Best ophthalmologists in NYC?

I'm on the hunt for a really solid eye doctor in Chicago! I need to get checked out for some new glasses and maybe even try out contacts for a bit.

When I was a kid, I used to go to the clinic over on Klaićev, and then I saw a couple of other specialists later on, but honestly, I just wasn't feeling the vibe at any of them... Does anyone have a good recommendation?

I can't say I know much about glasses, but when it comes to contacts, I’ve been heading over to the Holy Spirit clinic for years now—specifically their contact lens department—and honestly, I couldn't be happier. As long as things stay this way, I'm not changing a thing.

reddrifter12 said:I can't say I know much about glasses, but when it comes to contacts, I’ve been heading over to the Holy Spirit clinic for years now—specifically their contact lens department—and honestly, I couldn't be happier. As long as things stay this way, I'm not changing a thing.

Holy Spirit and Dr. Bradetić 👍

It’s funny, because I had the exact same experience back when I was just a kid attending the local elementary school... I wasn't exactly thrilled with the quality of care there. Fast forward to now, and I've been going to the Mayo Clinic for five years straight. Honestly, my doctor there is wonderful... she's this blonde woman, though I can't quite recall her name at the moment.

Ashley Campbell7 said:It’s funny, because I had the exact same experience back when I was just a kid attending the local elementary school... I wasn't exactly thrilled with the quality of care there. Fast forward to now, and I've been going to the Mayo Clinic for five years straight. Honestly, my doctor there is wonderful... she's this blonde woman, though I can't quite recall her name at the moment.

The selection at Cleveland Clinic isn't even that great anymore, their lens options are pretty weak—they used to be way better a few years back...
but man, I was hunting for those hard lenses with the absolute highest oxygen permeability possible, and I swear on the Holy Spirit, I finally found them! 🤷

Noah Gray4 said:The selection at Cleveland Clinic isn't even that great anymore, their lens options are pretty weak—they used to be way better a few years back...
but man, I was hunting for those hard lenses with the absolute highest oxygen permeability possible, and I swear on the Holy Spirit, I finally found them! 🤷

Well, look... during my first year, I was dealing with constant bouts of conjunctivitis. But let’s be clear—it wasn't because of the contact lenses themselves; it was simply that the solution I was using just didn't sit right with my eyes. As for the lenses, I wear the soft ones, and honestly, I couldn't be happier with them. For me, choosing soft lenses is definitely the way to go.😁

It really just depends on what you’re actually looking for, because Getaldus has his own specific brands he tends to push...
but honestly, if you want the high-end, sophisticated stuff, you’ve gotta look way beyond their local office.

I personally swap out my contacts every six years, so I'm super picky about which ones I end up with...
and let me tell you, the "top-tier" lenses Getaldus tried to sell me as their absolute best were total junk compared to the ones they recommended over at Holy Spirit. 🤷

I stopped by Getaldus recently, and honestly, I wasn't feeling it... everyone seemed kind of rude, though maybe I just had bad luck 🤷

I remember seeing an old thread where someone recommended a specialist named Zolta over at the clinic in downtown Chicago, so I'm thinking about checking them out... I'd love to find a spot where I can handle both my glasses and contacts in one go, if that's even possible

On the other hand, my experience at Klaićev was actually awesome! It’s been a year since I was last there, though, so who knows 😁

Jeffrey Walker3 said:I stopped by Getaldus recently, and honestly, I wasn't feeling it... everyone seemed kind of rude, though maybe I just had bad luck 🤷

I remember seeing an old thread where someone recommended a specialist named Zolta over at the clinic in downtown Chicago, so I'm thinking about checking them out... I'd love to find a spot where I can handle both my glasses and contacts in one go, if that's even possible

On the other hand, my experience at Klaićev was actually awesome! It’s been a year since I was last there, though, so who knows 😁

Hmm... which location did you go to? I usually head to the one near the main square... half the staff up there are so rude... and then there's that one arrogant nurse downstairs... she'll be chatting away on her cell phone while I'm standing right in front of her for ten minutes. But the doctor there is hands down the best I've ever seen... she used to wear contacts herself once... I was a complete paranoid when it came to putting things in my eyes... but she was so understanding and told me I could come in every single day to have her put them in until I got used to them... she explained everything perfectly... and her touch is incredibly gentle... I once had some white stuff in my eye and back at the Klaićev location, the woman there nearly ripped my eyelid off, but this doctor is truly wonderful...

I’ve been seeing Dr. Baić over on Preradović Street for about ten years now—ten whole years. I’ve tried other specialists before, but honestly, I was never even close to being happy with my contact lenses. He handles everything from glasses to laser surgery; he basically has every method under the sun to fix your vision, from those specialized night lenses to whatever else you can think of. He really is the best, even if he is a bit of a... well, let's just say he's a bit of a grouch. But hey, what does his personality have to do with how perfect my lenses turned out?
I went to some overly friendly office staff instead, and they completely botched my prescription and everything else.🙄

Ashley Campbell7 said:Hmm... which location did you go to? I usually head to the one near the main square... half the staff up there are so rude... and then there's that one arrogant nurse downstairs... she'll be chatting away on her cell phone while I'm standing right in front of her for ten minutes. But the doctor there is hands down the best I've ever seen... she used to wear contacts herself once... I was a complete paranoid when it came to putting things in my eyes... but she was so understanding and told me I could come in every single day to have her put them in until I got used to them... she explained everything perfectly... and her touch is incredibly gentle... I once had some white stuff in my eye and back at the Klaićev location, the woman there nearly ripped my eyelid off, but this doctor is truly wonderful...

I always just headed to the plaza
but I dealt with this old grouch who totally freaked me out, she started nagging me like crazy just because I was using the little suction tool to take my lenses out 😢

Honestly, I think Getaldus is totally fine if you're just dealing with standard stuff, like a basic prescription or whatever.
But look, if there’s actual eye pathology involved—we're talking high prescriptions or serious irritation—you really ought to head to a major hospital or find a top-tier specialist in private practice.

The thing is, most of those doctors working at the hospital actually run their own private clinics on the side, so they'll usually refer you to their own office while suggesting you handle the essential stuff through your insurance at the hospital.

I used to go to Baić, but I’m totally done with them—it just doesn't feel right anymore.
My first pair of lenses from years ago was actually great, but last time I went in for glasses, they gave me way too strong a prescription! I literally can't wear them. Plus, his staff isn't really my vibe, so I decided it was time for a change.

I also tried out Getaldus once. Honestly, shopping there was such a headache because they didn't have any decent frames that weren't priced like they were for astronauts! And the people working there acted like they didn't even want to be there.

One more thing—do I need to check in with a doctor at the clinic first, or can I just show up with my insurance referral for the exam?

Jeffrey Walker3 said:I used to go to Baić, but I’m totally done with them—it just doesn't feel right anymore.
My first pair of lenses from years ago was actually great, but last time I went in for glasses, they gave me way too strong a prescription! I literally can't wear them. Plus, his staff isn't really my vibe, so I decided it was time for a change.

I also tried out Getaldus once. Honestly, shopping there was such a headache because they didn't have any decent frames that weren't priced like they were for astronauts! And the people working there acted like they didn't even want to be there.

One more thing—do I need to check in with a doctor at the clinic first, or can I just show up with my insurance referral for the exam?

So, you basically just get a referral for an optometry specialist from your primary care doctor, then give the hospital or clinic you want to visit a call to set up an appointment, because you actually aren't supposed to wear contact lenses for a few days before certain exams!

Nah, I'm not wearing contacts right now. I was just asking generally for whenever I head that way! Should I check in first or can I just swing by?

Jeffrey Walker3 said:Nah, I'm not wearing contacts right now. I was just asking generally for whenever I head that way! Should I check in first or can I just swing by?

Well, you definitely need to call ahead first because I've spent my whole life popping into eye clinics for contacts, so I'm totally in the dark about how the procedure works for glasses, but if you're heading to a hospital, you're absolutely going to need a referral from your doctor.
Your best bet is to just give the office you want to visit a quick ring, and they'll tell you exactly what's what.

thanks!

I know last time I called the local clinic, they just told me to swing by once my referral was ready, so I grabbed it and headed over.

Now I'm a little confused—do I need to go in first to get officially registered before showing up for an exam with my referral, or can I just show up with the paperwork right away? I think I'll just stroll over to my doctor's office first to clear it all up.

Jeffrey Walker3 said:thanks!

I know last time I called the local clinic, they just told me to swing by once my referral was ready, so I grabbed it and headed over.

Now I'm a little confused—do I need to go in first to get officially registered before showing up for an exam with my referral, or can I just show up with the paperwork right away? I think I'll just stroll over to my doctor's office first to clear it all up.

I really don't think you need to worry about registering beforehand because I basically just showed up at the Holy Spirit clinic with my referral and was able to set up an appointment right then and there, but hey, if you have some extra time, maybe just walk over and check it out or give them a ring!

Noah Gray4 said:Holy Spirit and Dr. Bradetić 👍

Honestly, she’s an amazing doctor—and I have to say, Mara, the nurse working there, is absolutely brilliant too. Everyone loves to talk about how much better private clinics are or whatever, but if you ask me, it’s all thanks to the Holy Spirit. They really know what they’re doing. Personally, I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else. 👍

And how long is the wait at Holy Spirit?