Clatanoff Craig Od - Rio Eye Care

If you are looking for an optometrist who will stand behind his services, go elsewhere!You need to be wealthy to deal with Rio Eyecare. I'm not. Social Security is my only income. I had been a patient there since July, 2006, and was satisfied with the treatment even though I could not afford the eyeglasses they dispense there.In December 2008, I had cataract surgery on one eye in AZ, and after I came home to NM, had a problem with swelling of the macula, which happens occasionally. The surgeon in AZ had me see my regular eye professional, which was Dr. Clatanoff at Rio Eyecare.I have had two very thorough exams since my surgery at Rio, and unfortunately didn't think to ask for an itemized statement on those exams until I had a refraction, at which time, since I paid on account they provided a statement. I am shocked to learn that they had charged for an "expanded problem focus" at $98.00 plus an office visit at $85.00, which was ok, until I noticed they charged me for TWO office visits at $85.00. When I asked why, I was told it was for "insurance purposes" and one charge was for the right eye, and one for the left eye! Even with Medicare, $170.00 for office calls (plural) adds up pretty quickly!I purchased a pair of glasses at another business, and am having some problems, and in checking out the prescription from Rio Eyecare, I noticed the prescription showed a marked improvement from the prescription a year ago, which seemed quite strange to me, as I have a cataract in the right eye also, and my vision has been getting worse in that eye every year. I doesn't seem logical that my vision is improving in that eye.Sooo...in light of the unusual improvement to my right eye indicated by his prescription, I called today to ask for five minutes with Dr. Clatanoff to question whether there had been a mistake in entering the prescription from his exam notes into the computer before I go back to the business that dispensed my new glasses. I was told that since I had purchased glasses at another business I would be charged an office visit in order to have my file checked to have them verify the prescription. The staff member I spoke was adamant! If you don't purchase their eyewear at their inflated prices, you are not allowed to have your prescription verified as to its accuracy without another $85.00 "office visit", and Dr. Clatanoff verified this policy over the phone later.The $50.00 I spent on a refraction at Rio (not covered by Medicare) is money down the drain, and so now I have an appointment with an OPTHAMOLOGIST for a refraction at a cost of only $35.00. The company I bought the glasses from said they will remake the glasses with the new prescription at no extra charge. Nice to see that SOMEONE cares about customer relations!

Posted 02/16/09 | Report Abuse

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This husband and wife team go above and beyond the call of duty. They always take great care of their customers. Always very helpful as well!

They also are kind enough to offer a family referral discount - 10% off for every friend of family member you send to them.

They easily work around your schedule!

Posted 05/02/05 | Report Abuse

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Rio Eye Care goes above and beyond. When we got my daughter's glasses, they took very good care of her and they took very good care of the glasses. They completely replaced her glasses not once, but TWICE within the first 6 months as she broke them. No questions asked, no hassle.
They offer a family referral discount - 10% off for each subsequent friend of family member you send to them.
State of the art eye care, they take most insurance and work around your schedule. It is a husband and wife team of optometrists.

Posted 04/27/05 | Report Abuse

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