On April 10, 2025, I had a highly disappointing experience at Eye Associates Northwest in Edmonds, WA, with Dr. Ted Zollman. Despite some positive aspects, the overall visit was marred by significant issues that overshadowed any redeeming qualities. I was genuinely impressed by the scheduler's dedication. When I called to book an appointment for one doctor, the scheduler spent considerable time verifying my VSP insurance details and confirming which doctors were in-network to ensure I had no out-of-pocket costs. This level of care was exceptional, especially given I should know since twice a week or so I talk to schedulers about my numerous medical appointments each month. This level of care was exceptional, especially given my numerous medical appointments each month. I was so impressed that I shared this experience with others, as I had never encountered such a thorough scheduler before. After my initial experience I was optimistic about how this would likely go. However, the positive impression ended there. Upon arrival I confirmed with the that I would have no out-of-pocket costs. Unfortunately, the appointment quickly went downhill. I didn't realize they had sent me an email with forms to fill out prior to the visit. When I arrived, I was handed what felt like a "bible" of forms to complete. As a compliance lawyer, I found the volume of paperwork excessive, especially since it omitted critical information like potential out-of-pocket charges. This lack of transparency was frustrating and felt like more than an oversight. The office was experiencing an internet outage, rendering their tablets and software inoperable. Despite this, they insisted on proceeding with the appointment, claiming everything would be fine. The eye exam was shockingly brief and inadequate. The technician used my old prescription, flipped through only a few (less than twenty lenses), in the exam machine, and concluded my prescription hadn't changed--all while struggling to manually record the information on paper due to the lack of digital systems. I understand the stress of dealing with an internet outage. I get it. I would lose it if I lost the internet access that largely drove the procedures at my business. Still, I wouldn't have provided this low level of service. Instead, I would have closed that day. This is the opposite experience of prior reviews I have written about my experiences at Bella Vision Bothell and Dr. Varon at Kaiser in Pacific Center downtown Seattle who upon discovering I have an eye infection, insisting that I needed to get my infection cleared up and then come back several times for no charge to confirm my prescription is EXACTLY correct. My interaction with Dr. Zollman lasted a mere five minutes, with no meaningful discussion or thorough evaluation. On the positive side, it was clear Dr. Zollman had read my chart before walking in. Upon his arrival, he asked me a few relevant questions. However, he spent more time outside the exam room worrying about the printer and going with the technician's suggestions entirely. I went in there knowing my prescription needed to be changed. Very sad the whole visit was a waste of money, time and energy. To make matters worse, a month later, I received a bill for $150, which included a $50 charge for who knows what. $100 was attributed to a "contact lens fitting" that was never discussed and which I was explicitly told would by both the intake/scheduler and office manager that the office visit required no copay and fully-covered by my VSP insurance. I called today and thought that the person who answered the phone in billing was nice, professional and easy to understand. I didn't think explaining charges that shouldn't be there was an easy job and I sympathized. She acknowledged the $50 was an error and reduced the bill to $100. This error, combined with the joke services, lack of transparency, felt deceptive and like a huge scam. I would normally elevate this and fight it out but I am under serious orders not to stress because of my late-stage auto immune disease. Further, I just recently paid off every bill and credit card. Consequently, fighting this seemed like more hassle than it was worth. This Eye Associates NW have most of their doctors rotating from one clinic to another throughout the week. The doctor, (a real MD,) is in the building but is completely fine allowing the technicians to insufficiently determine patients' prescriptions. This office and group of doctors of Eye Associates Northwest seems like more of a numbers game with some random upcharge rather than a real eye exam. I would not recommend. Instead you should go to your local mall/Costco eye exam place and try to get an exam within a day or two. read more

Twice saw doctors here- twice told eyes issues were because I was getting old. I insisted on the second visit to check again. Finally the eye doctor (saw Zollman and the other Edmonds MD) sent me a referral to an eye surgeon. Guess what, it's not that I am getting old, my eye issues are because I have posterior vitreous detachment in both eyes! I was gaslighted two times, told I was old (not even 53 yrs) and should just use dry eye drops! If a doctor does not listen and take your issues seriously, RUN! I made this mistake with this clinic. read more

Worst eye check experience I have ever had. I should have checked these other reviews before I went. Started with front desk informing me that I owe from previous visit- which I did not. Then informed me of a cost for a contact lenses check- which, I do not ever recall having to pay a separate fee for. Once the doctor finally appeared, 45 min later, he told me that he would not charge me for the contact lenses check THIS TIME, as I was confused about the charge and the front desk had not helped me in any way to understand it. He then very quickly did the check. He did ask if I had any questions, but he was not personable in any way. I do not recommend this establishment. read more

Avoid this establishment... unable to provide a working Lense prescription, then they told my insurance I had to come in with 90 days to fix their blantant error! I didn't get glasses until later, new exam on me$. read more

I would not recommend this business. I went there last August as my wonderful ophthalmologists Dr. Peck had retired. Zollman took Dr. Peck's place. As I was getting ready to leave my appointment, Dr. Zollman told his receptionist to make sure to charge $100 for the prescription as we all left. My card was charged $100 without any description of any sort. Not only that, but I paid another $100 for my bill, by mail, by check. I was going to run my bills through my vision insurance that I pay for myself, and they went ahead and ran only the one bill through my insurance instead. My $100 prescription charge on my credit card was never ran through my insurance... Secondly, since I was owed $85.00 since my vision insurance covered my other bill paid by check, I was given a check for the $85.00 since insurance paid them, by Dr. Zollman's office... Now, for months, I am getting a bill from them wanting the $85.00 that was due to me, back... and they are hurting my credit and they are double dipping in the way of monies. $85.00 paid by my insurance and then wanting another $85.00 back from me. This is not a Dr. I recommend at all. They have caused so much duress for many months because they want to double dip and get double the monies... I have never had a situation like this before... and I did turn them in to the Medical Board, but I also need to do more... for this is so very wrong. Also, I had never been charged for a prescription in my entire life.. and with no code or documentation from the office, except the credit card charge with no explanation, they will do more to take your monies. I have all documentation, including what my insurance paid for when only the one bill was submitted by this business. Please, be very aware of these people. Please; Be very careful. It's like a scam. read more

The first time I visited Dr. Zollman was on January 1st. On my way from the Swedish ER to his office on 16th, I was bravely masking my panic by discussing eye patch (bedazzled... obviously)and glass eye color (green... cool to have one blue one green... non?) options with my friend Amy. So, the panic was that I might have a detached retina (therefore potentially losing sight in that eye). While I was waiting for four hours in the ER (got to hear all sorts of gross symptoms of the 96 year old on the other side of the curtain... ick!), the ER doc was trying to hunt down the on-call ophthalmologist.... he never answered his pager. Dr. Zollman kindly agreed to come in to town to see me even though he wasn't on call... On New Year's Day!!! What a guy!! He was super kind during the exam, and explained what was actually wrong with my eye.... a burst blood vessel inside the eyeball causing blood to float around in there and making me see lots of black spots. Apparently it's not uncommon with nearsighted people. I went back to see him a week later, and Dr. Zollman was just as nice as before...taking the time to answer all of my questions. Overall, he has a very reassuring demeanor, and is very professional, yet approachable. If one of my eyes happens to fall out or something equally terrifying happens with my vision, I'll be calling him again. But for now... there's no need to panic. Whew! read more

Dr. Zollman is one of the nicest doctors I have been to in Seattle. Not only does he tap onto the problem but also provides you with information as to why it may be happening. He does not give unnecessary follow ups and ensures that patients are rightly cared for. I would unhesitatingly recommend him to anyone who understands how difficult it is to find a doctor who genuinely cares for his patients! read more

I wish I could rate the office higher, because Dr. Zollman was everything I expected and more, but I have to knock off a star for the poor customer service I received. I also saw Maria, who checked my contact lenses--she suggested I try a different brand for better reading. She said at my appointment that they would be sent to my home the following week. Nothing arrived the following week, so I called on Friday and was told they weren't in yet, but that they would come to the office first and they would call me. I could THEN decide whether they would be sent to my home or if I would come in and pick them up. That wasn't what I understood, but whatever. They said they would call Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week when my lenses came in. I have no idea why it should take 10 days or more for a pair of trial contact lenses to be shipped, but again, whatever. Surprise--I received no phone call Tuesday or Wednesday. Again, I took the initiative and called Thursday and was told the lenses had come in yesterday; apparently the office was too busy to let me know this fact. This was my first experience with this practice and because of the customer service, I really have to question whether I'd go back a second time. read more

I was referred to Ted through Country Doctor in Cap Hill. Right off the bat Ted comes off to me as condescending and arrogant. I have no insurance and had gone straight to his practice after getting off work so my clothes were a little rugged as I am a carpenter, those are the only reasons that I could figure why he seemed to have a problem with me, so I made it a point to hint to him that I had just gotten off work hence the attire and also that I would be paying cash for any services that day. Ted completed the procedure successfully and for that I suppose he got the job done but throughout my entire experience with him I found him to be cold and for lack of a better word, a complete asshole. Maybe he's a great doctor, but regardless of whether he is or isn't, me and my eye will be taking our business elsewhere. read more

I came here based on good reviews online. I can say that for the most part the doctor has good bedside manner, etc. But he's not interested in dwelling on a problem. He literally says if it ain't broke don't fix it. i.e. I'll just re-write the same prescription you've been taking and not give you my time investigating the problem. The staff is what really motivated me to write a review. They're simply the worst. Rude, dismissive, using words like "I've been doing this for years" when you're simply asking a clarifying questions. I've had a pretty stressful experience in the Madison location specially (I've been to a couple). Starting with the check-in person almost making me want to turn around and leave just from how rude she is. Then being rushed throughout the whole visit. Later, spent about an hour with the rude technician getting my insurance figured out for the contacts. She kept interrupting me and not listening. Still they insisted I have to pay a large sum out of pocket despite never having to do that before at other places with my insurance. I left with a promise of a "contact specialist" calling me back, they never did, even after me calling multiple times. I eventually took my business elsewhere, where I got my contacts ordered in minutes with no issue. The last straw was when I later got a bill for the contact fitting service I never received from this office. Borderline fraud; and I don't like fraudsters. So, here you have it. They did remove the charge when I called them and said I'll complain to the DOH. But boy, was this a stressful experience! read more

GREAT doctor. I've been with him for almost ten years. Very professional. Answers all questions thoroughly. He also did cataract surgery on both eyes, with perfect results. He was recommended to me by a friend who is a doctor and knew his practice over the years. In other words, he's a doctor's doctor. I have zero hesitation recommending him. In fact, I followed him to his current location from another location a bit further away. I'd drive a long way to see him if I had to, which I don't. read more

I can't imagine a better opthalmologist. I've been a patient of Dr. Zollman's for 7 or 8 years, initially for routine eye screenings and then for an acute problem. While I've had eye doctors since I was a teenager, Dr, Zollman is the first one who I actually look forward to seeing. He's incredibly knowledgeable and always discusses the details of a problem or treatment with me. In an exam room, I feel like he's as approachable and thoughtful as a good friend might be. read more

This doctor looks like he has no time to help a critical pt. Too ba I west my time to go to his clinic and find out that he does not care at all. When he did my exam he never wash his hand and nover use glove and was checking my rye yhe most important part of my body. read more

He gave the time and attention to explain in details what practical steps to take and the medical effects of what to do and not to do.

Told by Optometrist that I needed glaucoma screen with specific instructions; 'Narrow Angle. Please Evaluate and Dilate if Safe'. Chose to see Dr. Ted M. Zollman @ 1455 NW Leary Wy. Gave specific instructions for glaucoma test with person who scheduled appointment and brought in eye exam Doctors referral. After long wait was met by professional appearing woman who gave me a number of tests I was not familiar with. Turns out that she did indeed dilate me at this time without confirming status of narrow angle concern. The most dangerous thing that could of happened, they made happen. That incompetence instantly exposed me to the risk of extremely dangerous condition called 'acute angle closure crisis' that could lead to vision loss. After waiting an extremely long time Dr. Ted M. Zollman made an appearance and told me what I already knew from eye exam Doc. At the end of his spiel I asked him to address the concern for why I made appointment for, Narrow angle evaluation. He sheepishly stated that his incompetent assistant dilated my eye's and he couldn't evaluate under dilation. I then asked if that put me at great risk, and he confirmed that under his lack of leadership, I was indeed at great risk. The impression I have is that Dr. Zollman will endanger his patients health by exposing them to unqualified and incompetent staff and that reeks, to me, of trying to maximize his profit potential by delegating duties he should be doing to people who are not qualified. By not directly communicating with me on incident but rather waiting until I brought it up, I feel he is a cowardly, disingenuous, fast talking, con-man and that he lacks the professional ethics, integrity, and character we need to find in our Medical Providers. This man is dangerously incompetent and I suspect greedy in practice and should be avoided at all costs, including that of your vision. read more

Compassionate. Careful to make sure he answered all my questions. Laid out all my options for me with well-thought out pros and cons.

Dr Zollmam is one of the kindest and most caring doctors I have ever gone to. His whole office is professional. I was having some alarming eye problems and he was thorough and took the time to explain each and every test with me. Highly recommended read more