Ophthalmologists - Vero Beach, FL

"Said to me “accept it, you are going to go blind and get Glaucoma.” When all I said to him my eye hurts. I went to another office who told me my eye was infested with shingles. They treated me and my pain went away. Do not recommend this grumpy old man."

"One of the best eye care professionals I dealt with. Extremely caring and engaging."

"My name is Barry Cohen and I had my cataracts surgery on both eyes performed at Saint Lucie Eye Associates in Port Saint Lucie Florida. I am sorry to say that for me it was a failure and a horrible experience! My original doctor there and the doctor that did my cataracts surgery on both eyes was Dr Derek Ohlstein. Since I make my living online I paid many thousands of dollars extra on top of the regular surgery cost to have multi-focal lenses implanted into my eyes because I was assured by Dr Ohlstein that with these lenses I would be able to see well at both distances for driving while also being able to read normal small type fonts both online and in reading materials such as in books, magazines and on labels. All Without Glasses! This is the bottom line! During the surgery the FEMTO laser that they used to cut loose my eyes lenses, misfired or was not set properly as it left my right eye with a permanent blur spot in my field of vision. Also both implant lenses were the wrong prescription because I now have to wear glasses all of the time to be able to read normal small print both online, while reading books, magazines and on labels. I can see distances ok but its even better with the glasses on. Dr Channon the senior doctor took over and tried what I feel was his absolute best to improve my vision with stents and a YAG laser surgery. I appreciate Dr Channon's attempts to help better my vision but it simply did not help. I never even received a simple apology from Dr Derek Ohlstein for the damage that was done to me! This is when the practice gave me a pair of glasses and told me that this is the best they could do. They also offered me $1,600.00 back that equaled the cost of the screwed up FEMTO laser treatment for my one laser damaged eye! (My Right Eye) However they said that if I accepted the money I would have to sign Hold Harmless agreements and a disparagement release so I could not litigate Saint Lucie Eye Associates or tell this story! Needless to say I refused the money! I am now left with poor vision that impairs my ability to work online and often gives me headaches because its still a strain to read even with the glasses on. No amount of money can buy back my now screwed up vision and how my ongoing poor vision makes me feel every single day! These are the reasons I am not happy with my cataracts surgery experience with Dr Derek Ohlstein. I believe he has now changed locations to perform cataracts surgery with a different group in Vero Beach Florida I called Tami McCallum at Alcon the manufacturer of the ReSTOR multi-Focal lenses that were implanted into my eyes with the wrong prescription for possible help in this matter but they blew off my E-mails and phone calls without offering any help whatsoever! I would like to litigate Derek Ohlstein for the ongoing damage and harm this gross negligence has and is still causing to me, however every attorney I talked to would amazingly not take my case unless I was totally blind or dead! I guess they all want the easy money! The only thing left for me is to tell this accurate story of my horrible experience with Dr Derek Ohlstein, Saint Lucie Eye Associates and then Alcon to educate the people reading this website! Update——My vision is now getting worse. Because of this I went to my local eye doctor at Cohens Optical In Port Saint Lucie Florida. I was informed by the eye doctor that I now actually have new cataracts growing on the implanted ReSTOR multi-focal replacement lenses themselves! I fear that maybe I will soon go blind if my eyes can no longer be fixed! "