Need a retina surgeon

I need a caring, empathetic and dedicated retina surgeon immediately. I need surgery within a week or two.  I have already had multiple surgeries. There are seven in Austin, and I have eliminated two, for excellent reasons.  I need immediate surgery and my current doctor has let me know that he does not care about my progress.  It is heartbreaking, because I have been very fond of him and dependent on him.  I respected his expertise and skill.  I do not know what is wrong.  He has always said irrelevant, unkind and inappropriate (I'll leave it at that) things to me, but I have studk with him, because he had seemed dedicated to helping me.Now it seems that he is out of control.  

I had wanted to ask to bring in an associate to straighten out the communication; however, on the last vist, his behavior was so bad that I feel I can no longer trust him. I think he wants me to leave.  I am highly educated, and a researcher in another field avd very bright (not just my opinion) and I am very much my advocate. I want to understand my condition, because ths is my nature, and I do not want to miss an opportunity to help myself.

I am also heartbroken that I have almost no sight in my left eye, and that I could lose the eye itself. It is ironic that I have very beautiful eyes, and that I am very visually oriented. I have an abusive family and a few good friends.I must take care of myself, and I am not young.

I do not mind if someone recommends a group, but I would prefer a specific name, if possible, and a mention of the good qualities of the doctor.

I am an educator, and caring for the welfare of the student population whiom I help is the organizing feature of my life. I need a doctor who feels somewhat the same about his profession.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I do not know any retina surgeons personally in Austin. You can to www.aao.org and find a Board Certfied Retina surgeon that is a Fellow in the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

JCH III MD

[AnnaE]

That's a way to make sure I have all the names.  I could find out where they graduated from. That would help. I cannot seem to get over my attachment with my doctor. I have always thought that one should not bring up differences before surgery.  I cannot go to him anyway.  He might blow up and stop seeing me.  He has four partners. Maybe I could go to them and ask for help.  I would not present it as a problem, but say that the doctor and I are at a critical stage of poor communication, and that I cannot go through with the surgery with bad communication.

Since they have a "CEO," are financially connected, at lest in terms of referrals and business, nd all that, I believe that they would throw me out. I just want comfort at this really bad time, and the best help for my eye. I do not want to talk problems, or tell the partners negative things about him.

I really don't have a reason to believe that any of them has a compassionate soul.  The key seems to be money and protecting what they have.  But I have been there for 8 months.  Is it worth a try?

In the meantime, I will look up the other doctors.I could go to San Antonio, or to Dalls.  It would be uncomfortable, because I would take a bus.  Maybe I could get a deal on flights, because of my condition. It's worth a try. There is an "angel" organization.

Thank you

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

In Dallas Texas Retina Associates are well thought of.

JCH III MD

[AnnaE]

Do you think that's it's worth a try to straighten things out with my current doctor,  I found out that one of his associates did medical school and residency at Emory, and his fellowship at Wills.  He is the one I thought about talking to, and he will be in this Friday.

I found a very new doctor named Chen in Austin.  He hs very good credentials.  I am also going to call him tomorrow. I found several other doctors as a result of your suggestion, but Chen is the only one who interests me. I think youth is sometimes good, and he went to good schools.

Thanks

[AnnaE]

Do you think that's it's worth a try to straighten things out with my current doctor,  I found out that one of his associates did medical school and residency at Emory, and his fellowship at Wills.  He is the one I thought about talking to, and he will be in this Friday.

I found a very new doctor named Chen in Austin.  He hs very good credentials.  I am also going to call him tomorrow. I found several other doctors as a result of your suggestion, but Chen is the only one who interests me. I think youth is sometimes good, and he went to good schools.

Thanks

[AnnaE]

I have money saved for a trip to anywhere to consult an expert doctor clinic.  I have decided today that I will even move.  I will do anything to save my eye.  There is nothing more important in my life.

Can you mention a doctor/clinic that you think could help me? Anywhere in the world. Most serious problems are hypotony traction, scar tissue, partial atrophy of ciliary body.  I have proliferative retinopathy.  Four surgeries since March.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I would have to tell you that medical expertise is now well distributed across the USA and retina training is surperb at almost all training centers. It is not like it was several generation ago where certain types of sight saving (and life saving) surgery was only done in certain centers. Then it made sense to go long distances at great expense for retina surgery, or heart surgery or brain surgery.

The point to consider is that before you disrupt your life entirely and move someplace. You should consider that they may not be not able to breath sight back into your eye. Your problems sound pretty desperate.  Please consider an independent consultation with a local retina specialist. If they are not encouraging it may be fruitless to squander your savings moving elsewhere. The sad fact is that there are eyes and conditions we cannot help.

JCH III MD

[JodieJ]

I can sense your hurt, disappointment, and anxiety related to your recent interactions with your surgeon.   I assume that the two of you have had a long relationship.  But your first obligation has to be to yourself and to preserving your vision.  I think that your idea about seeking a second opinion is a very good one, and I'm glad that the website that Dr. Hagan recommended has been useful.  I hope you follow through with your plan to call Dr. Chen tomorrow.  If you also decide to see your surgeon's associate, I think that you should limit the focus of the consultation to your vision problems.

I tried finding a retinal surgeon for you using Castle-Connolly's directories (www.castleconnolly.com).  Their listings are based on the recommendations of other doctors, who are asked to name the doctors/specialists whom they would want to see for their own health problems.  Unfortunately, the closest retinal surgeon I could find is located in Houston--Dr. H. Michael Lambert (713-799-9975).  He is listed as one of the top ophthalmologists in America, and he specializes in retinopathy--but I know that Houston is a long way from Austin.

Please let us know how your new consultations go.  Best wishes.  

[AnnaE]

Thanks for your help and support. I will consider Houston seriously.  I would prefer traveling farther and going to a city with cleaner air.  Houston makes me very sick. But I could fly in and out in one day.  I used to live there, and I had excellent eye doctors.

[AnnaE]

I would move only if some good doctor convinced me that I could get help in another city, and that I needed to be in that city a while.

Do you think that I am likely to lose my eye, as well as my vision?

[JodieJ]

Given the urgency of your needs, it might be best to consult a local retinal specialist before considering a trip to Houston.  (It was my experience that it can take some time to get an appointment with a Castle-Connolly doctor.)  If you are impressed by Dr. Chen's credentials, than please follow through with your plan to call his office tomorrow.  And let us know how things go.

[AnnaE]

If I want to ask my doctor's associate to switch doctors, what should I say is the reason?

[JodieJ]

In your place, I'd schedule a consultation with the associate for the purpose of obtaining a second opinion.  I would limit the focus of the consultation to my current vision problems (and not discuss my hurtful interactions with my former surgeon).  If I were happy with the associate, I'd schedule my future appointments/surgery with him/her.  I once switched optometrists within a practice, and I was never directly asked about my reasons for changing.   I suspect that you won't be, either.

Austin is not what I'd call an "unsophisticated" town.  I'm sure there are several very competent retinal surgeons practicing in the area.  There's nothing stopping you from seeing more than one surgeon for an additional opinion.  (I saw three doctors before deciding on a cataract surgeon.)  

[AnnaE]

Austin is highly unsophisticated. I have lived here thirty years. Got our first museum 4 years ago. The city is being ruined by lack of planning.

Doctors come here because the legislature made the malpractice ceiling 250,000. There are not that many retinal surgeons here, but only one is my current practice is from Texas..

His associates do not give second opinions on each other.  They will not say a word. They just say see your doctor immediately. This is my fifth surgery. Since  I need immediate surgery, I need to ask for help.  My eye looks very bad. It is shrinking. Transportation is very difficult for me. I need doctors close to my home, in whatever city I am living in.

Thank you.  I appreciate your help.

[JodieJ]

If you can't get an independent opinion within your surgeon's practice, then set up consultation(s) with other other doctors you've found through Dr. Hagan's website.  I know that this is an extremely stressful time for you.  But I truly believe that you can find a caring, competent retinal surgeon in Austin.  So keep us posted.

[AnnaE]

I think that the only move I can make with his associates is to ask if one of them will take me on.  I do not want to switch practices, unless it is necessary.

I don't think it is possible to know a doctor in a short time.  I don't want to go to another practice, if it is not necessary.  I am not stressed; I  am  lost. I have almost no support. My therapist is even on vacation. I am looking for a local group to share with.

[JodieJ]

If you don't want to change practices, I think that it's extremely likely that your surgeon's associate will take you on.  Didn't you say that he will be in the office on Friday?  Could you set up an appointment to see him that day?

There has to be someone covering your therapist's practice during his/her vacation.  It might also be a good idea to set up an emergency therapy session or two.  It would be helpful for you to talk about your hurtful interactions with your surgeon with someone sympathetic and objective,  and you could get some support for your decisions about your vision problems.  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[AnnaE]

You are so kind.

Unfortunately, but no one takes over for her these days. It is hard to find someone as smart as her.  However, she has ironically said that my doc is a nice guy, but that we have communication problems She also said that I need to talk to him about his strange remarks, and the fact that the consultation centers on him, rather than me.She has also said that I have gone through so much over this that he is probably confused about how to communicate with me.

This is too unreal.  I cannot believe this happened to me.  I nursed my daughter through double rtina surgery. She is fine. I thought it would happed to me, not her.  I have know about this all my life, and monitored my eyes.  However, my last opthamologists did not refer me when they sould have, about 3-10 years ago. Itold them something was wrong two months before it happened, and they minimized my lattice.  Emergency room doctors and nurses ignored me.I never told my doc all this, because I knew it would make him nervous, but I have so much anger.

Thanks for listening


I could ask my psychiatrist, who prescribes medication, to recommend someone.

The student health center I have access to is closed for the holidays.  

I had planned to make an appointment with the associate on Friday, but I am afraid that I need to see someone sooner.  He is out of town tomorrow. He has surgery Thursday. I will talk to the assistant tomorrow. I am very anxious because I have had to wait for everyone to have a holiday.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

-------------------

[AnnaE]

I guess your last post was sort of a blip, not a post. I looked up Texas Retina Associates.  I had looked at them before, for my daughter, who lives in Dallas.

[AnnaE]

Another set of lines from you?

[JodieJ]

I would be happy to continue our communication offline.  If you click my name, you can send me a private message.

Jodie

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

When I post a set of line ------------------------- it indicates I have read the last post and there no response in necessary. I don't see that you have ask me any question that I have not answered. When a thread becomes a discourse between people posting I don't interpose myself into that conversation.

Was there something you asked me that I had not answered?

JCH III MD

[AnnaE]

No, that's OK. Thank you.

I switched doctors today. I have surgery tomorrow.  I feel more peaceful, or just relieved but in shock.

Dr. Chen on AAO is not is Austin. But I switched to the associate, He said that sometimes difficult cases benefitted from a new doctor. I agree,

Thank you

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Good luck.
JCH III MD

[AnnaE]

Thanks for your help and words of support.

[PAMI1019]

I woukd like to know how you are doing, was just reading the conversations betwixt you, Dr JH and JodieJ. I am, myslelf, starting out with a floater problem whcich commenced early 2007. On 12,24,07 I noticed a new barrage so went to optthalmologist on 12/27/07, who, after seeing me, said I needed to go to a retina specialist for further evaluation, as I have severe peripheral degeneration. Could you possibly tell me what this test that the ret. spec. is going to do to me, as am very frightened by the whole ordeal. I have only one good eye, the right eye is "lazy" and completely useless. The barrage of flaoaters is, of course, in the good eye, as luck would have it, so am too concerned about the outcome of all this.

Any help or encouragement you can give me would be gretat. Above all, please feel free to share with me your pain, as we all do need each other in these terrifying times!

[AnnaE]

Hi,

Please send a message to Dr JH directly. I would feel better if you ask him about the diagnosis and tests first.

We need each other all the time, but during these scary times, we appreciate and value each other even more. Go to the retinologist ASAP. If you have any problems with his personality, or anything else, ask us here. Tell him of your fears and worries, before he gives you a diagnosis. Tell him you need answers to your questions.

I have had some very painful news about my vision, but I am struggling to cope, in any way that I can. These terrible times also help us appreciate simple things. I just experienced a very peaceful dusk, cooking dinner and straightening my house, making it more comfortable and attractive for me.

Being good to anyone whom we can be good to can also helps. We can find more opportunities for this than we expect. Sometimes, people can also show unexpected kindness to us, bringing good and peace into our lives.

I encourage you to keep reaching out for help, as you have done by writing to us here. JodieJ and the doctor have been kind to me, and everyone here would like to help you, I am sure. Please write us back right away, and let me know how you are.

When I left the doctor's office after the first retina surgery, I was so lost. I had almost no support or information. I want you to have a better experience with your treatment.

[AnnaE]

Hi,

Please send a message to Dr JH directly. I would feel better if you ask him about the diagnosis and tests first.

We need each other all the time, but during these scary times, we appreciate and value each other even more. Go to the retinologist ASAP. If you have any problems with his personality, or anything else, ask us here. Tell him of your fears and worries, before he gives you a diagnosis. Tell him you need answers to your questions.

I have had some very painful news about my vision, but I am struggling to cope, in any way that I can. These terrible times also help us appreciate simple things. I just experienced a very peaceful dusk, cooking dinner and straightening my house, making it more comfortable and attractive for me.

Being good to anyone whom we can be good to can also helps. We can find more opportunities for this than we expect. Sometimes, people can also show unexpected kindness to us, bringing good and peace into our lives.

I encourage you to keep reaching out for help, as you have done by writing to us here. JodieJ and the doctor have been kind to me, and everyone here would like to help you, I am sure. Please write us back right away, and let me know how you are.

When I left the doctor's office after the first retina surgery, I was so lost. I had almost no support or information. I want you to have a better experience with your treatment.  

[AnnaE]

I just read that some adults can benefit from treatment for lazy eye. I read this on Wikipedia. Have you asked your ophthalmologist for the name of a specialist in "lazy eye," or amblyopia?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[AnnaE]

I recently changed doctors, a very difficult, painful decision. It looks like at least two of the doctors who are associated with my ex-doctor are highly qualified, caring and careful (about my emotional state, about my understanding my condition) physicians. I have been very fortunate in this regard. I now feel like I am going there for medical care, instead of going there to face a struggle. There are good reasons why I could not evaluate the old situation while I was in the middle of it.

My therapist has returned from vacation, ans she says that I have done excellent work. My friend is also back from break, and she said that she wanted to tell me to do this, but she had not wanted to interfere. She is now happy that I did it by myself.

Actually, I did not work alone JodieJ. and the doctor here really helped me, as did the therapists at my university counseling help line.

I still have more to learn about my condition, and how to be a good advocate for myself. It is like a full-time job.

Thanks for helping me.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You are welcome, good luck, God Bless.

JCH III MD

[Elcid94]

who was the doctor in Austin that cared for you?

Austin Retina Associates?

[AnnaE]

Click on my name, send me a message, and we can discuss this.