Wal-Mart optometrist, Dr. Steve Wayland prescribed a contact prescription that caused double vision in my contacts. I was told to bring them back for a replacement. I was refused the replacements, any contacts I paid for and my prescription. Dr. Steve Wayland was licensed in Georgia, so I sent the complaint to the Georgia State Board of Optometry.in 2003 and I emailed Executive Director Anita O. Martin my complaint, and I emailed it to her over and over.
This was done because every few months that the Optometry Board was to meet, she would claim that I needed to re-send all of my information. The board meets at least four times a year. I shared with Wal-Mart's corporate office in Bentonville, AR the fact that Dr. Wayland had violated the Fairness to Contact Lens Wearers Act passed in 2004 by the Federal Trade Commission.
Wal-Mart denied responsibility, because their optometrists are contract employees. Consumers have no recourse against them in that regard. To protect myself this time I called to make sure the optometrist of my choice was licensed in Georgia, had no violations and wasn't under investigation. Although I never received a single letter or phone call (or emails) regarding my complaint, I had assumed that Anita Martin or her supervisor Jim Claiborne processed my complaint.in a call on 12/4, Jim Claiborne stated that although he hadn't read my complaint, he wanted to call and tell me the board dismissed it in 2005.
Wow. A full four years ago, I was ignored and robbed and Federal Trade Commission law was violated, but Georgia decided it wasn't important. Jim Claiborne did explain that the complaint, which of course was summarily closed in 2005 was sent directly to the Georgia Board of Dispensing Opticians for an additional five year wait to make sure consumers are further violated. Per Jim Claiborne, although he doesn't practice in Georgia any longer, but if an agency never calls to ask we won't share it. That's very reassuring.
I told him that it was unfair to consumers and dishonest that these boards and their members, and the Georgia employees who work there, are cheating us all. Stalling works in Georgia and so does neglect. He laughed and said ".. That's the process". He did promise to create a letter next week confirming that they didn't do anything about these outrageous acts, from 2002 to the present. I told him no thanks and to just keep doing what they clearly do for Georgia citizens: nothing really.
Lesson: Do not get glasses or contacts from Wal-Mart or their optometrists. You may get the wrong prescription, be cheated and then have no one to help correct the problem.
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