The first warning sign was the daily intrusive marketing emails and texts that started almost immediately after I scheduled my appointment. It took more effort than it should have to finally unsubscribe from them. More concerning was my recent cataract follow-up appointment. After the exam, the front office refused to provide my eyeglass prescription, stating that I would need to schedule and pay for a separate refractive exam appointment. When I questioned this, staff consulted with Dr. Novik, who confirmed that this was the office policy. I was only able to obtain my prescription after standing up for myself, at which point another doctor made an exception and released it. The FTC Eyeglass Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 456) has been in effect since 1978 and requires patients to be provided their prescription automatically after any exam that includes a refraction, regardless of the appointment type and without requiring the patient to ask. After I complained, the office responded by saying they would address the issue with their staff, although I remain doubtful that meaningful changes will occur. They also asked me to remove my honest, fact-based review, which further undermined my confidence in the office's integrity. The overall experience gave me the impression of a predatory business focused on generating additional appointments and revenue. A friend later told me she also had a bad experience there and described similar questionable business practices. I will not be returning. read more

First visit. Nice office. Staff is very friendly and Dr. Novick is very nice. He spends all the time you need with him. Would recommend.

Do not go to Dr. Novack for ANYTHING. When doing my eye surgery, he carved my eyes so badly I had to have more eye surgery that otherwise been unneccessary. read more

I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO WEAR GLASSES IF I USED ANYTHING OTHER THAN A MULTI-FOCAL LENS ...AND I DID NOT WANT TO WEAR GLASSES EVER....THAT WAS MY ONLY REQUIREMENT. AFTER SURGERY, I COULD NOT FUNCTION WITH MY LEFT EYE. June 21, 2017 Dear Dr. Novick: Since my eye surgery on February 6, 2017, I have not been able to see up close as promised and it has negatively impacted my quality of life. I cannot see words on the computer, menu's, books, and magazines, nor can I decipher numbers such as 6, 8, 5 or 9. I have constant burning, and floaters, and my distant vision has been compromised as well. I have seen two ophthalmologists since my surgery with you. Both have said they would never use lenses from Alcon, nor would they have used a multi-lens since mono has always worked well for me. I believe your intentions were good, but the outcome was not. My not being able to see up close for almost five months caused me to become depressed and negatively affected my attitude. I am eager to have the next surgery. Hopefully the outcome will be a better one. This vision problem has caused me trouble with volunteering at Hoag Hospital, the HB police department, reading, ordering in restaurants, ...etc... I have scheduled another surgery to have the lens removed and replaced. Before my next visit with the surgeon, I have to do warm compresses on both eyes and a lid wash on both eyes twice a day. In addition to that, I have to do artificial tears four times a day in both eyes and take fish oil in order to make my eyes healthy for the next surgery on my left eye. He will not be using a lens from Alcon. He will be using a lens from Johnson & Johnson. I have mono vision in my left eye. I asked you several times why you were not using a mono lens to correct my problem. You assured me that the multi-vision lens was the best solution because your objective was to allow me to see up close, at a medium distance, and far away all in one lens. That proved to be incorrect. The lens did not live up to your expectations; therefore, I would greatly appreciate a refund in the amount of $3,140. This is a great financial loss to me which I cannot recover because I no longer work. Since I will be incurring more expenses to correct the problem, I feel this amount is a fair compromise. Sincerely, AFTER THIS LETTER, I MADE THREE CALLS TO HIS OFFICE FOR A RESPONSE...NO RETURN CALL. RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING LETTER TWO MONTHS LATER WRITTEN ON AUGUST 29, 2017. Dear Mrs...... We are sorry to hear that you aren't happy with your choice of intraocular lens. At our long and detailed preoperative consultation we discussed at length the various risks, benefits and alternatives of cataract surgery. We discussed in great detail the various lens options available. We discussed the differences between the various multi-focal lenses, discussed mono-vision as an option as well as single focus vision. We discussed the use of the ORA and the use of the Femtosecond laser. In fact after our initial discussion about your options, you watched the cataract multi-focal IOL consent video a second time, we then spoke again. As I explained to you in explicit detail there are never any guarantees in cataract surgery, we can never guarantee outcome or how a patient subjectively experiences their treatment. We can only outline the facts. At our last visit I asked to have you return to my office but you failed to make an appointment. We worked hard to help you obtain a second opinion, and will continue to help you in any way we can. We wish only the best for you, Lee H. Novick MD and the staff at Southland Eye. HE IS A LIAR AND AND THIEF. HE SAID I WOULD HAVE TO WEAR GLASSES IF I CHOSE A LENS OTHER THAN THE MULTI-FOCAL....SCARE TACTICS...AND THEN WOULD NOT REFUND ANY MONEY WHEN I HAD A SECOND SUCCESSFUL MONO LENS SURGERY FROM A QUALIFIED OPHTHALMOLOGIST.....FREE....NEVER NEEDING GLASSES. BE SURE YOU ALWAYS GET A SECOND OPINION...MY FIRST MISTAKE, THE SECOND WAS USING DR. NOVICK. read more

I have been a patient of Southland Eye for 18 years. I look forward to my annual exam. The employees are very welcoming and Dr Novick is caring, compassionate and very personable. My Mother in Law had cataract surgery in both eyes last year. She could not be happier! See now sees better than everyone in the family. I am grateful for Dr Novick. read more

Dr. Novick and his Team are awesome!!! A few of my friends see him for their glasses and have had eye surgery with him. I had a problem with one of my eyes one day and it quickly became very swollen, red and super painful. I looked and felt terrible! I called Dr. Novick's office and everybody there was absolutely nice and caring.They made me an appointment to come in right away. It turns out I scratched my eye pretty badly and my contacts were making it even worse. Dr. Novick was super honest and said it was an easy fix and sent me on my way. I am so grateful for their care and transparency. I highly recommend Dr. Novick's office!!! read more

I have the best experience by Dr. Novick and his staff. They are friendly and kind. I needed new glasses and they helped me with all my questions and concerns. I even got a couple pair of sunglasses. They always help me find the right fit!! I hate the fact that I have to wear glasses in the first place but they make me feel right at home in that office. They even give me donuts or candy when I have to visit. They say their other patients always bring them goodies, I'm lucky enough to be the recipient of those goodies. Thanks Dr. Novick and your wonderful team!! Katie L. read more

I honestly can't say enough great things about this office. Dr. Novick is an excellent doctor--thorough, helpful, easy to talk to and may I mention hilarious! You don't always get the chance to relate with your physicians, but Dr. Novick is a great guy and it truly reflects in this office. I've also seen Dr. Larscheid a few times & he is equally as nice and helpful. The office is located in a easy to access parking lot which is very convienient, and they have a GREAT selection of frames in their optical shop. I am always nervous that my picky style and over-sized head won't find a pair of glasses I'm happy with! This will by my Ophthalmologist as long as I live in California, I highly recommend them! read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Novick for a few years now. He is a very friendly and knowledgable. I had surgery on both of my eyes. I am not a person who easily consents to surgery. But because of his very complete explanation of what I could expect. I went in to the procedures with no hesitations or concerns. Everything went exactly as he explained. His front office staff and office manager are just like him, friendly always greeting me with a smile. They too are very knowledgable. I would recommend any one who needs an eye Doctor, this is the one to call. read more

Dr. Novick has been my eye doctor for many years now, and I have never had anything less than a pleasant experience. The entire staff is friendly, especially Stephanie, who works at the front desk. I know that if anything is ever wrong with my vision that Dr. Novick will be able to find a solution to the problem. read more

DO NOT GO HERE! The front desk people are very rude, arrogant, and inconsiderate. I arrived 15 minutes early, hoping I could get in on time. I sat for a total of 45 minutes without a word from the desk staff. When I asked why it was taking so long, the lady in front told me there was a medical emergency that was slowing things up, and that I just had to wait an indefinite time. I asked her why she didn't say anything, and just let me sit there. She had no answer, then told me there were two medical emergencies. The story kept changing. No apology, just smugness. I never did get to see the doctor. According to the reviews here, it sounds like that was actually a good thing. Note to self: Always check yelp reviews before going in. read more

Very helpful and friendly staff. Dr. Novick was helpful in making sure my vision was perfect. His staff was amazing with their knowledge of frames and had plenty to choose from. read more

I've been to Dr. Novick's for my eye check-ups and glasses. Their staff is so friendly and helpful, so ready to answer any questions you may have. Totally recommend him!! read more

Having​ been a patient of some​ of the most renowned​​ eye doctors in the country, Dr. Novick is easily my favorite. He listens​, he's warm and approachable​ and goes beyond​ just​ a clinical approach​ to vision and​ eye wellness. Truly a master at his craft - worth the drive from wherever you are in Orange County. read more

Had pain in left eye - Dr. Novick saw me right away. He was professional and caring. He explained my diagnosis and treatment. NO surgery - great relief! Dr. Novick followed up by calling me at home. Will always recommend him! read more

I recently went to Dr. Novick for an initial exam as I was referred to the office by my primary care physician. In the past, I have had some serious eye issues and had been to other ophthalmologists with whom I grew disappointed. Immediately I was made comfortable by the support staff and Dr. Novick listened carefully as I explained my history. After the exam, he made clear to me the status of my vision and next steps and was patient as he answered any questions I had. Honestly, I feel like I'm in very good hands. read more

Horrible experience!! My entire family have been patients for 8 years, but the past 2 years have been horrible, and the most recent events have made is necessary for all of us to change doctors. We will all be taking our business elsewhere. The office staff is rude and incompetent. They have sent my daughter home with glasses that were not the correct prescription TWICE!! They didn't even have the common sense to double check the order when we picked up the second pair. They refuse to fill any contact orders unless you have had an extensive exam in the past year for $150, this is even if you report no change in vision. They order lenses for you and promise them within 5 days, and as of today, it has been 3 WEEKS! Its a shame that greed and laziness will eventually ruin this practice because the actual doctors are fine, but they have surrounded themselves with complete flakes! Go somewhere else!! read more

Warming - DO NOT let them base your cataract lens replacement on the results pf their machine!! I had cataract surgery with corrective lens replacement and they over corrected my vision by 30% even though I told them what my correction should be. The assistant does not take notes nor did she report what I told her to the doctor. - they trust their machines 100% to determine your lens strength. The doctor never once asked me for my glasses, prescription or contact lens strength. I was supposed to return for a follow up visit but am too angry to deal with it now. In the meantime, I hope no one else goes through this. If this isn't your regular optometrist/surgeon, I recommend asking your regular optometrist for a prescription to take with you so you don't waste $1000 out of pocket like I did to go from being near-sighted to far sighted and have my right eye and left eye off balance by 30%. read more

Dr. Novick attempted to trick me into a surgery that I didn't need just to fatten his wallet. I came in for one issue and he told me that he could not give me that service until I had a different surgery performed on both of my eyes. He insisted I had a condition that I DO NOT have (verified by 2 other doctors) after he did a quick check on my eyes. He insisted that I have the surgery performed IMMEDIATELY....I guess he was hoping I wouldn't get the 2nd opinion or 3rd opinion. I would never recommend this man to anyone who values their eyesight. read more

This is my first time visit the office. Dr. Novick was good. He answered all my questions and seem like he knows what he is doing. However, the staff at his office are so rude, unfriendly, and unprofessional. No matter how many times I smile back and said thank you to them, they never smile back to me once! And when they look at you, it gives you goosebump and their eyes are just telling you like "shut up and go" instead of "thank you and have a good day". I like Dr. Novick's service but the office is so unwelcoming. Therefore, I'm looking for a different Doctor with better service now. I paid for the service and I did not demand or rude to them so would it be fair if they treat me the same way? gee.... read more

Dr. Novick is a great guy and a true professional. I'd recommend him and his office to anyone looking for a great ophthalmologist!

Dr. Novick and his staff set the standard in patient care. The entire office is friendly, efficient and extremely thorough. Dr. Novick fixed my vision, which has been a constant problem for most of my life. After seeing many ophthalmologists through the years, I can finally feel solace knowing I have the right one for me. read more

been going to Dr Novick for several years and find him helpful and an all round great doctor and person, thanks for the help i have received. read more

Went to see Dr. Novick for an exam and new glasses. Awesome doctor and staff. Everyone was super friendly, knowledgeable and eager to help me pick new frames. Will definitely recommend to my family and friends. read more

I began as a patient of Dr. Novick's pursuant to a referral from my general practitioner sometime in 1985/86 and have remained with Dr. Novick for my vision care. If the length of time I have been with Dr. Novick does not relay to you the quality of care he provides then I don't know what I can say to advise you that this is who you should trust your eye care to. Sure there have been some hiccups along the way with the office staff, but then it only serves as a reminder that we are all human and sometimes mistakes happen, however never have any affected the quality of care provided by Dr. Novick. Dr. Novick takes a genuine interest in his patients and tracks carefully their progress while under his care. In this day and age it is often difficult to find a physician who possesses the compassion and knowledge of his practice and empathy for his patients which Dr. Novick has. I highly recommend him! Elma Werner read more