optometrist reccomendation requests

[jadelennox]

I'm looking for optometrist (and, possibly, ophthalmologist recs), specifically from people who:

• have a very strong prescription and/or otherwise fairly problematic vision
• wear glasses, not exclusively contacts
• and have been unhappy with previous optometrists but are happy now

Obviously I'm hoping to find someone T-accessible from the greater Davis neighborhood (Somerville, Cambridge, Arlington).

Specifically I want someone who will not urge me to squint and strain during the eye tests to recognize letters, and then tell me I can see them fine because I recognized them, and someone who will straight up tell me if certain problems are uncorrectable, instead of gaslighting me that everything is fine.

I'm currently at Parelli, where (with Dr. Seligman) I'm the least unhappy I've ever been with optometrists, but I feel like I should aim for better than "least unhappy." And my opthalmology is at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston where I am profoundly underwhelmed.

(For what it's worth, the optician at Parelli, Matt, is fantastic.)

Comments

[siderea]

Well, my vision rx is not extremely strong, but I am a glasses wearer who has had weird-ass problems with intolerance to certain attempts at vision correction for reasons we haven't figured out, and I went through a string of opthalmologists who were really terrible.

But a friend turned me on to Dr. Ajoian at Harvard Vanguard in Davis, and I think she's just lovely to work with. Telling people to try harder during an eye exam seems very much antithetical to her style. I particularly appreciate how accommodating she is, and how willing she is to explain things in whatever depth I want; she seems to be a very straight shooter.

ETA: Re optometrists: Avoid the Harvard Vanguard optical shop like it's on fire. I'm not sure whether I'm in a position to recommend the place I now go, because I haven't really exercised them very hard yet, but the folks at Harvard Square Eye Care in Davis (on Elm across from Posto) seem very nice and helpful.

[jadelennox]

weird-ass problems and a spring of terrible ophthalmologists means that you are exactly the right person to be helping.

I'm so used to thinking of Harvard Vanguard is a place you can only go to if you have Harvard insurance, but that hasn't been true in forever, has it? I will look up Dr. Ajoian, thank you!

(also advice definitely taken regarding the optical shop, thanks.)

[siderea]

I don't think it's ever been true; I think the name was largely to capitalize on the cache of both the university and Harvard Pilgrim health insurance, which they were maybe once affiliated with.

But I've never had either, and I've been at HV for about a decade now. :)

The website is barely admitting to the existence of Dr. Ajoian, so I think maybe she isn't taking new patients. :( Try calling Ophthalmology directly. Somerville HV main num: 617-629-6000, navigate the phone tree.

Seconding the rec for Dr. Ajoian

[davisdenizen]

I've gone to her for many years now. She's absolutely lovely -- direct and kind and very unpushy while still being utterly professional.