Illinois Eye Institute

Such a shame on several levels … Shame that disenfranchised folks are mistreated.
Shame that resources in your own community are handled by outsiders rather than people who look like, understand and respect you. Shame that no one with real authority at this place, once a model facility, will take note of the increasingly poor Unilocal (and other) reviews.
I had a fantastic examination. Both the assistant and the MD were not only thorough in their competence but respectful in their manner. They spoke to me with intelligence and compassion. They did not overly presume familiarity but we’re also graceful and humorous.
When I went downstairs to choose glasses, that’s when the disappointment set in. I won’t go through all the iterations of poor customer service and outright disrespect but note that everyone in that place on the first floor should be replaced. It appears no one engages new customers, explains the process or anything. I wandered in to the section and the staff was gathered in laughter and socializing. Not one person said «Hello,» or asked if I needed help. At the end, not only had I been disappointed in the frame choices allowed by my insurer but the general lack of business protocol. Far too laid back. And the final guy I saw was quite snappy in his cast, did not ask me comprehensive questions and rushed me through his process.
There was a time I knew the leadership of this establishment and a well-​placed phone call would suffice. Not too far off today.
Finally, while registering, I noticed the clerks had a plaque signed by Aida Giachello. Has the Illinois Eye Institute not also been recognized — after all of these years — by any of the local community groups, elected officials, etc? Can they have plaques placed on the wall at registration to bear witness to the community in which the entity operates? The people who have historically lived in Bronzeville are not represented in the leadership or faculty. Does that just happen? Ten years ago, this was not the case. No Black physicians anymore while, though noticeably replaced, clearly half the patients I recently saw at the facility were still of African descent?

Only have been there one time. Was satisfied with the services there, but am appalled at some of the reviews on Unilocal.Will proceed with caution.

I can’t even get a decent person to answer the phone. I called and was told I was third in the cue, 25 minutes later a really nasty woman answers the phone as if I’m bugging her. She asks me my name, address and insurance puts me on hold for another 5 minutes. Asks me if I want day or evening. I say first available and then I say I want an exam for contact lenses. Then she says. Oh well that makes a big difference, I’ll have to transfer you to that department. She transferred me to any answering machine. This was on day 2 of me trying to make an appointment. I have no idea about their service but from the two days of trying to make an appointment, I’d rather have Stevie Wonder check my eyes than anything or anyone at the Illinois Eye Institute. Unprofessionalism at its best.

My daughter and I have been patients of the Illinois Eye Institute for years. You are seen by very personable optometry students. It is always a thorough examination that is followed up by the main optometrist. Adults can expect to be there for a few hours while the pediatric center is quicker. The only thing I can’t speak on is the eyewear center. Last time I heard, the center is months behind on prescription lenses so I don’t bother.

On January 9, 2015 I walked in at 9:28 in the morning. My sons vision therapy appointment is at 9:45. I asked security if I can go through since there was a line were you check in. He said no that I have to wait in line. I let him know that all they would give me is a sticker. He said no that they will check me in.
Now why do I have to wait in line for a sticker. This is annoying since I have to be here every week. One time my son waited 20 minutes for a sticker and he was late for his appointment. Besides the long wait when you have an eye appointment. There are 10 minutes or more added for the sticker.
As I am sitting at pediatrics a father is upset because nobody called him that his insurance was not accepted. I bet he is more upset that he waited in the front line for 10 minutes or more for a sticker. Just to come into pediatrics and told his insurance is not accepted.
If you are going to certain departments in this clinic you have to wait in front for a sticker. Pediatrics is one of them. I know there is a better process that can be implemented.

Great first time experience here. didn’t have to wait to be seen and the front desk women move fast and very friendly. They are very knowledgeable and very helpful.

Ive been coming here for 46 years. They still have every record. Its the most comprehensive eye care visit in the country. Thank God for the Eye Institute.

I had the most comprehensive eye exam I ever had. 3 appointments later and I was done. I needed glasses, the only Issue I have is waiting for 11 + months months for glasses. I had ordered my pair late Feb. I called mid November they still are waiting for them to get In. I have the eye measurements and going to buy a pair off the Internet and get it much faster. But all and all great customer service.

Can someone recommend a good alternative? Still dealing with incompetent staff… shame on me. Called the week of Sept 28^th to schedule an appointment with the general number and was told they didn’t see any scheduled time for either of the doctors I have seen in the Cornea Unit so transferred me there. I got voicemail and left a message… not return call. All last week I tried to call and while it would have been during business hours the message said no one was available… not that they were closed just not available. I found out from another source they were closed last week thru Monday. I called today to book an appointment with one of the Drs I have seen in the past who only both work 1 night a week, the same night. While I repeatedly said I needed an end of day appointment they kept suggesting morning hours. Apparently hearing is an issue there. So now I have to wait until Nov 30^th to see yet another Doctor. Again shame on me… in need of a recommendation.

I think the quality of care here is «good.» However, I had a 10 a. m appointment for an eye exam and was going to pick out frames after as well. Being my usual Type A self, I arrived extra early at 9:15 a. m, quickly checked in and was connected with a student doctor almost immediately. The check-​in line moves very fast. Don’t be discouraged when you arrive in the lobby and the line is 10 people deep. I swear, it moved quickly! Afterwards, I sat through an hour and 20 min eye exam. That’s right. The exam lasted from 9:40−11 a. m and my eyes had not even been dilated at that point! It was incredibly slow moving. The young student doctor was very sweet but very slow. I’m actually a teacher so as you can imagine, I’m very supportive of all students and encourage teachable moments whenever possible. However, I unfortunately had to get up and draw the line by 11 a. m and cut that exam short. I had to be at work by noon. I thought arriving by 9:15 would be a sufficient amount of time to accomplish an exam and a glasses order but I was very wrong. I’ll have to come back for glasses in a separate visit. Such a shame since that was the main purpose for my visit. Minus my eyes being dilated, the doctor very reluctantly handed over my glasses prescription at the end of this visit. I had been extremely patient and I wanted my prescription. I had to be persistent in order to receive it. They were not thrilled that I refused to stay longer for the dilation.
Beware: take the entire day off from work if you have an appt here. You’ll need every minute. It’s quite a tour.

The 1^st visit was May of 2014. The contacts were not delivered until February of 2015. This took multiple visit to get the fit correct, the prescription correct, etc. I understand that this is a teaching hospital. More than willing to be used by these future students to get it right. When an error is made, I would expect that I do not have to pay for that visit. This did not happen. I was charge for office visits that were because of errors within the office. Wrong fit, wrong, script, contacts made incorrectly at the manufacturer. I realize that some of these were not the office’s fault, but they were certainly not my fault.
The timeliness between appointments due to them being busy is a tad ridiculous as well. When I show up for an appointment at 10 am, why do I have to wait until noon to get into a room and then another 60 – 90 minutes to complete the appointment. If the appointment is at noon, please make it for noon.
If I can avoid this place, I certainly will seek other avenues to get my vision worked on

After having an eye exam at an eye boutique, I felt like I needed more of a extensive exam. I contacted my childhood optometrist who I used to see at the Illinois Eye Institute. She got me in touch with a former colleague of hers who helped me set up an appointment.
Thus far I’ve been there several times and have another appointment scheduled. My initial appointment lasted several hours (2 – 3). It was the most thorough exam I’ve had since I was a child. Some of the testing that was done I hadn’t done or don’t recall ever being done. I got an explanation of issues regarding my eyes, some of which I’d never heard before (having lifelong vision problems it was surprising to hear).
The professor and residents who worked with me were all very nice, professional and appeared to very knowledgeable. The main resident I saw has followed up regarding scheduling the follow-​up appointments. I’ll definitely return.

I’ve been going here for the past 5yrs ad I’ve enjoyed every appointment I’ve had.

i trust IEI, i only wish customer service were of better quality. long waits are usually overlooked because the doctors and students are always wonderful. staff on the other hand is a different story.

Neighborhood meeting space, good seating and AV.

students and staff were great!!! unfortunately, i will not be returning after today.
my appointment was at 5:15. i was called back at 5:40, first no no. extremely unacceptable but not out of the norm. since when did picking up contact lens become a more lengthier process than an eye exam? after sitting in an office with a student, i was told an hour before seeing the dr or reschedule. i really can’t afford to reschedule nor wait an additional hour. not to mention, i already paid money for the lens. i had no choice but to reschedule. then comes another bombshell from the supervisor on duty, if you don’t wait the hour you will not be able to reschedule until jan 7, 2013. excuse me, because you all are behind schedule i have to either wait or wait even longer (a month) before i can get something i already paid for. my lens are being held hostage. have any of you ever heard of double booking, over book or something.
i am livid!!! excuse me for having keratoconus and needing special contact lens. never again!!!
oh and i am still without my contact lens. thank heavens for glasses. situation remains unsolved.

Disclaimer: Did not have exam done here
With that said, we were referred here to have glasses purchased for my 15 month old daughter. My wife and I work in the healthcare field, so we understand that this place is a teaching institution and that things can happen.
The reason I give it one star is that on the day of picking out glasses the person helping us had little interest in our concerns or questions regarding glasses for such a young child, and the fitting was hastily done, which in the end resulted in glasses that were too big for her face. When this was mentioned when we picked them up, our concerns were brushed off, and since our daughter wouldn’t wear them right away for more than 3 seconds, we had no idea how big they really were.
now a few weeks later it is very clear and we will be returning to have them properly ordered. Overall it has been a big hassle, which could have been avoided if the staff in the retail section had any concern for the people they are helping, particularly in regards to such a small child

The husband and I both receive eye care here through our HMO.
The Advanced Care Unit (for complications) is terrific with highly experienced attendings supervising the students.
The regular care is also excellent.
You’re examined by a student, then the attending examines you and verifies the findings of the students.
An exam with dilation takes 3 – 4 hours which is the normal amount of time for this type of exam in most places. A thorough exam by 2 people with time for the eye drops to take effect takes time. You want a thorough exam, not a rushed haphazard disaster. You are there for your eyesight, not a meal.
I haven’t used their eye glasses services.
The reception staff and appointment staff are very organized and professional.
24 Hour Emergency Phone service is available.
I dislike their push x for this answering system immensely!

Go here if:
1) You have ~3 hours to spare (as another reviewer noted, this isn’t downtime)
2) You want an eyeglass prescription to use anywhere but no glasses/​contacts upsell.
I had a fine experience at the IEI. Both students I dealt with were very capable and courteous, and their work was checked by a real O.D.
If you get the full exam, be sure to bring sunglasses, because post-​dilation, stuff looks BRIGHT. Ow.

This is a great place to come for an eye exam. 5 stars for the doctors and students! The students do a very thorough job, and everyone is quite pleasant. It did take almost 2 hours though, so make sure you leave enough time.
Purchasing glasses here isn’t nearly as great as getting an eye exam, hence the 3 star rating. It took an hour for me to choose my glasses, be helped, double check everything. Then to be told at the end that my insurance would not cover the glasses because the prescription is too low. If the doctor thought glasses would help me see while driving, why didn’t the insurance company? Who do I pay for eye insurance if they are going to deny me glasses? (But that is a complaint for VSP insurance, not Illinois Eye Institute.)
This would have been an okay experience except for the amount of time it took at the end. However, this means this would be a terrible place to bring children. I was there over 3 hours, which was the limit of my patience, and I think that would be way too much time for children to sit around.