter and my brother also go there and have had great service. The staff in the optical department is also wonderful. Everyone was so respectful. ALL the staff is great. We highly recommend this practice. read more

Called me at 5:30 in the goddamn morning and im not only not a patient of theirs, i dont even live in their state. Edit: Tried calling them to tell them they had the wrong number, and they put me on hold and the hold message said theres no one available and that i was also i "position number 1" in queue, waited a while and no one ever picked up. If you live in NC you might want to skip this place and keep searching. read more

I will no longer be doing business here because I was overcharged. I love the doctors but the billing receptionists is unprofessional and unethical. I was told last year they wouldn't give me my glasses unless I paid in full. so I paid card and cash. they tell me I am paid in full give me my glasses and then tell me I owe money a year later. I have to do their job looking for old receipts and when I do they still won't refund me my money even when I show them their error that they owe me. im Not only client they did this to from other reviews. The lady told me It happens alot And no promises that they can prevent it. its not about the money its the principle no one should have to go through what I went through. read more

I do not recommend the hearing aid part of Gaston Eye. The previous Doctor, Dr. Py, had great customer service and the current doctor does not. I had my hearing aids repaired and they came back with a fitting that was too big for my ears. I tried my best to get the current doctor to replace the fittings so that I can wear my hearing aids. She told me a straight up lied, saying I had the smallest that they make. I have not been able to wear my right hearing aid for over a year. They fit me before I had them repaired. The previous Doctor, Dr. Py, had the perfect fitting for me every time. It's time for me to get new hearing aids. I will not go back to Gaston Eye!!!! I am furious with their lack of customer service! read more

This place is a joke! They close the hearing aid department and have provided no place for those patients to go, especially the senior citizens on fixed incomes. If the patients have to go somewhere else it will cost them to do so. I think that is bad business! read more

Let me start by saying that I am VERY picky when it comes to eye doctors. I have a rare condition called accommodative dysfunction which is a fancy way of saying my eyes don't focus (that's the simple/short version). It's always hard to find a good doc that understands this, has heard of it, and knows how to get the prescription right. I've worn bifocals since I was little and trifocals when I got to college because the glasses do all the work for me. All of this to say, if you need an amazing doctor, go visit Dr. Foster. He is very relaxed, kind, and funny - all being great things, but more than that, he knows his stuff, and is honest! He'll do everything he can to make it a good and comfortable experience. He even called me personally to talk to me and explain about an issue making my prescription because it is an unusual one. He's the first eye doctor to explain the real reason my trifocals gave me trouble in the past (because the optical centers just can't make my prescription the way I need it)! Now, if you need someone who is great at picking out frames, making sure all the measurements are right, and is very kind and helpful, ask for Jay. We had such a great time chatting, and I can honestly say I've never picked out a pair of frames that quickly! I have a small face so it's always a battle to figure out what works, but we got it done super fast! Even if this place is a drive, I suggest you still check it out. You won't regret it. read more

A little surprised at all the negative reviews of this place. Yes the wait time can be long but that's because a TON of people go to this place. And why do a ton of people go to this place- because they are good at what they do. Yes there are gabby ladies working there and sometimes they do seem to hate their jobs but show me one doctor's office that doesn't have the same thing these days. My only gripe about this place is the lack of parking. read more

My partner had an emergency eye injury last night and while googling places for emergency eye care, this office came up. I called and the answering service had the doctor call me back. One of the first questions the doctor asked was if my partner was a patient of the practice and when I said no, he said there wasn't anything he could do to help. He said the emergency visits were only for established patients. When I asked what his advice was to do in this case, he said the ER was probably the only option, I said thanks, and he just hung up on me. Extremely rude and not helpful at all. If I were on the search for an eye doctor, this place would NOT be it! read more

I was a patient at GEA for more than 18 years even though there is no diversity on the staff I continued as a patient because of the respect for Dr. Foster. It's unfortunate that I cannot tell the whole story here however due to the unprofessionalism and the public attack on my character by the optical coordinator Jay who told me on two occasions, "I work with him or No one" and the office manager Ms. Trotter who did Nothing about my "verbal grievance " against Jay my relationship with GEA ended on April 28, 2021 . The Services of the Blind have tried to get authorization for my glasses since January 2021 the process was Not smooth due to the misconduct and verbal unprofessionalism of Jay. After reporting him to Ms. Trotter and requesting twice not to interact with him she ignored my complaint and instead said that, "I was disrespectful and not nice to her staff.": I was notified a week prior to 4-28-21 by the Services for the Blind that authorization had been complete and that I could go and get fitted for my glasses. April 28 I received a phone call from Jay after I put in A grievance against him back in February 2021. I reached out to Ms. Trotter on that day and explain to her that I had put in a grievance and that unfortunately she did not handle it because I just received a call from Jay . Her reply to me over the phone was that I was disrespectful and that I could work with someone else if I liked (short version of conversation) When I arrived at the office I requested to speak to Ms. Trotter, I explain to her that I was there to get fitted for my glasses. On this particular day the office was crowded with wall-to-wall people in every chair and standing along the wall no social distance at all ! In front of patients and staff she says to me "that no one wants to work with me and that I'm a disrespectful person." I was very confused by that statement because I had just entered there and I was just coming to get fitted for my glasses. I asked her to explain why she made that statement but instead she kept saying "calm down , I have written in your file that you're disrespectful while walking me over to the optical department." If I was so disrespectful and out of control why would she be walking me to optical and why didn't someone call the police to have me removed ? Short story once in optical I encountered J there after I kept asking not to work with him. I sat down and was waiting for someone to get my measurements but instead I was told by Ms.Trotter and J nobody wanted to work with me and that she was going to call the police on me. On this day I was humiliated, embarrassed and publicly attacked verbally. I am a public leader and very mindful of how to carry myself in my community I have never encountered anything like I did on April 28, 2021. I recently received an notarize letter from GEA stating that I am no longer welcome there . This all happened because A staff member disrespected me and I spoke up for myself. I didn't verbally attack anymore I didn't call anyone out of their name and I did not threaten anymore because that is not my character . #Disabilitiesmatter read more

Very slow, appointment time was 2:20 pm and left at 5:30! Seriously - why. It takes forever in that joint....not sure why, you'd think it would run smoother but it is what it is! read more

This place stays busy for a reason! They are quite good, and won't try to sell you lasik surgery if your eyes won't be compatible with the procedure. It your eyes aren't meant for Lasik, then don't have the procedure done. They could have taken my money this type of surgery, but explained that my eyes would have been ruined for life. Some places will recommend Lasik, even if you're a bad fit just to get your money. They are highly honest here. read more

This was the worst experience at an eye doctor I've ever had. Just like others have said wait time is ridiculous and so is the staff. They can't even give you your own precipitation that you pay for when you ask for it. They'll give you the run around and send you to voicemails. Then not give you the full prescription. They should be ashamed, I plan on contacting the better business bureau read more

I've always used Gaston Eye specifically because I do trust the team of optometrist, but the service (especially from the ladies up front checking in and out, and the billing department) has major room for improvement! There are probably 8-10 gabby old ladies (and what's the deal with the horribly gaudy, chintzy jewelry they all seem to wear?!?) that literally ignore customers standing in line because they are consumed with chatting among themselves. Three of these ladies were online checking out a hotel room for vacation while I waited 45 mins past the doctor telling me I could check out!! It was ridiculous! I had to make a trip back to pick up my rx and the same slow, chatty, ignoring customer non-sense! Again, the team of optometrist are great, but plan for plenty of time; an average appointment could easily take 2+ hours! read more

Dr Foster is great, but the wait times are ridiculous. I made the mistake to go an hour early hoping to leave early. It is an hour after the scheduled time and I am yet to see the doctor. If service time was faster I would rate this much higher. Dr. Foster is personable and has great stories. read more

Took my daughter there last month for her first eye exam, and first pair of glasses. The ladies were very nice, as well as the doctors. They made her very comfortable, and even though I had my other 2 children along (ages 9 and 5) they were very accomodating. Never once got the "evil eye". I will be bring my other kids in for their exams- as well as my own- very soon. read more

I just love this place! I went in for an exam a few days ago after being so scared to go. I hadn't been to see an eye doctor in a several years as the fear of the glaucoma test and eye drops give me such anxiety. To my surprise, I had a very pleasant visit and am looking forward to next year. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. The front desk ladies helped me to fill out my paperwork correctly. When I was taken back the girl who did my glaucoma test and dilation drops was so sweet. She really knew what she was doing and put my drops right in with ease (which NEVER happens with me). The doctor I saw was very informative. He really took the time to explain everything to me without talking above my head. After talking with him I really had a good understanding of everything I needed to be doing with my eyes to keep them healthy. He did not make me feel rushed or like I was just another number. He walked me to the optical department when he was done with me so I could pick out some new glasses. I was feeling a little overwhelmed by all the glasses they had and I didn't even know where to start. The man who helped me pick my glasses was probably the best of the whole experience. He seemed to know exactly what I wanted and what would look good on me. It did not take long at all for us to pick a frame. All in all this was probably the best eye doctor experience I have ever had. I would recommend this place to anyone and will definitely be back! read more

had prk sugery by dr lund 7 months ago. have been seeing him ever since july. my eye has still not healed. still have blurred vision. he has blamed it on me, saying im a slow healer. when I try to explain to him about my eye issues he always cuts me off. very rude doctor. when he talks to me he never looks me in the eyes. he always looks at floor. he says he didn't make any mistakes during surgery, but is not willing to correct my vision with a touch up surgery. he did not admit any guilt ,but did refund my money. so they are basically saying your on your own. they are leaving me with blurred eye sight and some pitting on my eye. I would never use gaston eye unless you have a good lawyer read more