Don O Kikkawa, MD

This review is for Shiley’s Thyroid Eye Center. I was referred to UCSD Thyroid Eye Center by my endocrinologist back in 2008 after I was diagnosed with thyroid eye disease. I had a decision to either wait and see if my eyes would resume their normal positioning or go to UCSD. I had all the apparent symptoms of the disease: bulging eyes, tightness of the eye muscles, and receding eyelids. I decided to try The Thyroid Eye Team at UCSD because it seemed like the wisest choice at the time. The team consisted of a panel of doctors, three of which I can recall: Dr. Don Kikkawa, Dr. David Granite, and a Dr. Levy (I don’t know her first name). I was treated with respect and the doctors seemed to have a genuine concern for my well-​being. I agreed to have what’s called orbital eye decompression surgery on both eyes (each done separately — performed by Kikkawa) and eye muscle (strabismus) surgery (performed by Granite). There is no doubt that these two doctors are competent at what they do, but the whole thyroid team and process was a complete disappointment for me. They dropped me halfway through the process. I never experienced the full journey from start to finish as the communication disintegrated between patient and the «team» of doctors. The next part of the process was to have cosmetic surgery done (eyelids & a scar from surgery), and then conclude with some «eye/​brain therapy?» (with Dr. Levy). After the orbital decompression surgery, I had difficulties recognizing people, including my own children. It was the way my eyes and brain were communicating. This lasted for about 5 months. I would call Kikkawa’s office manager (Denise) to get the process rolling. HORRIBLE FOLLOW-​UP from his office. By chance, if Denice answered the phone when I called, she was impatient and rude. Completely opposite from our earlier encounters on the phone. The cosmetic surgery part was next and she gave me the run-​around. I warned her that my insurance was going to end and still nothing. I finally threatened to hire an attorney and low and behold, Dr. Kikkawa himself calls me in between his surgeries. By this time (6 months later) my insurance is cancelled. I asked Kikkawa if he could give me a discount — maybe I could put the cosmetic surgery on a credit card (since he’s the one that does it). He told me to get insurance because I alone could not afford the procedure. Since then, I am now left with one eye that protrudes and is disproportionate to my other eye, not to mention a lumpy scar on one eye where the drill bit went in. I wouldn’t say my face is completely disfigured, but I work with children. I went from being the «bug-​eyed» lady to now the «what’s wrong with your eyes» lady. I take photos mostly with sunglasses because my eyes look «odd» in pictures. I’ve debated numerous times whether to write this review or not, but every time I look in the mirror or have a student ask me about my eyes, it gives me the fuel to finally post this. I’m extremely disappointed with UCSD Thyroid Eye Center! I hope they have changed their procedures so NO ONE has to endure what I have/​am.

Yes there is long waiting time and packed schedule to deal with to see Dr. Kikkawa, but it is well worth the time. He treated my mother, and from the first visit to post up he was patient and assuring to her. I must say that my mom is extremely picky and hard to please, and it took me a while to convince her to agree to seeing a doctor that was not referred by one of her friends. Her results were exactly as Dr. promised and she is extremely happy with the whole experience. An amazing doctor with great bedside manner.

I can’t believe I’m the first to review such an amazing Doctor!
I have an eye disease that could cause blindness if it progresses. Being that I like to see, I decided to find the best Ophthalmologist I can find. Lucky for me, one of the best doctors in the country that studies my eye disease is Dr Kikkawa.
Dr Kikkawa is an excellent Doctor. From the minute I met him I trusted the health of my eyes to him completely. The exam, medical history, measurements, and tests were all explained to me and were all thoroughly completed. Dr Kikkawa gives you all of the options for treatment and doesn’t try to steer you in one direction or the other. He is even open to alternative treatments and therapies! When I mentioned I had read a recent article on a supplement that was thought to help my condition — he had commented that he read the same article and was supportive of me continuing the supplement. This told me that Dr Kikkawa continues to read the latest information available and is always looking for the best treatments available.
Dr Kikkawa is a highly sought after doctor, so you may wait well over your scheduled appointment time to see him. In fact, he is even requested to perform surgeries all over the United States due to his specialty and skill level. Don’t let the wait time sway you, he is worth it. I wouldn’t trust my vision to anyone other than him.