Dr. Allison McCoy
Dr. Allison McCoy didn’t set out to become a surgeon right away. Her first drive was to understand why a face looks the way it looks — why one arrangement of light and shadow reads as tired, another as radiant, another as unmistakably itself. That question took her through a decade of groundbreaking neuroscience research at Duke, a PhD studying how the brain evaluates reward and risk, and years spent asking, in one form or another, what the visual system considers beautiful and meaningful.
Eventually she put that knowledge to direct use — in oculofacial plastic surgery, a subspecialty that lives at the intersection of function and form; where a millimeter of eyelid position makes the difference between seeing clearly and missing objects in your peripheral vision, between looking exhausted and looking like yourself.
To become a surgeon-scientist, Dr. McCoy trained at Duke University’s Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD), completed her ophthalmology residency and neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, and finished her surgical training in oculofacial and orbital surgery at the University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center — one of only a handful of programs in the country that trains surgeons at this level of specialization. She has practiced in San Diego since 2015.
What she brings to a consultation is unusual: the mind of a researcher who has spent years studying visual perception; the hands of a surgeon trained in one of the most demanding subspecialties in ophthalmology; and a background in art history and dance that shows up in how she thinks about proportion, movement, and facial harmony.
Why Patients Choose Dr. McCoy
Choosing a surgeon for the eyes and face requires more than reviewing a list of credentials. You also want to know that your concerns will be taken seriously, your options will be explained clearly, and your treatment plan will be designed around you.
“Dr McCoy was the best. Listened to my concerns, was incredibly gentle and kind, did a fantastic job of explaining everything and the procedure went exactly the way she said it would.”
“Dr McCoy explained everything to me and answered my questions, even during the procedure. I’m very impressed with her teamwork, training and explaining as she worked.”
“Dr. McCoy was not only delightful, but explained everything in detail—her expertise, knowledge and professionalism, combined with compassion and understanding, were second to none.”
“Dr. McCoy is beyond excellent. Her kindness, empathy and caring are 100%. She gives her patients confidence and security in knowing she is available for them.”
“Dr. McCoy was fantastic in every way! Answering all my questions and was very kind and caring, I will highly recommend her!”
Specialized Knowledge of the Eyes and Face
Dr. McCoy’s medical and surgical training has focused on the eyes, eyelids, orbit, and surrounding facial structures. This specialized background allows her to consider how treatment may affect not only appearance, but also vision, comfort, movement, and long-term function.
A Scientist’s Attention to Detail
Her training as a surgeon-scientist influences the way she evaluates each concern. Rather than beginning with a procedure, Dr. McCoy first works to understand the anatomy and underlying cause of what the patient is experiencing.
Care That Respects Your Identity
Dr. McCoy does not believe in applying the same aesthetic ideal to every face. She considers your natural features, expressions, facial movement, and personal goals when developing a recommendation.
The aim is not to make you look like someone else. It is to help you look refreshed, balanced, and recognizably yourself.
The Least Invasive Path That Makes Sense
Dr. McCoy favors the least invasive option that can realistically address the concern. Depending on the patient, that may mean surgery, a nonsurgical treatment, a referral to another specialist, or no treatment at all.
She would rather offer an honest recommendation than suggest a procedure that is unlikely to provide a meaningful benefit.
Time to Feel Heard
A consultation with Dr. McCoy is intended to feel like a conversation rather than a sales presentation. Patients are encouraged to ask questions, describe what they have noticed, and speak openly about their concerns.
Dr. McCoy explains her findings in understandable language and gives patients the time and information they need to make a comfortable decision.
“With cosmetic and reconstructive work alike, I want it to look beautiful and accomplish it in the least invasive way possible.”
~Dr. Allison McCoy
What to Expect at Your Consultation
You do not need to arrive knowing which procedure you want—or whether you want a procedure at all. It is common to know that something bothers you without being able to explain exactly what has changed.
Dr. McCoy begins by listening to what you have noticed, how it affects you, and what you hope to improve. She then evaluates the anatomy beneath the concern and explains what may be contributing to it.
Depending on your needs, your conversation may include surgical or nonsurgical options such as:
- Upper eyelid surgery
- Lower eyelid surgery
- Functional eyelid surgery
- Endoscopic brow lift
- Scarless midface rejuvenation
- Facial fat grafting
- Reconstructive surgery after cancer or trauma
- Nonsurgical facial treatments
Dr. McCoy will explain what can reasonably be improved, what each option may involve, and what limitations or tradeoffs should be considered. She is equally willing to recommend treatment, suggest another specialist, or explain why a procedure may not be necessary.
The goal is for you to leave feeling informed and comfortable with your next step—even when the decision is to wait.
“My practice philosophy is all about choice. It’s about empowering and educating people, providing a full suite of options that goes beyond surgery and focuses on their total health.”
~Dr. Allison McCoy
Research, Publications, and Teaching
Before becoming an oculofacial surgeon, Dr. McCoy participated in research involving visual perception, neuroscience, decision-making, neuro-ophthalmology, thyroid eye disease, and oculofacial surgery.
Her academic work reflects many of the same questions that continue to shape her clinical approach: how the brain interprets visual information, how the eyes and surrounding structures influence a person’s experience, and how function and appearance affect one another.
Dr. McCoy has authored or co-authored 26 peer-reviewed publications. She has also contributed to a textbook on thyroid eye disease, written a book chapter, presented research, and taught residents, fellows, and physicians.
Selected Honors and Awards
- Heed Fellowship
- Mitchell Prize for Resident Research, First Place
- Research Training Fellowship Award from the National Institute of Mental Health and National Institutes of Health
- Joanne and Irving Diamond Award for Graduate Teaching
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Graduation with Distinction, cum laude, Duke University
Start With a Conversation
You do not need to know which treatment you want—or whether treatment is right for you. A consultation is simply a place to begin.
Dr. McCoy will listen to what you have noticed, explain what may be contributing to it, and help you understand the options that make sense for you. Together, you can decide on the next step without pressure or rushing.
Schedule a Consultation