Honestly, getting an appointment here is an excruciating process - I had to get a referral, and then had to keep calling to make sure they got the referral (they kept claiming they didn't get it, eventually one of the people at my optometrist's office got them on the phone and talked them through the process of receiving it). Then I had to wait for them to call me at a random time to schedule an appointment, which of course happened when I was in a meeting and couldn't take it and I had to call back and get them to call me again and etc etc. But once I got through and actually met with a surgeon my experience was incredible -- really thoughtful, smart, not rushed, no upselling, highly efficient. I wish that I hadn't had to go through so much hassle to get here, but I only have two eyeballs and they have been treated extremely well here. read more

I had cataract surgery two days ago, and it was a miserable experience, and know it was miserable because the procedure on the other eye was a breeze a few years ago. By definition, cataract surgery means they are dealing with an elderly population. I fasted for 12 hours, the procedure took half an hour and recovery took half an hour, but I was there for 3.5 hours total, waiting in a closed off room with nothing to read, no phone, etc. for one and one-half hours. I am 82 years old and weigh 113 lbs. I also have nausea issues, and I spent several hours that night vomiting. At the doctor's office the next day at Mission Bay, I asked the nurse to do whatever she could to get me out of there asap as I was weak. I waited an hour for him to look at my eye and give me drops. 15 minutes. I think they must have quotas or something similar, because we were lined up like cattle and in my opinion treated like cattle. You cannot expect an elderly person to go without food or drink for long periods and parking them for long periods means they just want numbers. That these numbers are elderly and fasting with accompanying health issues is not reflected in their practices and procedures. They would be in my rearview mirror if not for my optometrist. She is that good. Also, you will have to really monitor your bills, and especially make sure they submitted them to your insurance, because they don't really care who pays them. Disgusting. read more

UCSF is not what it used to be. Even reaching a. person to make an appointment takes weeks let alone actually getting an appointment- that would be in months. We ended up having to go to ED for my adolescent to be seen (went to UCSF Benioff ED). Waited from 10:30 pm until 5 am; they paged and paged ophthalmology but ophthalmology never responded- ED doc said that there is a problem with their new paging system! We left at 5 am without being able to be seen by an ophthalmologist and having the appropriate eye exam of my son (who had started having blurry vision in one eye), and then went back at 2:30 pm again and finally this time we were seen by ophthalmologist residents. I believe the problem is the leadership of the school at the top and the policies and financial decisions they make. I'm filing this with JACHO, as a tertiary care hospital should be able to provide specialty care at the wee hours if needed. We decided to go with CPMC and they were actually professional and patient-friendly. read more

Ucsf Opthalmology Faculty Practice - Optometrists Near Me - San Francisco, California

Update: the physician refused to write a letter of medical necessity to secure my coverage. She said the exam was recommended by her but not medically necessary. Beware. Ask questions. Very disappointing. read more

Was treated by David Hwong MD and his staff over the last year for complications which resulted from previous eye surgeries by another ophthalmologist. The quality of care was exceptional. I will recommend Doctor Hwang and his staff to my family and friends. We are fortunate to have such an expert in the Bay Area. Marek L read more

This review is based on the poor billing and lack of transparency in my experience at UCSF Opthalmology. I am a medical provider and was appalled by my experience from start to finish. Worst part first- I was told when I made the appointment over the phone that it would be $120 total for my visit since I don't have Vision insurance to see an eye doctor there for a regular eye screening. That was reasonable and I agreed. Again, at check in, I was never told I would pay anything other than the $120, which I paid via credit card at check in. A month later, I just received an additional bill for $830..I thought, this has to be a mistake. I called billing and they told me this was an additional charge for the "doctors visit" and that the original $120 was just like a "pre-payment". Being someone that works in medicine and regularly refers my patients to UCSF, I was very turned off by this lack of transparency in this. For one, almost $1000 for just a 15 min eye exam with no labs, procedures, or tests,....I just can't believe it. Billing lady was sympathetic, saying they get calls like this all the time- I would like a call back from someone who can fix this problem, because it is unethical in my opinion. In addition, the phone service is not good and it's very difficult to reach anyone at their office. read more

This review is for trying to book an appointment, which I never got. I called on a Monday and had the phone ring for 2-3 minutes. Then it went to the answering service, during business hours. I left a message. No call back. I called again the next day and they had no record of my call the day before (a bit concerning for a medical clinic). The receptionist took all of my info but could not make the appointment, for that she had to transfer me to Latrice. Left a message, no call back. Called the next day, left a message, no call back. Finally got a call back a week later from Latrice, who sounded like she hated her job. I said thanks, I've already booked an appointment at another location (CPMC, which was wonderful). The doctors might be wonderful but if your interface to the public in not, you are in big trouble. read more

This is for the new facility at 490 Illinois Street in the mission bay neighborhood. It now has all clinics, including the Francis I. Proctor Foundation in one building. The facilities is very modern & roomy including the waiting rooms & exam rooms. I love how they have all new equipment & so forth. They even have their surgery center on the first floor. There is an optical shop & cafe there asw well. As for the cafe, they have a great selection of pastries, breakfast items, breakfast entrees, sandwiches, drinks etc. The service is very friendly. I love their ginger jack fruit roll which is so moist & has the perfect amount of filling. read more

Had kerotoplasty at ucsf by the vision care research institute's David Hwang MD. The surgery was done well and the pre and post op care was professional and high quality. The doctors supervise the work of UCSF Opthamology medical students in the clinic. That means they allow students to examine patients. However, the doctors do the doctor work. They all do surgery every week. I was in the greatest care. Its been 26 years and I see fine. read more

My wife saw Dr. Jacque Duncan for a diagnosis. She had seen 5 other specialists who told her sh was losing vision, but had no diagnosis.Dr. Duncan gave her an unequivocal diagnosis and said she was going blind. The Dr. sat with us for 2 hours answering questions after giving the diagnosis. After answering all the questions, her recommendation was to live life to the fullest. Being blind does not mean you stop living. She recommended having a family, travel, and taking things one step at a time. Her recommendation: "Live your life to the fullest. I have many patients who are fully blind and have a very fulfilling life. Go live yours." This was in sharp contrast to the last 5 doctors who suggested life might stop after losing vision. Dr. Duncan is warm, friendly, supportive, and caring. She empathized with our issues and gave clear answers. I cannot thank her enough. read more

The children who do the scheduling are simply awful. Wait on hold for 20 minutes then they transfer you to wrong person's voicemail. Call again, wait on hold for 20 minutes, then they hang up on you. Call again, wait on hold for 20 minutes, now they're on to you so they just never answer. read more

Ok, I've just read the reviews here, so I'd like to chime in with another viewpoint. Yes, I have waited here to see my doctor (and very long sometimes), but that is only because when she does see you she spends whatever time is necessary to review your chart, do a thorough exam, wait for tests so you don't have to come back. My doctor is Jacque Duncan. She is a very caring and competent physician and feel lucky to have found her. I would rather wait my turn and be seen by someone willing to go the extra mile with all her patients. I only hope that she does not get worn out. read more

I was sent here due to an eye emergency. Though I am extremely grateful to have that incidence resolved by the doctors here, my follow-up appointments have been less than enjoyable. My major complaint is the waiting time to be seen (I have waited up to 45 min). My doctor is terrific when I eventually get to see her, but everything is very rushed when I have an afternoon appointment and things seem to behind schedule. My other concern is privacy issues since I can hear conversations while waiting (even when the doors are closed). I would rather not have other patients hear what my issues are regarding something that is very sensitive. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Kersten since 2011. He did eyelid surgery and treats me for Dystonia. He is very professional, patient and a very good doctor. Since moving out of the area, I've tried other doctors but I keep going back to Dr. Kersten. I recommend him highly. read more

Called to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wong, who I had previously seen at ucsf, and was directed to leave a message for a woman by the name of Latrice. Received a call back two days later from Latrice whose rudeness and distain for her job were evident from the moment I said, "hello". Unfortunately, miserable people do not work well in a customer service and healthcare setting. After several rude comments and her inability to process my request she tried to put me on hold. No thank you, I will happily take my business elsewhere. read more

Worst Dr. ever- Dr. Stewart - I can't say enough bad things about him. Don't go to UCSF for any reason unless you like being treated like you are inventing an eye problem for fun! read more

The phone service is terrible. I have left messages and never got called back. Today was the second time that I called and the call was dropped immediately after the receptionist/scheduler finally picked up after I waited for 20 minutes on hold. I have had great service from the MDs there, but they need to get their act together regarding the phones. read more

I am writing to thank Dr. Robert Kersten for his professionalism, genuine caring approach to solving my problem with my right eye. I suffered a concussion in 2012. I was the victim of a trip and fall that knocked me unconscious. I experienced some damage to my vision among other injuries. I was operated on by Dr. Kersten in November 2014. A drainage tube was removed in January 2015. I saw three other ocular specialists, who were unable to properly diagnose my problem, before being blessed to be placed in Dr. Kersten's able hands. His staff clearly respects Dr. Kersten, a professor and surgeon. He demonstrated to me prior to the surgery that he cared about my outcome. His communication skills are the warmest, and most encouraging of any doctor that I have come across in my six decades of living. In closing, although I have a way to go to find my vision issues as they were prior to my injury, Dr. Kersten helped me by taking away the scar tissue that caused my right eye to weep often uncontrollably and took away the painful weighted sensation that I had experienced for over two + years. He deserves positive recognition. read more