Dr. A K Grover

For almost a couple of years I have been seeing blurred images and hazy light. It was only in December ’22 middle, that I started my research, to take the plunge to clear my eye cataract. It was my good luck that I discussed my eye issue with good friend Shantanu [a retd. IAS] who spoke to his school friend Dr. Achintya Roy of Kolkata and he in turn suggested his friend, Padma Shri Prof. Dr. Ashok Grover [the famous Delhi based Eye Surgeon, ex- AIIMS]. We visited Vision Eye Centre [VEC] Sirifort Road, New Delhi and met Dr. Grover and got instantly convinced that I have found my Doctor at last!

From mid Dec. ’22 till 1st week of January ’23 I visited three Eye Centre’s and had got requisite experience from what they were saying! Without naming them let me give my points as to why I consider in hindsight it is so important to go to the right place and hands, as it could have damning effects! The first Centre I visited, clearly showed how mercenery they were. The 2nd one was good as they were friendly, totally free for checkups, but they talked of taking up my left eye 1st as it was weak and right eye next. Also they did not mention about my cylindrical power and the Toric lens which I needed to insert. Third Centre I visited, was initially having a reasonable fee but ended with a bang, charging me a big fee for some odd test suggested last minute! Even they too did not suggest the Toric lens for cylindrical power my eyes needed.

My visit to Dr. Ashok Grover set aside all doubts. It was here that I learn’t of Astigmatism i.e. (cylindrical power) and the Toric lens. He was also clear he was going to do my Right eye surgery first and then the Left! The complete approach was so different and convincing that I knew it that I have come to the right place. Further, it will be wrong not to mention that being a senior citizen and a music artiste with no insurance to fall back upon I asked – ‘may I request you for a soft discount.’ I was so touched when I was being discharged I was told that I was being given a discount. Even the 2nd time the discount was repeated. I think this was truly a very rare gesture coming from the great Vision Eye Centre with a wonderful team and staff. First time I found everything so nice … even the O T had classic golden era Hindi film music being played when the eye surgery was on! I was out of wits to hear an Anil Biswas song (my favourite composer) during my 1st eye surgery and S D Burman song in my 2nd. Waah Dr. Grover, I am so happy to have come to you – a big Thankyou !

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Dr.Grover and his team of doctors make the patient at ease by their friendly approach and professionalism.The patient develops lot of trust by their process of treatment.

The only issue I found was the wait time which was more than 2 hrs.This could be reduced if the appointment system is followed properly and the patient is told proactively in case of long waiting time.Also a mobile app or a desktop s/w specifically developed to reduce average waiting times to less than 20-30 minutes should be fine with most of the patients.

I took an appointment for 5PM and I reached before time and even paid the doctor fees as well. But after that I again got a message that my appointment time is 6PM and I had to wait for an hour to meet the doctor in the clinic where there were so many patients already in queue which is not preferable, gathering so many people in a room, during Covid Pandemic is not right.

I would suggest to only allocate a small number of patients in a given time period so that people don't have to wait more than 15 mins to get their turn or have bigger waiting area.