Polly McKinstry

Polly McKinstryDr

4.0(8 reviews)# 301, 23521, Paseo De Valencia, Orange County, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Profile

Dr. Polly McKinstry grew up in Pennsylvania where both her father and grandfather were family doctors, igniting her early passion for medicine. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, with Honors from Swarthmore College, and graduated from Yale University School of Medicine.

Dr. McKinstry received her ophthalmology residency training at Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center in New York where she began to specialize in eyes with a burgeoning interest in how surgery could be used as a tool to improve vision, eye health and the appearance of the eyes. She went on to complete a multidisciplinary fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and Orbital Reconstructive Surgery at the prestigious UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute.

Dr. McKinstry is one of a very select group of surgeons that are both board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology AND a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS.org).  She serves as a member of the Education Committee and is also an Oral Examiner for ASOPRS.  She has been an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA for years, and she continues to be one of the invited dissection course faculty for the UCLA Orbital Masters Symposium, and the UCLA Aesthetic Eyelid and Facial Rejuvenation Course for over thirty years.

Dr. McKinstry practices in Laguna Hills, and also Newport Beach, California, where she is highly sought after for her expertise in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Oculoplastic Surgery.  She is a skilled, compassionate physician known for the level of personal care and attentiveness she gives each patient.

Locations (1)

Laguna Hills, CA

# 301, 23521, Paseo De Valencia, Orange County, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Procedures (5)

ProcedureRank in US
#3320
#3040
#0
#576
#164

Reviews (8)

4.0

8 reviews

5
63%
4
13%
3
0%
2
0%
1
25%
1.0
Nov 21, 2025
My experience with Dr. McKinstry and her practice was extremely difficult. Even though she measured repeatedly before surgery, the outcome on my right eye was unexpectedly severe. The eye was pulled so tightly that a white structure inside the eye became visible, creating an unusual appearance that later required correction elsewhere. It left me wondering how the result could have gone so wrong after so much measuring beforehand. The staff at the surgicap center added to the stress. One nurse at the surgical center made a comment before the procedure about how only the upper half of my face looked young, which felt rude and inappropriate in a medical environment. A staff member at the practice was repeatedly condescending in her interactions with me, which made the entire process even more uncomfortable. The surgical center experience was deeply upsetting, maybe even neglect. While I was still foggy from anesthesia, I was moved out of the bed and placed near the doorway very quickly. I was told no one besides staff would come through, yet many non staff did. I became overwhelmed and asked to be returned to the bed, which they eventually did. The pickup process was difficult as well, since the entrance to the center is hard to find within the surrounding complex. I was told when I see my boyfriend to just let them know. I could not see! Overall, this was a deeply stressful experience, and the outcome required further correction. Based on my personal experience, I cannot recommend this surgeon. It was awful on many levels.

H Sa

5.0
May 22, 2025
Dr McKinstry has a friendly and efficient office staff! The work she did to remove the bags under my eyes was amazing!! I am 200% satisfied with the...

Trevor C.

5.0
Dec 28, 2024
Dr McKinstry is very professional, experienced and competent. Her staff, which includes Sally and Vanessa are friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. This is a very good medical practice. They genuinely care about their patients.

robert poteraj

5.0
Dec 16, 2024
The procedure I had done with Dr. McKinstry was such a smooth experience with an amazing outcome. The doctor and her staff were so helpful and professional....

Kate C.

5.0
Jul 16, 2024
Wonderful and friendly staff. Dr. McKinstry is very caring and really cares about her patients and the outcome.

Sue Walker

5.0
Jun 10, 2024
I could not be happier with an eye surgeon as Dr. McKinstry. I've had several botched eye surgeries one in Beverly Hills I never thought I'd look good...

Judy G.

1.0
Jan 11, 2024
She charge me $150 to tell me she can’t help me. She is a waste of time. I need to fly to phillidelphia now to see dr mary Stefanyszyn instead. She is a real surgeon who does not turn patients away with complex revisions.

Kristina Hill

4.0
Jul 8, 2016
First visit. Excellent staff. Very competent Doctor

Barbara Henson Cipriani