Michael Bold, O.D. Overcharged Me in La Palma, California,

The eye exam and the bedside manner were fine. 

I thought shopping for glasses was fine, too.  I was presented with three options and prices were listed for each.  We discussed the pros and cons of each choice until I finally decided to go with the first option at $99.00.

I presented my credit card for payment, and when it was returned to me I noticed the charge was for $1,264.00.  She told me I got the frames for free, but the testing and the prescription were non-negotiable and the reasons why the price was so high.  I wish she had revealed what it would cost me in addition to the $99.00 before charging me. 

Furthermore, she and Dr. Bold said I needed reading glasses because it was bad for my eyes in the long run to take my glasses (for near-sightedness) off to read a book, a magazine, the menu, etc. 

I didn't think anything at the time, but later I got to have second thoughts.  I have always been able to read books, magazines, et al just fine without glasses.  Why would I need them now?  Do eyes really get worse when I don't wear glasses every waking moment?  What about when I was in high school when I was told I onlly needed glasses to read the chalkboard? Or did Dr. Bold and his staff say that so that they could charge me for a second pair of glasses like my mother would say?  After all, I can read books just fine without any corrective lenses.

I talked to my boyfriend later on who also believed that I got gypped, saying an eye exam to update my glasses should not have cost me a total of over a thousand dollars.

My suspicions were reinforced after reading of other patients' experiences with this medical office.

On the other hand, if Dr. Bold's medical opinion was accurate and I do "need" reading glasses even though I could see fine without them, then my total price still should still be in the mid-hundreds, right?