Eye Clinic East & West

I chose them when I moved to Duluth because I live close to the East clinic. I went for an exam and then a contact lens fitting. I will definitely not be returning! The secretary was very rude. She rushed through everything and always spoke to me with an attitude. I arrived for an AM appointment and she vacuumed around me for a solid five minutes while I stood at the front desk. The doctor wasn't even there on time. All I needed to do was put contacts in my eyes and have him take a look, and I was with the doctor for all of three minutes, but somehow I was at the clinic for an hour and a half. I had a follow-up appointment later that day, and was charged $300 out of pocket for a lens fitting. I saw the doctor for less than five minutes. He was supposed to replace one of my contacts but left it at the other location, so I was stuck with an uncomfortable contact the rest of the day and had to drive all the way to the west clinic just to pick up the contact that he forgot. When the secretary told me I had to pay the $300 up front, I said ""Wow."" I was under the impression that payments were divided. She scoffed at me and said ""You read the price sheet, you knew how much it was going to be."" Very rude. $300 is a rip off. Fittings are usually $50 to $150 according to the research I've done. I'm not even done paying for this, I still have other appointments that I will be charged for, plus the cost of the lenses. I still have two more appointments for these lenses (extended wear), and I am dreading having to go. At my first exam appointment, I saw the other secretary being very rude to another customer. He had ill fitting frames that were brand new, and the secretary was telling him there was nothing that they could do. She was being very rude and condescending towards him. Dr. Sipola intervened, and it was a very simple fix - adjusting the curve of the frame over the ear. Dr. Sipola took care of it quickly, but I couldn't believe how the secretary was treating the customer. Horrible, slow service with an attitude. Dr. Sipola is nice enough, but I am 100% dissatisfied with the service. I will be going elsewhere next year. more

I have been seen by Dr. Sipola since my teens (now 47). Straight-shooter, big personality, great sense of humor, and HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING, always keeping current in the medical world. This clinic has gone above any beyond for me over the years. When I moved back to the Duluth area several years ago, I was THRILLED not to have to find an eye care professional. He was right where he always was. I'm a patient of his for LIFE. Two locations - 1st Street near the plaza, and Central Ave. Pros: knowledge, experience,great staff, they know you by name more