Glaucoma

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  • Ophthalmologist for Glaucoma

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    Mar 22, 2022

    Does anyone have an opthalmologist they particularly like, and can recommend?

    My eye pressures have gradually increased. The cavalcade of somewhat-toxic eyedrop drugs that have been prescribed are expensive, ineffective, and have caused allergic side effects.

    I have seen two different doctors in a reputable practice and am feeling distrustful. 

    While clearly medical people deserve to get a pass on many customer service issues, due to the upheavals of the COVID pandemic experience, I feel that I am not getting adequate information regarding my condition and treatment options.

    The doctors I have seen in this practice are borderline rude and always in a hurry.  I can't get my questions answered.

    They employ good medical assistants, but can I rely on their conjectures?  And from one month to the next, there may be an entirely new staff. The entire front office apparently quit in February, and all the medical assistants are also new.  What's up with that?

    The doctor I am seeing now seems uncomfortable with my compulsive note-taking and collecting test results into a big binder.

    Perhaps he imagines plaintiff's lawyers in his future.

    Now I am being referred to an eye surgeon. There is a paradox:  Axiomatically, "if it works, don't fix it".  But surgical intervention to relieve inter-ocular pressure prevents progressive blindness -  unless the surgery goes bad and CAUSES blindness.

    So, has anyone had one of these types of eye operations?  Any advice?  Thanks.

    Mar 22, 2022

    Hi, if I were you, I would get an evaluation at the Meredith Morgan Eye Center on UC Berkeley campus. It is part of the school of optometry, so you may not always have the same person doing your exam, but you will always have an attending doctor review your case. Because it is a school, they have deep knowledge about eye health and I would feel confident in the evaluation they give you. Good luck!

    Mar 23, 2022

    Have you looked into University of California San Francisco Hospital Medical Clinic in Berkeley. I totally understand about feeling rushed at private doctors. According to my private orthopedist there is a huge shortage of medical personnel at this time, following the burn-out and exhaustion from COVID. Doctors are retiring early, it is hard to find office staff. I have had excellent service from the UCSF opthamology department, although I have to the San Francisco clinics and doctors. They take MediCare.

    Mar 23, 2022

  • Glaucoma specialist needed

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    Aug 4, 2017

    Looking for a very experienced glaucoma specialist preferably from large center like UCSF, Stanford, UCD etc. Asking for a friend. Her mother is loosing an eyesight and her opthalmologyst feels that no treatment options can help and that surgery would not help too. She is hoping to get a second opinion from a doctor with great reputation and experience in treating glaucoma who might know all newest treatments for it, surgical or not. If you or someone you know had sucess in treating glaucoma and can recommend the doctor who helped you, it would be very much appreciated. 

    Thank you in advance. 

    Aug 4, 2017

    I strongly recommend Andrew Iwach, a wonderful seasoned ophthalmologist in SF and also the East Bay. When my MD retired from UCSF, he recommended I see Dr. Iwach, who focusses exclusively on glaucoma. Your mother will be in good hands!

    Aug 8, 2017

    I don't know if this will be helpful but  at Kaiser Oakland the glaucoma specialist is Dr. Ingu Yun (Pretty sure that's it).
    I had an acute attack of narrow angle glaucoma a few years back and he was the guy I saw. He did my surgery and
    guided me thru my healing. He came highly recommended. I completely trusted hm especially after going to UCSF Pacific
    Heights Med Center for a 2nd opinion and THAT glaucoma specialist (can't remember his name) said If Dr. Yun is 
    treating me, I"m in good hands.  If you're not a Kaiser member this may not be useful, but thought I'd throw it out to you.

    Good luck.

    Aug 8, 2017

    Second the vote for doctor Iwach and his group. I actually see Dr. radhakrishnan for my glaucoma and she has been an excellent knowledgeable caring physician. Their group specializes in glaucoma.

    Aug 8, 2017

    Hi,

    I'm sorry for your friend's mother's visual difficulties.

    I second the recommendations for Dr. Iwach's group at the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco. I also have worked with George Tanaka and Terri Pickering's practice.  From UCSF, Shan Lin is an excellent glaucoma doctor as well.  

    Aug 18, 2017
RE:
Ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma & strabismus (Jul 16, 2025)

Regarding the glaucoma care, I have been navigating the process for five years and have seen a lot of doctors.

I ended up going to UCSF Mission Bay,.  You need to have your primary care MD fax them a referral, and it requires the labors of Hercules to get in the door.  But once you're in, the quality of the care is superb.

Dr. Rebecca Janik is great for cataracts, but doesn't do glaucoma.

Wishing you the best!  Open angle glaucoma can usually be well controlled. 

Jul 23, 2025
Recommended:
Glaucoma

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Opthamologist for Glaucoma

April 2010

Greetings and Peace, I am looking for an excellent opthamologist in the east bay regardless of health plan/insurance taken. thanks, erika erika

My own opthalmologist, Stephen Post in Alameda, told me that Patricia Wong is the area's go-to for glaucoma. She has offices in Oakland on Pill Hill and in SF (downtown, I think.) Good luck.