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Michael J Bermel, OD

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Michael J Bermel, OD
(25 Reviews)
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55A CATOCTIN CIR NE LEESBURG, VA 20176
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Consumer Feedback

(25 Reviews)
Service
3 star average for Service
Environment
4 star average for Environment
Expertise
4 star average for Expertise
Staff
4 star average for Staff
Recommended
3 star average for Recommended
Value
3.5 star average for Value
Was this provider friendly?
Polite Enough
Did this optometrist provide you with an accurate prescription?
Yes
Does this optometrist offer glasses repairs or adjustments?
Yes, they always help me out
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.200.194
February 17, 2014
Has this provider ever cancelled your appointment on you last minute?
No, they didn't cancel on me last minute
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.36.26
December 05, 2013
Did this optometrist seem knowledgeable about different types of contacts?
Definitely, she/he seemed very knowledgeable about all different types of contacts
Did this provider thoroughly explain the risks and benefits of your treatment?
Yes, they made sure I had all the information I needed to make a decision
Did you notice a foul odor when you arrived at this provider's office?
Not at all, their office smelled fantastic!
Was this provider willing to stay open late to accomodate your needs?
Definitely! They would never turn away anyone in need
Has this provider ever cancelled your appointment on you last minute?
Never, they are very reliable.
by Susan xxx.xxx.208.51
October 26, 2013
Was this provider argumentative or easily angered?
Not at all, they were one of the kindest, most attentive individuals I've ever met
Was this provider's office clean?
Yes! I was amazed at how clean it was!
Are you going to visit this provider again?
Without a doubt!
Does this provider have helpful information available online?
No, just a basic listings page
Has this provider ever cancelled your appointment on you last minute?
Never, they are very reliable.
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.120.18
October 14, 2013
Although the staff at Michael Bermel's office are all professional and friendly, the actual vision services I received there were completely unacceptable. I visited on two separate occasions, two years apart. During the first visit, I was seen by Dr. Bermel's associate. She was polite and professional, and seemed mostly okay at the time, although I expressed some concerns to her about the prescription she came back with after my exam (it was off by a lot from my previous prescription and my vision had hardly changed in 10+ years) I had quite a few headaches when wearing the glasses she prescribed, and I later found out (from Dr. Bermel himself) that as I suspected, the prescription she gave me was incorrect. I was wearing wrong glasses for nearly two years!

After that experience, I had been hesitant to visit again, but the end of the year was approaching and I needed to use my vision benefit or lose it. During the second visit I saw Dr. Bermel himself, and it was that visit which cemented my determination to never go there again. Although the admin staff were all nice, and I was seen fairly quickly by the assistant, I was asked for my medical insurance information. I expressed my concern as to why they would need that when my vision insurance was separate, and was informed it was in case there was ever a medical emergency while I was being seen by the doctor and that it would not be accessed or my records pulled until or unless such an emergency occurred. I relented, but told her point blank that they did not have my permission to access my insurance, and even wrote it onto the consent form, initialing and dating where I made the note to that effect.

When I saw the doctor, the visit took nearly an hour. I had never had such a long eye exam. On two instances during the exam he walked out of the room, only to criticize his staff for not having pushed a specific service or product on me while I was waiting to see him. After the lengthy exam, he pronounced that I had a condition that would require eyelid cleansing cloths, which were around 30.00 per box. When I asked if it was serious and what would happen next, he told me it could also be treated by antibiotic eye drops. When I asked for the drops, he said he wanted me to try the pads first. I looked on my phone and saw I could get them elsewhere for around 8.00 per box, while he wanted around 30.00 so I told him I wasn't interested. When I was checking out, he told the receptionist that I was getting the cleansing pads and forcibly put them into my bag when I reminded him I was going to get them elsewhere. He then proceeded to tell her to add them to my bill, which I of course did not allow.

When I tried to check out, my bill was 35.00 more than it should have been. When I asked why, I was told that it was because of the medical eye exam that he performed...without my permission. When I said I had not approved such an exam (and I had been quite clear from the get go that I wanted a vision exam and contacts fitting only) she said "but your insurance covers it". I was obviously quite upset since I had blatantly told them earlier they did not have my permission to access my medical records. I pointed to the form that I had earlier initialed and dated showing that I had written they did not have my permission. When she told the doctor, he got so upset at her for not telling him before he did the exam (which was not scheduled in the first place) that she nearly cried.

Overall, the constant push of very expensive add on services that are not covered by insurance, combined with the attempt to force me to purchase products and services I had already point-blank refused, resembled nothing so much as a used car salesman. I was eventually able to get my money back for all the services except the basic vision exam, and also eventually got my written prescription (which I had requested multiple times on the actual day of the visit, and which he was required by law to provide if I requested.) but only after many repeated calls and written communication.

This doctor engages in practices that make it a very unpleasant experience to go there. He ignored my expressed wishes on three occasions during a single visit. He left during my exam three times, all to curtly remind his employees about added (non insured) services or products they were supposed to have tried to push on me before I ever got to the exam room. I would definitely not recommend him to anyone, and in fact would encourage those who have been there in the past to visit another doctor at lest once to make sure they are not also being treated for conditions they do not have (or are not wearing the wrong glasses for nearly two years, potentially doing damage to their vision)
by Linbur0100 xxx.xxx.54.159
September 13, 2013
Does this provider maintain a professional appearance?
Absolutely! You can tell that he/she really makes an effort to look professional
Did you feel safe in this provider's care?
Absolutely! I knew I was being cared for by an expert!
Was this provider's office too cold?
Not at all, it was the perfect temperature
Did this provider have reasonable prices?
Absolutely!
Did this provider thoroughly explain the risks and benefits of your treatment?
Yes, they made sure I had all the information I needed to make a decision
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.37.99
May 14, 2013
I had to wait a few weeks to get an appointment but I eventually got in. I waited over an hour to see the doctor for five minutes for both of my kids (that's two minute-ish each). I had to pay $40 co-pay each for my kids. I don't think they like to help people save money. There was lots of available parking at their office.
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.17.58
April 25, 2013
I went to get a glasses prescription updated as it had been a few years and my eyes have definitely changed. The exam went well enough, and the doctor was nice. However there is a certain pressure to buy upgrades, services, and products outside of what you originally come for. Unfortunately, they type of lens I used is no longer available, but I was assured that the very expensive lenses I ordered were top of the line and very good quality. The glasses came in earlier than promised, which was good. The bad part? One lens is not correcting my vision adequately. The doctor re-did the exam and allegedly checked the glasses to see if the prescription was "as ordered" and correct. (This required a third visit, as the doctor wasn't present when I picked up the lenses) I say allegedly checked because I have no way of knowing if it was right or wrong - I don't have access or knowledge to the machinery used to make this determination. All I got was a very sympathetic, "that's the best we can do... it's the best lens we have, and tough luck" No offer to have the one lens remade. I don't understand how I can get adequate vision during the exam with the machine, but not in the lens created from the information in the exam. So,I spent a lot of money on glasses that are inadequate. My old lenses are gone, and can't be replaced. The only way I will know if the visual difficulties are a result of an error on their part that they don't care to rectify, or some aberration of my eye, as they say, is to spend even more money at another place to figure out what my true prescription is, and take a gamble and order more glasses. (Which now will not be covered by insurance.) I am stuck with these glasses and can only read road signs out of one eye, and this is supposed to be good enough? The funniest part: while explaining my displeasure over this situation, they still were trying to sell me other products.
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.7.123
April 17, 2013
I was very unimpressed with their level of skill. It seemed like they had just started yesterday.I have been going to an optometrist for 15 years and this is the worst service I have ever received! Not only did the doctor provide me with the wrong prescription and contact lenses they took no responsibility for the blatant error on their end. As a result of being prescribed the wrong lenses and inaccurate prescription I suffered from horrible headaches and got four separate eye infections! They are a nightmare to work with and over priced is an understatement. I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN AND SUGGEST EVERYONE STEER CLEAR!!!.
by Disappointed Customer xxx.xxx.225.172
March 12, 2013
Did this provider answer all of your questions?
No, I left confused and frustrated
Did this provider ever take personal phone calls while in the appointment room with you?
No, they've never taken personal calls with me
Was this provider willing to stay open late to accomodate your needs?
Yes, they've stayed open late when I've needed help
Did this provider promise services he/she couldn't provide?
A few, but not too many
Does this provider treat every client equally?
No, they definitely favor certain clients
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.243.177
January 29, 2013
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Map and Directions
55A CATOCTIN CIR NE, LEESBURG, VA 20176