Southwest Eye Institute

Unfortunately, I went to the Southwest Eye Institute on three different occasions and had a very disappointing experience. The staff was friendly but it is like a factory. They overbook their appointments and the wait times are terrible! My first appointment wasn't too bad. I only waited about 30 minutes to be seen. However, when I went back for testing, it took 30 minutes past my appointment to get my testing done then I waited another hour before walking out. I gave them another shot but the same thing happened. I waited 45 minutes just to get an initial intake with visual acuity then they placed me in a different waiting room where I waited another 20 minutes before walking out the 2nd time.

I went to the Las Cruces office. Talk about a factory (as others have)! My take away was that they make mucho dollars from Medicare patients. I saw Dr. Murphy--no way would I have surgery there, or, by him. The staff didn't follow through, but billing was right on it when it came to getting their money from my insurance. Felt it was like going to the Sam's Club of Eye Surgeons.

It's not every day that I feel inspired to write a review of a doctor's appointment, so today's lives as the exemption. Any competent person that doesn't suffer from a lack of emotional Intelligence is aware that being kind and respectful to people in all careers and walks of life is the most professional as well as proficient way to deal with people. The bar is set higher when you work in the medical field. So to see a female who works in the dilation process be condescending to my 8-year-old son and I; in an unprofessional, arrogant manner is what inspired me to write today. The girls at the front desk were both helpful and friendly but most importantly, they were respectful. So was the girl conducting the provider eye exam. Telling my son that he would not be able to see for three to four hours with the eye drops she inserted felt maliciously unnecessary, especially when it's entirely false. Also, I can give more examples of how she was unprofessional; however, my idea is not to disparage the place. It's only to address that a place is only as good as its weakest link, and this employee appears to be an Achilles heel of the business. So candidly speaking, her unprofessional and often condescending demeanor towards my son and I is the reason why I could only give this place two 's.

I cannot sing their praises enough. My son was referred here due to high optical pressure. When I tell you they were thorough...THEY WERE THOROUGH! First a tech came and did his eye pressure, then another doctor came and did another eye pressure test, then another one came in, he was able to get an MRI of his eyes, they checked the nerve function, they made sure to check and recheck everything thing they did. We had a horrible experience at Stanton Optical and At first I was a little upset that we were seen so late after our appointment time, but at the same time I felt fortunate they had a time available to ease my mind. It was All worth it in the end. I was so pleased with the treatment of our son, and us! They will forever have us as patients. Thank you guys so much for all your help. This is one place I definitely trust my care with.

Long wait, and ridiculously unorganized!! Dont bother arriving for an appointment on time... they wont even get call you to get the process started until like an hour after you check in.

My eye care at Southwest Eye Institute has been incredible. Dr. De la Torre has given me exceptional eye care!!! He is extremely professional, caring and compassionate. He really listens to concerns and questions you have. His staff and office operations are efficient. I highly recommend him. I am beyond pleased with my experience. Thank you, Desiree Ainsa

Dr. de la Torre has been my ophthalmologist for 6 years for my routine eye exams. Like many people, I was hesitant to have any procedure performed on my eyes due to even the slightest risk of it affecting my eyesight. After several years of going back and forth over having Lasik, I decided to take the plunge this year. I could not have been happier! It is truly a VIP experience from start to finish. Dr. de la Torre and his staff provide a comprehensive evaluation to make sure that you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure. The success rate of the Lasik procedure largely depends on making sure that you are a good candidate. Dr. de la Torre is very straightforward about you being a good candidate or not. My wife is not a good candidate for Lasik due to the shape of her cornea and it is good to know that Dr. de la Torre is not the type of doctor to want to do the procedure on just anybody. Dr. de la Torre and his staff remain in constant communication during the entire preop process with multiple reminders about appointments, medicines, when to stop using contacts, etc. Dr. de la Torre has an excellent bedside manner and is completely fluent in Spanish and English so can speak to you in whichever language you are most comfortable in. The day of the procedure I was very impressed with how the staff helped make a potentially stressful day into a calm and pleasant day. They are wonderful about explaining everything step by step and don't mind if you ask the same question a thousand times because they want to make sure all of your questions are answered. The procedure itself was much quicker than I could have expected. Other than mild pressure on the eye (which I had been informed of beforehand), it was not painful and they make sure you are properly numbed up beforehand with numbing drops. I was provided with detailed instructions for the different eyedrops and glasses that I had to use for the next week and everything was typed out and delivered to me in a bag along with the drops and glasses so that I didn't have to worry about anything. There was nothing more amazing than waking up 6 hours later and being able to see without glasses! Although initially my vision was hazy, when I woke up the next morning, I was shocked with how clearly I could see! I was even able to drive myself to my follow up appointment the next day with Dr. de la Torre. He was extremely accommodating and met me at his office at the time that was most convenient to me (on a Saturday, no less!). I was 20/25 the day after the surgery and am 20/20 one week after the surgery. Given that I was 20/200 prior to the surgery, it is nothing short of a miracle. I am very grateful to Dr. de la Torre and his wonderful staff and only ask myself why I didn't decide to do this sooner!

This is the worst eye institute ever. I am existing patient and they took care of my eyes while they were able to make money. Now since it is just routine visits they rescheduled me for the last 3 month. First excuse was that the doctor I was scheduled for left. Then for the next appointment one of the equipment broke. Now they tried to rescheduled again for March. Many doctors work there but non are available.

They overcharged my mother for her surgery and they never called her to tell her what time it is at and when she called the get the time for the procedure, the receptionist didn't know! so frustrating!

The service in Southwest Eye Institute was excellent, the staffing was very profesional and polite, and the Dr. was the best, he provide me with a great exam that end it up with a perfect glasses. I made one pair in JC Penney in El Paso,Tx and another pair in Juarez, Mexico, l highly recommend this Institute even that could be more expensive than others but it is worth it. Luis Pizana Jr.