Casey Optical Co and Dr. Christine Kniffen
4306 Lomas Blvd NE,
Albuquerque, NM

Dr. Kniffin is a very thorough and caring eye practitioner for taking care of your eyes and who is easy to talk with and explains your needs and conditions. The staff is friendly and can take care of your needs in contacts or glasses.

Today, I had an eye appointment at Casey Optical Co. I carry Davis Vision Insurance and Presbyterian Medical Insurance. Dr. Christine Knifffen performed an eye examination and I was fitted for contact lenses. When she had concluded the eye examination she stated that I was doing well and could return a year from now. I was in shock and surprised the eye examination was completed without eye dilation. I asked her if I was going to have my eyes dilated. She stated that if I wanted my eyes dilated it would have to be a separate doctor's appointment to charge my medical insurance. She stated that vision and medical would not allow her to claim both visits on the same day. I informed her that my Davis Vision Plan would pay for dilation as part of the exam. She stated at her office she charges medical for dilation. I told her that dilation is part of the eye examination. She stated again I could reschedule to return to the office for dilation and medical insurance would be billed. She also stated that dilation takes up too much time and would have to be another eye appointment. I did not argue with the doctor. Before leaving I had to checkout of the office. My Davis Vision was charged for a full eye examination however I did not receive the entire full eye examination. I told the employee that since I was a little girl my exams have always included eye dilation. She stated that the doctor only charges medical insurance for dilation. This is NOT right that my eyes were not dilated for an eye examination, but yet by insurance was charged for a full eye exam and I had to pay the copay. Why does she charge medical when my eye insurance pays for dilation as part of the exam? There is no reason why medical should be charged and I need to make two separate appointments. I called Davis Insurance and they stated that eye dilation is part of the exam to examine the back of the eye. I have a family history of Glaucoma and I did not receive the care I should have been provided with. The insurance and I paid for an exam that was not complete and my vision care was jeopardized due to the doctor's policy. I have contacted Channel Seven News, the New Mexico Attorney General and filed a complaint with the New Mexico State Medical Board. I am a woman in my forties and have had my eyes checked since I was in middle school. I have never been told that medical insurance was needed for eye dilation. Most importantly, I do not feel I received the quality of care I deserve.

Extraordinarily nice office. Super clean, spacious and modern. Wide selection of frames. Great to even just visit. The staff is super professional, efficient, and friendly. They all work hard + they stay human. A real joy to interact with them, both in person and on the phone. Dr Kniffen is a superstar. Superbly professional, efficient, friendly, and great at walking me through an eye exam, with help from the staff, + she’s super clear at explaining things, or adjusting the prescription in any way if needed. Special shoutout for her and her staff’s -additional- medical exam of my eyes, with state-of-the-art equipment. This matters to me a lot; a few years ago my retina tore; i need a follow-up exam every year. Dr. Kniffen showed me a large photo of my affected eye + the retinal tear and repair. The repair is still intact (which was done with lasers 4 years ago). If it hadn’t been, she would have referred me to a retina specialist (or ER). So much easier & more supportive than complicated struggles i’ve had with MD office to get retina specialist annual checkup referrals. MD sent me to Eye Associates, where i got a good retina exam but a poor eyeglasses prescription - Casey Optical was a much better experience - and i set the appointment with them directly without my MD staff making things complicated or the chaos i went through at Eye Associates! And stay away from Stanton! Have heard many horror stories about them from several other people! Stanton has lots of upselling & price gouging + poor customer service! Instead of bureaucracy and obstacles - great care and service at Casey Optical's comfortable office + professionalism. Not exaggerating - my experience really has been this good - including the new eyeglasses fitting just 2 weeks later!