This place, the staff, and my two favorites Dr. Domagola and Dr. Brown, are absolute lifesavers! I was shocked to see this location have such low reviews, but I see now that much of that dissatisfaction has to do with the cost of basic eye exams. That's not what I used it for. I did not have an "eye doctor" in RVA. Basically all hell broke loose in my eyes and my regular providers didn't know what to do. I was able to get an immediate/emergency appointment with Dr. Domagola, who was absolutely amazing. Thank goddess for her. She put me on a course of treatment that gave me relief for the first time in a week, and thanks to a thorough and timely follow up, referred me to the cornea specialist Dr. Brown, whose office reached out immediately and got me in the next morning. I was blown away by Dr. Brown's competence and bedside manner; she took great care to put me at ease, explain exactly what was happening, and how she's going to treat it. Both doctors left no question that I was in kind, capable hands. Every staff member from the front desk receptionists to the friendly techs who have evaluated me have been compassionate and helpful. I also think it's badass that both my doctors here have been women. I will never go anywhere else for family's eyes. Thank you VA Eye Institute, Dr. Domagola, Dr. Brown, and their teams! read more

The reason I tapped on maybe is because the service was good for awhile but lately the phone service has been terrible. On 5/26/26 I got a txt from the eye doctor's office stating they were having computer problems and was cancelling all appointments for 05/27/26 and would call to reschedule. I waited two days and no call. The following week I waited until Tuesday of the following week, still no call back. So I called and asked about rescheduling and was asked to give my name and number which I gave to the operator. Waited until the following Monday, still no call back. So on Monday, June 8,2026 I called again, told the operator what happened and I still needed to make an appointment. Her was response was not, sorry for the delay or your inconvenience, but instead she went immediately to name, number and the earliest date I have for you is August 2026, 3 months after my original date. This is terrible customer service. Through no fault of my own apparently I have to wait 3 months because of a computer problem on their end. If I waited until under 24 hours before my appointment they would have tried to charge me. Not even so much as an if they get an opening they will call. Nothing and a very dry attitude about offering any assistance for their poor customer service. During this interim between now and August I need to find another eye doctor's office. I pay good money for services but apparently that doesn't matter to Virginia Eye Institute no matter how big or beautiful their buildings are, it should be more important to provide good customer service and patient services. read more

Eye glass part of this business is incredibly slow. The parking lot has 3 very jarring speed bumps that are rough read more

I spent over $1000 for 2 pair of reading glasses at the Huguenot location. I picked them up today and the first pair I put on (while with the staff) immediately noticed everything was blurry. I told her that I could not see out of them. I had expected to have sharp clear vision with these new glasses. I was told that these glasses were only for reading (funny my old reading glasses did not give blurry vision), wear them for 2 weeks and if my eyes hadn't adjusted then I needed to contact the eye doctor. She didn't even put the second glasses (which were a different style) on me. It turns out they are just as blurry and are crooked. I am thru with these people and never going back! I have never had blurry vision through a pair of glasses much less been told nothing they can do about it. STAY AWAY FROM THIS BUSINESS! I now have $1000 worth of glasses I can't wear and they don't care. read more

I've been going to VEI for over ten years for annual retina exams as well as refraction testing and cataract surgery. The staff and doctors have always been friendly and efficient but most importantly, I've always received excellent eye care. The facility is attractive and the equipment is up to date. I'm always confident that I'm receiving state of the art care for one of my most important health concerns. read more

I was told I had cataracts and that I had narrow angles that could lead to high eye pressure or glaucoma and I needed to have cataract surgery to avoid these issues. I am an artist. My eyes are essential to what i do. I agreed as I was scared into it. I never had so many issues with my vision especially my close up vision which is so important while painting. I have tried so many glasses, NONE are right, I need to change strengths constantly in order to try to see ok to paint. I am so severely depressed, have not been able to produce art like before and literally cry to think about how difficult it now is to paint as opposed to the joy i found in it before. I feel defeated, I feel hopeless and feel empty. The quality of my life has been diminished since. I don't feel excitement. I feel destroyed. I wish i never did this. I am still paying off my co pay for this destruction of my vision. I feel like I paid to lose quality of life and have to realize the rest of my life is horrible now. I feel completely finished. I cannot explain in words how this has affected my life how my life has been interrupted in the worst way. I can't feel joy, all I feel is empty . So Empty. read more

If you go for the medical doctors, be aware that the non- medical staff and bureaucrats are rude and stifling.

This is not the place you want to go. unethical and apathetic. They will mislead you on billing and insurance.

eye care is ok i paid upfront for the service then insurace reimbursed for the service it has taken them 3 months to issue the refund ( i have not received the refund yet) and 3phone calls, not sure when I will get the refund read more

The staff were all very nice but y'all I just spent two hours at the Hanover office for a basic annual eye exam. I don't know what is going on here but it is not good. read more

This is the worst series of optician/optometrist experiences I've ever had. Staff generally seem unhappy and move very, very slowly (like they're trying to kill time so the day goes by). I've waited 45 minutes to see an optician, only to be told I need to come back with something different (why no prescreen by the worker behind the desk surfing the internet?). Go somewhere other than the Virginia Eye Institute! read more

Communication and phone system is a prohibitive entry point. Requested records from Dr Langelier. Never got an answer. Not to speak about a physician initiated info about the result of my visual field exam with comments. Asked for a referral to a cataract surgeon and recommendation and never got it. Dr. Lamgelier was out to sell me a 16000$ surgery. Once I hesitated on that all communication broke down. I don't expect a different treatment as physician. But as patient there was a big deficit on proper patient communication from the intake point to the resulting read more

It's been a total nightmare dealing with the ADMINISTRATIVE aspects of VEI! Their patient portal is not user-friendly, their billing systems are constantly mixing up primary/secondary insurance providers, they text and call incessantly to remind me of appointments that I have previously confirmed and their scheduling system is designed to force you to WAIT, WAIT, WAIT. They have NO consideration for their patients! read more

it's impossible to get anyone to answer or call back to make an appointment. very frustrating!

I have been looking for a competent doctor to treat my dry eye for a while, so I was relieved to be able to get an appointment relatively quickly at VEI. With the current pandemic, check in looks a little different. You are greeted before you go into the building and you have your temperature taken before you can go in. I arrived around 7:50 to check in for my 8:00 appointment. I was sent inside to the main desk where I checked in with the receptionist and was then sent to another receptionist to fill out some digital forms. I was in the waiting room by 8:05. The waiting room is set up to facilitate social distancing and even at 8:05 in the morning most of the seats were full. Around 8:15, I was called into the exam room and Leah, the technician, was really wonderful. She was very thorough in getting my history and explained the reasoning behind the different measurements they were taking. When she was done, I waited about 20 minutes for the doctor to arrive. While he was polite, I felt like it was a little rushed. He came in the room at 9:00 and I was out by 9:07. It was quite a wait for such little face-time with the doctor, but I left with a prescription that will hopefully help my eyes get better. At the end of my appointment, I was taken back to another room to let another technician know about my preferred pharmacy. After, I was left to find my own way back to reception and wasn't told if I needed to stop by the desk to pay or anything, so I felt a little awkward trying to navigate my way out. I wish they would have had a technician walk me back to the front desk like I've seen done at most other medical facilities. Overall, I had a good experience at VEI. I was in and out relatively quickly and left the necessary prescription and the information for a specialist at their office in case I wasn't seeing any improvement and wanted a second opinion. My appointment was efficient and I got what I needed, so I can't complain. read more

Poor service and care. Wanted to charge for a second exam after trial contacts. Had to contact admin office to resolve matter. Exhausting.

Awful..... unprofessional and inconsiderate. I was advised that I should always allow 2 1/2 - 3 hours per appointment---- how about NO. Scheduling is huge issue and waiting 2 hours in various waiting rooms not the normal for any medical practice. This is unacceptable and I will not go back. I was there simply for test resultsfor read more

Assembly line medicine at its worst. (Bad) recommendation for my mother's cataract surgery by her new primary care physician when I moved her here. Each visit you get shuffled thru numbered sections of the building into different waiting rooms. Each visit there were problems with my mother's eyes being measured. I have canceled several appointments for my mother due to potential conflict and made the mistake of going today with another appointment scheduled hours later. After 90 minutes at VEI with her not being seen by the optometrist I walked my mother out. read more

I made an appointment over four months ago to see an ophthalmologist regarding my cataracts. When I was taken back in the exam room, I was told by the nurse that I was being seen by on of the optometrists! I have been having extreme difficulties seeing at night while driving - halos and long streaking of lights. The nurse informed me that insurance companies require 20/40 vision or worse. I am on Medicare which has different guidelines - one being if the cataracts disrupt daily living activities like driving! After having my pupils dilated, the ophthalmologist (Dr. Seth Krawitz) did see me and had absolutely no concern about my driving situation. He said my cataracts weren't bad enough and to just wear yellow glasses (which I have found plenty of data - one being from Harvard Medical School) stating these glasses don't help and may even be detrimental. Like other who have commented, I was just another body to be processed! I felt the same way one year ago and two years ago when I was seen by two different optometrists for routine eye exams. Get me in and get me out. I'll tell you what your situation is, you don't need to tell me! read more

The dr was very low key and helpful. Diagnosis was a 3rd opinion...who needs that but in line w my goals of fewer pharmaceuticals unless really needed. The office (Reynold Crossing) are a bit like a cattle call and my appointment took 1 hr and 2O mins but outcome good. read more

Can't get anyone to talk to on the phone. Wait time on calls goes into hours, kicked to voice mail. Left call back number on voice mail multiple times and got no return call. Phone system seems designed to shield staff from phone calls. Should have a customer disservice department. read more

This place overwhelm themselves with patience to the point that they can't be attentive to the patience they have. DR. Vickery sent me and my son out the door with the same old contacts lenses after they had been dyed orange from diluting because she wouldn't let us work out a payment plan to pay for contact fitting that I knew nothing about. And then rescheduled me and not my son so I kept him from school for nothing I wouldn't return to this place if I were going blind at their front door read more

On my third visit here with my mother for her surgery. Not a single time has she been seen at her scheduled appointment time. The average extra wait time has been around 45 minutes, this time they are an hour behind. Today there isn't a single person in the waiting area (15 people currently) that *hasnt* complained about the wait so far. It's hilarious to me how naturally rude the staff seem to be also. They hate it here so we all should too? read more

Went in for a routine eye exam and charged $380.00!! I could have gone to America's Best and got one for free. I don't have cataracts, glocoma or any other eye issues. My prescription didn't even change..Rip Off read more

Charged me $380 for a basic eye exam after accepting my vision insurance. The receptionist failed to tell me that their ophthalmologist don't accept vision insurance but rather only medical, FOR A BASIC EYE EXAM! read more

I have been waiting for an "emergency" appointment for 3 weeks because I had complete face paralysis and my eye was losing function. THREE WEEKS LATER was the "soonest" I could be seen. 3 days prior to my appointment I was diagnosed with Covid-19. My eye sight had been worsening during this time. Their website updated on 01/11/22 said : "We are implementing careful operational restrictions and sanitation measures in order to maintain appropriate social distancing among all of our patients and staff. We are still able to provide Telemedicine services as well for patients who would rather receive care virtually." When I called to explain my situation saying that I was losing sight, but I still needed to be seen, because the next appointment wasn't for 2 additional weeks, and I didn't want to PERMANENTLY lose my vision (which the diagnosing doctor warned could be a side effect). They told me, they "don't do Telehealth appointments" anymore. I told them that I was on their website that had been updated THAT day, and it said they did. I was transferred to three different people explaining my situation and how important this appointment was. The last woman who was unusually UN-helpful told me that Telehealth was only for "emergencies" I asked what would constitute an emergency if losing my eye sight wasn't one. She said I don't know, but it's not that. She then asked me to hold again. She came back and said I would have to reschedule, I told her never mind I will just cancel the appointment. She said "whatever" and hung up on me. Unprofessionalism is literally THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR. If the people answer the phone don't want to work, or don't want to help people, find a different job. The lady I spoke to to make the initial appointment was so kind, and helpful. read more

Cannot even set an appointment!! Tried on-line; would not let me navigate past first part. Tried to call; was on hold for over 10 minutes then was placed back on hold for another 5 before being cut off. Called back and was on hold for more than 10 minutes again and no one ever answered. Tried app to schedule an appointment and would not even let you check what type of appointment you wanted. Tried walk in and they were rude and said to call. After trying on line, calling, and app several different times each, I just gave up. Going somewhere else. read more

The medical staff does not wear proper face masks despite mostly elderly population and close proximity

I recently had lasik surgery with Dr. Malouf at the Ambulatory Surgery Center. The surgery center is very clean, staff are very friendly, and happy to answer any and all of my questions. The chairs are spaced for social distancing and masks are still required at this time. I was extremely nervous about the lassie operation but Dr. Malouf was very reassuring, explained things very thoroughly from the consultation, to the actual surgery, to my follow-up appointment the next day. His staff are very friendly and welcoming. I would certainly recommend Dr. Malouf any day. read more

I do not recommend anyone work for this company if they value their morals and ethics in the field of medicine. I was personally let go from the company after I contracted COVID and was asked for an excuse note from a doctor since my first test came back negative. I took 3 days off to try and recover as best I could because I was in no condition to be on my feet working and seeing patients. Their policy was if you took MORE than 3 days off then you needed a note but as I said they circumvented that and told me that I had not provided doctor's notes in the past when asked for them, which in 100% honesty I never had a situation at that company over the 5 years I was there that needed one. Just another medical practice looking out for their own interest and not the health of patients or employees. read more

The checkin process was terrible. The intake person said that billing told her to charge me $150 because I have a high deductible policy. I had met that deductible a couple of months previously so I knew I should not have a copayment (visit was under my medical policy). She kept telling me that was what billing had told her. I was going to leave when she called someone to help her with the system. That person proceeded to tell me that my policy calendar year and deductible had started over. She made this lie up out of thin air-- my calendar year starts in October. Finally they were able to see on their system that I didn't have a copayment. Charging everyone who walks in the door without checking their insurance is stealing. I wonder how many patients who don't understand their insurance have paid them whatever they ask for. Beware - these people are obviously trained to lie, cheat and steal from patients. read more

I developed a stye last week, that this week quickly took over my eye, closing it with obvious visual impairments. My MD saw pictures I sent and immediately recommended an Opthamologist. My MD called Virginia Eye,(I am an established pt there), explained the gravity of the situation. Virginia Eye REFUSED to see me the same day as a "stye" is not an emergency. They actually had available appointments the same day and still refused to see me! Thankfully a local Opthamologist Dr. Pradhan fit me right in. Its no longer a stye, but preseptal cellulitis! Which if not treated would warrant IV antibiotics and hospitalization. This what happens when non-medical people are feilding MD phone calls. I will never go to Virginia Eye again. read more

I submitted an online request for an appointment through their web-site. They have a "schedule an appointment" just for this purpose. It reads a response will take 48 hours. I submitted it. Waited about a week to receive an email telling me to call to schedule an appointment. No one called me. Companies should remove such invitations to work electronically when they do not mean it. read more

I had my first cataract surgery by Dr. McGehee yesterday and I can't believe how well it went. My appointment was for 9:30 A. M. and they called me back at 9:40. My wife and I live 25 minutes away from where the surgery was done and we were home by noon. I have had no pain, nausea, or discomfort of any kind. The vision in that eye is better than it has been in 20 years and I can't wait to have the other one done. Even the other appointments I have had with them before and after the surgery have been pleasant. I have had to wait very little for each one and everyone I have dealt with there is pleasant and professional. I hope your experiences are as pleasant. read more

I went to VEI Westchester for a simple contact lens refraction. The doctor and her assistant was nice but the office staff is horrible. First, they said they couldn't find my eye insurance that I have had for 28 years. They said they called and the insurance company "wasn't taking phone calls" which I found a little abnormal. So, I assure them I would pay out of pocket and file myself. The doctor gave me two different brands of contacts to try and told me to come back in two weeks with my choice and we would order them. Upon checking out, I got out my ins card and called the number on the back while I was sitting at the check out desk. The phone was answered immediately and I was given all the information that was needed for the office personnel to complete my chart so that insurance wouldn't be a problem in the future. I have been called twice with insurance questions so I guess they lost the information I have them at the time of my appointment. I was unable to see out of either pair and called to get my follow up appointment and was told I would have to leave a message with the doctors assistant. Almost three weeks later I am still waiting. I have called four different times with the same excuse. I even asked to talk to the office manager for which I was sent back to voice mail. At this point I am all out of my old contacts with no appointment in sight. If you are looking for eye care, avoid the headache of incompetence and go somewhere else. read more

*This review is based off on my experience for setting up an eye exam and attending the eye exam for my infant (who is about a year old).*** As we approached my son's one-year birthday/checkup, it was about time I was able to address the concern of my son's vision to the doc. RVA Pediatrics recommended Dr. Donna Brown for the job! I called in to make an appointment and was able to set one up in the next two weeks. Our appointment was in the AM and I was quickly checked in and assisted. I love the check-in machine because it was really easy to use and made it a breeze checking in. (And if you need or have any questions, there's someone there to help you out during the process too!) I sat down for maybe 5 minutes before I was fully checked in and was told to go to a different waiting area before meeting with our doctor. It did take about a good 15 mins before I was called to the back and to have my little man get his eyes checked with one of the doctors. That went really smoothly. We then had to wait another 30 mins for his eyes to be fully dilated so that Dr. Brown could observe his sight. The staff was super friendly and very helpful in keeping us comfortable and informed on the procedures that they were doing and going to do. It was about an overall 2-hour appointment (including the transportation time it took to get there and drop him off at his daycare before I went back to work.) I would highly recommend this location for your little one if he/she needs to have their eyes checked. Dr. Brown was fantastic and heard so many good reviews/raves about her from other clients in the waiting room. Ending results: We're in the clear for the time being but was told that my little man will most likely need glasses in his near future due to him having a near-sight vision. (He's going to be such a stinking cutie with glasses!!! haha) read more

Billing department was not only rude but unable to accurately assist when I called 6 times to discuss a bill that I was receiving in the mail. Wrong account number was used on every bill sent therefore placing the account overdue. Called to make payment, met with rude and condescending account manager. Transferred to management and treated the same way. Will take my business elsewhere. read more

I am 75 and needed cataract surgery, no big deal right? In May 2021 I was scheduled to see Dr. X at VIE. The doctor was so rude to me but I thought he was just distracted for some reason so I went back for my second appointment; he was worse the second time I saw him so I canceled the surgery with him completely. Fast forward to this May. I went to see another doc at VMI and had to go through all three pre-surgical appointments all over again. This time the doc was personable and kind and I went for cataract surgery on my right eye. All was well. The surgery for my left eye was scheduled for yesterday, Thursday. On Wednesday VEI telephoned me to see if I could come in early due to a cancellation. No problem. Then they called again and asked if I could come in even earlier. Sure. Then, 2 hours later they called and said they had to cancel because the doctor had an emergency and they would call me the next day to reschedule. They never called. I telephoned today and she "rescheduled" me for NOVEMBER! This is mid-August. Furthermore, I'd have to go in for another HEALTH EXAM and other tests first because it's so far in the future. BLAH BLAH BLAH. Seems to me they could have/should have moved others to reschedule those whose appts. were canceled asap. I told them to refund my money. So sick of the crap this company pulls on its patients. read more

I used to go to VEI as a kid and we loved it. Excellent doctors, excellent patient care. I just called to try and schedule a new appointment, and for some reason y'all won't let us schedule without an EyeMed ID number, which I do not have because eyemed has never made us carry physical cards around. Ive tried twice now to schedule, provided my medical insurance info and my patient info, and they still won't accept it. I used to work for an optometry practice and we always looked up insurance the day before or day of and used patient info to pull the EyeMed stuff. I don't understand why I can't schedule without an ID number, and because nobody has been willing to be flexible with me, I'll be going elsewhere. read more

My Mom had an appointment for Botox at 4p on March 16, 2022 at Aesthetic Center. We have been having these shots due to an eye condition for 5+ years. We arrived at the office at 350p, checked in and paid copay. We were called into the exam room around 4p. By 410p, the nurse left the exam room after completing the information, saying the doctor will be right in. At approx. 445p, a nurse came into the office to grab some supplies and said the "Dr is with held up with another patient and he will be right in". As she was exiting the room, another nurse came in to put the needle and Botox on the tray. She mentioned to me that it was ok for me to sit, since I was standing. I replied "I would rather stand, since I we have been waiting for 45 minutes already". She mumbled something under her breath and walked out. At 515p, my mom and I walked out of the exam room to leave. We never received the Botox injections but their records show that the Botox was administered.  It was extremely disrespectful to leave an 82 year old, in a room, on an uncomfortable chair for an hour. It was extremely disrespectful for an 82 year old never to be checked on or show any concern. When we left at 515p and walked down the hall, there was no one around, however I could hear the doctor talking in another room. When we went into the lobby, there were two employees standing behind the desk. They looked very shocked that we were there, and one said "Have a nice evening". I turned and said, "I hope you don't bill us, since we have been waiting for the doctor in the room and he never came in", and walked out. She never responded and on Friday (two days later) I have yet to hear from the doctor's office. This is not the first time this type of situation has occurred, but the first time we walked out. read more