Warlen Mark E MD

I can see the charm of the old house, the kindly older doctor, the big porch out front … but my experience with this entire office, the doctor and staff, was not at all charming.
I was referred by my primary care for Dr Warlan to check me for signs of retinal separation after I started to see floaters. I was brought into a room ½ hour late … not atypical for doctors. But then as soon as the assistant had done some preliminary tests, I was asked to clear the room and wait up front for another 45 minutes. When I did see the doctor, he kept rushing in and out. When I tried to explain how the problem had developed, he gave me the old «yeah, yeah, yeah» meaning, time is money buddy and I don’t have time for small talk. I heard another patient complaining in the hallway that he was giving her short shrift as well. The appointment ended with a referral to a retinal surgeon for confirmation of his diagnosis … so fine.
So then I thought I’d go back and get a prescription for new lenses. I asked if, while I was there, the Dr could check my other eye which had started to have floaters too. This time, I was at the office for more than 2 hours and saw the doctor for no more than 10 minutes of that time. In the end, they never gave me a test for new lenses. He referred me to a retina expert again and, when I asked why I didn’t get an eye exam for new lenses, he told the nurse to schedule me for a new appointment for lenses at no cost.
So, third times a charm? Not so much. His staff called twice and reminded me to bring my old lense prescription, but I couldn’t find it. No biggie, right? He’s an opthamologist. I’m sure they can prescribe lenses without a previous prescription. But when I got in, first question was, «so you brought your old prescription, right?» When I said no, they gave each other the knowing looks, and then explained, «well, that’s going to be a lot more expensive for you.» Um, excuse me? How’s that?
Oh, well if we have to start from scratch, that’s $ 300 because … wait for it … that’s a lot of «chair time.» I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing. «Wait, you have different prices based on whether you need to determine my prescription or if you can just work off of the work of another optometrist?» Not just different prices – astronomically different prices. CHAIR TIME PEOPLE!
So I told her I wasn’t interested in paying a premium just because they’d have to actually determine my prescription instead of using another doctor’s results. She suggested I leave because, and I quote, she was feeling a «bad vibe» from me. I told her there was no vibe, I just didn’t want to pay a premium because they’d actually have to figure out a prescription for me. She suggested I just leave then. Frustrating, but I did because I had that feeling you get when you walk into a hairdresser and see the person who’s about to cut your hair has a terrible haircut … better just to walk away.
So for a cup of coffee on the porch and a nice afternoon of «Gee whiz, it’s the 50s again,» yeah. For efficient and professional eye care from a doctor who takes his time with you. You’ll get a better experience at Costco.
And I’m just guessing … they won’t have a different price if you don’t come in with someone else’s prescription in your hand.

My husband has been coming to this office for 31 years. The girls at the front desk have watched him grow up and are seeing our kids grow up. It is a cute little house converted into an office, so it might seem a little out of place on a quiet residential street.
Dr. Warlen is very nice and very thorough. He tells you what to expect to see or feel while doing a test so you’re not freaking out about the milky vision you experience.
Leah, is super nice and so funny! I just adored her! Let’s be honest, every single person I interacted with was super sweet. I think I got special treatment since my husband has been coming there so long (read: I felt like part of the family).
The place is quite dated. It definitely needs a little sprucing up. I do however like that you don’t feel like you’re walking in to some crazy expensive, high end office. You don’t need all the bells and whistles to impress, just a friendly staff.

This is an «old school» style office, with a staff that cares about their patients.
I was referred to Dr Warlen a few months ago by a doctor at Scripps. I had a chalazion in my eye I wanted removed, and referred as one of the best «ophthalmologist» in the area to do this.
After seeing Dr Warlen, he advised against surgery and asked me to give it more time with a hot compress. While this took a few months to resolve itself (as chalazion are apparently prone to do) this healed without surgery.
Dr Warlen’s office asked if I’d do this year’s eye exam at their office, and after my previous time with them it seemed like the right thing to do. Work has been hectic, and they were SUPER FLEXIBLE and worked with me to move my appointment around my busy schedule (even when given minimum notice). A+ for this!
Why not 5-​stars? Note that I said «old school» office at the start of this review. The staff and patients here are a bit older. I don’t suspect I’ll ever get an email or text from Dr Warlen’s staff… but instead I’ll get an actual letter or phone call. If you’re looking for a modern office, this one isn’t for you!

Dr Warlen and his staff are wonderful and very helpful. They make you feel very important. I had been to another Ophthalmologist prior to seeing Dr Warlen and told my primary physician that «the other doctor would never operate on me and would not refer anyone to him» I asked her to refer me to another doctor and she referred me to Dr Warlen and I am so very happy.
Dianne Miller