Retina detachment is something I wouldn't wish up my worst enemy! However, by the grace of God and Dr John Alappatt I'm still able to see despite both Retina's detaching! The staff at the Katy Freeway location are caring, encouraging and understanding. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! -Stan Fischer read more

I just arrived for a 6-month checkup. Despite receiving a text to confirm yesterday, I arrive to find out that my doctor only works ever other week and this is not the week. I've been sitting here for 30 minutes waiting to see another doctor. The waiting room is filling up and they have not called one person in. read more

This clinic is so unorganized! My father had an appointment and when we showed up to the appointment that's when they want to inform us that a referral is required to see the doctor. OKAY..so why the heck did the clinic not reach out to us to inform us prior?! We drove all the way out there just to be told we need to reschedule and obtain a referral... read more

This is for the Southwest location: I was honestly so scared before coming in because I read so many horrible reviews on this place but I'm glad to say I had the opposite experience. The staff at the front desk were so nice. Dr. Lam took great care of me by explaining what was going on with my eyes. Everyone on the team treated me well. The only thing that took long was the wait for the doctor to come into my room to talk to me which took 30-40 min. I would advise to be picked up or have a friend/family member drive you because I had my eyes dilated and didn't know that coming in, but thankfully had a family member drive me there. I checked in at 9 for my 9:30 appointment and was done by 11 am. I would advise getting a morning appointment if you can. read more

This review is for the Memorial office of Dr. Alapatt. The doctor is great. Staff is average at best. Appointments take a long time, even simple follow-ups. Giving one star because I had a 2:40 appointment, and the doctor was not even at the office for it. He was 40 minutes away doing a surgery. My time did not matter at all to them. Making matters worse, no one could tell me when he would be there. Three different people gave me three different times. I was told a little after 3, then 345, then 330. After the third different time given, I left. The lack of caring and disrespect was amazing to me. I will never go back after today. I've never been to a doctor's office with so little regard for their patients. I was stunned. The whole situation was handled extremely poorly top to bottom. read more

This place should be zero stars! It is so unorganized and the wait is ridiculous. More than 2 hours wait! What is the point of having an appointment if you have to wait more than 2 hours. Please do not come here you will waste your time! read more

UGH! Where do I begin, or end???!!! As has already been reported, SOME of the front desk staff are rude and do not show up for work on time during the week or on Saturdays--when open! I've been let into the office by the doctor once previously. Wait times tend to be long, especially if you do not opt for the first appointment of the morning. You may have an appointment time but it doesn't matter, as you'll be called from the front office waiting area, only to discover that there's another hidden waiting room in the back to give the impression that you're not waiting long. They do laser procedures on the spot---further increasing your wait time unbeknownst to unsuspecting patients. I had a confirmed appointment with the ophthalmologist I had been/was scheduled to be seen (by Dr. Lin), only to arrive and was surprised when another doctor came into the room to examine my eyes as a follow up, only to then further advise that I should return once more to see the physician I was originally scheduled to see (before the switcheroo) took place (Dr. Lin); a switcheroo that still cost me a co-pay, and my insurance company was charged for that visit ~ when I should have been called and advised of this, because the appointment was fruitless and should have been cancelled! When I pointed this out at that next follow up (unnecessary) visit due to their mistake of switching out the doctor unbeknownst to me until arriving, and brought the incident up to the front desk staff, she rudely stated that "we made a mistake.", to which I replied that your mistake should not cost patients time, gas, or monetary resources. The doctor's attitude is a little too nonchalant for me as well, as I do not feel like I've gotten a satisfactory explanation for what's going on with my eyes (why they're suddenly developing lots of tears); and when it comes to how Houston Retina schedules patients, as in the more the merrier, herding them (us) in like sheep... and when you raise concerns, imagine any doctor saying "it is what it is." (Dr. Lin), which drew an immediate negative backlash from me... he/they might be VERY surprised to learn that I've earned the title of doctor in my profession as well, just not in the field of optometry/ophthalmology. They do not seem to value your time, only the payments they extract from your insurance company. Whether I have a 9:00 am or 3:00 pm appointment, I expect to be seen within a reasonable amount of time without excuses being made or fake apologies being offered! Customer service and appropriate bedside manner is lacking and needs to be addressed. As a result, I'm looking for a new, more highly rated and professional ophthalmology practice to go to (as I type this review), because I just don't feel as if the service I've received at any level has been satisfactory enough to warrant my continuing to be inconvenienced and disregarded (disrespected). read more

Dr. Lam and his staff at the Sugar Land location are very caring and so personable. He is proactive in making sure that my husband is receiving the best treatment for his eye conditions. We have been going to him for more than 8 years and their professionalism has never wavered. He takes the time to answer all of our questions and the staff treat us like family. read more

I truly believe Dr. Tran saved my eye sight after a spontaneous detachment. I'm so grateful to him and his expertise. I have and will continue recommending this great surgeon to as many friends and family as I can . read more

This review is in regards to the Sugar Land office. First, Dr. Tran is good. However, literally EVERYTHING else about this office is not. First, you can expect severely long wait times, and you will stay well beyond your appointment time, and this is for established patients. You can expect about a 3-hour experience for anything in this office. The office is grossly mismanaged. Dr. Tran is the only doctor there and they severely OVERBOOK, and not just by a few. If you are lucky, after you check in, you may get to stand along a wall in the office suite area, and if you are extremely lucky, you may get a chair. But do not be surprised if you are standing in the hallway outside the office suite. No joke. Once you hit the lottery and are called back for your appointment, which by now is likely at least one hour past the time of your appointment, you are taken in for your eye exam, then it's off to ANOTHER waiting area in the back, which is even more cramped with way less seating and way more people. Don't be surprised if you are forced to stand in this hallway as well (OSHA anyone?). Then they call you back again, this time for eye pictures. Then back to the waiting area (or hallway) you go before you are called again to actually see the doctor. Yes, you are bounced around a lot. Not to mention, nearly all patients in this office are elderly who come in with canes, walkers, or in wheelchairs. I cannot believe how irresponsible it is of Dr. Tran's office to force these conditions on the elderly with extremely long wait times/appointments, no guarantee of seating, and a few very rude staff members. It is reckless and dangerous to leave elderly people standing in the halls. Here is some advice to the office. 1. Stop overbooking. 2. Get a larger office 3. Get another doctor. 4. Train your staff on how to talk to and deal with elderly people. 5. Stop overbooking (yes, I said it again). read more

First time appointments take over 3 hours. Their office was full when I arrived for my appointment for which I was not called until 45 minutes later. Then I got dilated and waited another hour in a different waiting room, then saw the doctor and was sent to wait some more. every room appeared to be used so it looks like they schedule more than they can see so people are just waiting forever. The office staff said that I was next to be seen but several other patients were sent in ahead of me. Be prepared to wait for at least 3 hours. I am still waiting after 3.5 hours read more

Yelp Review/Houston Retina Associates i should have known better to keep my parents appointment with this doctors office. when i made their appointment the person seem not to know much about how to schedule the appointment but i just told myself to give them a chance maybe she was new. BIG Mistake. When i got there i was told i had to use two different cards as payment and they did not take Payflex, which i was not told when i made the appointment and i did tell the scheduler that is the form of payment. Still went ahead with the visit because it was very important to be seen. Went to the back and the staff seem to be in a hurry. They got upset because i would not translate for them. i am not a medical translator so i did not want to say the wrong thing and have that affect the outcome of care. Then the staff spoke to each other as if my parents were going to be difficult right in front of them say "have fun with them". They didn't ask my parent their names to ensure they had the right patient as both my parent have girl names. that tech treated my parents wrong and rudely just because of what her co-work said with out finding out for her self that my parents are really nice they just worried about losing their eye sight and have questions. the staff seem not to like the idea of them asking questions. The tech told my parents they can go wait in the small room. i was like and where is that as this was i our first time there. she was rude and said around the corner. it wasn't until i start to voice my option she got up and pointed the way. i ask to speak to the clinic manager and it took awhile for her to come talk to us, because the staff was "tell her" about us. which i didn't care because i was done with the way my parents were being treated. that was a waste of time because it was empty "I'm sorry about this" the doctor came in and it was all business. he started speaking and i told him that my father need a translator and he said i'm going to take a look then get someone. i still gave him a shoot. then their staff came in to translate and she was not translating right. She would leave things out and add things in and i was like that's not what he said but understood that it may be something that the doctor may say, but he never did. what sealed it was when the doctor said "that close enough" no i don't want close enough i need it to be on point because this is his sight we are dealing with. i told the doctor that we will not continue with treatment that we have had a bed care and he said " oh was told something happened but okay" if you were told your patients are upset you should have asked why and show some kind of concern and get to the bottom of things but he don't. i get that we were just two patients and wont break your bank nor change the way your care for your patients but this should have never happened. i have call mom parents insurance to notify them that my mom was not seen and my father was not a full visit and was told that they claim they were seen. that provider just didn't care and went into another visit like nothing happened. i will be notifying my referring provider not to refer other patients to this business. i pray that they culture of care and environment changes i would hate for someone else to go through this read more

Too hurried. Doctor does not explain the test results. Walks in, looks in my eyes and barely spoke to me. Office staff not very friendly.

Worse place ever, all Dr. Tran told me is what I told him, he did not recommend me to anyone else. They charge me $106 for pictures and to tell my it's nothing he can do. I just I have to go back to Dallas to get proper care. He only looked in my eyes, didn't even request my records to compare since I was a new patient. Losing vision and barely see out my right eye and was told there is nothing he can do, took my money and out the doo. read more

I have been waiting for more than 2 1/2 hours and I'm still waiting to have one test before I see my retina doctor. I think the world of my doctor -she is phenomenal, but I am very aggravated that I did not get a call from the office saying she was running extremely late. My ride waited for 2 1/2 hours and understandly had to leave. Additionally I will miss the beginning of my plans this evening, a going away party I organized for a friend. I must say everyone in the office is also exceedingly nice, in fact couldn't be nicer or more helpful but that does not make up for being here for two hours and 45 minutes now, still waiting for a test before I see the dr. read more

Is this your first time having your eyes prodded by a retinal specialist? Then this review is for you. And It behooves me to tell you that you must have these three things: 1. Breakfast, 2. Patience, and 3. Money. Let me explain. I got to my appointment at 0930 but wasn't let in until 1050 am. You will be filling out 5 papers and that takes an additional 10-15 minutes when you get there. Then you wait until you are seen. When you get in, they will ask of your symptoms and do some checks, scans.. which take time and have mini waits in between. All in all, my whole appointment from start to finish was 0930 to 1220 when I left. So make sure you eat breakfast and don't starve like I did. Second, as I mentioned, you will be waiting before and in between, so you need lots of patience since you will be in this for a few hours and make sure to have a fully charged phone. Lastly, money. I didn't realize I would be paying 200$ for the appointment alone and for any additional diagnostics (I paid 81$). Luckily I brought my HSA card but I honestly thought that I would get more coverage from insurance. Again, I paid for extra diagnostics and it requires a dye, so they do have to insert a small IV in your arm to inject it before taking the photo, so just be aware. I do wish that the front desk would give a heads up for what to expect as first time patients. And they aren't the friendliest when they answer the phone to immediately put you on hold. I wish that they gave a courtesy call to let us know that it would be at least 3-4 hours if it is your first time and that additional diagnostics maybe added that may prolong the appointment (and add more cost!). read more

Total Crooks. Said my visit was covered 100% by my insurance. Charged me $50 copay. Then billed me $250 for the 10 minute visit afterwards because they messed up my insurance. They took no responsibility and wouldn't budge a penny. Billing dept are jerks. Whatever you do, DO NOT TRUST THEM. read more

Great staff. Great service. Extremely satisfied and they treat you like family. What else can you ask for. I definitely recommend this place to everyone read more

Going to any doctor appointment is always nerve wrecking, luckily my nerves were quickly put to ease. The doctor assistant was very friendly and did her job extremly well. A few minutes after finishing the prelims with the assistant, i saw dr.tran, and he went over what he saw and the treatment he reccomended. Throughout the entire visit dr.tran always explained what he was doing and asked if i had any questions. I will reccomend everyone to come visit dr.tran if they have eye issues. Also there was barely any wait time before i was seen, they got me in at the exact time my appointment was set up for. read more

Totally Incompetent, Irresponsible, Incapable Office Staffs! The front office will cause patients to waste their time and energy going to appointments only to be turned away and be told to reschedule. I had the personal bad experience with the front office staff while booking an appointment for a relative. My frustrating experience with the staff who not only caused me grief, but also my mom, who as a 75 yr old elderly had to take time driving across town in traffic only to be turned away last minute, because their staff failed to make the necessary scheduling process. I had the unpleasant experience of of dealing with these Incompetent staff over the phone repeatedly! Prior to the appointment I asked the office if the appointment was setup and if the insurance info along with anything else that was required was done, they said all was good. Then 2 weeks later, I got a call from the office at 5:25 pm the evening before her appt. and said she needs a referral from her primary Dr. Well What The H!! You had 2 weeks and you didn't think to tell us this until the Day of the appt??! Also, you failed to tell the patient they needed to do anything and the "office would handle it". So, last minute bc of these incompetent Twits, I am Rushing to get the referral and Rushing her Dr. to fax over to their office. Everyone Rushing to get things done just bc these irresponsible staffs didn't think ahead, didn't care to think about the patients, didn't do their due dilligence. Dr. Lam, we like your specialty, but you need to replace your incompetent, irresponsible staff. At least do a better job of interviewing potential future Staffs!! Oh, to top it off, the girl on the phone told me this was just a courtesy call to let us know. Courtesy? If the patient came for her appt that afternoon, were they planning on turning her away a Second time?!! Letting us know that they needed a referral was pretty important info..not just "Courtesy". They acted clueless that anything was wrong on their part, continued to argue and talk over me on the phone. If they apologized for their mistake, I could look past it, but their Arrogant, No-Fault Attitude was just the Last Straw. Unreal!! read more

My mom has retinal vein occlusion so she needs injections in her right eye every 6 weeks. She had been going to Dr. Sapa Pham at Houston Retina Associates in 2020 and half of 2021 for these injections. The doctor wasn't very skilled in giving injections. My mom often complaint to me that her injections were painful and sometimes there were bleedings too. In 2021 my mom bought a new insurance plan with 0$ deductible and much lower copay and coinsurance. However, I noticed that her bills from Dr. Pham were still the same as the bills we got in 2020, so I checked the EOBs and realized that my mom had been overcharged about 80$ every visit to Dr. Pham's office since the beginning of 2021. I called the insurance company to double check if there were any mistakes in the EOBs, and they confirmed that there was no mistake at all and all we needed to pay was 10$ copay each visit. I called the doctor's office and they said they'd call me back but never did. So I went with my mom at the her next appointment to ask about this and to our surprise there was a notice at the front desk saying my mom's insurance was not longer accepted starting next month. This appointment was near the end of the month and was made about 6 weeks ago and yet there was no phone call or text message or any thing at all from the doctor's office to notify her patient about this abrupt change. It was mid year so we couldn't get a new plan that the doctor accepts and had to find a new doctor for my mom so she could get the injections as scheduled or her eye's condition would get worse. If this doctor's office is not a scam, I don't know what is. read more

Dr. Tran and his staff are very nice and friendly. I take my mother here once a month for injections and they definitely know what they are doing. Very trustworthy and professional. Such a comforting experience for my mother every time! Thank you Dr. Tran! I highly recommend others to Houston Retina Associates. read more

When my dad was diagnosed with eye problems from his diabetes, he was referred to Dr. Tran, who has been taking great care of him. I have been taking my dad to his visits, and I have really appreciated the care that Dr.Tran has provided my dad. He takes the time to answer his questions and concerns and always puts my dad at ease. His staff is very helpful, and we have never had any issues with beneftis/billing from this office. read more

My vision went from 20/350 & 20/150 to 20/150 & 20/40 after one year. I am still a work in progress. I feel like he saved my life. The medication is expensive but worth every penny to me. He has also helped me by finding a program that helps with the cost. After I lost my insurance, he even gave me a free injection until my new insurance kicked in. His staff is very helpful, friendly and well organized. I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants to save their vision. read more

Want the best of the best care by a retinal specialist in the greater Houston area? Go to Houston Retina Associates. Dr. John Alappatt, Dr. Michael Lam, and Dr. Lee Tran are the best Houston has to offer. I would know because I have seen Dr. Lam and Dr. Tran myself as a patient for my CSR (Central Serous Retinopathy). I am an optometrist and I self-diagnosed myself with this condition when my right eye suddenly began losing its vision. I came to Dr. Lam immediately and after numerous testing, he reassured me that I did in fact have CSR. He told me my condition would self-improve without any treatment and it did in a matter of months. Then I saw Dr. Tran when I had the 2nd episode a year later and he took his time to answer all of my concerning questions. I have also referred my own father to Dr. Lam and Dr. Tran for his flashes and floaters. They took great care of my dad! These retinal specialists are second to NONE. read more

Clean and professional atmosphere. Dr's have great bedside manners. They seem to listen to your questions and concerns and address them. Very knowledgable. I'm glad I found this place. I completely trust them from my experiences so far! read more

Dr Lamb and his staff are very friendly. Sometimes the wait is a bit long. Wen is the nurse that usually helps us and she is very friendly and makes the wait a little easier. As for Dr Lamb he does his job very well and thourough. He has done wonders with my uncles eye problems due to diabetes. Thx Doc! read more

Dr. Lam and his office help are the epitome of what good medical care should be. My mother has been his patient for several years, and I know she would be blind if not for his intervention. We were referred to his office by another eye doc that we've trusted for years. We feel fortunate to have discovered someone that cares so much about the health of his patients! Complete confidence in him. read more