James Plotnik, MD

Jim Plotnik, MD, FACS is a board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologist at ABC Children's Eye Specialists in Scottsdale, Arizona, providing comprehensive, personalized eye care to children and adults with strabismus. With more than 30 years of experience, he diagnoses and treats the full spectrum of children's vision problems, including strabismus (eye misalignment), amblyopia (lazy eye), pediatric glaucoma, and cataracts, along with other common, complex, and rare eye disorders. He also provides routine ophthalmology exams for children and for adults with special needs. He spent more than 25 years caring for children with Arizona Pediatric Eye Specialists, now the Phoenix Children's Hospital Ophthalmology Department, and continues to hold active medical staff privileges at Phoenix Children's Hospital, HonorHealth Shea Medical Center, HonorHealth Thompson Peak Medical Center, and Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.

An active contributor to pediatric ophthalmology research, his most recent study, examining the role of geography in U.S. retinoblastoma care, was accepted by the American Journal of Ophthalmology in 2026. Other recent work includes 2026 research on pickleball- and ball-sports-related ocular trauma, published in Eye (Nature Publishing Group) and presented at the American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma; a study on ocular trauma from yardwork and gardening, presented at ASOT in 2025 with anticipated publication in International Ophthalmology in 2026; and a novel patient-positioning technique for slit-lamp laser procedures under general anesthesia, presented at the AAPOS 2024 Annual Meeting. Research on pediatric eye disease risk in children with neurodevelopmental disorders was also presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting. His research has appeared in peer-reviewed journals including Ophthalmology, the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and the American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, and he is a reviewer of journal abstracts for the Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and serves as a Glaucoma Research Council Ambassador.

In addition to his pediatric practice, an active adult strabismus practice rounds out his scope of care, evaluating and treating adults with eye misalignment and diplopia (double vision), including complex and reoperative cases. Both surgical and non-surgical treatment options are available, including prism therapy and botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, as well as adjustable suture surgical technique for select cases, with the approach tailored to each patient's specific condition and goals.

He also evaluates and treats retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants, providing timely screening and management to help protect vision during this critical period of development.

After earning his bachelor's and medical degrees at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, he completed his medical internship and residency training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Department of Ophthalmology in Cleveland. Following five years of practicing adult general ophthalmology, a true calling to treat children led to a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at The Children's Hospital in Denver, affiliated with the University of Colorado.

A board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology since 1994 (subsequently recertified), he is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Faculty appointments include Clinical Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Child Health at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at Creighton University School of Medicine. He has been named a Top Doctor by PHOENIX magazine eleven times, most recently in 2025.

In addition to golf, pickleball, traveling, and cooking, Jim enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, scuba diving, and spending his free time with family and friends.

Jim is happy to speak with patients and families before a consultation. If you would like to talk with him beforehand, please call the practice at 602-222-2234.