Gulf Coast Eye Institute

"Take a lunch or dinner if you have an appointment. Expect to spend minimum 3 hours to see the doctor."

"I've been a patient for over 7 years at the Ed Carey office in Harlingen. Doctors are very nice and professional as are the staff members that have worked with me. However, their phone system is horrible. No one answers any of the extensions and the calls are forwarded to a call center - what a joke! Try making an appointment or getting a prescription refill authorized - nearly impossible. Even the several managers they have had at this location give my their phone extensions and they too are not answered. Very poor management! Great doctors, great staff - poor management!"

"I had my annual eye exam in October and was told I might have glaucoma. I set up another eye exam and was told by the doctor there was no glaucoma and didn’t know why they scheduled an appointment. I received my glasses prescription but it didn’t feel right and I told them so. I was encouraged to keep them and “try them out”. This was mid November before the holiday season and I kept trying them on and off but I could not get used to them. During the rush of the holidays I didn’t call back until today. I was chastised for not coming sooner and was told it was my fault for not going back and there was nothing they could do. Well, thanks for nothing! I’m out 2 copays and glasses! So now I’m looking for another doctor to start all over again. Would not recommend because the practice is huge and just feels like a clinic. To be honest just a little kindness and politeness would have gone a long way."

"I was five minutes late, arriving at 11:05. due do delays at a medical appointment scheduled for an hour and a half earlier. I waited half an hour and then was called in for a refractive examination including , dilation drops, and scanning my retinas. Then I was escorted into the dilation room before noon and spent a very long time there, reading and catching up on sleep. An assistant called me in for my appointment with Dr. Gonzalez at about 1:30. The examination led to a plan for some work to solve my problem. At about 2pm I left, new appointment in hand. All personnel were respectful and polite. The only downside is one common to many medical practices. I spent three hours for two twenty minute examinations and the time required for dilation."

"Staff is VERY friendly. The wait time is really long. Personally I think Dr. R. needs to be a bit more detailed in his evaluation. I didn't think of any questions until I was waiting to set the next appointment, that's where all my questions were answered by the receptionist/nurse. Overall, it was a good experience."