Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at Naples

"Unbelievably disrespectful to the patient. Why would one sit here for hours to wait to see one doctor. They definitely have a very serious scheduling problem or a lack of respect or concern for patients time. Not just me… It’s like this every day. I have other family members that have come here. If you come here, planned on spending the entire day here sitting in the lobby looking at the walls. Like I said before, very serious flaws and their scheduling policy, and a very strong lack of respect for the patient. I arrived here this morning at 9:30 AM, it’s now after 1:00 PM and still have not seen a doctor. Unbelievable! I just change my rating from a one star to a four star. About 1:30 PM, four hours after arrival, I finally saw the doctor. He was absolutely amazing, first class, extremely thorough and the provided the most comprehensive exam I have ever had. The physician was extremely patient, kind and not rushed. In summary, the management should evaluate the scheduling to be more efficient and better for the patient."

"I called the Bascom Palmer Naples office in October after hearing some recommendations from people I know. I got an appointment with Dr. Smiddy about 6 weeks later, the 1st available to me. The office was busy, and after waiting about 4 hours I got in to see Dr. Smiddy. This is where things went bad. After a minute or two of looking at my eye he starts me telling your out of luck buddy, "s**t happens". What? That might be something I'd say if I got a nail in my car tire. But I am blind in my left eye, and this is how you speak to someone who's coming to you in need of help? I ask him if I have any other options to regain sight in my eye and he tells me he wouldn't bother. What? Thanks Doctor Smiddy, but I'll get another opinion."

"So here is how I feel this place works. You absolutely cannot get an appt. asap, so if you NEED one then head to Miami and go to the Bascom Palmer Eye Emergency room, (google it) open 24hrs, 365 days a year. When I called they gave me an appt a month out (send your records ASAP ) before you head to the ER this can help) but told me to head to the ER in Miami, 4 hrs away, far ? YES 4 hrs for us, we went, they took me right away an anyone else that had a macular hole, tear etc.. They did a bunch of tests and told by final doctor to come back Tuesday for more detailed scans and meet with the Retinal Dr. So we went home then back, (go on a week day so you can meet with Retinal docs) we were there Black Friday after Thanksgiving and everyone was off. We met with the docs in Retinal and were quickly scheduled for surgery in Naples closer to us, (Sarasota). So if you have an urgent issue or emergency that is how the place operates. I think they are so good that they end up scheduling emergencies first ,, and down the line...I hope that helps becuase it is confusing the one phone line for appts and the lack of concise communication I thought I would share. You will wait , you should bring snacks or food. But you will be seen."

"We previously thought the care was good. But when my wife needed urgent care, they were slow to respond. Ended up going to a hospital emergency room, and then another practice."

"Just want to say Dr. Gibbons and staff at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Naples, FL was great. Felt like with only one eye and having a retina detachments in both eyes: left eye is a prosthesis & right eye has a scleral buckle from retina detachment was a risk to having cataract surgery and I was scared and waited 11 years until I couldn’t see some one in front of me was a blur at arms length before having the cataract removed. Day one post op vision 20/20 for reading and no glasses. I have had glasses since I was 3 months old my mom said! Will be back next week for check up. And glasses prescription so I can drive sooner than a month away and see distance. Felt like the surgery was life changing as I have had glasses since I was 3 months old! Feel blessed and well taken care of at Bascom Palmer of Naples, FL! Yes the wait is long but so worth it. Feel like I was giving a new eye and feel blessed beyond measures or words! The whole team at Bascom Palmer Naples was fantastic!"