M. Polly McKinstry, MD

Dr. McKinstry is a board-certified oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon dedicated to delivering exceptional surgical care and aesthetic outcomes for her patients. She earned her medical degree from Yale Medical School and completed rigorous training in ophthalmology, followed by a specialized fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. Her comprehensive training has equipped her with the expertise to address both functional and aesthetic concerns of the eyelids, tear ducts, orbit, and face.

As an active member of the medical community, Dr. McKinstry serves on the medical staff at several hospitals throughout the region and holds the position of Chief of Ophthalmology at Mission Hospital. Her clinical excellence and commitment to advancing the field are further demonstrated through her role as Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA, where she mentors residents and fellows while contributing to ophthalmic education and research.

Dr. McKinstry's approach to patient care is characterized by meticulous surgical technique, personalized treatment planning, and a deep understanding of how eyelid and orbital conditions affect both vision and quality of life. Whether addressing reconstructive needs following trauma or disease, or helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals, she combines surgical precision with genuine compassion.

Outside the operating room, Dr. McKinstry is a devoted wife and mother of two, residing in Laguna Hills with her family. She remains actively involved in her children's lives and in her community, believing that the values of care and dedication she brings to medicine extend to all aspects of her life. Her commitment to her patients is matched only by her passion for advancing the specialty of oculoplastics and training the next generation of ophthalmologic surgeons.

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.

Education: - Undergraduate: Swarthmore College (graduated Phi Beta Kappa, with Honors) - Medical School: Yale University School of Medicine - Residency: Ophthalmology, Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center, New York - Fellowship: Ophthalmic Plastic and Orbital Reconstructive Surgery, UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute

Professional Memberships & Certifications: - Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology - Member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS.org) - Served as a member of the Education Committee and was an Oral Examiner for ASOPRS for decades

Academic & Teaching Appointments: - Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA - Invited dissection course faculty for the UCLA Orbital Masters Symposium for over thirty years - Faculty for the UCLA Aesthetic Eyelid and Facial Rejuvenation Course for over thirty years

Dr. McKinstry practices in 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.