Pediatric Ophthalmology & Eye Alignment Disorders
Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital
Hahnemann University Hospital
University of California San Diego & Naval Medical Center
Strabismus / eye misalignment / double vision in children and adults; Retinopathy of prematurity; Pediatric glaucoma, Nasolacrimal duct disorders; Congenital eye syndromes; Craniofacial syndromes; Systemic diseases affecting the eyes; Amblyopia
2023 Top 2 Most Influential Ophthalmologists in the World, The Ophthalmologist (UK)
2023 An Inaugural Inductee in The Ophthalmologist Hall of Fame
Shira Robbins, M.D., Clinical Professor, specializes in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Eye Re-Alignment. Dr. Robbins received her M.D. from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and completed her residency in ophthalmology at Hahnemann University Hospital. Dr. Robbins excelled during her fellowship training in pediatric ophthalmology at UC San Diego and the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. She is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Robbins’ practice focuses exclusively on pediatric ophthalmology and adult eye re-alignment. Her clinical interests encompass pediatric patients with vision and ocular complaints, amblyopia, strabismus (eye misalignment), retinopathy of prematurity, pediatric glaucoma and cataracts (including intraocular lens placement), congenital eye syndromes, craniofacial syndromes, nystagmus, learning disabilities, nasolacrimal tear duct disorders, genetic ocular disorders, and systemic diseases affecting the eyes. Her adult practice includes patients with double vision, strabismus, and visual strain complaints.
Dr. Robbins was recently inducted into the prestigious Academy of Clinician Scholars at UC San Diego and has been nominated for the Leonard Tow Award for Humanism in Medicine. The author of over 40 scientific articles and book chapters, Dr. Robbins has been an invited lecturer at national and international meetings. She co-edited the new book, “Challenging Cases in Pediatric Ophthalmology” commissioned by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). She has received numerous awards for being an accomplished physician and scientist. Dr. Robbins has been voted by her peers as one of the ‘Best Doctors in America’ and a local San Diego ‘Top Doc.’
Dr. Robbins performs research to preserve and protect the vision of premature children. Her research targets improving how doctors diagnose, prevent and treat blinding diseases in the smallest most vulnerable of infants. She is currently investigating the role of nutrition in premature infant eye disease development. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recognized Dr. Robbins by providing grant support of her research efforts. An avid tennis player, Dr. Robbins and her husband reside in San Diego with their 2 daughters.
I had a lazy eye for over 40 years but, two days ago I had surgery at Shiley Eye Institute and my surgeon, Dr. Robbins, realigned my eye in less than two hours. For the first time in 40 years both of my eyes are facing in the same direction at the same time. It is almost like a miracle but it's actually Dr. Robbins skill and dedication. She has literally changed my life's trajectory.
I couldn't be happier with my vision now. It was almost an accident that I was sent to Shiley and found Dr. Robbins. In 2016, I had pneumonia and my doctor treated it and checked my vision too. My vision had deteriorated from 20/40 to 20/125 after I became sick. The decline was due to a change in the shape of my eye ball that left a scab inside the back of my eyeball. The doctors called it a macular pucker and surgery was done to remove it.
Dr. Granet was consulted about my right eye which was misaligned and had been that way forever. Dr. Robbins replaced Dr. Granet. Dr. Robbins fixed my lazy eye and, as an aside, fixed my vision too. From 20/125 to 20/20. I have normal vision for the first time in 40 years. This is massively big for me and I am as grateful as I can be. Shiley is a great institute and, Dr. Robbins is an excellent surgeon.
Mar 2019
Last year I was in a bad accident that ended with severe double vision. Nothing I had ever experienced was more challenging and frustrating than dealing with my vision after the accident. I had countless physicians recommend that I have a consultation with Dr. Robbins. After my initial visit, Dr. Robbins thoroughly explained the importance of being patient and waiting at least a year after my trauma to allow for full healing.
From the very beginning I was confident that Dr. Robbins was the right physician for what would be a life changing procedure for me. She always took the time to answer mine and my wife's questions as she could tell we were both nervous and excited. Finally, once we determined my vision was stable and it was safe to proceed I scheduled the surgery.
Long story short, I feel like Dr. Robbins gave me back the gift of sight and it has completely changed my life. The results of the procedure have far exceeded what anybody had told me would even be possible. I am beyond grateful for Dr. Robbins and her team. Dr. Robbins truly is the very best at what she does.
May 2019
Everyone loves a good story especially if there is a happy ending. Our story is probably no different from other stories that begin with a challenge that had to be overcome and the path to overcoming that challenge. The challenge for my husband was his eyes were turning inward resulting in double vision, squinting to see things and his need to work exceptionally hard to watch programs on TV, play golf and do everyday things we take for granted. Due to these problems his “quality of life” was greatly affected. At age 72, a decrease in quality of life has an overall dramatic effect on all the things we do each day.
Our path led us to Dr. Shira Robbins, Ophthalmologist, with several specialties, including eye re-alignment disorders, to seek help for my husband’s double vision, squinting to see and the related fatigue. After an extensive evaluation, she thoroughly explained my husband’s problems were related to his eye muscles not correctly aligning the position of each eye. She provided treatment options, one of which was to have surgery, to correct the problem. He decided to have the surgery because of his feeling of confidence in Dr. Robbins and her team.
Our “happy ending” after the surgery my husband no longer has double vision, no need to squint to see things and the fatigue has been replaced with increased energy to enjoy life.
Thank you, Dr. Robbins for giving my husband a happier and better quality of life!
My husband and I encourage older adults to seek out help versus thinking nothing can be done to help your vision or blaming it on “getting older.” Your vision problems maybe similar or different from my husband’s vision problems. Let Dr. Robbins hear your story and hopefully you will learn more about your vision problems and find a path.
We wish everyone a Happy Ending to their story
Linda and John Bott
May 2021
Completely satisfied with the service and work here. My vision has been restored, and my life is able to move forward because of a level of expertise. Dr. Robbins, I can't thank you enough!
May 2021