Calgary Retina Consultants

After five visits (more yet to come), I feel such disgust for this office. Every visit (except for the surgery itself) was four hours long. They have NO regard for anyone's time. One or two long visits is one thing, but to have each one filled with three to four hours of sitting and waiting with 30 - 50ish minutes of actual testing and doctor consultation, is just rude and inconsiderate. I wish that something more could be done, other than just writing a review. Had we known that we would be so de-valued for so long, we would never have come here. And yes, I would take away the one star too if I could.

I want to rate this by department..

1-2 Starts: Reception Staff - When calling to book an appointment, it felt as if I was putting her off by talking to me. Rude, non-empathetic, and had to repeat myself numerous times in order to get the information through. Yes the wait time is long, this could be managed slightly better, not their fault.

3-4 stars: Doctor - I believe I saw Dr. Fielding (??) and he was pleasant enough, though rushed in and out as if channelling Kramer from Seinfeld. He explained my diagnosis hurriedly though answered all questions thoroughly.

5+ stars: Nurses and Behind the Scenes Staff - Excellent!!. When I had to have an injection in my eye (yes into the white part) they were so understanding of my anxiety and really reduced my stress level. Explained everything that was going to happen calmly and clearly.

EDIT NOV 6/17..
Changed from 3 to 1 starts. Just can't get past the front end staff who don't even acknowledge your presence when you arrive.. they are rude and condescending..
AND now you have to pay to park..

I have been going to dr. Fielden now for two years or so. I was/am getting monthly injection in my eyes, and sometimes lasered. Great staff, dr. Fielden is so thorough and sharp. Wait times occur with difficult cases or having to wait for eyes to react to meds, drops etc... for me, i am in and out of there very quickly! Sometimes only 20 minutes tops!

Have been going to see Dr. Kherani for over 10 years now. Cannot say enough good things about him, very compassionate, caring, is willing to do anything for his patients and listens to his patients and their family's concerns. Staff are friendly and nice, wait times can be long but he is worth the wait.

Terrible customer service. I was never able to see an ophthalmologist at this centre, due to the poor customer service I experienced. I had an urgent referral from my optometrist. The office never bothered to get back to either myself or my optometrist. After waiting for 2 days for a response, both the optometrist's office and I each spent hours on the phone with them over the course of 3 days (during which time I developed more symptoms), before I finally reached Cathy, the referral coordinator, who notified me that the specialist had decided I did not need to be seen on urgent basis and could be seen as needed. I notified her of my worsening symptoms (being that it is now "needed") and put her in touch with my optometrist, who also insisted that I needed an urgent referral. Cathy was very unreasonable on the phone, then said she would get back to me, It is now a full week later and I never heard back from them. Thankfully, my optometrist was able to refer me elsewhere.

Let me start off by saying that I would give TEN stars if I could!

We Southern Albertans are so incredibly fortunate to have the Southern Alberta Eye Centre in Calgary. The founders and attending doctors have a "vision" of what should be in place in every major centre in Canada. This is a beautiful "state of the art" clinic - everything is spotless and very well organized. The availability of parking and access to the C train is a plus!

My husband and I have the good fortune of being patients of Calgary Retinal Consultants. Not necessarily "good fortune" from the perspective of requiring retinal care for a few different issues, but from being able to be treated here! From the time one calls in for an appointment to completion of services, there is an emphasis on the provision of excellent medical care. The front end personnel really listen to patients' concerns, ask good questions and take excellent notes to allow for triage. And ... they get back to the patient when they say that they will. At the time of the appointment, the clinical staff are polite, professional and strive to answer questions and provide information in a calm and supportive manner. Eye issues typically cause people to be frightened and concerned ... the staff's empathy and kindness are so welcome.

Now about the doctors - wow! We both can honestly say that we have such total confidence in our doctors - Dr. Williams, Dr. Ells and Dr. Kherani and for good reason. We've never been steered wrong and we've always had the very BEST of care.

Some patients have complained online about wait times. This should be looked at from a different perspective. First of all, proper eye dilation takes time and can vary from patient to patient. This is built into the patient's waiting time. Also, eye emergencies often can and do present and one must remember that should s/he become an emergency, they will be triaged and treated on an emergency basis as per the clinical decision of the doctors. If you have to wait, there is a lovely coffee shop downstairs - go and have a tea and relax. I suggest you bring an Ipod or Ipad, rest your eyes and sit back and breathe. Don't think about the wait - for sure you will be seen in a timely fashion.

Finally, this has to be said: It is so convenient to come to Calgary Retinal Consultants and be able to receive diagnostic and surgical services in one facility . One has only to have experienced being bounced back and forth from an office to the hospital to know this. This is where a lot of waiting and issues with continuity of care can occur with resultant angst.

Thank you again SAEC and Calgary Retinal Consultants - we are forever grateful.

I'm very mixed on how I feel...Dr Kerhani is very good and very thorough. When I first had an appt I felt rushed (even tho I was there 4 hours) and felt a little in the dark about my issues. That aspect has improved and I really like Dr Kerhani and trust him. I agree with ppl about the front desk staff. They are generally very rude on the phone. One lady in particular is extremely rude, pushy, and uncooperative. One time, they took the liberty of changing my appointment without consulting with me. I was unable to accommodate the change they wanted to make and I was literally told in a roundabout way that I was being selfish, and inconveniencing another patient. The appointment that I had, I had booked several weeks prior. I forgot to talk to Dr Kherani about that experience… I really should have.

Took my grandmother in multiple times and on most (if not all) occasions the main reception girls were not over friendly. Seriously, if you don't like dealing with customers may I suggest getting a different job. You are then plopped into one of the large waiting rooms. When your name is finally called, these large "barn like doors" open for you to get herded into another room, then only to be put into another large waiting room to get called once again into another room then put back into the waiting room to get put into ANOTHER room to finally see the doctor!! Expect to wait 2-3 hrs every time you visit

We felt like a herd of cattle. Yes, the doctors have lot's of fancy qualifications behind their names but ever since my grandmother has received "treatment" her eyes have gotten worse. Way worse. We have mentioned that, but they just blow it off and say the x-rays look fine. I'm not an eye doctor, but anyone can tell that my grandmothers eyes are not fine. Very frustrating and we have made arrangements with our family doctor to see another clinic. I'm not taking my grandmother back to this place ever.

I have had 2 surgeries here due to retinal tears. The staff and doctors have been outstanding. I recently had to have a emergency surgery and without an appointment I was in and out in 2 hours and comfortably resting back home.

The waits are longer than your average doctor visit because of the drops you have to have in your eyes. I have seen 7 opthamoligists now due to moving cities over the years and this is nothing new. The people that have given bad reviews because of this need to give their heads a shake. Opthamology appts are typically 1-2 hours minimum.

The staff is great and so are the doctors. You are in good hands here.