Optometrists - Charlottesville, VA

"I do not write a lot of reviews, but I felt it was extremely important to let people know about my experience with Dr. Anthony Zarella. I will no longer be referring to Anthony as a doctor. My family made appointments with Anthony’s office late fall of 2020. Three of us had eye exams without any problems other than taking longer than we thought necessary. Today 5/2021 I went back in for a follow up based on Anthony's suggestion. My appointment was for 830. When I made the appointment I was led to believe I was the first one of the day. With this being a follow up visit you would think I would be in and out. I walked in the door at 8:31. The young lady up front had me take a seat and said they would be right with me. I could clearly hear I was not his first patient of the day. Anthony had someone in the exam room. Fifteen minutes later I was asked to have my eyes scanned. That took 5 more minutes and I was asked to sit back in the waiting area. Just after 9 I was moved to the exam room. I continued to wait until 9:20 when I went back out to ask if I was going to be seen any time soon because it had almost been an hr since arriving. Anthony was in a different room across his office area and heard me. He then proceeded to inform me from across the office that he would be only a few more minutes and “ GO BACK and SIT DOWN”. I can say I was a little taken back by his tone and that somehow he was my parent. I went back in and waited a few more minutes. Anthony then came in the room and shut the door. He then proceeded to tell me how I spent my time in his office and that it had not been an hr yet. I guess he thought I did not know how I spent that time and when my appointment was for. I can only guess he thought that an 8:30 app. meant 5 minute eye scan and 45 minute wait. As he continued to try and tell me about my time I told him to stop and it was time for me to leave. I surely did not come to get my eyes checked then be berated like his child. As I got up to leave he stepped in front of me and told me to stop. That he was not done explaining my time. Keep in mind I am 6’2 and 265 lbs. Anthony is much smaller. I kept calm and I asked Anothy to move and he would not. I then told Anthony that if he did not move I would be forced to call the police and have him moved so I could leave his office. He then shouted at me to get out. I informed Anthony that was what I was trying to do before he stopped me. As I was leaving he followed and continued to try and berate me about my time there. Once I was in my car Anthony clearly was not done because he then called me. I hung up because at this point there was no correcting the actions he took. He then called a second time and left a voicemail. Which I promptly deleted knowing I did not need to hear anymore. My biggest takeaway that everyone should consider is that Anthony tried to intimidate me by blocking my ability to leave. There is absolutely no excuse for Anthony to do this on any level. He is supposed to be a professional caregiver. I can say if you feel this is the type of person you would trust your family with you have been warned. There is no way I would ever trust anyone I know to be left alone in an office with Anthony. Remember I am 6’2 and 265 lbs if he is willing to try physical intimidation with me he will with anyone. "