Sanford South University Eye Center & Optical
1717 S University Dr,
Fargo, ND

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My experience was great. My appointment went very quickly too. A lot quicker than I was thinking too. I'd say it was around 30-40min of an appointment. 😁 I had my eyes checked. …

I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. In Sanford, I have my medical insurance uploaded. That’s just medical insurance, it’s not vision insurance. When I got the desk I told them I have uploaded my medical insurance, it’s in the system however I have another coverage specifically for vision with VSP. They said «  no you don’t need, the medical insurance is going to cover it no worries » I have asked if they were sure they responded yes. I went and got my exam done. After, my exam, I came back to the desk again and said I would like to add my vision insurance since I have, it has to be there for something. The lady again said no. I had to agree and leave. That was on 03/31/2025. By 4/10/2025 I got a notification that my insurance covered $57 and I have an outstanding balance of $467.25 to pay out of pocket. I just moved down here and Sanford clinic are the ones I’m seeing everywhere around and this is how I’m being treated. They don’t help, they seem to not know what they are doing. The service I have received is covered by my insurance and now I still have to pay and submit a claim.

Today I had the worst experience I could possibly have at this place. When I checked in online I tried to add my new insurance for eye care and I couldn't. First thing I do when I arrive and I'm getting checked in is telling the receptionist, (who when I called afterwards they said her name is Kylee) that I'm not sure if my insurance will work, because I couldn't upload the information online. She tried in her own and she couldn't, so she called someone else who took the information of my card from her and told her they do take the insurance, that they just needed to figure how to add it to my chart, but I am good to go. So I'm asked to take a seat and wait to be called. I got the first part done, but then I had to wait for the Dr almost 20 minutes. At minute 17 I walked out of the room and asked if it was going to take any longer. My soon was about to get off school, my husband was already going to pick him up because of my appointment, but was not counting of having to take a long lunch because of the delay. The Dr, which at least she was very nice, apologized and explained she was running behind because she had had two complicated patients. Exam is over, I get to come home. I checked my chart when I got the notification of the visit summary, and my insurance information hasn't been added, so I called. The girl who answered right away told me that it's not possible they could have told me my new insurance could be added, because they only take VSP. That it was too bad she didn't check me in, because she could have told me that... And that's it, after an already stressing experience because they can't keep the appointments as scheduled, I came home to then find out I'll have to pay that exam out of my pocket! Insurance will only reimburse me $40 if any. Just because someone didn't want to do their job. Do not waste your time coming to this place.

Waiting over an hour to be seen with zero communication is absurd. It is super inconsiderate of other people and their time. Staff then acted astonished I would like to leave without being seen. One member brushed it off saying that the doctor was new and just takes longer with patients. The least they could’ve done was communicated this and called and said the doctor was behind schedule. I’m someone unable to drive, has to set up rides to multiple appointments a day. This was extremely disappointing and the staff clearly didn’t understand how inconsiderate they were. Now, after waiting for months for the appointment, I didn’t even get patient care. Sure, because I left…some people don’t have hours a day to sit in a waiting room, before even being seen.

The receptionist are very nice and friendly. The ladies that do that glasses though, another story. I'm not sure if the lady was having a bad (2) day(s) or what but if you don't like your job, quit!!

We see Dr. Kassem for two of our boys and he’s really great with them, as are the nurses. They are patient with little kids, friendly to them, etc. But the optical shop clearly isn’t trained in fitting kids’ glasses. Both times I’ve looked at kid’s glasses and considered purchasing here, the recommendation is to get a pair that is clearly too big so they can “grow into” them. Thankfully I’ve researched enough to know this is not how you fit kids’ glasses. I hope they can get the employees some good training but until then, I’d recommend going elsewhere for kids’ glasses.

This review is to thank Mandy for being so kind and patient with my family. She transformed a confusing visit into a great experience.

No one cleaned the room that we went in after we saw they with other people in the room the nurse didn’t wear gloves or wash her hands when touching my child waited a long time for to be called back after the nurse dialated my child’s eyes other patients children left unattended going into the exam rooms and touching stuff

I had an eye appointment with them and was told my state insurance was covered by them. I have been looking for a new place to go. I went in and the front ladies were very rude. I got checked in and there wasn't a whole lot of communication on where I should go. I got done and was handed a paper with my prescription and told to go look at glasses where they have a small area. The lady there was very rude and snapped at me that state insurance was not covered there and gave me a list of where to go and told me to leave. Fast forward a month or so I had gotten a bill for my eye appointment. So I called the Sanford finance office and they said they didn't have my insurance on file even though they took my card and put it in. The bill dissapered for like 3 months and came back I called and was told it wasn't covered by my insurance. Although I was told the appointment itself would be. I paid the bill but I am done with Sanford. I've had problems before but this one is just ridiculous. Highly would not recommend, and I would recommend extra training in customer service skills for them.

I have seen the Locum Retina Specialist, Dr. Jennifer Olbum, 2 times now. She is very very busy when she is here in Fargo, so go to your appt. knowing that. All the nurses I have seen are spectacular at their field, with personality to boot. It helps. Dr. Olbum is soooo friendly and knowledgable. She knows how to break bad news to a patient that helps it "sit" better. And she makes sure any good news is heard and understood. Wish she didn't live in ID, but so lucky she comes here once a month!

Doctors are great. Do not order your eye glasses here. They have screwed up my daughters glasses 3 times. Poor thing has been waiting over a month to be able to see.

There was a miscommunication with a food order and my food was left at the Sanford eye clinic. Which happens a lot due to Essentia being connected to Sanford. Within 5 minutes of the order being "complete", I reached out to the reception over there and they said they had it. When I got there the reception immediately blamed the technicians saying "if anything is missing blame the techs". When they gave me my food, my bag was open. Fries upsidedown and could see items were missing. Then reception said " if you want to start a fued, I need to do it with the techs". I am not impressed with the staffs honesty and integrity. This is basically theft.

My appointment was at 1:45 and I was early but still waited until after 2 to be seen. When checking in, I waited over 3 minutes just standing there when 2 of the 4 receptionists weren't with patients. They could have been busy with things on they're computer but it's frustrating not to be acknowledged. However, my nurse was exceptional and Dr. Kelly was so great to work with. So much so I forgot all about being frustrated for waiting. It's just frustrating not to be given a warning when having to leave work for such things.

I see specialist Dr. Ebrahimi, who is excellent! Not only does she explain everything so you understand, Dr. Ebrahimi is friendly and you never feel rushed with her. Her staff is just as friendly However, the front desk scheduling staff needs to pay attention to what they are doing. I was supposed to return for laser August 30, after not getting my reminder call the day before I called them and was informed that my surgery was scheduled for September 12 at 9:30 AM. Today I drove 1 1/2 hours to Fargo for my appointment to be told that I wasn’t on the calendar. That I apparently had canceled on September 6. Which was untrue. I pulled out the paper for the young lady behind the desk and gave it to her. And she said oh you’re not on the calendar because the doctor is not in today it was a last minute change in scheduling. I asked her how come I was not called to Be told of the cancellation that I had just driven one and a half hours. She just shrugged her shoulders and said oops sorry when do you want to come in. then she asked me if I wanted to cancel my next appointment which is scheduled for some thing else. It was the same young lady that had scheduled me for August 30 and apparently didn’t put it in the books. Truly disappointed in having to travel an hour and a half for an appointment that did not happen and to inconvenience someone to be my designated driver after my surgery Let’s hope that my next appointment goes well

My husband's appt was 1 hour and 15 minutes ago and we still have not seen the doctor. I took time off from work to be here on time.

The staff is always very friendly and super helpful in the optical department! Have had nothing but good service while shopping for new glasses or contacts, recommend everyone to come here!

We waited over 40mins to see the doctor. When you make an appointment, take off work early, you expect to be seen within a timely manner!

I read some of the prior reviews and my experience getting my glasses ordered was quite the opposite. We will see once i get the glasses but I suspect if there is an issue they will take care of it according to the guidelines of their warranty and in the friendly fashion I was sold the glasses. The people working there were knowledgeable and friendly and when there was some hiccups trying to get thru to my insurance they maintained professionalism and calm and let me know the next day that everything was taken care of. My experience is that normally the people that tend to write the scathing reviews have unreal expectations and are looking to cause issues to get something for free or to lay blame on someone else due to them not wanting to take responsibility for their part in the interaction.

This place is good if you have ND MA.

Dr. Kelly is fantastic, and the gals in the Optical Center are always such a joy to work with when shopping for new glasses!

There is one nice lady that works at the optical eye center, the other ladies are extremely rude and don't help at all.