Austin Retina Associates

I am very grateful for this place — especially Dr. Peter Nixon who performed my surgery. I had gone to my Ophthalmologist who found a rather serious problem that she felt required surgery to repair. She was able to get me in the very next morning with Dr. Nixon. Dr. Nixon confirmed that surgery was required to save my vision in the affected eye. We scheduled it for two weeks out and it was performed seamlessly last week. One week post op, my eye is healing incredibly well — I couldn’t be more pleased. Dr. Nixon is highly intelligent, super friendly and phenomenal at his job. He truly cares about his patients, and is completely open to discussing concerns and answering questions. As busy as he is, you don’t feel he’s rushed to finish up and get on to his next patient. From what I’ve heard from friends w/​experience here at Austin Retina Associates, that is true with all the doctors as well — they have earned an excellent reputation all around.

I have seen Dr. Jose A. Martinez, M. D., for several years. Originally, I had hemorrhaging in my eye. Initially, Dr. Martinez gave me shots in my eye. I see him about every 4 months. My eye has improved so much that not only do I not have to have a shot, but the hemorrhaging has gone. He goes over all of the results using his graphics on the computer. Dr. Martinez immediately communicates the results from his exam with my doctor at Eye Physicians of Austin. I’m very grateful to Dr. Martinez. He’s very professional, yet has a pleasing personality when talking to patients.

Recently had some scary complications from a cataract surgery. My ophthalmologist recommended Dr. Nixon at the south ARA office and I was very pleased with my experience with this office. Yes, the wait was long on the first appt, but when I met Dr Nixon, he completely put me at ease with his chairside manners, clear explanation of the problem and choices as to how to deal with it. His experience and confidence were evident. The wait for the next 2 appts was considerably less and the eye has healed beautifully.
The south office is very efficiently run by the staff and I was impressed with their courtesy and professionalism. I would highly recommend Dr. Nixon. The eye is nothing to mess with and the wait in the office was worth the expertise of care.

This review is for Dr. Clio Harper III:
I developed a partial retinal tear earlier in the year. I’d never been there before, but they gave me an appointment for the very next day. I saw Dr. Clio Harper III. The entire process was very hospital-​like with different people doing different things to get you ready to see the doctor. With a retinal tear you don’t feel it and don’t know what’s going on. He didn’t either yet, but as soon as he came in he immediately put me at ease. He has the kind of manner that makes it seem as if only you exist and that he’s your friend. It is in the tone of voice and the way he shakes your hand. His personality is commanding without having to do so and without any arrogance.
He explained very nicely about the tear and that it could be fixed immediately, right there in the office and that I’d be able to drive home. Half an hour later, I was walking out the door. I’ve been in for 2 follow-​ups and each time he put me at ease, and it wasn’t as if I was ever nervous.
He imparts to you the feeling that he has complete command, meaning having knowledge and ability in what he does. I’ve been to a lot of doctors over my 60+ years. He gave me the confidence to give him my trust. This is really important because it was my eyes he was working on. It wasn’t as if it was a prescription he was filling or a small diagnosis. Trust is king when it comes to doctors.

Good doctors don’t make good managers. And that’s basically what you have going on at austin retina associates. The environment in this office is not unlike getting your car serviced at the dealer. The wait room is crowded, although probably a bit cleaner. Periodically a technician will wander into the midst of the horde and bark out somebody’s name. When walker-​bound customers get their name called, they pop out of their chairs to take the solemn march to the appointed 5 minute session with an actual doctor. The entire experience is not unlike getting your ticket called by the guy working the deli meat counter or possibly dining at an Olive Garden.
As I understand it, however, the doctors are supposed to be pretty good. Wife has seen many eye doctors in her lifetime and she said that they are pretty good. Just go in with the understanding that this place is configured for volume.

In the summer of 2013 a progressive vision disorder, the breakdown and resulting occluded material in the vitreous humor and vitreous traction on my retina in both eyes had become so severe, my doctor at Austin Retina recommended that I needed a vitrectomy. I cannot express how bad my vision had become. I was no longer able to drive at night, read my iPad or read labels when shopping. What I write here about doctor Jose Martinez is with the deepest emotion. Doctor Martinez, his skill, his talent is beyond comparison. He gave me my sight back! He is a kind, caring and gentle man, one who brings so many years of talent and skill that I could never speak highly enough about him.
A vitrectomy is no small procedure. It is a very delicate and dangerous operation deep into the human eye. Deep sedation and immobilization are required to operate in the precise way needed. The knowledge and skill to perform this procedure cannot be understated. Doctor Martinez has such knowledge and skill.
I saw Dr. Martinez a week ago for my two year checkup. I’m seeing at least ²⁰⁄₂₅ in both eyes, clearly and see at night with no problems. None of this would have been possible without Dr. Martinez, and his excellent office staff, technicians and surgical team all brought together by Austin Retina…
Thanks Dr. Martinez and Austin Retina.

I had vitrectomy surgery done by Dr. Dooner. Dr. Dooner and his team are outstanding professionals. The level of care was evident from my first visit, the day of the surgery and the follow-​up visits. I was kept fully informed, given telephone numbers to call for questions or concerns. My level of trust was high throughout the entire experience.

I was referred to the Austin Retina Assoc. by my optometrist after I noticed large floaters in my one eye. As it turned out the floaters were the result of a broken blood vessel. I was seen immediately. The staff was professional, courteous. and proved to be very competent.
After determining that there was no retina detachment or other damage, the doctor suggested Laser treatment for the damaged eye to prevent additional bleeding. I took the suggestion and set an appointment for a later date.

Dr. Martinez surgically removed a large floater in my right eye restoring 100% of my vision. I have appreciated the professionalism of the office and staff, and Dr. Martinez’s clear communication on the risks and expected outcomes.
I would not hesitate to recommended Dr. Martinez.

Extremely overbooked every time. Never spent less than two hours here. 3 people, including myself, had the same appointment time!!! What a joke.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Martinez for several months — four appointments and surgery. Yes, the waits are sometimes long, but I have never felt rushed when I am in the chair and he is examining my eyes and answering my questions. He is very patient and un-​rushed. He answers questions thoroughly and patiently. With something as important as your vision, don’t let a little thing like a long wait deter you from seeing one of the best eye specialists in the City of Austin. I recommend taking your questions with you –written down, so you can get all of them answered — a good use of your time and his.
For those who are uncomfortable about the dark room — try sitting in a well light room when your eyes are dilated and you will understand and have appreciation. There are also several locations for Austin Retina — some may not be as busy as others, so you might try that out as a solution for long waits.

If you value your time — find a different retina specialist! The mission statement says that they want to treat patients with” respect and dignity” — long wait times for the first appointment of the day does not equal respecting my time to me! I have been going here for 5 years and typically spend about 2 hours to see my doctor for 5 minutes. Today at 8:30 still sitting in the waiting room for my 8:00 appointment I finally decided «I am not going to take this any more.» Walking out felt great! Patients need to start demanding realistic wait times and better communication. I may have stayed if say around 8:15 someone had said «Sorry about your wait — you can expect to be called back in x minutes.» That clearly did not happen.

I was referred to Dr. Martinez by another eye doctor who I asked, «if you had an issue with your eye, who would YOU see?» I called and was given an appointment a week later, which I thought was reasonable. My appointment was this past Tuesday. I waited 45 minutes in the waiting room which was packed, but once I was in, it went quickly. Yes, I waited for tests throughout the morning in several darkened waiting areas, but my eyes were dilated so it was comfortable. Each tech was very respectful and friendly. I had 3 tests and saw the doctor quickly, although I felt thoroughly. All together I was there about 2 hours, but I knew to block out that amount of time.
I felt Dr. Martinez was very professional and friendly, as with the entire staff. This is a BUSY office, obvious when you walk down the halls and I called it a controlled chaos!
I am very satisfied with the professional treatment I received and would highly recommend them.

I’m really not sure how to rate this, so I’ve given it a 3 and then let you see how it added up.
Dr. Jose Martinez, went to him for eye surgery. I’d give him a 5, tho disappointing results, but he advised me ahead of time so I’ll not discount. Fingers crossed that it will improve.
Front office, have always gotten through easily and very accommodating if I have to change an appt.
Office – is a warren of darkened hallways (understandable, but difficult for olders like me who dont’ have good vision. I’ve never been there that I’ve been set down in less than 4 places, even when it’s just a quick check up. Added to the darkened hallway are only a few areas with enough light to read by during your l o n g wait.
Medical Staff. For the most part, automatons. They call for you and wait at the far end while you traverse a long hallway, then turn their back on you as they lead you to a room. «You can sit on that chair. Date of birth?» And then they make notes. They do not introduce themselves, talk chit chat with you, most of them don’t look at your or smile. A couple of them have been friendly, but that’s maybe (generously) 25%. A two star as the nice ones are very nice.
I was told that they expect their clients to wait for 2 – 3 hours, but I should complain if it’s over 2 hours. On last visit, a 2:15 appt (which I admittedly got confused and didn’t get there til 2:30) going in to see about my eye getting red, tho no sign of infection but post surgery, I finally walked out of the office at 5:15. Time with M.D., less then 10 minutes. Med tech. checked me on the eye chart and dilated one eye, then I saw the Md. That was everything that was done.
What is curious is that the plaque in their office says something about their objective to treat each patient with respect. Honestly, for the office staff, it’s not very respectful to let a patient that you never make eye contact with or talk to trail you through the hallways.
And to whoever runs the place… the M.D.‘s or whoever, do you really think it’s «respectful» to make sure that every patient waits over 2 hours at every appt. to see the M.D. And many patients are older, which means they may have to take a cab, or hire someone to take them to the office and wait…3−4 hrs. of additional cost. If treating someone with respect means wasting hours of their time, every single visit programmed into the way they schedule –I think I’m on visit 6 – then, please, disrespect me. I’ve never ever encountered such inappropriate scheduling and I’m old.

Appointments always take 2 hours. A lot of that time is spent waiting. Good doctors, though.

I’ll start by saying that I never liked how you feel like cattle being run through a chute in this place. You wait forever and then see the doctor for about 7 minutes.
Dr. Levitan was monitoring me for Macular Degeneration since 2008. I was stable for several years and then had a sudden worsening of symptoms. I called to make an appointment ASAP — 4 days later I heard nothing, so I called back and got in the following week. Dr. Levitan said that the degeneration was worse, but that it was not like any Macular Degeneration he’d ever seen, and that he’d be «interested to see what happens.» Having a sudden blurring of your vision is SCARY, and it was incredibly insensitive of him to say this. He made me feel like a guinea pig!
Two weeks later the blurriness got worse again, so I went to a different doctor for a second opinion. Unfortunately, the new doctor diagnosed me with Stargardt’s, but now that I know, I can start protecting my eyes from UV light at least. Dr. Levitan should have considered this possibility since I am in the age-​range for Stargardt’s.
Moral of this story: stay away from Austin Retina Associates — unless you dig wasting your time, being misdiagnosed, and being treated like an adorable furry creature.

The timeliness of the Austin Retina Associates is dismal. I had a 9 am appointment, to which I arrived 5 minutes early. After waiting an hour and a half, I asked the front desk if I had missed something. They called the back and said «No, I was still in the queue.»
Shortly after that I received good, friendly service. Perhaps the operation is too big? Getting lost in the cracks is frustrating.

This is a very impressive practice. Dr. Harper is one of those people with whom one relaxes the minute he walks in the door. It made me even more comfortable that he brought in a colleague for a second opinion. My kid was seen twice, once by two docs, an assistant, and had three very high-​tech tests all within two hours. Quality care efficiently delivered.

Dr. Dooner repaired my detatched retina on a Sunday morning with apparent ease and in a timely fashion. He explained to me his plans relative to my allergies and was unflappable with my questions. I’m a retired OR nurse and know just how much he had to do to fix my eye. His professionalism and easy manner were a bonus to my superb result. I’ve always had a positive experience relative to my office appointments and any questions that have come up.

Very nice, fast, and professional. If you need to get your eyes check by an ophthalmologist, try them out!