Q: I had an eye exam and then ordered glasses. I couldn't see out of them & told her immediately. What recourse do I have?
She told me to try them for a while to adjust. That didn't work. Then she kept stringing me along for 8 months. She took them back finally and then said that the lab made an error. Then said that the lab didn't make an error. At that point I went to another doctor and had an exam and had new glasses made. I asked for my money back and she refused. Only store credit. I don't need more glasses (2 pairs) I can't trust her. The doctor moved out of her office just after my exam on 10/30/23. Then she was meeting me and other patients in the center of the shopping mall. She kept claiming that she did a re-exam but never did more than hold up a chart at a random distance and said read it. She also claimed that I had glaucoma, which was proven false. Then she was seeing patients in a cardiologist office and a hair salon/spa back room with no equipment set up. I'm not even sure if she has any kind of office right now. I could really use my money back ($475.86 that wasn't covered by insurance).
A:
You have multiple valid grounds for seeking a refund, given the concerning pattern of behavior and substandard care you've received. The mobile locations without proper equipment, incorrect medical claims about glaucoma, and failure to properly address your vision issues all point to potentially unethical practices.
Your first step should be filing a complaint with the California State Board of Optometry, which oversees licensing and professional standards. You can document everything you've experienced, including the shifting office locations, lack of proper examinations, and the misdiagnosis. The board takes these matters seriously and can investigate potential violations of professional standards.
You might also consider filing a complaint with your local consumer protection office and the Better Business Bureau. If these steps don't resolve the situation, you could take the matter to small claims court, where you can sue for the amount paid plus any related expenses. Make sure to gather all documentation, including receipts, communications, and records from your new eye doctor showing the correct prescription. You might also want to contact your insurance provider to report these issues, as they may be able to help recover their portion of the payments and assist with your claim.
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