About a week ago I started having trouble with my right eye so I called the Wilmington eye surgery place to leave a message was not able to leave one because the AI bot system they use would not put me through to triage!! I called back Monday was told they would call me back they never did finally reached my eye dr in wilmington eye mart and got checked today as it turned out i had infection in my right eye because the triage team there did not give me enough drops . I apparently had not healed up completely so my eye dr gave me drops which we had to fork out money for them at our drug store!!!!! Their system is broken and relies totally on AI to help people. read more

FIRST: A huge frustration is they don't answer the phone. You call and leave messages but they don't return your call. I literally had to stop into one of the locations so I could make an appointment, which should have been a red flag for me. MISS: I had my eyes checked at W/E early 2025 and was given a new prescription for glasses. I only saw the Dr for 5 seconds so he could tell me I needed cataract surgery, everything else was done by a young apathetic technician. I had the glasses made at Costco and they immediately felt wrong. Costco rechecked them said they were to the prescription and sent me back to W/E. W/E checked that the glasses were to the prescription, had a recheck eye test done and said they were correct and I had to get used to them. Tried and tried as I might, I gave up trying to wear the new glasses after extended periods of feeling like I was disoriented in a house of mirrors and went back to the old ones. This year, 2026, I went to my previous place and had my eyes checked and my prescription this year was similar to the last one they did in 2024. I told them I went to W/E last year, 2025, and I was not able to use the glasses. They told me the script from W/E was wrong. I sent all the documents and receipts and copies of prescriptions from the last 3 years to W/E to ask for reimbursement since they gave me the wrong prescription and I can't use the glasses but they declined saying they stand by their erroneous eye exam. Also, during my current eye exam I inquired about the state of the cataracts that were supposedly such an emergency and was told there was no need to have any surgery since they aren't advanced enough for removal. HIT: I did have eyelid surgery to fix my peripheral vision at their surgical center which was not seamless but a better experience than the optical side of the business. They had a difficult time starting the IV and an anesthesiologist had to come out after I requested a Dr to put it in since 4 attempts by the nurses were unsuccessful and I was losing my patience after 3 attempts in my hands. The surgery was fine, I had some concerning issues a few days later and getting through on the phone, and through the endless phone chain, is awful and you still have to leave a message even on the after hours surgery line and wait for someone to call back. I had to have an additional revision in the office after some healing time but that was smooth and now that everything is healed. W/E does not call to see how you are doing after surgery. I have had several outpatient surgeries in the past and the doctors' offices called and followed up several times post surgery before the first post surgical visit. At W/E you feel like you are discharged and on your own with no safety net. BOTTOM LINE: I am not a fan. I told the head of the optical department I would never come back. I will stick to my current eyeglass provider and when/if the time comes for cataract surgery, I will find a place where I feel like a priority. read more

After going to Wilmington Eye clinic for routine exams for 10 years I am switching to another ophthalmology clinic. Earlier this year I developed red, irritated eyes which was diagnosed and treated as an eye infection, but my chronic red irritated eye condition continued. Dr. Hailey then diagnosed me with "dry eye" and recommended three procedures to correct the problem for an of pocket expense of $3500. I went to a different ophthalmologist clinic for a second opinion. I was diagnosed and treated for an eye infection with a totally different treatment than Wilmington Eye. In two weeks my red and irritated eyes are finally cured after six months and four appointments with no success at Wilmington Eye. I am so thankful and am now transferring my g over to Dr. Hester as my ophthalmologist. Many thanks to Dr. Hester! read more

Everything went as planned. Doctors and staff were friendly. I had no pain or discomfort during the whole cataract experience.

I'm not sure why all the negative reviews. I go once a year for my diabetic eye exam and my experience has been great. The staff, from check in to check out have been very friendly and helpful. The doctors are knowledgeable and professional and always explain procedures. I would recommend them to any one who needs an opthamologist. read more

I am very concerned about thoroughness of this office. My mother had. Freckle on her eye 2 years ago, it's documented . That should have put her in a higher risk category . Now, after two years, after she again brought the spot to their attention. She now has melanoma. After being sent off to Duke, a two hour drive, when she arrived they didn't have all they needed, the doctor told her that she couldn't do anything for her until she talks with the referring Doctor. We are here for the appointment and she doesn't know any more than we do. This unprofessionalism is concerning. No information about how much margin was removed when Dr Spring did the removal . Come on you have to do better. Now my mom has to get a chest, pelvis and brain scan in case the melanoma has spread. I'm more than a little upset! Concerned daughter. read more

I went to Wilmington eye and Wilmington back in August of 2024, and saw an actual specialist. They did everything under the sun and found nothing. My situation got worse so I went to the location in Leland. Again encountered the same issue. I ended up going to Omni Care in Wilmington and she clearly saw that I have ocular rosacea. I have been dealing with this for an entire year and I am so thankful that it is finally being fixed but also so upset that I had to go through this twice with my two-year-old, it was H E L L. I specifically asked for steroid drops and let them know the condition I was feeling with my eyes, all they did was send me home with eye drops for mites. I hardly even have any mites in my eyes and the reason I have them is because I have rosacea on my eyelids, in my eyelids, and my actual pores are blocked up from rosacea. Good grief. Y'all suck. read more

Most medical practices have patient portals, but Wilmington Eye has crappy patient portals, can even refill Rx, terrible patient portal

The preop, the surgery and the postop care were great. But here we are almost 6 months later, and an anesthesia company out of Illinois sent me $2200 bill!! No, I signed the form through Wilmington eye and Dr. Escaravage understanding that all expenses may not be covered by my insurance... But I was never told they would be a separate billing for anesthesia, that it would be this much, and now the surgery center is washing their hands of it, and telling me, "You signed the form that all expenses were potentially not covered." Yes - I did. BUT the form listed potential expenses, and what could possibly be not covered that may become my responsibility and $2300 for anesthesia was not on the list. Dirty - Dirty - Dirty! read more

Wilmington Eye - This is the bill I received in the mail this week - Optometrists Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington Eye has become too big & unmanageable. The doctors are divided (finally get called back after long wait & put in a room for a test, sent to hallway to wait for another test in a different room, back in the hallway to wait, finally put in room to see the "real" doctor & to wait again; needed a prescription that wasn't called in till I notified them after going through an automated assisted that asked the same questions five times. Finally talked to a triage person who was going to see about samples but never got called back.) It's a nightmare & Wilmington Eye has a monopoly of eye doctors in our area. Hard to find an alternative eye doctor but I'm looking. Nightmare to deal with, lack of communication, very unprofessional. read more

Horrible office | customer service Any appointment is 8 months out No regards for current patient problems read more

No one calls back from this practice. getting a live person is impossible. I tried four times and no one has a professional courtesy to call patients back. read more

Sorry to say I have to give these guys 2 stars because of the experience I had with Dr. Greene (an optometrist) I had a cyst on my lower eyelid that she diagnosed as a sty. There was no redness and their was no pain or itch. She might be qualified to set you up with the right reading glasses but I am thinking now much more. So she put me on an antibiotic and a heating devise and that was it. In going to the internet afterwards Dr. Google clearing lays out the definition of a sty. So I wasted almost 2 weeks taking an antibiotic and wondering why the sty was not going away. What she should have done was referred me to an opthomologist in their practice. Stay away from Dr. Green. On the other hand I have to give Molly Orban (an opthomologist) in the same practice a 5 Star + Rating. She is a real pro. She immediately diagnosed it was not sty. I highly recommend Molly!! The practice also needs to replace the receptionist at Carolina Shores. That old goat (who is still masking) has the personality of a Trole. read more

Sometimes biggest is not always the best. They have some damn fine surgeons here but they turned this place into a factory. I've been waiting for over an hour now to get follow up. Exam is ridiculous. Spread your patients out a little bit better. read more

very professional very quick very kind very helpful, should only have 5 star reviews!

The initial impression was not good. The two receptions were having a personal conversation and didn't even break their like/you-know cadence while they checked me in. I was told they 'take' my insurance, like the Seinfeld episode where the car rental takes the reservation. Then I got a bill for over $470, of which my insurance paid $370. $320 was a new office visit. So I gotta pay them $100. So the question to ask them if you're going to book an appointment is are you in network, for your insurance. When I called the billing office person, she was kind of defensive and telling me I was wrong about them taking my insurance. What she meant is that she would bill my insurance and then I would pay the rest. so I canceled my upcoming appointments and ask for a confirmation number which they couldn't give me. So I don't know if I'm done with Wilmington Eye or not terms of paying money. They really should be in the proctology business as they seem to have this gig down cold. BTW the Bill was from Roswell Georgia, so guessing it's a big corporate practice. read more

Nothing but disappointments from this practice. My first appointment--I drove 110 miles to Wilmington from my home for my appointment, and the doctor was not there! I was assigned to another doctor, and, as a VA patient, I was entitled to certain advanced procedures, but the practice disputed these coverages. I was told that the practice had to confirm that the VA would pay for these...almost 5 months later, and the practice has apparently ABANDONED me without notice!!! I cannot in good faith recommend this practice to anyone...some may dispute this, but from my own personal experience, this place is nothing but trouble. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! read more

medicare only pays for removal of cataracts if you need vision correction it does not pay and you still have to wear glasses and bifocals. They are scammers.....over the phone they said 2.500 $ I paid 100$ for initial visit. After they examined my eyes the price went up to $5,000 fir vision correction and astigmatism. The drops for the surgery cost an additional $80. i scheduled the surgery then cancelled it, because now I didn't trust them. After cancelling the surgery they continued to send a bill for 90$. For What] Now they are turning me over to a collection agency. Not a forthcoming practice. read more

UNLESS YOU HAVE COMMUNITY EYE CARE - DO NOT USE THIS PRACTICE. I should've listened to all the reviews warning that this company is "dirty," and to WATCH YOUR WALLET. The office may not be properly trained. I would hope that they're not purposefully misleading, misinforming, or submitting codes incorrectly for extra profit (many patients dont double check the accuracy of code numbers). First experience - I was left waiting for almost 2 hours for my annual appointment, and then I had to follow up for MONTHS with the office because they submitted the code wrong, and so I was overcharged. They finally corrected the error, but it was exhausting. Fool me once... Second experience - I waited for over an hour and a half before I saw the doctor (again, for a total of 10 minutes) for my annual appt. There was no one around. I think they forgot about me! Afterwards, again, I received an unexpected bill in the mail. I called to inform them of the error, and after some research on their end, they said they no longer take my insurance!! I was never informed of this change. They said they recently dropped all insurance plans except for "Community Eye Care." When I went for my appointment, the front desk asked me if anything had changed with my insurance (it had not). THIS would have been a good time for them to let ME know that they had actually dropped my insurance! I feel like the company pulled a bait and switch. The office was smug when I pointed out that as a prior patient, I should have been informed of the drop of my plan, and they seemed to actually take pleasure in the threat of sending the bill to collections (of course, they got their money). WATCH OUT! read more

4 of my 5 children use Wilmington eye and I'll be finding a new eye doctor for them. We called this evening with an emergency question about a prescription and the lady who answered the phone said "we close in 9 minutes!" That is how she answered the phone. I'm absolutely shocked that this is how a professional doctors office would answer the phone. She didn't say that after we asked our question, she answered the phone saying that. And she didn't even help us at all. Definitely disappointed and DO NOT RECOMMEND. read more

If you like waiting to see the doctor for an hour or more AFTER your scheduled appointment time, this is the place to go. I made my last visit to this office today and won't be back. The wait is every visit. read more

Like many others on this review section. who have been taken for a ride in medical costs that shouldn't have happened . Wilmington Eye tried to scam me into having a cataract revision {in their outpatient facility} to correct ongoing blurriness, that I was experiencing in the same eye, after the initial surgery from Oct, 2024 . This did not have to be done in their outpatient building. It could have been done in the regular office to avoid me from having to pay for the use of their outpatient room.Which would have cost me another $287 + !! . When I questioned the billing person about this .They said that the doctor {Jenkins} . Does not do that anymore in the regular office . Hence ,me having to pay this additional $$ ,for a procedure that takes less then a minute with no need to put me under. Well I found another doctor that will do it just the way it should be done. Which will save me a lot of addition cost .Wilmington eye ,very well knows what they are doing to squeeze more $$ out of their patients. Beware of this practice . They are rip offs .Oh and another thing .I waited about 40 minutes for the doctor to come in to the exam room to check my ongoing problem ,cause I was a throw back it would seem .So they made me wait Not even an apology from the doctor. Another issue that I see many had experienced, and stated on this review column. Too many related bad reviews against Wilmington Eye if you ask me. Again BEWARE !! read more

I recently had an eye surgery, performed by Dr. Oester, at the Wilmington Eye Surgery. I can not praise them enough for making me so comfortable. Everyone there was so helpful and calming! I have serious IV anxiety, and nurses Adam and Janelle were absolutely ahhmazing!!! Check them out if you are needing anything done. read more

I think they are the biggest rip-offs in town. Other eye surgeons in town would have completed the procedure patients for a couple hundred dollars for a medicare patient. I've paid nearly $1000 out of pocket and the bills keep coming. read more

Had my first appointment about a reoccurring issue. I appreciate the doctor explaining everything and giving me multiple options! Will be returning! read more

Being the only place that can have glasses made and ready in an hour, topped with the cheapest prices too. Above that though, I came in with glued together glasses blindly put together having one of those days and could barely see. When not expecting anything positive today, they went above and beyond to help me out in every aspect. I was impressed, The dr office next door looked out too and got me in the same day with a eye exam and worked with me. You never know what people are dealing with and going through, and dealing with the worse year of my life, it felt good to see some people that you could tell genuinely care, and make one thing easier in life. The staff was professional and put up with my adhd self off my meds and running 100mph... blindly... lol but they got me Right. The dr was on point and she had this beautiful energy about her that had me not thinking about issues while in her presence... but Thank you guys, you earned my business and loyalty, read more

This office has NO respect for other people's time. Appointments take 2-3 hours- mostly sitting and waiting. also very expensive even with insurance. read more

It is impossible to get an appointment with this place. You will never get through to anyone and have to wait days to make an appointment. Then, they will be booked months out. Honestly, I am so tired of dealing with them. I echo the earlier complaints that their phone service is a nightmare. read more

Having read the reviews (one 5-star, the other 2), I was wondering how my visit would go. I'd been told by the folks at Lenscrafters last year (while living in Durham) that I would need cataract surgery this year and was somewhat rattled at that thought. I have come to know Chris Covington (one of the doctors there) and so decided to go there. From the receptionist to all of the staff I met, an amazing group of warm and friendly folks (not sure what happened with the lady who gave them 2-stars, but everyone I spoke to in the waiting room raved about the practice). Kelly was the tech who took me in the back (right on time) and her patience and manner put me quickly at ease. She worked with me for some time to find the right Rx; much more than the folks at Lenscrafters. At the end, she had found a Rx for lenses that would correct my vision to 20/15! When examined by Dr. Covington, he said with that kind of correction, there was no need at this time for any surgery (whew!), but that he would continue to follow me annually. The part of the office where you pick out glass frames and find out the damage had me holding my breath (for some reason I thought that the prices I'd gotten at Lenscrafters would have been lower). I asked about scratch-resistant lenses and Transition lenses with the Rx; all told it would be MUCH less than quoted to me up in Durham. Yeah, I am looking forward to my new glasses and Sam is the man to go to for getting a great deal. read more

Wilmington Eye - Optometrists Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

I has Lasik done yesterday and Wilmington Eye was awesome! Their entire staff is so friendly and encouraging. Kelly stayed with me through the whole process and was my main point of contact from consultation to surgery day. She is super nice and helpful! Dr. Leone preformed my surgery, it was quick and easy! Dr. Leone made sure to walk me through every step of the surgery and did a great job of informing me of what she was doing. They even let my mom watch and she thought it was really neat to see! It's so weird to wake up in the morning and actually be able to see! I'm so thankful to Wilmington Eye for taking such great care of me! read more

Optical Manager Joanne was fabulous. She was patient and professional I'm seeing great in my new glasses. Thank you. David read more

I went to see Dr. Polomsky on Friday May six. He had done my cataract surgery couple years ago and he cleared the film behind my eye on the first outpatient. This particular Friday he did the right eye. I have been continually amazed at how bright vibrant and wonderful things look again!!! dr. Polomsky and his team were so wonderful they made me feel so at ease,and since he had done the left eye two weeks ago I knew what to expect and it was wonderful! Anybody that can't go to Wilmington Eye I don't know why they are absolutely wonderful caring compassionate friendly courteous and they certainly know what they're doing!! On a rating of 1 to 10, I give Wilmington Eye 100! Superb they're not just a place of business they are people who care about getting people where they should be with better sight it's amazing what they can do! Give them a try you'll like it. Mary Southerland read more

Been a patient of Wilmington Eye for more than 25years. my wife and I are currently patients of Dr. Cox. She is absolutely the best. She explains everything very clearly (easy for us old folks to understand). we appreciate her very much read more

This review has nothing to do with the doctor or nurse team that took care of me for LASIK, they were all absolutely amazing! However, I completed my 3 month post op about 4 and half months after my procedures so we skipped my 6 month post op and they scheduled my one year. I showed up everything was fine, it was a full exam. This month I got a bill for the visit, through some emails and phone calls found out this post op (as it was listed on the bill) is not covered my the LASIK payment because it is considered a full annual eye exam with dilation and payment only covers through your 6 month or until your doctor marks you as complete. But they cannot charge my insurance for it because it is considered a post op appointment still. Very confusing as to how it is both a post op and annual exam yet neither? They accept my insurance so if it was an annual exam and was billed that way, then it should have been a small co-pay. Just something to keep in mind after you have your 3 or 6 month post op LASIK appointment. Maybe schedule a regular annual exam with you regular eye doctor when you hit that one year mark or just make sure you ask for an explanation on what each visit is and how it will be billed. Their billing department was helpful in informing me the eye exam they scheduled for next year (2 years after my procedure) was setup to be a post op appointment as well and would not be billed to my insurance as an annual exam so I can switch back to my regular doctor before that appointment. read more

LOOOONNNGG wait times, especially frustrating when you are told that a field test will take 15 min tops. Staff is very nice but the amount of time you actually spend with the doc compared to waiting is undesirable read more

I am going to spare you all with any images dealing with the Lasik I had done at Wilmington Eye but just know this was a phenomenal experience. You do meet with them ahead of time to run through everything prior to your day of surgery and they really ease any tensions or anxiety you have about the process. Once you are there the day of your appointment, they are very quick to get you in, do the surgery, and get you home to recover. They even allow whoever is with you to watch the process, which for whatever reason my husband decided to do and then tell me what it looked like. That I do not recommend. Once you get home, you fall asleep, and wake up being able to see. It truly is a crazy surgery and experience to wake up not being able to see and within hours have 20/20 or better sight. Additionally, they do great with their checkups and making sure that everything is going well and provide some complementary drops and coupons for eye drops for dry eyes. Lastly, they do a TEACHER DISCOUNT for Lasik which I was pretty excited about! Highly recommend not only the surgery but also Wilmington Eye to do it for you! read more

Traveled from Charlotte to see Dr. Shipley! Pretty sure we would follow her wherever she went!! She's amazing with kids, and has so much patience with them!! She did my daughters surgery recently and other than my daughter being scared, everything went perfect!! read more

Recently had the most thorough eye examination I've had in any years, it was wonderful! When it came to ordering new frames and lenses, John went out of his way to accommodate my every need. Glasses were ready when they said they would be and they fit perfectly and work like a dream! John is definitely the man you want to see when ordering new glasses! Thank you John!!! read more

I recently had eye lid surgery at Wilmington Eye. I was told Dr Alan Oester has done a lot of these and was very good. After evaluating and taking their tests to see if you are a candidate they tape your eyes wide open at least more open than they have been in the past to show you how more light ends up giving you better vision. They were correct I could see better when they did that. I was later bumped $500 for removal fatty lid of which I thought that was included in the price but turns out insurance only pays for tightening of the muscle to hold the lid. So I consented anyway. The operation was easy but here is where the story begins. After surgery and following 5 1/2 months my eyes are so irritated at night and morning. In other words I can only see good maybe 4 to 5 hours a day. Not good!! Difficult to drive at night and in the morning. I was told by the Dr. to do not worry as he "Guarantee's his work". After several follow up appointments with no change in condition and several prescriptions later he now passes me on to another Dr. Jenkins who is a specialist in the irritated dry eyes only to have him prescribe a $300 eye drops not covered by my insurance that he thinks might fix the problem. In the meantime I find out they have been charging my insurance company for follow up appointments which should have been included in the original cost. Wilmington Eye has bought up some other eye Doctors practices which leads me to believe it is all about raking in the money and not and I quote "guaranteeing their work"! read more

After a month of waiting for our appointment at Wilmington Eye, they called to tell us they made a mistake and did not have the right equipment ready. The appointment was rescheduled for a month later. Finally, we drove the hour away to Wilmington Eye for our appointment. It took about an hour wait, but my son finally got his exam. That was only to be told that they could do the needed procedure two months later. I asked for a sooner one, since my son is not able to see or drive and needs it sooner. We still had to wait the two months. My son is looking forward to seeing again and we rescheduled a lot of things around this long waited procedure, including not being at his grandfather's funeral in another state. What's more frustrating is to be called 3 days prior and be told that Dr. Springs is not available again and we have to wait again for the next available appointment. My son was told four months ago that he was loosing his eye sight and needed the procedure. I feel like we are being pushed off and disregarded. Wilmington Eye Company needs to staff Doctors responsibly. If an eye Doctor becomes unavailable They need to find a solution that does not push patients months out. It is painful to be stuck with this kind of service. I hope this is not happening to anyone else. I hope that the Wilmington Eye team and leadership finds a solution. Please help. read more