Strabismus...need a doctor in SA (Austin, Uvalde: school, live, floor) - San Antonio - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

shawngray · 09-06-2009, 10:53 AM

My son has strabismus and had surgery when we lived in Austin. He was about 2 1/2 at that time and is now 10. The turning outward of the left eye has gradually returned and now he is asking to have something done about it. He said it bothers him and we also know that his vision in the left eye is 20/70. An eye dr. that I went to in Uvalde gave me a card for Dr. Zwann. I've read this forum and am thinking I might call Dr. McCash for an appointment. We live about 100 miles from SA....my research seems to indicate that surgery + therapy is the best approach. I'm looking for a doctor that can help with the therapy portion as well as surgery. The first time around, I guess we were uneducated....we didn't even know that the doctor was going to perform surgery on BOTH eyes. Boy, was that a surprise. Then, when we went back a couple of years later due to the turning of the eye again, he was sort of nonchalant about it and basically said, oh yeah, that often happens. So, I'm trying to do all the research I can. Any comments, suggestions, recommendations are greatly appreciated.

LovingSAT · 09-06-2009, 11:38 AM

I have seen Dr. Nevarez for some major eye issues. I would recommend him highly.

LovingSAT · 09-06-2009, 11:46 AM

http://www.vitals.com/frame?url=http...on-san-antonio

MichelleSG · 09-07-2009, 07:29 PM

We've been to Dr. Zwaan and although we went for a different problem we were very happy with him. Wish my eye dr was as entertaining!

m22 · 09-07-2009, 09:31 PM

My daughter had strabismus surgery in both eyes at age 3 and I have heard it is very common for them to turn out again. Hasn't happened for us yet, thank goodness.

We just saw Dr. McCash for a routine eye exam and to establish ourselves as patients. We had to make our new patient appointment about 3 months in advance.
The first appointment is seriously a half-day affair...it made me crazy (even though I was warned - they warn you about the wait when they call to confirm the appointment, which scares you right off the bat).
The office was ridiculously busy and full. People were sprawled on the floor because all chairs were taken, the staff was overwhelmed and rude, and notes all over the office said things like "if you're more than 15 minutes late for your appointment we will reschedule" and "if you are a no show, we will charge you $XX" Great patient experience, eh?
The office staff told me to leave and come back while we were waiting for my kids' eyes to dilate ("go get a snack"). Thought that was weird but was happy to go, and when I came back at the indicated time, I still had to wait 45 minutes more. I told myself "this Dr. McCash had better be something special for me to come back again." In fact, I was planning on speaking up about the overscheduling and giving him a piece a my mind BUT...he was so nice and personable, he was great with my kids, he took extra time to chat with me and he seemed very honest and knowledgeable. So I will go back, but will just make sure to schedule my appointments now when other kids are in school and first thing in the morning. And I am about the pickiest patient you could find.

Betsyg · 09-08-2009, 08:44 AM

Totally agree with M22 above. Love Dr. McCash. Hate his office. As long as you are mentally prepared for the 1/2 day 1st appointment, you'll be okay.

cjw · 09-08-2009, 09:00 AM

My son had surgery at about age 16 months and they told me at that time that his eyes may change as he gets older and another surgery may be necessary (Dr. Muma). Dr Zwann did his second surgery (age 9, 2006) and I would definitely use him again. If I remember correctly, Dr Zwann has a son around age 12 or so that had strabismus surgery.

sapphire · 09-08-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjw

My son had surgery at about age 16 months and they told me at that time that his eyes may change as he gets older and another surgery may be necessary (Dr. Muma). Dr Zwann did his second surgery (age 9, 2006) and I would definitely use him again. If I remember correctly, Dr Zwann has a son around age 12 or so that had strabismus surgery.

Yes, Dr. Zwann's son had to have strabismus surgery. My son had his done by Dr. Zwann and I do not hesitate to recommend him. He also told me that my son will need surgery again before he's 18. I don't know if he'll still be practicing then, but if so, that's where we'd go.

(When my son is extremely tired, his eye does tend to drift a tiny bit.....does anyone else notice their child's eye doing that--it's really only when he's tired. I'm asking parents of kids with strabismus...)

shawngray · 09-09-2009, 05:01 PM

(When my son is extremely tired, his eye does tend to drift a tiny bit.....does anyone else notice their child's eye doing that--it's really only when he's tired. I'm asking parents of kids with strabismus...)[/quote]

Yes, I definitely notice the eye turn most when my son is tired. The funny thing is that I can always tell him to "fix his eyes" and he gets it back into alignment. But tired boy= wandering eye!

shawngray · 09-09-2009, 05:04 PM

What a chaotic sounding office! The comments about Dr. Zwann's office is why I was considering going to someone else. I remember that the Austin doctor also had a crowded office with lots of wait time. I wonder why that is?