Pearle Vision

This review is for the optometry office at this Pearle Vision Location. I recently had an appointment for a Major Eye Exam ($ 90) with Dr. Sarai. I have had good experiences with other Pearle Vision optometry practices, although I am aware that each is independently operated. I decided to use this Pearle location for the first time because of the convenient location and the flexible appointment times.
I initially made an appointment on line for a convenient time and received an email confirmation. So far, so good. A few days later, I received both a voicemail and an email to cancel the appointment because the office wasn’t going to be open that day after all. Annoying? Yes. Indicative that this is some kind of stitched-​together operation with several optometrists who just show up when they don’t have anything better to do? Seems like it. I should have taken this as a sign.
Instead, I rescheduled an appointment for a less-​convenient time (it seemed like very few were available at this point, but I was on my last pair of contacts). I received an email confirmation. Then, a few days before the appointment, I received an email reminder and a phone call to confirm. I was starting to get the idea that they’re used to no-​shows; fair enough. The cost of the eye exam was disclosed at this point.
On the day of my appointment, I arrived at this tiny office in the mall. The receptionist (maybe it was her first day?) was not terribly professional and giggled a lot (not inspiring). She didn’t seem to know anything and couldn’t answer any questions. Unfortunately, she was also the person doing the initial computer-​based measurement and glaucoma test. She wasn’t inclined to give a lot of instructions and what she did say was inaudible as she was very soft-​spoken. At other centres, I’ve had this portion completed by the optometrist.
On to the optometrist herself. She was friendly enough and her appearance was professional. She did a standard eye exam that seemed okay and provided me with a slightly changed prescription. When I had to take my contacts out, she asked if I had a case and solution; I hadn’t brought any because this had been provided at all of my previous exams. Instead of the customary (as far as I know) trial pair of lenses, she gave me one (close to my prescription) because I mentioned that the lens was scratchy and I was on my last pair. She asked if she could dilate my eyes and told me that I had to avoid driving for several hours; as I hadn’t been informed about this part of the exam (it hadn’t been an annual thing at my previous location) and couldn’t wait around the mall for three hours, I declined. She did offer that I could come back for this part as it was included, although as she only works two half-​days per week and I had to see her, this wasn’t likely to work for me. She made a vague comment about how online contact lens services are «unregulated».
I got home and was about to order my lenses online (I’ve done this without problem many times and it’s more convenient than ordering through the optometrist). MY PRESCRIPTION WAS INCORRECT. As in, she prescribed a specific contact lens in a cylinder size that is not available for that lens. This happens, and I believe optometrists just select one cylinder size larger or smaller. However, I have no idea if smaller or larger is better or if it’s unique to me. So I called back. I left two messages and my call was not returned until ten days after the appointment, at which time I had already ordered my lenses (judging the cylinder from my last prescription). I received a message from the receptionist stating that they had been closed and inviting me to call back if I still needed info. Ridiculous.
Pros: I doubt I’ll catch an evil disease because the place was reasonably clean. The optometrist appeared to be actually trained in eye care.
Cons: Incredibly unprofessional, not focused on client care at all, and wrong prescription.