Dr.Meharry was without question the best optometrist I have the pleasure of dealing with concerning my eye care. She was upfront and told me honestly the condition of my eyes as I concern being 64 years old and still needing adequate eye care. Her team of eye care professionals were just as impressive. Shaniqua brought me back to where I was being examined and made me feel very comfortable as she performed several test prior Dr.Meharry arriving. Shaniqua was very direct in a calm way and completed testing on me with ease. I saw Jay last she was real cool showed me what glasses were in my range and what my provider would be pay for. I didn't order glasses at the time because I'm sure what I wanted but I was impressed by those I came in contact with. Although the welcoming committee was not as cordial as the others I mentioned-I would still highly recommend this place to anyone. Dr. Meharry, Shaniqua & Jay keeping doing it you all are a CLASS ACT! read more

Waited 15 minutes in waiting room then put in exam room. 30 minutes passed with no contact from anyone. I decided to leave. Very unprofessional. read more

Front desk is very rude, claims they don't accept Medicaid, but they've in fact been accepting my Medicaid since I've been coming here, not to mention the website clearly states it accepts Medicaid. Honestly I feel like it's a race issue because I NEVER have this issue with Ms. Newkirk when she's at the front desk. It's sad because Dr. Dragon is my family's preferred eye doctor. Hopefully this review reaches the right person and they fix what's her names attitude. read more

Staff was super helpful and friendly. Sam went above and beyond, helping me get my mom's glasses fixed. Love this place!! read more

Southern Eyecare Associates - My mom's fixed glasses :) - Eyewear & Opticians Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I got a basic eye exam here about a year ago and the one of the short staff lady was so rude to me about my eye sight. She said something about how thick the lens would be because how bad my eyesight is as if I chose to have bad eyesight... then a couple weeks later I asked for a copy of my prescription and they gave me a hard time, it was like a hassle to them. I trusted their prescription so I ordered some prescription shades online and they were totally off from my vision.. it was like they just gave me a paper with random numbers for a prescription. Needless to say I will never return and hope people with bad eyesight don't get the same treatment I did!! Recently I booked with target optical and they really did great and I got my CORRECT prescription and ordered prescription shades online and felt such relief when I tried them on and I COULD SEE!!! Southern eye care DO BETTER!!! read more

This is my third appointment, and I still absolutely love the doctors and staff! Dr. Batac, Melanie and Elise are so easy to talk to about my concerns and expectations. They also double checked that I was able to put in/take out my new contacts safely before they let me leave. The office is very efficient, I never have to wait very long for my yearly checkups and was able to get an appointment the following day when I was having painful issues with my eyes. All around a nice atmosphere! read more

Very rude front desk staff, can't take it anymore and will be going elsewhere. Not worth dealing with the miserable people at the front, do yourself a favor and find anywhere else. read more

So I scheduled my first optometrist appointment on my own since being taken off of my dad's health insurance. The last pair of new glasses I received were well over six years ago, so I was long overdue for a new pair. Southern EyeCare Associates really made everything streamlined and stress-free. Seriously everything was super easy. From calling on the phone to schedule an appointment, to speaking with receptionist and filling out my paperwork / insurance information, to the assistant who took me back to the doctor to check my vision, to Dr. Dragon (whom I've been seeing since I was a teenager) filling my prescription, to ChanPean (who was lovely) helping me to pick out a fly pair frames and reviewing my insurance information with me. Moreover, the whole process from walking into walking out only took about 45 minutes to an hour ... and 10 days later I was sporting a new pair of Raybans (that I've lowkey had my eye on for years now.) I'm kicking myself for not taking the time to purchase new frames sooner especially with how great Southen Eyecare Associates were. They even give you a Hershey bar, extra cleaning cloths, and free eyeglass cleaner for life when you pick up your frames. Definitely a 5-star experience if I do say so myself! I love my new glasses! read more

Southern Eyecare Associates - Front Desk - Eyewear & Opticians Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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For context, I have excellent vision insurance. Imagine my surprise when I get charged way more than my set co-pays because one of the medical assistants told me I was a "self-paying patient." I payed the fees but left the office confused. After clarifying my policy with the insurance company, my dad ended up calling the office where I finally got charged the proper amount. In addition, my mom also had an unpleasant experience because the staff repeatedly pressured her to add on unnecessary tests that accrued extra fees. No medical practice should use high-pressure sales tactics, especially towards elderly patients. If you decide to patronize this business, be prepared to advocate for yourself. read more

From the first time I went in October of 2023 for dry eyes so far nothing has happened my first visit I was so confused by the time I finally got out of there I ended up spending $320 on glasses I just got glasses 4 months before at America's Best which I'm still wearing because the ones I got from Southern eye Care I cannot see out of worth a crap... It's a long story how many times I've been there to try to get my dry eyes taken care of but all I know is if you're going in for an exam no matter what you're going for be prepared to get a prescription for eyeglasses that's what the whole thing is about they have now given me three prescriptions too that I had to pay for because the girl at the front desk was so incredibly nasty and embarrassing I had no choice but to put out the money the first glasses I got in 2023 my distance glasses couldn't see out of he made remade them couldn't stay out of them went in for plugs got a prescription for eyeglasses came in after cataract surgery to have my eyes checked they're not healed got a prescription for eyeglasses.... Dr dragon is very nice but he doesn't treat what you're going in for took my son there because his eye hemorrhaged he came out with a prescription for eyeglasses... The staff in his technicians are all very nice except the one female up front to the left hand side she is very rude very embarrassing especially if you're not prepared to have to pay for a prescription calls you out in front of five or six people tells you how rude you are I would never recommend them just for the simple fact that I don't even ever want to walk into this place again and have to see that girl on the front desk the one to the left rude rude rude... And my cataract surgery has been a month and my left eye has still not healed so I don't think I need any more prescriptions no they did not do the cataract surgery the point is is how can you write a prescription when my eyes are not healed... read more

December 31st. 2021 for choosing my eyewear and January 26, 2022 picked up my glasses (time frames for reference). The evening I chose my eyeglasses there was only employee in the building and it was Dr. Dragon. He mentioned that he has not assisted anyone in choosing glasses since college a good handful of years ago :) He was incredibly patient and kind. I told him "i'll pick out something quick and get out of your hair" He insisted that I take my time because my glasses are not only important for seeing but also something that I should be comfortable in wearing both physically and emotionally. He also mentioned that his opticians pick out his frames so he's not keen when it comes to fashion. Let me make it known, Dr Dragon is amazing at not only helping someone patiently but his fashion is pretty spot on at least it was for me. I was picking out the same type of frames that I have worn for years. Dr. Dragon picked out a clear frame that I wasn't too sure about until I put them on and I fell in love! The frames were 1. not the most expensive and 2. were not something I would've picked out but they are perfect! When it came to picking out frames, I chose a couple that were a higher price point. Dr. Dragon looked at them on me and assisted me in choosing what looked best on my face shape--the price point (to him) never came into play. He actually chose a frame that was much cheaper in price than I was choosing. The only feedback I would offer is that it took 3.5 weeks for my glasses to come in. On Jan 25th I thought that they should be in by now and I called the front desk. A female employee said that my glasses were in and coincidentally I received a text a couple minutes later saying my glasses were in. I am not sure how long they were in the office but that is my only feedback. When I picked up my glasses everything went smoothly. I had some questions and concerns and they were addressed perfectly. I even came back in from the parking lot with another concern. The female employee who helped me pulled up my rx and showed me with photos the best way to explain my concern. I will 104% come back here for my glasses needs and you should too. read more

The technician who I worked with for the eye exam was very professional, and explained everything that she was doing. Dr. Dragon was great (had seen Dr. Seipel in the past) and I felt very comfortable with him. Had I been paired initially with ChanPean after my exam, I would have given them a five star rating. I ended up buying my glasses from another establishment as the first optician really offered no real guidance and really only answered my questions. Long story short, the glassed that I bought needed more than a "fit" adjustment as the lenses (progressive) were not properly aliened with my eyes. ChanPean worked with me, ran through a quick visual check or two, and then made the necessary adjustments. Had I worked with her after my appointment I would have bought glasses from Southern. After my next exam, if I need a prescription, it will be her who I work with! read more

New to the Norfolk area and found this place worked with my health insurance and so happy I found Southern Eyecare! Everyone who works here is fantastic. I arrived a little early and they were able to see me. The procedures were really clearly explained and everyone was extremely competent. But the best part was getting new glasses and the guidance from Ciera. She is the best! Explained what costs my insurance covered, talked me through the options, and helped me pick out frames that are so stylish. She is really thoughtful, knowledgeable, and patient. read more

They say good workers are hard to find but so is good employers.. I just recently moved back to VA after losing my son and of course that process comes with multiple job applications. I accepted a position with this office and grew to like it over the last couple of months. I was offered another position else where that offered way more money and i was really indecisive about taking it still because I enjoyed where I was. I asked for a little advice from my superior and was still thinking on my decision as the new job wouldn't start for another 6 weeks if I decided to take it. In the middle of working up a patient Dr Dragon fired me and would not give a reason as to why.. his wife informed me it was because I took another position, which was not true, so essentially I was fired because I was offered another job and considered the pros and cons of both... Dr Dragon never had a conversation with me at all and that is VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. Melanie was very messy and is a LIAR and I am so grateful for dodging this bullet. A messy work environment is the worst. Thankfully I know my worth and work ethic and it's their loss.... read more

Initial check-in individual was polite and courteous. Individual that took me into do preliminary exam was sociable and I thought the rest of the visit would be like that. Hadn't been in quite some time due to a lapse in eye insurance and inability to afford an appointment or glasses - doctor was not very empathetic to that point and told me to not wait 6 years again - as if I had the choice as a struggling college student with no eye insurance. When I was leaving they told me to take a seat and when I didn't hear the check out individual call me their coworker looked at me as if I was so silly - as If they never had an instance where they didn't hear someone - and told me to go see the check out individual. When I left I got a very fond response of "you're insurance will bill you" when I asked if there was anything else before I went. When asked why my insurance would bill me (it was told to me earlier that it was covered for the exam) the individual responded very curtly and without eye contact and said "for the exam." At that point I left without further questions because it was evident they didn't have the time or patience to further answer any questions. I would recommend going somewhere else that has more communication amongst the staff and empathy for patients. If this is a location that takes an insurance that is hard to find and needs to be gone to it may be useful to just get the prescription printed out and go and find glasses online for a way more affordable price. Glassesusa.com is a good place to start. Hope you're visit goes better than mine. read more

Love this place especially ChanPean she's amazing, love how she always finds a way to satisfied everyone . We will be making this out family office from now on ! read more

My husband is a stroke survivor. He is paralyzed on his left side and confined to a wheelchair. He was in need of new glasses. As of 2019; his insurance would cover 100% eye exam w/o co-pay, 100% for lenses and up to $70.00 credit for frames. After his very thorough exam, we were sent to the waiting room to check on ordering glasses. The woman seemed agitated and told us that they did not take our insurance. I went to the check out desk and was told we owed a $25.00 co-pay. I told her that according to our insurance booklet that we did not. It was then that she informed me that they indeed did not take our insurance and she seemed very agitated and exclaimed, "wow we won't make a penny off of this; but I cant charge you because we did not tell you". I had given them both of his insurance cards upon arrival. He has Medicare and United Healthcare. So, I then asked about his prescription and she said, and I quote, "if you pay for it". Well, its not easy getting a paralyzed 225 lb. man in and out of a wheelchair, car, doctors office, etc. So I paid the $30.00 for his prescription. The woman then had the gall to tell me that his insurance pretty much sucked and that she didn't even think Walmart would take it. I checked with Pearl Vision and Walmart, and they both take his insurance. A week later, my husband now has a great pair of really nice glasses that we paid a whole $37.00 for at Walmart. No line bifocals and really nice frames. Oh, and by the way, the woman whom I dealt with at SEC- was the office manager. read more