Bard Optical

I wanted to write a review to let others know about my recent experiences with Bard Optical in Sterling Illinois. I recently changed jobs and consequently my insurance provider changed as well, my previous eye doctor was no longer covered so I searched for a new provider and ended up at Bard Optical.



When I called and set up the appointment I wasn’t told to bring anything but my insurance card and photo id. I brought my contact boxes with just in case they needed to see them, good thing because and the whole appointment would have been pointless had I not brought the contacts boxes. Even with the boxes the doctor could not figure out how to enter them into the computer system, after 5 minutes of her talking to herself she asked me to sit in the waiting room/sales floor for another 10 minutes while she tried to figure it out.



Finally she figured out how to enter the prescription into the computer and let me back into the exam room. As if I wasn’t already unimpressed with the professionalism I was mortified when the doctor dilated my eyes and literally had her face touching my check when she looked at my eyes and I couldn’t barely breathe due to the stink of cigarette smoke. I understand the doctor needs to be uncomfortably close but I was disappointed because of the stench of cigarette on her clothes and breathe, almost to the point I had to ask her to back up and end the appointment. I am not a smoker and have no toleration for smokers, let alone a doctor who should be professional. The appointment ended quickly after and I was told I would have to wait until Monday to order the contacts because they were unsure on how to order and pricing.



I was contacted the following Monday and for the first time throughout my experience was impressed with her professionalism. This quickly faded when I called today to order the contacts. I ordered with August who asked me what brand the contacts were and if I knew how much they cost since they are custom and he didn’t know. I was caught off guard, this is their job not mine correct? After I told him they were two fifty a box he responded $2.50/box, does this make any sense at all? I have never heard of boxes of contacts costing $5 for 4 pairs. After I clarified $250/box he told me the total price and demanded a card to pay for the contacts. I questioned the $500+ that he wanted to charge me and asked what insurance had covered. He didn’t have any idea and once again asked me to tell him what my insurance covered, then quickly told me he would have to call me back. Five minutes later August called me back and once again gave me an incorrect price, which I questioned once again. Finally I believe the price was correct and I paid half over the phone, the other half to be paid upon pickup and quickly ended the conversation.



Overall I have been beyond disappointed in Bard Optical and the professionalism of the staff including the doctors. I hate to write reviews like this but prospective customers deserve to know what they are paying for and what they can expect to experience. Once I receive my contacts I will never be back to Bard Optical. I hope this reviews can help others so that they don’t have to experience the same situations and disappointments.