I cannot warn patients enough to stay away from this doctor. She had her staff cancel my appointment multiple times and offered no acknowledgment nor apology. That was annoying but forgivable. When after my exam, I had some follow up questions. These questions were repeatedly ignored. She kept putting me off saying the doctor would get back to me since she was so slammed with patients. Weeks later, I still hadn’t heard back and called and spoke to a staff member and come to find out she was actually galavanting at her vacation home the whole time. I finally got a call back and had my two questions answered. All this only took about 3-4 minutes of her time but caused me a lot of anxiety and stress. Once again, no acknowledgment of my feelings or concerns. I felt like once I left the exam room and purchased glasses, I was no longer a priority. She isn’t fit to see patients because she doesn’t actually care about following through with her job.

Submitted Nov. 28, 2023

I can’t help but identify with the last review. Dr Ilene Polhemus was really unprofessional and condescending when she didn’t have to be. We saw Dr Pan and he was attentive and kind, but when I came by to pick up my kids prescription for contacts instead of purchasing from Los Gatos Eye Care, Dr Polhemus began saying things like other places will sell me used contacts and weird stuff like that. It was super awkward and I honestly felt bullied by her. My recommendation is to avoid her at all costs.

Submitted March 29, 2023

This was an experience I had a while ago, but I am writing a review now as I just past by the office recently and remember what a horrible taste it left in my mouth. The office and staff were nice and it was easy to book an appointment, though I had to wait a few weeks out. The doctor was pleasant at first and was quite thorough. Then I came back with a small but fixable problem. This was when things turned sideways for no reason. I noticed her becoming dismissive, defense and eventually blaming the issue on me. She was so unbothered by other people's problems, it is a little sociopathic. I've never been treated so poorly by an eye doctor, it's like she turned into a different person. Overall, it seems like she needs to go to therapy or just stop being in business all together if she can't get her stuff together just to fix minor problems. Needless to say, stay away!

Submitted Feb. 14, 2023

I have been seeing Dr. Polhemus for about 8 years. She has always been very professional and has given me a very complete eye exam. She listens carefully to my symptoms and always addresses the problems I'm having. She is one of the few doctors I've seen who actually seems to care more about the person they're seeing than just a number on their schedule. I use these sites pretty often to get an idea of what a doctor may be like before I see them, but I also realize that most of the people who take the time to write on them are probably the one's that had a bad experience. I'm writing to make it known that I think this doctor is fabulous (most of the reviews do, too) and the few reviews that aren't I chalk up to that percentage of the population who are unhappy no matter what...they come into the place where I work, too.

Submitted Dec. 5, 2008

At every step, the dr. & staff made gross errors, treating me with little respect as a person. There's NO genuine concern for her patient’s wellbeing. I'm appalled & actually concerned about the care she provides. She should be reviewed by the board & her office should be noted by the BBB. I've made several complaints about eye problems, w/no thorough attempt at diagnosis. I left several messages w/ ppl(not just on VM)& waited over 2wks for a response to a time-sensitive issue. I finally had to demand a call back&then: No explanation &no apology for completely ignoring–or forgetting-about me. I was charged for a full exam, yet she spent less than 8min w/me. I waited over 45 min for my exam & offered no apology, no reason for tardiness & no realistic expectation time I'd get in. The treatment I received was dismissive at best, negligent at worst. If I gave my clients this treatment, I'd be out of business. I’m shocked she isn’t out of business yet. Avoid her at all cost. My grade: -100

Submitted Feb. 3, 2008

Great Doctor, very knowledgeable and professional but friendly and personable. Great office staff, helpful and attentive.

Submitted Dec. 7, 2006

Great doctor!! She obviously cares about her patients and their families and gave me the most thourough and compassionate eye exam I've ever had. I thought the exam fees and the glasses were very reasonably priced, especially considering the amount of time both the doctor and the staff spent with me. When most offices route you through a voicemail from the moment you call, this office's one-one-one personalized care is refreshing. I've been to other offices in the area and this is, by far, the best! I recommend it to my closest friends & family.

Submitted Sept. 26, 2006

Excellent care for both myself, 5 year-old daughter and 93 year-old aunt! Highly recommend!

Submitted April 23, 2006

Office was polite @ 1st, but made easily preventable error. In itself, it wasn't problem--though disconcerting (breeched patient privacy laws & initially caused denial of insur. ben.). I expected a simple debriefing, that this would be taken seriously, assurance 2 establish simple protocol 2 prevent such mistakes & cooperation 2 resolve (i.e. DOCUMENT@ION 2 include w/ my request 2 change employer's policy, enabling strangers 2 add, access & bill against my insurance, w/out notice). An "I'm sorry" would’ve been nice--not necessary. She was defensive, refused 2 accept responsibility, acknowledge non-compliance 2 HIPPA required protocols, balked @ request 2 verify patient data, & provided no assurance she'd taken matter seriously. She called (HIPPA) laws "ridiculous" & pretended not 2 "understand" my requests for a billing statement, saying she didn’t account charges. (!) Reminded of HIPPA, she retaliated w/anger, personal character attack, false accusation & refusal 2 treat.

Submitted March 17, 2006

Very thorough and attentive; answers all questions and is not shy about referring to specialists. Great office staff; caring and compassionate and competent. Very pricey! Chagres a premium for services and only sells high end designer glasses that are marked up in price far more than the same models at Four Eyes, Lenscrafters, Costco, etc. Does work with insurance. Overall, a good value but ship around for less expensive frames.

Submitted March 3, 2006