Main Line Surgery Center

I had left eye cataract surgery in December, 2025 at Main LIne Surgery Center, and I immediately cancelled the right eye cataract surgery. I'm on Medicare, which means basic cataract surgery is covered in full by Medicare, and the surgeon receives a reasonable payment. However, Medicare won't pay for laser surgery on cataracts as that is more expensive, and the quality of the outcome is the same. Medicare also will not cover astigmatism correction by laser, since this is considered cosmetic. My Surgery was performed by Dr. Michael Negrey at Main LIne Surgery Center. Dr. Negrey is competent, but leaves all communication to his surgical coordinator, Valerie, whose communication is mostly about pushing you to get the upgraded package of laser as well as astigmatism correction not covered by Medicare. If you refuse the upgraded package in person with her, she calls and tries to hustle you into it. Main Line Surgery Center seems more like a shabby beauty salon than any medical facility I have ever gone to. I was instructed to arrive 8:15 at the very latest, so I arrived at 7:30. I waited in a run down, extremely crowded waiting room until after 10 am. There was one dirty bathroom for too many folks, so there was always a line. I was so thirsty, because you can't drink after midnight. The receptionist and one of the nurses were kind, but the rest of the staff, especially the anesthesia nurse, behaved abruptly and unprofessionally. The 45 minutes I spent in the pre-surgery area with all the other patients in a row was TERRIFYING! My heart was pounding out of my chest. The anesthesia nurse told me I would have complete awareness of the procedure, and full or partial pain. The staff kept talking about having to hurry, because they were behind schedule. I remember someone pouring liquid that was streaming down my cheek. I didn't realize that the drops was first going in my numbed eye, so I wasn't feeling it. I just thought she was rushing, and completely missing any anesthetic going into my eye, so that I would experience full pain. Everyone seemed completely oblivious that patients may be frightened. Their only attempt at empathy was to call the anesthesia nurse a bartender with a heavy pour. The nurse with the huge dangling light-up and chiming earrings was also NOT comforting. It was more like an ugly sweater party for Millennials than cataract surgery for Medicare patients. Despite what the nurse said, I had no awareness of the procedure, and my next memory was going down in the elevator with my husband. The actual surgery and recovery was about 15 minutes. My next day post op check was actually scheduled 2 hours later the same day. Needless to say, I could not see by then, since my eyes were dilated until the next afternoon. I called the next day to cancel the right eye cataract surgery, but it took 5 or 6 more calls before they actually cancelled the surgery. I was worried I would get charged as a NO SHOW. It is now 6 weeks later, and I went to a new eye doctor to get new glasses made. The new eye doctor said I can wait until I am ready to get the right cataract removed. I trust him, so I will do it in a couple of years. I will not be returning to Main Line Surgery Center or to Dr. Michael Negrey. Because they are only concerned about making more money than what Medicare allows, they turned a very minor medical procedure into an extremely traumatic experience. Shame on them!

My experience at Main Line surgery center was a very pleasant and assuring operation. Everyone, reception, billing, Doctors, Nurses were very pleasant and accomodating. I look forward to my next cataract surgery on Dec. 11. Thanks, Jim Wilson

I called the day before to ask what time this appointment was scheduled. I was told ten am. It is now 12:15 pm and I am still in the waiting room. This is disgusting and unprofessional. The staff are cordial, but what good is that when there is no respect of my time. This is a clip joint.

The staff at Main Line Surgery center is amazing. Very caring and professional. I have had a few procedures done there over the years and everyone tries very hard to make it the best. I can’t recommend it enough.

From the reception area, to the physician, nursing staff and anesthesia team, my care was top notch and handled very professionally. A well oiled machine. I thank you all for making me feel safe and confident.