Thomas Clinch Md's Online Review Report Card

He did laser surgery on both my eyes. I ended up with worse vision compared to before. I am completely dependent on glasses now because of the astigmatism. He himself wears glasses and advises you to get multi focal lenses. Was nice before surgery but after surgery he came to the room I was in looking for something and didn’t even acknowledge me. And when I told him I couldn’t see, he said “I can’t make you young”, and was extremely insensitive. I wouldn’t advise anyone to visit his practice, as there are far better doctors out there.

Dr. Clinch wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise. He didn't want to hear about my issue or try discuss the problem. He couldn't figure it out from the tests his staff did so he didn't want to make the effort.

I had a very traumatic experience getting Lasik from Dr. Clinch two days ago. Dr. Clinch gave unclear instructions and became verbally aggressive as he continued the surgery. I was never told what to do during the surgery and was instructed conflicting things during the surgery such as 'open your eyes'/'don't flex your eyes' and to look straight at a green laser, when I had to look down to see it. When I spoke up to express my concern that I had to look down to see the green laser, Dr. Clinch became verbally aggressive and frustrated, telling me that I was wrong and that I need to look straight at the green laser. I was in immense pain and incredibly stressed out. I left with no confidence that the surgery went well, and I was absolutely panicked. My follow up apt. the next day was with Dr. Clinch. Instead of reassuring me everything went well, Dr. Clinch verbally berated and gaslight me for his actions and any shortcomings that resulted from my surgery. (I had a hemorrhage)

I had a very traumatic experience getting Lasik at the Eye Doctors of Washington two days ago. I arrived 15 minutes before my surgery instead of 30 and was rushed into the surgery. I had maybe 5 minutes between the time they put in numbing drops and gave me valium before they started the surgery. Dr. Clinch gave unclear instructions and became verbally aggressive as he continued the surgery. I was never told what to do during the surgery and was instructed conflicting things during the surgery such as 'open your eyes'/'don't flex your eyes' and to look straight at a green laser, when I had to look down to see it. When I spoke up to express my concern that I had to look down to see the green laser, Dr. Clinch became verbally aggressive and frustrated, telling me that I was wrong and that I need to look straight at the green laser. I was in immense pain and incredibly stressed out. I left with no confidence that the surgery went well, and I was absolutely panicked. I tried contacting them the night of my surgery to express my concern and get reassurance but was repeatedly hung up on after waiting 45-60 minutes on hold (look at any of the recent reviews). I was contacted by Dr. Clinch, my surgeon who created the hostile environment. I did not want to talk with the person who, I felt, had abused me verbally and disregarded my wellbeing. My follow up appointment the next day was with Dr. Clinch. This was very stressful and hard for me to communicate properly to the person I now considered an abuser. When I finally expressed my concern, Dr. Clinch retaliated my saying that I was 'the top 10% of worst patients' and that I could not follow simple instructions (As I mentioned above, I was concerned about conflicting information and was looking for reassurance, which I did not receive). He told me that he 'uses x voice, then moves to y voice and z voice' when I am not doing as instructed. As someone with experience having painful surgery without general anesthesia (I have had 6+ spinal injection while I was awake), I have always had surgeons who are calm and reassuring; are able to clearly communicate what they are doing and what I need to do. Instead of trying to comfort me, Dr. Clinch tried to gaslight me into thinking that it was my fault he had to treat me so horribly. This is the kind of language an abuser uses to transfer blame onto the victim. I could tell the assistant in the room for my follow-up was also uncomfortable as Dr. Clinch verbally berated and blamed me for any shortcomings that resulted from my surgery. Dr. Clinch did NOT perform the surgery in any way that would make me feel confident about the results. I am terrified and must keep myself from crying because I am scared that it may be harmful to my recovery. If there is any truth to what Dr. Clinch said, then at least 10% of his patients will have to go through the same thing as me. And The Eye Doctors of Washington will not provide you any reassurance as you will not be able to contact them. The people in charge of Eye Doctors of Washington are either ignorant or complicit in the behavior of Dr. Clinch. I do not blame the staff, they were amazing and the one reason I was duped into going here.

The old adage comes to mind. You have seen the rest. Now see the BEST !!!!

It was terrible. He performs cataract surgery as patients are cars on a conveyor belt. While he performs the procedure on you the next patient is wheeled into the room, the next is receiving anesthesia and the next measures the vitals. In my case he understood that the lens became unstable but did not stop to try alternative procedures that are well known. When I woke up, he waved me from the distance saying that my lens is “wobbling” as if I could do anything with this information. He left Bethesda the next morning, meanwhile he did not remove gel that resulted my eye pressure reached the level of 41 next morning and the lens fell into the eye that required another much-much complicated surgery with taking the vitreous body out and stitching the lese to the sides of they eye. He admitted that this procedure is beyond his expertise. May be as long as everything goes simple, he may perform standard procedure, but if something goes wrong, he is not a doctor on whom you can relay.

Not impressed with Dr. Clinch at all. He seemed to hurry through the personal consultation, was condescending and irritated about my refusal to provide answers to questions about my private life which had nothing to do with the contemplated eye surgery. Overall, I felt like a number or an object, placed on a conveyor belt and moved through the different examinations and staff consultations. The most annoying experience was with the scheduler who proceded to lecture me and tried to sell me unnecessary procedures and costly meds. What a waste of time ! Never again !

Dr. Thomas Clinch is very interested in making money. Very disappointed by his greedy approach, putting a patient in danger as well as suffering for long time, after a patient paid thousands of dollars for an unsuccessful surgery Dr. Thomas Clinch did not call a patient once in order checking the status or at least demonstrating any care. But Dr. Thomas Clinch did not forget to take up to the cent the small balance of the thousands of dollars pretending as if he did not harm in any way a patient. Dr. Thomas Clinch, if you read this know everything is paid up to the cent but you do not deserve it. For you spending any minute more than your short limit for a surgery is annoying. Quantity of patients is dangerous. You caused tremendous suffering. Enjoy the money. It matters for you.

Dr.Clinch is the Best Eye doctor. Excellent skills. Very professional, knowledgeable, courteous and caring. Our family patients of Dr.Clinch for many years. He did find out I have retina problem and send me immediately for surgery. He saved my eye. Recently he performed cataract surgery which went very well. My vision improved significantly. His staff and dr. explained everything to me to feel comfortable. I highly recommend dr. Clinch for any of your eye problems.

I found Dr. Clinch very friendly, knowledgeable and caring. He took the time to explain to me the benefits and risks of having my cataracts operation. He operated both eyes and did an amazing job. He did a courtesy call the day of the operation to make sure I was doing ok. I highly recommend him.