This is the place to be post eye surgery! Using the app to check in expedites the process. Those coming for their first appointment after surgery have seem to have morning appointments. The waiting area seems hectic but the process is efficient. Check in staff is friendly, the tech is professional and serious, the doctor is knowledgeable and personable. read more

If you're looking to wait 2 hours for a 3 minute appointment, this is the place to be! The doctor was completely devoid of any personality and failed to acknowledge the tardiness. It was enough of a first impression, I made sure it will be the last! read more

This is a high traffic office and they do a pretty good job of moving people along. I felt the office folks were nice and helpful. The Doctor was great and she took her time with us. The location was easy to get to from rt 29 and parking was free. read more

First, let me say that Dr. Daoud is five stars. Same with Dr. Glaros. Now, if I could just see them and skip the front desk and waiting area, I would be fine. I saw Dr. Daoud last week...appointment went well. He told me my prescription would be at the front desk to pick up when I left. So far, so good...right. I stopped by the front desk and was given a prescription. Still good...right. Three days later, I go to look at eyeglass frames and have my prescription with me. Problem is, it wasn't the correct prescription. I wear progressive lenses in my eyeglasses. The prescription was for reading glasses. Beginning to see a problem here? Today, I went back to Wilmer to get the correct prescription. The woman at the front counter was unpleasant. It was as if I was creating a problem. All I said to her was, "Last week I was given the wrong prescription. Can you please get me the correct prescription?" Sorry I ruined your morning lady. She told me to sit and wait and I would be called when someone came out to correct the problem. I have unique cataracts...Posterior Polar Cataracts. The best surgeon for me is Dr. Daoud...so I will continue going to Wilmer. Turns out that my housemate switched from Wilmer to another ophthalmologist. I asked why. She said, "Because the front office staff was rude!" read more

Highly, highly recommend Dr. Akrit Sodhi at Wilmer Eye! He reattached my torn retina in 2021 and has cared for my eyes ever since. His team, including Denise and Jessica, are outstanding. I had a 10:10 am appointment yesterday and was seen right away (arriving 15 minutes early). My appointment was complete by 11 with exams and digital X-rays of my eyes. The very, very best care. read more

Dr. Glaros did cataract surgery on my eyes in July 2025 and I have had a problem with my right eye since then. He damaged my retina during surgery and I have a large, blurry film that comes and goes constantly in my eye. I was told by a retinal specialist it is a "floater" that might go away or I would have to get used to it. it is very upsetting to me and I'm sorry I had the surgery. read more

THEY DON'T TAKE VISION INSURANCE. They're a part of Johns Hopkins, they ONLY do appointments related to eyes, and they don't take vision insurance. They don't tell you that, of course, when you make the appointment. I went for an annual exam, which would normally be completely covered by my insurance. Instead they stuck me with a $90 bill. BEWARE! 2 stars because the actual doctor was lovely. read more

Care seems first rate in terms of quality and their procedures and staff have improved. Wait times are much less than before. When I had a bad reaction to eye injection and subsequent extreme irritation, I called their number, had an urgent message for a call-back sent and they NEVER CALLED BACK! Went to urgent care after no promised reply. read more

I can't say enough about Michelle at The Wilmer Eye Institute at Columbia | Johns Hopkins Medicine. My husband was awaiting delivery of lenses from the Wilmer clinic. After almost 5 weeks we heard nothing from them in spite of calls and messages left in the patient portal. When I contacted ( in desperation) Wilmer optical, Michelle was kind enough to track down the order and find out the status of the delivery. She called me back the next day to let me know the status. Michelle was happy to help even though the clinic had total responsibility. Her kindness is a rare thing these days and she is an excellent reflection of the quality of care rendered by Wilmer Optical. Thank you Michelle! read more

Dr. Glaros is the finest ophthalmologist (M.D) we have been fortunate to have as our eye care specialist. His extensive knowledge, both as an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and his many years of experience is the level of expertise you want caring for your eyes. Dr. Glaros' pleasant manner during examinations and procedures is comforting and reassuring. He always takes his time to explain each step during examinations and/or treatments. He genuinely cares about your eye health. We have confidence in his skills and expertise for which we are very thankful. read more

when I arrived I was directed to check in on the kiosk, I followed the prompts till the end, last screen told me to have a seat and wait to be called. I waited 30 minutes until I asked for assistance. I was told there was a hold on checking me in because the system wanted my ID, it never asked. The receptionist acted like this was my fault, during my first visit at their office For not understanding their procedure. While with the first nurse, she was friendly and professional, I'd just wished she informed me the eye drops she was putting in would cause me to loose my near sightedness. I also wish someone had informed me I may want to wait or have someone drive me home, I wasn't given anything to protect my eyes during my drive home. This is my very first time having an eye exam like this, I don't wear glasses and have never experienced this before. It may seem mundane to the employees of this practice, but this information is extremely important to any & all patients. read more

Best prescription I've ever had. The people who work there are wonderful, and instill confidence.

Dr Richardson did my surgery and my eye looks amazing! He is the nicest doctor. Great bedside manner and he was confident he could help me fix my eye even though I'm in my 30s and have has previous surgeries. So not hesitate to make an appt with him! I am so glad to have met him and would recommend him to anybody's read more

First the group has no respect for your time. I have waited 1 i/2 hours and in talking to those around me they double book. This is not on occasion. It is their standard practice. Recently I needed to renew my license and was trying to reach them as they needed to electronically send a form. After 5 days of being on hold for an hour or more each time I called, I gave up and went to an optometrist near me who gave me just as good an exam and handled the paper work. I am finished with this group. My suggestion GO SOMEWHERE ELSE read more

I had surgery last week and the entire team was wonderful. Their attitude relaxed me prior to the surgery, and were also great in recovery. Dr. Richardson was honest and reassuring with me. I can't thank them enough!! BTW- anesthesiologist , Dr Nguyen, was also great- being born and bred in Boston made all the difference!!!!!! read more

I went to Wilmer Eye Institute in Columbia on the 12th of June, 2024. After reading so many negative comments on Yelp I was skeptical. However, Dr. Turner was very attentive to me and explained the situation I was going through. She calmed my fears concerning my floaters. She even gave me some excellent advice about the itching, redness, and burning in my eyes. All I have to say is don't always go by the reviews check it out yourself. There are many excellent doctors out there and Dr. Turner is one of them. read more

My actual appointment with Dr. Gormley was great. She is friendly, knowledgeable and speaks in terms that are understood. Problem occurred when I was advised that I needed to get my Maryland driver's license renewed. Apparently, if you've had a vision test within the last 2 years you don't have to go to the MVA - you just have the approved ophthalmologist's office submit a vision test form online to the MVA, and then your renewal can occur online with no need to physically go to the MVA. No problem right, since my appointment with Dr. Gormley was in October, 2023, well within the two year period. Well, apparently, after billing me/my insurance $463 for this visit, Dr. Gormley and the Wilmer Eye Institute can't stoop to submitting anything as standard and mundane as an online MVA vision test verification for a patient. They said I can pay $25 for them to complete the standard form, and then they will either MAIL it to me which will take up to 7-10 business days or I can come and pick it up. Nope, not happening, I'd rather schedule an appointment with the MVA and get another vision test, than pay that extortion, and they've lost me as a patient! Absolutely ridiculous. In this day and age, when everything is done online, they can't be bothered to do this simple thing for their patients. Done! read more

Dr Richardson is so rude. he doesn't respect our time and makes you wait over an hour to see him just for him to talk to you for not even 1 minute. just to say come back and reschedule for 4 months. The office and practice are very unprofessional and so rude. I am glad to found a new eye doctor for my toddler read more

I had an eye infection and they put me as emergency they said my appointment was at 11:30 am I got there at 9:30 and I was not able to check in till 11:15 I check in and they didn't call me back till 12:30 then they send me back to the lobby and they told me to wait another 20 minutes it got to 1:20 and I was still there and not seen again and keep waiting and waiting. So far I still haven't see the doctor and my eye is terrible and with a lot of pain. read more

I am extremely disappointed with Wilmer in Columbia. I made an appt MONTH ago. I broke my foot and I am on a knee scooter. The day of the appt I had two major hiccups occur. My phone died and I had a flat tire. I was late and they cancelled my appt. This is a warning to all potential clients. It is a statement not only about the doctor and their scheduling. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND OTHER FACILITIES. HOPKINS maybe highly rated but their other facilities that have good or equal reputations. COMPASSION ZERO, SCHEDULING ZERO, REPUTATION PROBABLY GOOD BUT WHO CAN TELL If I figure out how to rate this lower I would. I WILL NEVER RETURN read more

Wilmer acts like they are not cared for by Hopkins. Poor them they don't get all the attention and sophistication the other specialties do. They need to realize most people go to them after going to many other places and looking for hope, help, and not being ripped off in the process. Healthcare is the only business where we have no idea how much it will cost and we accept we are responsible for it is whatever it is after the fact! I told them upfront I need to see a surgeon because I have seen 4 other doctors including a surgeon about this. When I saw my endocrinologist she recommended Wilmer and another friend that is a former patient recommended a particular Dr at Wilmer, he is no longer there. At Wilmer, I was told I have to see an optometrist first. I told them I have already seen many. They said my insurance required it and I asked if it was covered and the answer was yes until the bill came! When I asked them they said that my insurance covered only a portion of my bill. I have to pay the rest. At this point, I was laid off and told them. I called my insurance and they said they did not require the appointment to see the surgeon. When I called Wilmer out on this they changed their story and said that they required the appointment. When I called them out on what they did they told me I should have given them a referral which I was never told to give them. I reached out to see if anything can be done to assist me, they said they heard me about the inconsistency in the messaging I got about the 1st appointment and they will review it. They reached out to the department and they deemed they did everything right and I need to pay. No acknowledgment of where they could have improved no ownership of their process breakdown. The optometrist's ego is huge compared to her skills. Dr is fine when you meet her. Seemed like she can and will help you. She refers you to the surgeon and canceled my follow-up on my comprehensive care and has not heard from her since. She was not the issue that I asked them to address but that is who they asked. She should have said the patient's concern is not with her it was business but she involved herself with the business and said that her care was perfect and required. What needs to be addressed is whoever keeps changing the story about the necessity for the initial appointment with the optometrist to see the surgeon. the new patient appointment process is broken altogether another issue. These are costly appointments and my medical issue is still unresolved! The business and billing office will have you question how you feel about both Wilmer and Hopkins. They are not upfront about the cost even when you ask! They change their story as it suits them. They will send you to collections even while discussing with them the bill making you think they are working with you when they are not! They rush through the resolution process which is they are always right and the customer is only upset because it didn't go their way. The billing and business office are not customer-focused only on the bottom line. They do not offer to work with you financially and hide behind their policies that are not transparent until after the fact. They use policy as an excuse to operate with a lack of empathy. Classic too big to fail attitude and that they don't need you to exist. Hopkins should be ashamed to be associated with Wilmer. Fear and Greed-based organization! read more

I love that there is now a location in Columbia. Much more convenient for me than driving all the way up to northern Baltimore. I see Dr. Daoud as my primary ophthalmologist and Dr. Sodhi as a retinal specialist. I dropped a star only for the wait times here. I have waited as long as 2 hours to see my doc on occasion. I don't mind too badly as I'd rather the doctors take the necessary time with each patient. However they should schedule a bit more time to allow for this. Dr. Sodhi saw me successfully through a vitreous detachment in one eye some time back, and correctly ascertained that there was no retinal detachment at the time. I was very happy with his services. I recently underwent cataract surgery by Dr. Daoud. He's always professional, courteous, patient, and pleasant to deal with. He was very reassuring and upbeat both pre and post op. He is also an excellent surgeon. I am 5 days post op of my second eye now and both surgeries seem to have gone well. I have confidence in this doctor and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an ophthalmologist or cataract surgeon. Overall, I'm very pleased with my docs here, although I will say that I would not go here for standard optometry and glasses as my one experience with that aspect of my eye care was sub par. read more

I found Dr. Akrit Sodhi is an excellent retina specialist. He is treating me for the last 2 years. I had two avastin injection in my right eye . He saved me from not having a laser surgery which was recommended by one of the local doctor. I travel almost 1 hour fro my Virginia home to see Dr. Akrit Sodhi every 3 months or so. Now I have decided to have my left eye cataract surgery in this Howard County Hospital. read more

This is a review of the Columbia, Maryland office There should be a review choice of NO STARS. I had a follow-up appt. with Dr. Karakus on July 21 at 2pm. I was told to arrive 15 minutes early. After about 5 minutes or so in the waiting room, I was taken back to an exam room where the asst. administered an vision test (which I had 6 months earlier; but I was there this time as a follow-up for a dry eye condition. Not sure why my vision was being checked again). After 1 hour and 45 minutes later, I left. No one came into the room to explain the delay. On my way out, I told the person at the check-in desk that after 1 hour and 45 minutes I was leaving. Absolutely no response! A week ago I called the only phone number I would find (which is the appointment number). I told the person I wanted to talk with the Chief of the Department/Practice. After being on hold for approx 5 minutes, the call disconnected. I then sent an email to the "contact us" site, to which I have not received any response. I cannot begin to think of a reason why this could happen, but after reading Alesia T's and Kay M's reviews, my experience is not a one-off. And it is just appalling that no one in this office, when returning to the exam room where I was taken and seeing I was no longer there, did not reached out to apologize/explain/attempt to reschedule. read more

The past 2 times that I had appt. at this location, the wait is long. Well, today I had an apt with Dr, Howard (2nd time seeing him) and I was seen by the asst. and she put drops in my eyes, while I waited for Dr. Howard. The asst. was very nice....Well, I am sitting and waiting and 2 other patients came into the waiting area. It is now 35 min later, the dr comes out and gets the gentlemen sitting next to me. I'm still waiting, and then the dr comes out and gets the lady. It is now over an hour that I am sitting there. I asked the asst. how much longer is it going to be, I see other patients being seen by my dr, that came after me. She spoke with Dr Howard and then she told me he took the patients before me and I will just have to wait, he will be out soon. HE blamed the mix up on patients time on his asst. Did not apologize to me and was aggressive with his response, at that point, I was not comfortable seeing him. I let him know that I a leaving and will be contacting my insurance company to refuse payment for this visit. His response was him shaking his head and making it all about his asst. I will no longer be going to that business. I reminded him that this situation happened a year ago with him. unprofessional disappointed and disgusted at his behavior. This is the office in Columbia Maryland read more

Dr. Richardson did eye surgery on my 4-year-old. He (and the rest of the staff) were kind, friendly, and prompt. The surgery was a success and all of the care we received was amazing! She was treated with kindness and respect during the entire process. Dr. Minh is also amazing and both doctors have incredible bedside manner! read more

My daughter, wife and I have all had almost every one of our appointments changed. I had one changed 3 times. My wife's Appt for this June was canceled and rescheduled for the first available: November. The Dr are good if you can get in. Last Appt I sat in the waiting room for an hour asking several times is there was an issue then was told the dr is headed to lunch (?!?!) We are done with them. Looking for a new practice. read more

The doctor rushed me through the exam and gave me a faulty prescription. When I asked her to change the prescription to my previous one and call the eyeglass store I used, she failed to do so. read more

The wait and check in/out system is too long and wonky. You get to stand in a line in front of the front door to check and check out, while people entering the building bump into you. Sherry Narang is okay but I waited for an hour-2 hours and she has no personality. She was somewhat helpful, but I would not go back. Also, the office changed locations and it was pretty confusing to find, not just for me, but the 2 people I met in the elevator. read more

My husband saw a retinal specialist on May 30 2019. She took all of 5 minutes to examine my husband. My husband brought retina films with him taken at another optometrist. The retina specialist was very reluctant to look at them and acted like she was doing him a favor. My husband had good news, but the physician was rude and uncaring. She sat with her back facing him most of the time, she was on the computer, reached behind herself to retrieve the films he had brought. We received a bill and our insurance was billed for a comprehensive eye exam and special eye exam. Neither of which was or could be performed in 5 minutes. This sounds like fraudulent billing practices. I will say I have been to this facility for an eye exam by Dr. Glaros. Dr Glaros is excellent, thorough, caring and reassuring. The eye exam that I received from him took quite a while. We will not be returning to this office except If seen by Dr. Glaros, Wilmer is lucky to have him. read more

After three visits they still could not get my glasses right. The MD seemed nice and competent. I think the problem may be within the eye glass/frame store within the office. I finally told them to keep my new $485 glasses and refund my money. Now I need to find a new place and start all over again. Total waste of my time. I could've flown to Italy in less time than I spent going to this office to get new glasses. read more

Avoid Dr. Melanie Sobel for cataract surgery. She implanted a multifocal lens in my eye and I have virtually no close-up vision, which this lens is supposed to deliver. I was told it will provide distance and close-up so I would not have to wear reading glasses. I have distance only. This result is a disaster because insurance doesn't cover the multifocal lens; you pay $3100 out of pocket before the surgery is performed. The distance-only lens is covered by insurance. Dr. Sobel never said that the lens may not work or that 15-20% of patients in research articles report dissatisfaction with close-up vision with multifocal lenses. For that sin of omission I lost $3100. Beware of Dr. Sobel! read more

Qualified, efficient, and professional. I am impressed with the facility and staff here. I've not tried the glasses shop adjoining, however.

Disney WORLD minus the fun!! I have Macular Degeneration and wanted a great optometrist closer than Parkville. I was also having pain in my right eye. I mistakenly chose Wilmer Eye Institute, believing that since they were a JH business, they would be great. Dead Wrong! I made an appointment in October for December 18, 2017!!, arrived on time only to wait 45 minutes to be seen for literally 1 minute, then was shuffled off to a another waiting room, this one crowded, dark, and dreary. I had left a meeting early to get to this appointment on time, and waited over 8 weeks for the appointment. All 3 people I interacted with seemed like trained robots, ZERO personality, and I really felt like I was at Disney world with the cattle trough process and voices that sounded like Its A Small World recordings. What a joke. I left and told the person at the front desk to cancel my appointment. She seemed completely unaffected and cared less as to why I was leaving. Avoid this place and save yourself some time. read more