Anna Kesler-Diaz, M.D.

A friend had an appt with her. Dr. K-​D said that she needed cataract surgery in both eyes immediately. My friend didn’t believe her and got a second opinion at a trusted non-​PAMF ophthalmologist who after checking her eyes found that her cataracts were not very advanced and were not interfering with her vision (which is ²⁰⁄₃₀) at all. She may need cataract surgery in the future but it won’t be with Dr. K-​D.

My experience was excellent. One star rating by Bat G. should be given to the receptionist and not to the doctor.
In my case, I’d say Dr. Kesler was excellent. She caught a hard to see problem and saved my eyesight.
Here are the details.
I had some problems with my eyes and had seen some other ophthalmologists at PAMF. At least two of them were very good. But since the problem wasn’t cured, I was searching for yet another opinion.
My friends recommended Dr. Kesler-​Diaz and I fully intended to see her, but decided to check Unilocal first.
Then I saw one star rating. Ops! Maybe I shouldn’t?
Although I don’t like reading long docs, but it’s important, and so I read further.
I’ve read it several times, and what do I see? I see that this rating has *nothing* to do with Dr. Kesler, but rather everything to do with the receptionist (s).
OK, maybe indeed ophthalmologist isn’t bad and my friends were correct recommending her after all.
I’ll try her, but be very cautious of the receptionist and delays in getting an appointment and waiting in the office.
Indeed, I only was able to make an appointment in one month, but I asked to have Dr. Kesler to call me, as I felt my situation was urgent. She called me back and made an appointment sooner.
At the day of the appointment, I left Palo Alto with a half an hour margin and came earlier. I didn’t leave and was waiting till my scheduled time since I didn’t have any particular place I wanted to go in Santa Cruz at that time.
In about 5 min past schedule, I went to the receptionist and asked: «Is Dr. Kesler-​Diaz running late?
«Yes», was the answer, «30 min late — it’s right there on the board over there». And surely enough, there was a board on the wall, that I failed to look at, and Dr. Kesler was marked running 30 min late.
Before 30 min was up, I was taken in to dilate my eyes.
*** This concludes my rating of the receptionist (s), that in my case was excellent ***
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And here is my experience with the Dr. Kesler-​Diaz and medical staff.
* All tests were done promptly.
* Dr. Kesler’s diagnosis was — retina damage in the far corner of an eye (don’t recall what’s the exact wording).
Although it wasn’t the problem I was complaining, she found it, and if left untreated could lead to serious loss of vision.
* Additional tests were ordered, as Dr. Kesler felt it was needed, and diagnosis confirmed
* To make sure she referred me to the retina specialist
* I called for an appointment and was expected there. Since problem was urgent I was given appointment within two days.
* Dr. Kesler, as I learned, sent details of her observation.
* Retina specialist confirmed the diagnosis and that it was an urgent situation.
* Laser treatment was done and the follow up showed it was successful.
Although my original «floaters» are left for future treatment, the retina problem, the same that left my father legally blind, was caught on time and treated.
I think she could have been better, but this would require her to have a magic wand. So far, out of three ophthalmologists the only solution for my condition, was surgery but that would be dangerous. So, until things go worse, I stay put with mild medicine all of them suggested.

I had such a bad experience at this office that it prompted me to write a Unilocal review
I’ve been quickly losing my vision, so I asked my PCP for a referral to ophthalmology. I booked with Dr. Kesler because the other ophthalmologist (read review for Jason Luksich, M.D.) at the same PAMF office got a bad review.
When I booked the appointment, the receptionist said they don’t have an opening for over a month but they have a wait list. I took that to mean that this might be a really great doctor so since she’s booked up… WRONG (which I’ll explain later on).
I also mentioned to the receptionist that my eyes need to be dilated when I first arrive. My old ophthalmologist (who unfortunately doesn’t take my insurance) told me to let any office I go to know this because it will save everyone time.
The receptionist on the phone said she didn’t know what I was talking about and that I just need to see the doctor. Okay, whatever, even the nurse can get me started on this.
On the day of my appointment, I left early and gave myself plenty of time to get there (I also have very bad hip problems so driving is not easy). My appointment was at a time when traffic is usually light.
Unfortunately, I hit grid lock half way which was very abnormal at that time of day (very early afternoon).
After being in bad traffic for awhile, I knew I was going to be late so I called my spouse to call the office to let them know. I wanted to be considerate to the office.
I got there 15 minutes late and there was a large sign in the office saying the doc was running 15 minutes late.
I checked in with the receptionist and she said «Oh, we got a call from your spouse, let me check with the doctor. Yes, everyone has been saying there’s bad traffic.»
Then she got up and left.
While she was gone, another receptionist told someone over they phone that she’d put someone on a wait list. After she hung up, the receptionist that checked in the back returned and started talking to the receptionist that just hung up the phone. She informed the other receptionist that they have no «wait list.» They said they purposely leave several appointments open during the day for «emergencies.» I felt bad for whomever she hung up on because he’ll be thinking he’ll get in if there’s room.
After the receptionists conversed for awhile, attention was turned to me.
I was told that the doctor refused to see me today and I need to reschedule. I asked why, and she said because it would make the doctor late. What???
I calmly pointed out that she was already running 15 minutes late, referring to the sign. The receptionist said if the doc saw me it would make her even more late, so basically I got bumped because I wasn’t waiting in the waiting area for an already late doctor.
I really got the feeling that patients DID NOT come first in this office.
The doctor gaining 15 minutes by bumping me was more important than my sudden loss of vision.
I just don’t understand the politics of this office. The doctor was ALREADY running late.
Their next appointment isn’t for a month and half.
I left the office and got back into traffic. I felt pretty beat up after the experience and had to deal with my bad hip pain that got irritated by driving in traffic too.
Please do yourself a favor and book at ANY other ophthalmologist. Don’t waste your time over there. There are several in Santa Cruz that can see you sooner (I’ve already booked one for 2 weeks from now). The office also knew exactly what I was talking about when I mentioned that I need to be dilated when I first arrive.
I spoke to a friend who worked for an ophthalmology office for several years and she said my treatment at PAMF was disgraceful. 15 minutes late is not a big deal at all and most ophthalmology office overbook anyway. Since the doc was already 15 minutes late I was right on time.