Meet the Doctors

American Academy of Ophthalmology - Ophthalmology

Dr. Russ Van Norman

Dr. Russ Van Norman first arrived in Shreveport in 1994 to begin his medical education. After graduating from medical school in 1998, he went on to complete his internship and ophthalmology residency at LSUHSC. Wanting to further his training, Dr. Van Norman embarked on a two-year fellowship in Cornea/External Disease and Refractive surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern. This extra education was critical in learning and implementing advanced techniques in corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, refractive procedures (LASIK), and also makes him the most highly trained Corneal specialist in the area.

Upon completion of Dr. Van Norman’s fellowship, he returned to the Shreveport area in 2004 and began his private practice. To date, he has performed over 20,000 ophthalmic procedures including cataract removal, laser cataract surgery, premium IOL’s, LASIK, Advanced Surface Ablations, and sophisticated anterior segment procedures. Dr. Van Norman also has an extensive glaucoma practice that includes performing laser glaucoma surgery.

Dr. Van Norman is a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the Cornea Society, and the Shreveport Medical Society. Dr. Van Norman has held many roles in the medical community, including being a past President of the Shreveport Medical Society in 2016. In addition, he has previously served as the medical Director of the Northwest Louisiana Lions Eye Bank.

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Dr. Rachel Meyer-Borel

Dr. Rachel Borel, OD was born in Metairie, Louisiana and later moved to Shreveport, LA where she graduated from Caddo Magnet High School. She attended Louisiana State University in Shreveport, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences.

After graduation, she worked as an Optician and Optometry Assistant for many years. Her joy of the field and love of working with patients caused her to pursue a career in Optometry. She attended the Oklahoma College of Optometry where she had the privilege of working in the Cherokee Nation clinics providing state-of-the-art eye care to an under-served population. Dr. Borel is thoroughly trained to diagnose and treat glaucoma, dry eye, corneal diseases, as well as other eye and vision problems.

She is a member of the Optometry Association of Louisiana as well as the American Optometric Association. She is currently an Optometrist at Shreveport Eye Specialists.

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Patient Reviews

4.8

Based on 261 reviews

Update #2: After four business days, four phone calls, and stopping by in person, finally got a call back. No record in my chart that my symptoms were documented or cleared at all. No check for the one thing that absolutely needs to be checked before prescribing those drops. What a joke.

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Update: Doctor prescribed two different eye drops which both caused eye pain and severe blurry vision. I tried for nearly a week to get ahold of someone by phone about that, and I even stopped by in person after my calls were not returned, but the only info I could get from the doctor was "I wouldn't have prescribed them if I thought there would be an issue." No instructions on whether or not to discontinue them, no explanation about whether or not the side effects were expected or temporary, no guidance at all. Multiple messages left over multiple days, no calls returned. No confirmation that they even checked for what the paperwork for the drops warned that they needed to check for.

Spend your money elsewhere!

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The doctor was more interested in lecturing me about the perils of online glasses than listening to my actual symptoms and my reason for visiting in the first place. They did not give me a chance to explain what vision issues I was having before they rushed me through a standard exam and ushered me out. My issues remain unresolved.

They also insisted on calling in a prescription to an out-of-town pharmacy, which then charged me for shipping. I was given no choice to use my preferred pharmacy, so I can only conclude they somehow profit off that relationship. They also tried to have me pay an inflated in-person price for OTC eye treatment that I already owned.

Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.

Our goal at Shreveport Eye Specialists is to listen carefully to each patient’s concerns and provide clear explanations about exam findings and prescriptions. Sometimes adjustments to a prescription can take time for the eyes and brain to adapt, especially when there are changes that affect how objects appear or how near vision feels. That said, we always want our patients to feel heard and comfortable asking questions about their symptoms.

We would welcome the opportunity to review your concerns and make sure your vision needs are addressed. Please contact our office so we can discuss your experience and determine how we can help moving forward. Your feedback is important to us and helps us continue improving the care we provide.

Went in for eye exam, they said I needed cataract surgery. OK. Had surgery, reading vision improved waited appropriate time before getting new prescription. I was still having problems with distance so they did YAGS. Over 6 months later, still having distance problem. I worked 10 years with Visual Impaired students and do not trust them enough to go back.
Update: thanks to Dr. Borel for working with me and addressing my problems. Hopefully we are are the right track.

Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We were glad to have the opportunity to update your eye screening and to make an adjustment to your glasses.

If you have any additional concerns in the meantime, please feel free to contact our office and speak with our clinical team. Your vision and comfort are important to us, and we appreciate the opportunity to continue caring for you.

Every time I have been here with an "appointment" I always still have to wait 45+ mins to been seen. They seem to always over book patients. I don't understand why they even make Appointments. They need a new appointment staff!!

Staff was very professional, kind, thorough and helpful! Looking forward to future visits!

Went on appointment to get a DBQ & Nexus letters done for VA claim and they wouldn't write my letter because they say they don't take my United healthcare or my VA medical insurance. Man what a kick in the teeth and I'm a USAF VETERAN that need the letter done buy doctor that diagnosed my condition. It's just a letter that the diagnosing doctor only can write. So out done, bad enough serving your country even worse when the eye doctor that diagnosed you and did your Lazer percedure want even write a letter on a piece of paper for you!!!!!!! PS(When I came to your office for a scheduled visit you should've just wrote me a Nexus letter for free just because I'm your patient and also a paying patient.The Nexus letter was your responsibility and used at va claims for va claims. You diagnosed my Glaucoma and did my Lazer percedure.It's sad that you told me to leave just because you no longer take my insurance.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback. First and foremost, we want to express our deep appreciation for your service. We truly value the opportunity to care for our veterans and are always honored to be part of their healthcare team.

To clarify, in order to accurately and ethically complete the paperwork you've requested—such as DBQ and Nexus letters—we are required to have a current eye exam on file. It's been several years since your last visit, and without an up-to-date exam, we cannot provide clinical documentation or forms related to your vision or eye condition.

While we are not currently in-network with your insurance, we would still be glad to see you and provide the care and updated records you need. Our goal is never to turn anyone away, but to ensure that any medical forms we complete are based on current, accurate evaluations.

We understand your frustration and would be happy to discuss your options if you'd like to schedule an updated exam. Please feel free to call our office—we're here to help.

Do not make the mistake of purchasing your glasses from 20/20 Optics at Shreveport Eye Specialists unless you are seeking absolute incompetence. In that case, look no further, for you have found the masters of remarkable ineptitude in the field of eyeglasses. Two months of back-and-forth with 20/20 Optics and I still have yet to receive the correct pair of glasses. 20/20 Optics has done everything except place an order for the correct combination of frames and lenses.

As a testament to 20/20 Optics' gross ineptitude, I am currently wearing their third failed attempt at ordering the correct glasses, and am eagerly awaiting the fourth attempt, which I dare say will also be a failure. What a challenge it must be to enter the correct numbers from the given prescription into the system and place the order. If somehow this remarkable feat is achieved, expect the lenses to be scratched. Spare yourself the (literal) headache of not being able to see due to 20/20 Optics!

Edit: If 20/20 Optics spent as much time working as they do responding to Google reviews, they would’ve made the glasses right the first time.

Response from the owner:We’re truly sorry to hear about your experience with our optical department. Our 5-star team strives to provide high-quality eyewear and attentive service, and it’s disappointing to know we did not meet your expectations.

We understand how important it is to receive glasses that fit comfortably and provide clear vision, and our staff has worked diligently to remake your lenses multiple times to ensure you are satisfied. While this process has taken longer than anticipated, please know our intention has always been to resolve the issue and provide you with eyewear that meets your needs.

We appreciate your feedback.

Haven't seen Dr. Van Norman in many years!! Started having issues and had no problem getting an appointment. His staff were very friendly and helpful. They all answered my questions and concerns.

Good honey white time. Good experience.

Dr. Van Norman & all of his staff members were excellent. My procedure: cataract removals & LASIX was completely pain free & I have terrific results. Thank you all!

Meet Iris Shreveport's Newest Landmark

Shreveport’s beloved new landmark, Iris, was designed and brought to life by Susanna Van Norman and artist Bruce Allen, of Bruce Allen Art and Design.

If you’re driving down Line Avenue on any given day this sight will certainly leave an impression, as the enormous ocular organ stands nearly 8 feet across! She was welcomed to her home at Shreveport Eye Specialists on February 19, 2019 and quickly became the talk of the town.

READ HER STORY

Your Vision Is Our Focus!

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