Dr. Barbara Ann Smythe, MD

Go somewhere else! I have had 3 appointments there. Each time I waited 45 min to an hour to be seen. The first time I set my appointment I was actually thankful I asked how long it took because the first appointment will take 2 hours, not kidding. And they don’t think to tell you this, like it won’t affect your work day or something. But honestly I was willing to put that aside until I was having some eye problems after the drops they gave me. I was given drops for both eyes and I told the Dr at my first follow up that one eye was really itching. She said since it was just one eye and not two, it was probably an environmental allergen of some kind and not the drops, however it didn’t start until I started the drops. The itching got worse until my eye at the lash line was scabbing, swollen and red. I called to ask if I could be seen because I wanted to have it checked for infection. They said I couldn’t make an appointment and that I had to talk to a tech first. I had already called… the tech with no answer and it was Friday and I didn’t want to get into the weekend without possibly being seen. I called back and the front desk girl was very rude to me as I had already called and she said she would not make me an appointment because that “their policy” that the tech would have to tell them if it was necessary. I asked if I was a current patient and I wanted to be seen why I couldn’t just make an appointment because I wanted the Dr to actually see my eye and not guess over the phone. She then insisted that’s what how they did it there and argued with me about the fact that I wasnt just allowed to make an appointment, which seems absolutely silly to me. So the she offered to get me in touch with the tech right then. After she talked to the tech, the tech got on the phone and said my issue wasn’t an emergency and I would just have to wait until she spoke to the Dr because it sounded like an allergic reaction to the drops, even though I told her that I had previously brought it up to the Dr and she didn’t think it was due to the drops. I then said my eye seems infected and I don’t know how she can diagnose me without seeing it. And she again said, well that’s “our policy” and since I’m just “uncomfortable” I would have to wait until they decided if I needed an appointment. Never mind that I am a contact lens wearer and work in an environment where I can’t wear anything on my face (my glasses) and need to make sure I can wear my contacts so an eye infection that’s “uncomfortable” actually affects my work. She didn’t care at all. I told her to take me off their schedule and she just said “ok goodbye!” Their staff is horribly rude, not helpful and seem to have a “gatekeeper” type way about them. I’m sure if the Dr actually heard how I described my eye from me she would’ve thought I should be seen. But sadly she probably will never hear about me. I suppose I could’ve gone to another Dr to see if my eye was infected but then how do I know if I should continue the use the drops or not or if I need alternate methods, which is important to my eye health since I have glaucoma. I wanted the Dr who gave me the drops and knows if I can or can’t use drops that affect my long term vision to see if this was infection caused by the drops and what to I should do. That seemed reasonable to me, but apparently only me

Go somewhere else! I have had 3 appointments there. Each time I waited 45 min to an hour to be seen. The first time I set my appointment I was actually thankful I asked how long it took because the first appointment will take 2 hours, not kidding. And they don’t think to tell you this, like it won’t affect your work day or something. But honestly I was willing to put that aside until I was having some eye problems after the drops they gave me. I was given drops for both eyes and I told the Dr at my first follow up that one eye was really itching. She said since it was just one eye and not two, it was probably an environmental allergen of some kind and not the drops, however it didn’t start until I started the drops. The itching got worse until my eye at the lash line was scabbing, swollen and red. I called to ask if I could be seen because I wanted to have it checked for infection. They said I couldn’t make an appointment and that I had to talk to a tech first. I had already called… the tech with no answer and it was Friday and I didn’t want to get into the weekend without possibly being seen. I called back and the front desk girl was very rude to me as I had already called and she said she would not make me an appointment because that “their policy” that the tech would have to tell them if it was necessary. I asked if I was a current patient and I wanted to be seen why I couldn’t just make an appointment because I wanted the Dr to actually see my eye and not guess over the phone. She then insisted that’s what how they did it there and argued with me about the fact that I wasnt just allowed to make an appointment, which seems absolutely silly to me. So the she offered to get me in touch with the tech right then. After she talked to the tech, the tech got on the phone and said my issue wasn’t an emergency and I would just have to wait until she spoke to the Dr because it sounded like an allergic reaction to the drops, even though I told her that I had previously brought it up to the Dr and she didn’t think it was due to the drops. I then said my eye seems infected and I don’t know how she can diagnose me without seeing it. And she again said, well that’s “our policy” and since I’m just “uncomfortable” I would have to wait until they decided if I needed an appointment. Never mind that I am a contact lens wearer and work in an environment where I can’t wear anything on my face (my glasses) and need to make sure I can wear my contacts so an eye infection that’s “uncomfortable” actually affects my work. She didn’t care at all. I told her to take me off their schedule and she just said “ok goodbye!” Their staff is horribly rude, not helpful and seem to have a “gatekeeper” type way about them. I’m sure if the Dr actually heard how I described my eye from me she would’ve thought I should be seen. But sadly she probably will never hear about me. I suppose I could’ve gone to another Dr to see if my eye was infected but then how do I know if I should continue the use the drops or not or if I need alternate methods, which is important to my eye health since I have glaucoma. I wanted the Dr who gave me the drops and knows if I can or can’t use drops that affect my long term vision to see if this was infection caused by the drops and what to I should do. That seemed reasonable to me, but apparently only me

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I have been a patient of /Dr. Smythe for over 10 years for glaucoma. I absolutely trust her with my eye health. I am confident in her ability and in her decisions.

What a great office. They have a variety of snacks and drinks in the waiting rooms like I've never seen before. Staff was great; doc was great and explained everything really well.

Dr. Smythe and staff gave a very thorough exam. Received many tests and feedback on all; moved quickly through each test. Staff was very friendly. Office was welcoming and clean! Great experience overall. Highly recommended.

I normally don't do these reviews, but Dr. Smythe was so friendly and very knowledgeable. She gave a very thorough exaimination and explained about my ...