Complaint Review: Shepherd Eye Care - LAS VEGAS Nevada

In November of 2006, I started feeling excruciating pain in my left eye. I couldn't keep it open when it was exposed to light, so I made an emergency appointment with Dr. Thatcher ... I was referred to Shepherd Eye from my optomatrist.

I told Dr. Thatcher that my eye was killing me; it was extremely painful, I could hardly keep it open, and explained that it felt like I had rocks or glass in my eye. I sat in the examination chair as Dr. Thatcher "carefully" examined the affected eye at which time he turned to me and said that I had PINK EYE. Confused, I asked him why it was so painful since we all know that Pink Eye is a visual disturbance mainly and is usually not accompanied by pain. He told me that it was just sore because of the inflammation and sent me home with eye drops. $25.00 paid.

The next day I woke up and my eye looked like it exploded. It literally looked like it was bleeding out. I called the good doctor and rushed down to his office. After a few "hmm's" and "aha's" he pushed the exam equipment aside and said "well, it looks like you have Keratitis. I saw the nodule yesterday but didn't think anything of it". DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT??? I asked him to explain what "Keratitis" was, and found out it was some kind of viral issue and if not treated IMMEDIATELY, can result in major complications such as scarring on the cornea and possibly a corneal transplant. He gave me more drops and asked that I return later that week. $25.00 paid.

I returned that Friday, and it was worse. It was incredibly painful and didn't seem to be going away. I was examined, given more drops, suggested to purchase lubricating eye drops and to return the next Wednesday. $25.00 paid.

This went on for 2 months. Each time I was given a steroid eyedrop it pacified the problem for about 24-48 hrs and then exploded again. I finally got disgusted and went elsewhere.

Fortunately, I found a REAL eyecare professional who immediately prescribed me antibacterial oral medication and constructed a rigorous care plan to get the virus in control. Unfortunately, by the time this REAL DOCTOR got the situation back in control, I had suffered multiple scarring on the cornea of my eye. The inflammation did not flare up anymore, however, I now needed lasik surgery, or in lamen's terms, my cornea needed to be scraped.

When I called Dr. Thatcher to get an explanation as to why he did not see this with his specialized equipment before it reached the point-of-no-return, I was given an apology and told that the nodule was present but he just didn't think anything about it at the time.

I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada. After the months of treatment which was on a weekly basis, I had paid this doctor over $200.00 out-of-pocket money and racked up claims against my insurance. The BBB contacted SHEPHERD EYE CARE for a response to my complaint, and the person who is evidently elected to speak on their behalf simply lied and said that when I first arrived at their office the virus was already in an activated state at which they could only treat the symptoms and not the cause. Unfortunately, at this point in time my only recourse was to take the matter to court.

I was disgusted at the whole situation. The Dr. openly admitted to me that he misdiagnosed the situation to begin with because he "saw the nodule and didn't think anything about it". They refused to compensate me for the money I wasted seeking treatment from their organization and additionally, they had the nerve to send me a new bill for over $125.00. Needless to say, I straightened up the bill when I contacted their office ... but I still had to pay another $1,000 and more out of my pocket while seeking the care from a real professional.

STAY AWAY FROM SHEPHERD EYE CARE. My first impression when I walked into their office was that I mistakenly walked into a DMV. You check in , you sit down. They call you to a different part of the office, you sit down. You wait. They call you to take patient history and do a quickie exam, you sit down. You wait some more. Finally the doctor shows up for about 5 minutes. He leaves, you wait, you sit down. You get called over to check-out/billing & they review your appointment, you wait, you sit down. Finally you get to see a medical receptionist/billing person who argues with you over previous payments, you ask for a manager, you wait, you sit down. Eventually, you are "released from custody" and get the big ok to run outta there.

A prime example of why it is good to get a second opinion.

Millie

Las Vegas, Nevada

U.S.A.