UCSF Comprehensive Ophthalmology & Optometry Clinic
490 Illinois St,
San Francisco, CA

I wouldn’t go anywhere else but UCSF for complex eye surgery; however, their patient follow-up care, access and communication are horrendous. I have spent the past 2 ½ years dealing with the cornea, retina and glaucoma services and have found the ophthalmologists to be exceptional; however, the department operations are incompetent and frustrating. All of the ophthalmologists are overbooked and appointments are rushed, wait times for appointments and in the clinics are interminable, and access is cumbersome and difficult. They record chart notes that are never discussed with the patient. If the goal was to get me to leave UCSF, they succeeded. Following a brilliant eye surgery, my surgeon referred me to a glaucoma specialist, Dr. Ou, for evaluation and treatment of a complication. Just prior to a follow-up appointment, for which I had waited 6 months, Dr. Ou transferred me to an optometrist who was not only inexperienced but also neither a glaucoma specialist nor an ophthalmologist. The optometrist determined that I needed to be referred back to Dr. Ou! Since I am still in the evaluation and testing stage, I need consistent, reliable and experienced follow-up; UCSF has forced me to look elsewhere for care.

My strongest complaint is that the phone system is not practical for patients with low/poor vision. It is near impossible to respond using just the keypad. The response options should allow for voice response as well as keypad. My Mom has canceled appointments accidentally because she can't see which key she is pressing.

Dr Seitzman is top notch. After an eye injury 2 years ago I’ve had waxing and waning vision in that eye. Seen multiple ophthalmologists including a corneal specialist at kaiser and no one could help me, just kept recommending lubricant eye drops / ointment and indefinite waiting. Dr Seitzman was familiar with my diagnosis and recommended two medications. Less than a week later and I’m seeing the best I’ve seen over the past 2 years! Had to take off one star because of how difficult it is to schedule appointments in a timely fashion. Took about 5 months for the first visit due to processing a referral and then only one staff member in all of UCSF is able to schedule the first appointment for Dr. Seitzman and she was on vacation. For my follow up appt, I found my doctor’s scheduler’s email address online and was able to reschedule the appointment through her much quicker that way. That system could be improved.