I started off first grade with a boom. Literally. On the concrete playground of Wilshire Park (Go…read morePandas! LOL!), a notorious bully appeared out of nowhere and punched me in the eye while I waited my turn to ascend the monkey bars. She hit me with such force that it caused schoolyard children, supervising teachers, and nearby murder of crows to make a cacophony of ugly shrieks. (http://bit.ly/1gj0KYN) Later that day, I told my mom about my bully's Balrog punch (http://bit.ly/1bQ3R9y) and she enrolled me in karate. #nationalkarateinroseville Several weeks later, the bruising on my face disappeared; however, the cost of her blow would still be felt decades later. In my early twenties, I developed a cataract. (A cataract is blurred vision that occurs from a damaged lens in the eye.) My ailment was an anomaly -since I wasn't old- that puzzled the head ophthalmologist at Park Nicollet (St. Louis Park)/ leading surgeon at Phillips. Eventually, she determined that my cataract occurred one of two ways: extreme drug use or trauma. I didn't use any drugs, so she deducted that it had to be trauma. (Hence, the realization that it was due to that vicious punch.) I needed surgery, ASAP! Coincidentally, my father, who is 32 years older than me, and within the age range for receiving a cataract, needed surgery as well. My father and I scheduled appointments to go "under the knife" by the same doctor on the same day and place. (First ever father-son duo at Phillips, I might add) Our appointment times were different, of course. My first -and hopefully, only visit- to the Phillips Eye Institute was nothing short of excellent. That's mainly due to the considerate and professional staff. Beginning with the receptionists, they kindly guided me on filling out all of the necessary paperwork and answered all of my questions without any sighs. The nurses? Super awesome, since they clearly articulated how they would help me prepare for the surgery. They also anesthetized me without any hiccups, and when I went under, I was so relaxed that I probably wouldn't have cared if someone slapped me in the face or hijacked and sold my organs on the black market. While drugged up, I recall the surgeon making a minuscule incision on the side of my eye, which immediately caused my vision to become blurry. Right afterwards, though, I saw an array of colors and felt as if I was flying through a rainbow or in warp-speed on the Star Trek Enterprise! (http://bit.ly/1aPrTDA) She then utilized a special operating vacuum to suck out my scarred lens and injected a folded and plastic one, perfectly. Afterwards, I passed out, woke up, and found myself rockin' a not-so-badass eye patch. (See photo.) Several days later, I returned to see my ophthalmologist and had my patch removed. My vision was better than ever! I could now drive at night, read without any problems, and discern between light yellow and white. (Yeah, that's how bad it was.) To this day, my vision rocks! If I ever have an epiphany as to who punched me, I would attempt to find her via Google and then send a message demanding her to pay for my past cataract surgery. However, this will probably never happen. If you or a loved one ever has a cataract, I highly recommend the Phillips Eye Institute! They changed my life!

Mn Low Vision Dr. Amanda Stoutman actually listened. She genuinely acted and treated me like she…read morecared. Thank you so much! The front office person even met me in the lobby so I wouldn't get lost. It is rare when the whole staff is so customer-centric and you leave feeling better just by how you are treated. Wow Mn Eye - Mtka I asked the doctor if a tint would help me see so I could keep my job. The response was well, it is subjective. I asked the doctor if a glare covering would help me see at work, again she said it was subjective. I had to ask point blank if I had the diagnosis of glaucoma after hints. Lastly preparing for another eye doctor visit, while reading her visit summary, the physician stated that she spent a long time talking to me. I couldn't see where, unless "subjective" constitutes having a meaningful conversation. When I asked for help, no options were suggested, no direction given, it was again subjective. It is a big deal when you are in a fight to keep a job so you can have healthcare. I had to problem solve and find that a low vision Physician existed through the internet. I came to you out of high recommendations and trusting that even if you couldn't help I'd at least get a referral or I don't know, but will find you, someone.

This has been a very frustrating experience. I was not treated well and I could not get information…read moreabout my treatment options without cross examination of the doctor. In the end, the doctor decided what to do as if I was not in the room.

Canceled an appointment I waited a MONTH for an HOUR before the appointment. Don't waste your time…read more Seriously, if you are that hard to get into, your providers shouldn't be canceling appointments at the last minute. ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE customer service.

What a joke --- this is the first place that won't email me my prescription so that I can easily…read moreorder glasses elsewhere. And if I remember the process correctly last year, the incompetence at interpreting my insurance benefit was astounding. Took hours to place an order correctly. Go somewhere else. (their location now is 825 Nicollet Mall 20th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55402 I think so don't be confused by which place to avoid)

My appointment was for 9 am and it is now 10:30. I did see the doctor once, but I was put back in…read morethe waiting room to wait AGAIN. I chose this place for convenience and it has been the most inconvenient. I will most certainly never come back.

Horrible Service! I've called at least a dozen times and no one working at the office seems to take…read morenotes so I have to repeat my medical history to them. Once I get done repeating this, I get a dozen different answers to the same question, which is why I continually call back. PLEASE SAVE YOUR TIME AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!

From the owner: Improve Your Quality of Vision…read more At VitreoRetinal Surgery, PA we specialize in the treatment of the retina, macula and vitreous at our state-of-the-art office in Minneapolis, MN. We do this by providing the highest quality medical and surgical care for our patients with retinal diseases in a compassionate, convenient and efficient environment and by advancing knowledge of retinal diseases through clinical research and education. Our physicians have over 110 years of practice in the areas of: Retinal Tears and Detachments Diabetic Retinopathy Macular Degeneration Ocular Trauma, Ocular Tumors Inflammatory Ocular Conditions Hereditary Retinal Diseases Variety of Less Common, Highly Complex Disorders The 24-hour availability of our physicians for emergency referrals provides excellent support for our referring doctors and facilitates optimal care if you are a patient in need of immediate care or treatment. Call us today for additional information.

I would have rated this a 0 if I could have. I waited for 35 minutes for a doctor and the clinic…read morestaff would not interrupt him for one small second to find out how long he would be. Because of another commitment, I had to leave. They wasted 90 minutes of my time. I have been a patient at this clinic for 25 years. And if that's how you get treated after 25 years, god help the newcomer.

Very pleased with Dr. Gross. My husband and I have gone to him for several years. He is thorough,…read morekind, very professional and has taken good care of us. I would recommend him with no reservations.

Dr Ristad, who recently retired, was one of my favorite doctors of all time. His replacement, Dr…read more Elliott, has been a huge disappointment. Dr. Ristad knew I was almost ready for cataract surgery a year ago. I waited until I was sure it was time and met with Dr. Elliott. Dr. Elliott spent maybe 10 minutes with me. He didn't examine me, nor would he answer my questions. His advice was for me to wait and use my OTC eyedrops more frequently and get my glasses adjusted. Good advice, but these things aren't going to solve my cataract problem. I believe Dr. Elliott doesn't trust his abilities, because he told me that he didn't want to harm me. Why would he say that? Since I met with Dr. Elliott two things have occurred: 1) My eyesight has gotten significantly worse, and 2) I went on two trips where there's snow and sun, which is particularly hard on my eyes. I've since gone to another eye doctor who spent 90 minutes examining my eyes. He said my cataracts are advanced and surgery is definitely warranted. I wanted to avoid writing this review by speaking with a manager at Edina Eye Clinic. I tried twice but was told that it wasn't going to happen.

I saw Dr. Hennen today for an annual exam. She was competent, timely, friendly, and thoughtful…read more I'll be glad to return!

From the owner: Board-certified ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist Stella Hennen, MD, MSPH, is the co-founder…read moreand CEO of Eyecare MPLS in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Hennen places a heavy emphasis on the long-term doctor and patient partnership and strives to help patients preserve and enhance their vision and eye health. Dr. Hennen has a unique combination of experiences, skills, and interests. She has a personal history that spans four continents, and underwent extensive education and training in Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In addition, she is an expert in advanced eye imaging and procedures. Dr. Hennen earned her medical degree from the Russian State Medical University in Moscow, Russia. She then completed her clinical and surgical training in ophthalmology in the United Kingdom before moving to the United States, where she finished ocular pathology and pediatric ophthalmology research fellowships at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.  Dr. Hennen completed glaucoma research fellowships at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City, as well as a surgery internship at the Medical University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Finally, she completed an ophthalmology residency at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis, and a clinical fellowship in glaucoma at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.  Remaining active in the field of ophthalmology, Dr...

As an HMO eye care center there is a decent, but not great selection of frames. I've been updating…read moreframes here for many years and I used to be able to get sharp looking designer frames, but they were costly. Now they have some designer brands that are more economical, but they tend to be more of the unisex verity and obnoxious colors as the public demands. I've been recycling my prescription sun glasses for about eight years. I can see the frown and grit from the specialist when I tell them to replace the lenses in my old frames. I just can't find anything close to slim style and comfortable fit. The service is excellent and patients are tended to quickly. They'll make adjustments

Have been going to these folks for over 10 years, very top line folks and nice to boot.read more

An update to the handicap parking problems…read more The only handicap spots are still only in a parking lot you have to pay for. The clinic told me there was "plenty" of street parking. There is not. On either side of the building that is no parking on the street. There are parking spots in front of the building on the street. Those spots are limited because of competition with customers to about a dozen business and several apartment buildings. This location is between two bus stops so you'll have to walk at least a block to get to the building.

Overall great staff. They are attentive, kind, and very knowledgeable. I love my doctor there and…read morethe nurses, techs, lab techs, and front desk staff are all wonderful. It's a little bit of a drive for me to go here but I don't mind because of the quality care I receive here.