Rhode Island Eye Institute

I have been going to this office for about 4 years now. The doctor I see is fantastic; no complaints at all about that. And so is the almost all the staff.
My problems lie with a few other issues:
1) Parking — terrible almost all the time. The lot is usually packed & you have to stalk for a spot.
2) Calling the office — never once have I ever called & spoken to a person. I always get voicemail. At least they usually call you back.
3) Some of the staff — I did say that ALMOST all the staff was great. There are a few that are very unpleasant, but they do at least make the effort to be polite.
4) Wait time — towards the end of the day, they tend to run 30 – 45 minutes late.
5) Free wifi doesn’t connect.
I will continue to go here because my doctor is fantastic & they always address my needs. Just wish there were fewer issues. If I were rating the doctor himself, review would be glowing!

Pretty sure you have a greater chance to find a $ 20 bill on the street than to reach RI Eye Institute over the phone… I’ve called them probably a dozen times over the last few months due to having to repeatedly reschedule my appointment. Half the time the line just rings for a bit and then disconnects. At other times you have to leave a message for them to (sometimes) call you back. I don’t understand why they can’t be reached by phone during normal business hours!
On the rare event that I did manage to talk to someone over the phone, she was extremely rude. She was disparaging about the fact that I don’t have eye insurance and berated me for not knowing the difference between optometry and ophthalmology. Ok, maybe you could help explain it instead of acting like I’m a huge burden on your day? The whole conversation really gave me a foreboding feeling about this place.
As to the actual appointment, however, everything went smoothly. Unlike others, I didn’t have to wait at all to be seen by Dr. Newman – I was probably in and out within 30 minutes (and that includes pupil dilation)! I guess I went in the middle of the day on a Friday, so that could have had something to do with it. The hygiene during the exam could have been a little bit better, but I’m not too picky so I went along with it.
Still, the employees here gave me weird vibes. None of them were outright rude (I guess the woman I spoke to over the phone had the day off…), but they certainly weren’t happy to help either. For example, there are two separate desks to check in without any explicit signage, and the woman at the first desk seemed annoyed at having to give me directions.
Overall, it’s convenient to have a full service eye clinic right in Wayland Square, but until they fix their phone system I won’t bother returning.

Let me first say, I worked here! I was hired and given my dress code. My first instinct was to run, run as fast as I could away from this place. But I needed the job. This place is worse than the DMV!!! What customer service? There is none!
Appointments:
Seeing the inner works of how horrible the staff is. How the front desk are so rude and dismissive. They double and triple book without hesitation. They do not care about the patient. The MAIN goal is to get you in the door, shuttle you from room to room to ultimately book you for surgery. $$$$$ The techs are working so hard. They do not get breaks. They are lucky to get a lunch. They are working up to 10 hours with no break. No help. They deserve all the credit for even keeping the place moving.
Surgical booking: What a joke! After sitting and seeing doctors for up to 2 hours, now you have to wait to book your surgery. This can be done over the phone. Get these poor people home.
Parking: If you have an appointment first thing in the morning or first thing after «lunch» 1:00 then you will find parking. Otherwise you will find a parking lot jammed packed. The employees have to park 2 blocks away and walk. Horrible!
If I needed to see any of these doctors I would ask for a different location than Prov. Ask for a first in the morning or first after lunch.
BRING A BOOK! BRING YOUR IPAD! BRING FOOD! You will sit for hours and wait, and wait.
The management staff are the most condescending, rude, horrible people I have ever met. I quit.

Not pleased with the customer service at this location. I had my FIRST Optometrist appointment here and within 20 minutes of arriving, I already vowed to never come back. In lieu of being called «honey» &“sweetheart” condescendingly and with a long drawn out «yeah», the ladies who work the front desk are very unwelcoming and are unbecoming to RI Eye Institute. I was told that my insurance (BCBS) was accepted here when I made my appointment (1 month prior), I filled out paperwork (they asked to be filled out/​returned before) with my *insurance* number and sent it back 3 weeks before the appointment… So upon arriving, hearing my eye exam would be $ 270+ just seemed ridiculous. If they don’t take BCBS, why didn’t they let me know when I asked OR when I sent the paperwork out??? The lady at the desk gave me a «oh yeah, sorry you drove out here!» with a fake smile and tone… I’m all set.

Called to order contact lenses at about 4:35 pm (25 minutes before they closed) and the woman who answered the phone was not helpful or friendly. It was obvious that she was rushing me off of the phone. If their phone service is this bad I don’t even want to imagine their other services! I’m keeping my eyes away from this place. Very unorganized. I went elsewhere!

There is something (very wrong) at the RI Eye (Providence location) .The women working there at the reception desk SHOULD NOT be in charge of the health and well being of others or in the business of heath care at all. I was treated horribly by this group of unhealthy minded individuals when I arrived at RI Eye (Providence) with an eye emergency. After getting several peices of debris in my eye and In extreme pain I went to the EMT’s office of the business I was at and had my eyes flushed on and off for 20 minutes. It was unsuccessful. I was in agonizing pain and having trouble seeing. So I called my eye doctors office. RI Eye (Providence). After explaining my situation to the woman who answered my call at RI Eye Prov.
I was quickly told that all of the doctors are busy and that they could not see me until tomorrow afternoon. I called back and began begging RI Eye (Providence)for help. They would not take me. Then I was told by the EMT’S who tried to help me, that I had the right to go to my eye doctor at RI Eye institute with this emergency. So I arranged transportation which was a painful struggle as my eye sight was impaired and I showed up at RI eye (Providence.) I was very clearly in so much pain as I approached the front desk but was taken back by the anger towards me and complete lack of compassion, professionalism. I was told «your gonna have to wait, take a seat» as the woman slammed something on the desk and turned her back on me to whisper to the others. And wait I did! From 3:30 to approx 4:50 as regular patients went in to be seen one after another. At approx 4:00 my ride had to leave me to pick up children. I was now alone in agonizing pain shifting in my seat trying to stop the fluid pouring from my eyes and nose hoping I wouldn’t lose my eyesight hoping for help for the pain I was in. Some of the women at the desk looked at me and whispered to one another each time I struggled over to their counter to get tissues. Not at any time was my pain assessed. In fact from 3:30 to approx 4:45 no one spoke to me at all after I was told «your gonna have to wait take a seat» And to think I pay over $ 12,000 annully out of pocket for heath ins. It’s scary times when your health is at the mercy of a group of such mentally unhealthy downright cruel people.

My review is of the Providence location. I have been 5 times, once for consultation, then a surgery, and 3 follow up appointments. All of my appointments were with Dr. Hoffman. I am not sure what everyone’s parking issues are but we parked in the parking lot and walked approximately 10 feet or less to the door.
The wait was very long, It was more than an hour and a half after my appointment time had passed when they finally called my name, and it was not even to see the doctor it was just to go to another waiting room. Finally 2 hours and 20 minutes past my appointment time I had my consultation. They are so over booked. I know some places double book but there were 4 patients in the waiting room with me all to see the same doctor who all said they had my same appointment time. The doctor was very rushed since he was so far behind, but he did answer my questions and assure me that there was not anything seriously wrong with my eye (I had feared a tumor) I scheduled my surgery for the following month.
At my surgery appointment again there was no trouble parking right outside the door. The doctor was late again but this time I waited maybe a half hour past my appointment time. My surgery went well with no complications or infections however it took 3 hours to get my pain medication prescription filled afterwards because Dr. Hoffman did not write the strength or dosage on the prescription, only the medication. The pharmacy called the eye institute several times and so did my husband but could not get Dr. Hoffman or his assistant on the phone. Eventually someone did return a call to the pharmacy and finally my prescription was filled.
I returned a week later for my first follow up and this time had an early morning appointment. My wait time was less than 20 minutes so I would advise you if possible take the early morning appointments they are not so crowded and over booked.
I returned again 2 weeks later and 1 month later at which time Dr. Hoffman said I did not have to return, I had healed well and just call if I had any problems. The wait time was shorter again for the early morning appointments. I am pleased with my surgery results but for basic eye care/​eye exams and glasses It is easier to go where there is less waiting.

I was seen by Dr. Perlman for an intraocular lens implant consultation. The facility consists of many ophthalmologists and therefore sees at least hundreds of patients per day. I felt that the overall experience with Dr. Perlman was ok. He did seem a little rushed though. HERE IS MY MAJOR CONCERN!
He put my contact lens in my right eye because I am totally/​legally blind without them and cannot do it my self when both contact lenses are removed. Dr. Perlman did not wash his hands prior to inserting my contact lens in. I was a little concerned at the time but didn’t think about it too much. I was seen on 1÷30÷2015. On 2÷4÷2015 I awoke with a crusted, purulent red eye i.e.; viral conjunctivitis. My eyes are constantly producing discharge and infiltrates on the corneal surface. It is now 2÷16÷2015. I am no better and have been treated by another doctor since this first occurred. I have been told it has to run its course due to the viral component. I am now out of work due to the contagious nature of the infection and basically prisoned inside my own home. It looks like this infection can last up to a month. In summary I am almost 100% positive that I caught this infection from either Dr. Perlman’s lack of proper hand hygiene and/​or lack of proper infection control methods including disinfecting equipment. Due to the lack of proper disinfecting procedures hand hygiene etiquette I feel the need to warn others who are contemplating visiting RI Eye Institute which is where this all took place (Providence). I am utterly disgusted.

I have the bad fortune to take my mother here for her eye care visits. The parking lot is a disaster, with me often having to park blocks away. It seems like they care more about their bottom line than they do their patients because they are often double or triple booked. Just horrible. She had her appointment at 10:30am today and didn’t get seen until Noon.

I had PRK on both of my eyes in December/​January, 2014. Dr. Perlman performed the procedure. I booked him through QualSight LASIK and was able to get a discount on the procedure. Dr. Perlman also came recommended to me by several colleagues. I now have ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision in my right eye and ²⁵⁄₂₀ vision in my left eye. I am happy.
The office is very busy but the staff do work hard to schedule timely appointments. Dr. Perlman himself has a «no nonsense”/ efficient bedside manner. He has wonderful assistants supporting him. I would use him again.

Didn’t even get as far as making the appointment. Was on hold for 20 minutes just trying to make an appointment. Someone picked up, said, «Please hold,» and hung up on me. Called back. 15 minutes later, got someone, «please hold,» 5 minutes later, I asked if it is always like this, and she said, «yes.» If this is what it is like just to MAKE the appointment, I don’t think I’m even going to try…

Oy veh. They overcrowd their schedule intentionally. I’m sitting here for 1.5 hours and I still have not seen the doctor. The wait room is constantly packed, and it’s a big place. The parking lot is overcrowded, and senior citizens cannot get in easily (that’s not me, but I see many of them here.) The recommendation? Find some other place to get your eye care!

It may be that the Eye Inst is too big. 2^nd time in a row they messed up my appointment, and they blame me. I recall the phone conversation setting the time of my appt. Upon arrival, they claimed I was 1 ½ hrs late. And a second person admonished me. Plus, a 12 min wait in line to check in.

This is a review of the Wakefield office: TERRIBLE!!! I was a long time patient of Dr. Coughlins in Wickford and sadly he retired this past January. I had a simple annual eye exam scheduled and it took 2 HOURS!!! I was seen by their «retina specialist» who seemed very uninterested in my visit. He stated I didn’t need to see him in the future and said a general eye doctor would be fine. OK, your lack of interest in my eye exam will be your last eye exam you will ever do on me. The guy did not even introduce himself, another rude and aloof doctor in our failing health care system.
When I finally was ready to leave and shown where I could make a follow up appointment and pay my co-​pay I was rudely told to put the paper on the desk and they would call me later to make an appointment and arrange for billing. I said I’d rather pay now, she said I can’t stay past 5:30 I have to clock out or I’ll get in big trouble. Very unpleasant experience.
The buying out and consolidating of medical practices has been another example of our failing health care system. It was a great office/​practice that was in Wickford for many years, sadly this new approach is failing miserably!
Steer clear of this place, it’s a factory mentality.

Bad. No parking. I had to park 2 blocks away. Dr Newman is awful.

I needed to get an eye exam so I called today to schedule one. I was unable to book one until March. The woman on the phone seemed completely unsympathetic and confused by my question when I asked if they had anything sooner. Note that I have been a patient here for many years. I decided not to book an appointment and once I hung up my colleague handed me a business card for Strand Optical. I called Strand Optical and I have an appointment for this Saturday at 9:30am. I will never be back to Rhode Island Eye Institute, they are obviously not in need of my business anyway!

I had a great experience here. I had spent a Friday feeling like I had an eyelash in my eye all day. After trying all kinds of home-​care, I woke up Saturday morning with no improvement. Although I had never been to the office before, the receptionist was able to make me an emergency appointment and I walked over minutes after speaking with them. I did have to wait for a while, but that is to be expected if you’re going to walk in on such short notice!
Everyone was very friendly and professional. They took a very thorough history. When Dr. Newton came in to see me, he very quickly figured out that the reason my eye was still irritated was that there was something stuck in my cornea! He removed it very quickly and efficiently and was very reassuring — I was totally grossed out by the idea that there was something *in my eye*!
By the time I left the office I felt almost 100% better. I was really grateful that they were able to fit me in so quickly and solve a problem that otherwise would have landed me in the ER, or waiting all weekend for an appointment!

I needed a copy of my glasses prescription. I explained my situation and that I was overseas and I really needed my prescription and the lady refused to give it to me and then she hung up on me… So much for being professional…

Dr. Perlman performed lasic eye surgery on my right eye in 2007. The surgery was done in a lasic surgery center on Orms Street. When I went back a day or two later for a check up, he proceeded to yell at me because I couldn’t see well out of the eye. I brought my husband to subsequent appointments to avoid more verbal abuse.
Four years later and with visits to numerous eye specialists, including Mass Eye and Ear Institute, it has been confirmed that irrepairable damage has been done to my eye. The only way to correct my vision is to wear a custom made hard/​soft contact lense. When I wear my glasses, the vision in my right eye is not correctable so my right eye only sees blurry images.
During one of my post surgery visits to his office, his assistant informed me that out of 15 patients treated the same day as I, 6 had surgery problems. Additional surgeries were performed on those patients and luckily all were finally repaired.
He did not offer any apology for the permanent damage he caused to my right eye. He sent me to an optometrist so a contact could be made to try to correct my vision. The optometrist told me that Dr. Perlman was paying for 2 contacts for the damaged eye (a one year supply) and for a 3 month supply of contacts for the undamaged eye. That now «made him square with me.»
The damage to my right eye is permanent and irreversible. My only chance to regain correctable sight in the eye is with a corneal transplant. Needless to say, I will live with the injury rather than risk further eye surgery.