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need different eye doctors ... new recommendations?


lobita

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I have severe progressive (pathological) myopia and therefore have two important eye care needs:

1) I need annual retinal scans to monitor deterioration progress, and a retinologist on call for emergencies (such as a retinal detachment).

2) I need an opthalmologist or optometrist who is familiar with the issues involved with high-power myopes and can accurately prescribe contact lenses.

The backstory:

After canvassing existing recommendation threads on this board, I began working with Dr. Humberto Ruiz Garcia (Integrity Clinic & Guadalajara). He was pleasant and communicative during my initial appointment, even showing me the retinal scans and explaining what I was seeing, so I was hopeful.

However, the optometrist at Dr. Ruiz's Guadalajara office was quite simply incompetent, making such errors as only testing my eyes together, not separately. I had to argue strenuously for retests. Finally I got an improved (although not perfect) prescription and new RGP lenses. Dr. Ruiz charged me as much for the lenses as opthalmologists do in the States (MX$2400), or about three times as much as mail order lenses. However, they appear to have been made of some greatly inferior substance. Within two months, with only completely normal wear and cleaning, the new lenses were horribly scratched -- worse than my lenses would normally be even after four or five years. Due to the scratches, I have very cloudy center vision, making certain tasks (like driving) problematic.

I tried to contact Dr. Ruiz by email, but he did not reply. I finally made an appointment and he agreed to replace the lenses for free (though charged me for the appointment). I also had to pay a $300 delivery fee to get the lenses to me, as I could not pick them up in Guadalajara that week. Dr. Ruiz also mentioned that the optometrist was no longer working for him, and that he had no replacement yet.

Then when I got the replacement contacts, they were both obviously the wrong prescription, and I was completely unable to wear them. Dr. Ruiz had given me his cell number and told me that was the best way to reach him; I called multiple times and left messages over the past two weeks, but have received no response. I also sent another email but got no answer there either. So I am stuck with a pair of expensive but ruined lenses, and a pair that are incorrect and totally unusable, and an AWOL doctor.

***

In the short run, I need a good optometrist/opthalmologist *who is familiar with degenerative myopia* and can accurately assess off-the-charts prescriptions. I see multiple recommendations for Dr. Pinto, but also that he flatly refuses to deal with rigid gas permeable lenses. I have been wearing RGPs since they came out, circa 1980 (before that I was in hard contacts from the age of seven). While I would give some consideration to switching to soft lenses, I do not want to be *forced* to switch by someone who won't even acknowledge the benefits (as well as the drawbacks) of rigid lenses for someone with my particular condition.

In the long run, I may also need a new retinologist. Although I was fine with Dr. Ruiz's communication during my appointments, I am disturbed by his total lack of response since. I am at high (if not immediate) risk for several emergency conditions such as retinal detachment that would require same-day response and treatment.

Someone local would be great but I am more than willing to go into Guadalajara if needed -- more important to get someone good than someone close. Any suggestions?

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It surprises me that more people are not aware that we have a local Retinal Specialist and Ophthalmologist here in town now, as he advertises regularly. He lives here in Ajijic, and has his practice, Alta Retina, in Plaza Montaña, on the corner of Colon and the carretara. He is very educated and many friends who have been to him are very pleased with him. You should see him for an appointment . His number is 766-1521. He found small holes in my husband's retina and repaired them with laser. My husband felt great confidence in him.

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The Dr. Leon at Plaza Montana referred to above is actually Dr, Rigoberto RIOS León, a.k.k. Dr. Ríos. León is his apellido materno (mother's family name). He is an ophthalmologist / retinologist. A full exam is 600 pesos there and he does have the equipment to do an OCT test at a cost of 1200 pesos. I believe he has office hours on Mondays through Thursdays. He does his surgeries at a clinic in Guadalajara.

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About 1.5 years ago my wife was having problems with one eye, she was seeing dark spots or floaters. We went to a local eye doctor who didn't think it was much but he said to come back in three days. The floaters were still there after three days so he said she needed to see a specialist in Guad as the eye doctors here didn't have the proper equipment to detect problems like this. He suggested Dr Renee Santillan and when we called him and explained the situation he said she needed to come in immediately. He detected a partially torn retina and the next day he operated, using laser surgery. We were very impressed with his professionalism and his knowledge and his high tech equipment as well. He is the director of a large eye clinic in Guad but he has his own office as well. His father is from the States so he speaks perfect English, and he is also very personable. My wife is fine now but she goes to him from time to time for check ups. He is someone I would highly recommend.


If you google him I am sure you can find more info, but here is one link:


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Is everyone aware of The Retina Center(Centro de Retina) at the University of Guadalajara? It's in the tower at Puerta Hierrero and is one of the top 5 retina facilities in North America (yes, including Canada and the US). It is led by Arturo Santos, who is the go-to guy for many opthos in Mexico. All the best equipment. First class operating and examination rooms. I detached both my retinas and had the operations there. But it can get crowded. Call for an appointment (33)3348-5468.

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  • 2 months later...
  • 1 month later...

I just had cataract surgery done by Dr. Rios. He seems very capable and thorough and is up to date on the latest technology. He was amazed that Dr. Humberto Ruiz of Integrity Clinic had missed my cataracts when he examined me in the fall of 2013. Why don't you check out Rios and see what you think.

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A friend was diagnosed by Dr. Rios as having a macular hole in one eye. She is quite satisfied with the resultant surgery. The Dr. also now has duplicated his sophisticated Guadalajara equipment at his office in Ajijic.

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Does anyone know how much laser eye surgery costs in Jalisco? Dr. Rios suggested it and I've been thinking about it instead of reordering contacts every year.

I go in Thursday for a new lens. Dr Rios' cost is 15,000Pesos. Transportation is provided from the office to Guad and back.

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My friend was having problems, had several detached retinas in the past. Went to Dr. Rios who didn't catch the problem. I took her to Dr. Santos, retinologist at Puerto Hierro office towers and I watch his exam on a TV monitor and even I could see the problem. Vitrious gel detaching from the retina and permanently clouded areas in her vitrious gel. Dr. Rio didn't catch either problem. So I would go to Dr. Arturo Santos for a retina problem after those two experiences.

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It is boggling and scary. I usually get a second opinion if it is something serious. In this case I should have gotten a third opinion.

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  • 1 year later...

Several years ago I got a flash of light in my peripheral vision, which I knew could be a sign of a detaching retina. I had floaters as well. I knew a woman who had a detached retina and surgery and asked her for a recommendation. His name is Dr. Jose Antonio Rodriguez Trevilla. He is a "cirujano oftalmologo". She was very pleased with him. I attended his office and he spent about an hour doing what I felt was a very thorough examination. His diagnosis was that he couldn't see any problems except for a bit of inflammation. And in fact I have not had any further problems. The only negative was that he gave me a scrip for some eye drops for the inflammation, which after using for 1 day made my eye hurt and feel like there was a lot of pressure. When I looked it up on the internet, I found that this sometimes happens with this medication, and that if it does, to STOP USING IMMEDIATELY. He never mentioned anything like this, but I'm not surprised, since in my experience, doctors never mention possible bad effects of what they prescribe.

In any case, I saw him in Puerto Vallarta, but at that time I know he was in PV half the week and at his practice in Guadalajara half the week. Don't have an address or phone number for him in Guad., but sure you could look him up there.

 

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