I saw Dr. Heffernan for a 3rd opinion on my blocked lacrimal ducts. The first oculo-plastics MD I went to said I did not need to have surgery to clear the blockage. The 2nd oculo-plastics MD was recommending that I have BOTH sides surgically bypassed using a DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy) procedure. After researching this not-so-simple procedure further, I decided I needed yet a 3rd consultation to help me figure this all out.
I found Dr. Heffernan to be thoughtful, thorough, and carefully informative. He helped me think through whether I needed to have this invasive surgery. A DCR procedure involves removing part of the nasal bone to create a new tear drainage passageway to essentially bypass the blocked segment. This is NOT minor surgery.
After all was said and done, Dr. Heffernan helped me conclude that I did NOT need this surgery after all, and I could have my cataracts removed with lens replacement without concerns regarding my lacrimal ducts. He even went so far as to walk over to my soon-to-be cataract surgeon, Dr. Whitehead, to consult with him about my concerns DURING my office visit!
He spent the time I needed to hear all of my concerns, and helped me make a carefully informed decision about the DCR surgery. The final conclusion I came to is "No!" I am eternally thankful to Dr. Heffernan for his professional demeanor, his thoughtful analysis, and his clinical recommendation.
This visit saved me from an unneeded trip to the Operating Room and will expedite my cataract surgery timeline, which was my original priority!
I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Heffernan. I don't know why he only has a 3.8 rating on Yelp. That rating seems really unfair given my personal experience with Dr. Heffernan (as I read Yelp reviews quite a bit myself). If I could give Dr. Heffernan a 10 rating to get his 3.7 rating up higher, I would have! read more