I didn't know what to expect my first appointment for both myself and my daughter at Loden Vision Center in Smyrna, TN. I had actually made an appointment a couple years prior and put it off. I remember being concerned that there may be some type of high sell tactic, given the amount of advertisements on the radio at the time. But my daughter had a scary incident recently and was seen in the hospital regarding her vision and was advised to see an opthamologist. In looking at reviews, and various doctors I landed on Loden. After our visit today, I wasn't disappointed in the least. Doctor Gary Jenkins was so informative. He explained to both of us, in different rooms (she's 18 now), what this event was that had occurred. He explained what to look for in the future and reasons it occurred. He was very kind and very quick to dispel bad information we'd been given by people with good intentions. We also wanted to mention that were also seen by two other people before Doctor Jenkins in the exam room that provided a great deal of the eye exams as well. I apologize but we don't recall their names, and didn't get cards for them. However, we both felt, and wanted to mention, them. If they were not optometrists, they should be. They were each quite thorough and capable, having performed the part of the exam that seemed more of the vision assessment, provided our prescribed powers, bifocal measurements , contact lens data, eye drops, etc. Again, I apologize for not knowing the proper names of the services they performed, but they each work very well with Doctor Jenkins.Finally, it was time to order our glasses and contacts where we were helped by Rachael Stacey, LDO and Jacqui Smallwood, LDO, and they were each so very helpful in so many ways. They were quite kind and attentive in leading us to exactly what we asked for with regard to frames. Then we both had special requests regarding the material and coatings on the lenses. They were each very knowledgeable of every various option. We both work with our eyes extensively and my daughter is an artist involving light. So, I'm sure you might imagine the degree of detailed questions we had with regard to reflective coatings, etc. I too, have problems with reflective coatings not usually lasting on my lenses as long as I felt they should. I felt they were each very knowledgeable in that they could recommend the most durable of every lens substance including advising us of the best cleaning methods to sustain the coatings we were buying.After all was said and done, we'd kept them after closing but we wouldn't have had a clue from their demeanor. They both worked with our insurance to make sure all coverages were accounted for from our insurance before providing our final charges. Not once, did I feel a strong feeling of "being sold" and I honestly can't say that from other places we've bought glasses and contacts from in years past.I must give the entire experience the highest rating and/or review possible and I am quite critical of service, as is my daughter. We can't recommend Loden Vision Centers highly enough, and specifically this location, as a result of our experience today. Thank you.
