Jacque L. Duncan

MD

Ophthalmologist
Medical retina specialist
Loves dog walks and eye imaging with advanced technology

Dr. Jacque Duncan is an ophthalmologist who specializes in treating retinal degenerative diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa, which affects one in 3,500 people worldwide, and age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Americans over age 50. Both conditions run in families and have no cure. In addition, her expertise includes diagnosing and treating retinal diseases such as Usher syndrome (an inherited disorder that affects both vision and hearing), cone-rod dystrophy (an inherited disorder in which the retina's light-sensitive cells deteriorate) and Stargardt disease (a form of macular degeneration that develops in childhood). She is skilled in using experimental techniques to prevent or slow these conditions.

In her research, Duncan is studying treatments to preserve vision as well as devices to stimulate visual perception. She has received research funding from Research to Prevent Blindness, the Karl Kirchgessner Foundation, Hope for Vision and the American Geriatrics Society, in addition to receiving a Career Development Award from the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Duncan earned her medical degree at UCSF, where she also completed an ophthalmology residency. She then completed a medical retina fellowship at the Penn Medicine Scheie Eye Institute, where she focused on patients with age-related macular degeneration and inherited retinal degeneration. She joined the UCSF faculty in 2000.

  • Education

    UCSF School of Medicine, 1995

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Ophthalmology, 1999

  • Fellowships

    Scheie Eye Institute, Medical Retina, 2000

  • Board Certifications

    Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology

  • Academic Title

    Professor

Working with others to address major challenges enables me to help people with vision problems.

Conditions I specialize in

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    153 Ratings
    About our process
    Dec 31, 2024
    As I said there's nobody better at this job. The main reason is her passion and love of this work. Jacques shows that in her servicing of her clients. She told me " I have the best job in the works" and it shows.
    Dec 20, 2024
    Dr. Duncan is absolutely wonderful. She has always demonstrated concern & compassion for my situation. She explains everything thoroughly and in a positive light. Overall, Dr. Duncan is a delightful person and an excellent practitioner.
    Dec 14, 2024
    Once I finally saw the doc, she was great and very helpful.
    Dec 11, 2024
    Dr Duncan is amazing, and her staff was overall great
    Dec 09, 2024
    Dr. Duncan is in a league of her own. I wish all care providers were as attentive, empathetic and kind as her. She is platinum standard, just the best at everything she does.
    Dec 04, 2024
    Dr. Duncan is the ultimate professional and a fantastic clinician. I'm lucky to have her as my retinal doctor.
    Nov 02, 2024
    I have to say that Dr..Duncan may be my all time favorite Doctor and I see a lot of them. I think it is rather rare to have the expertise and such a sunny and positive bedside manner. Many Doctors who are skilled in their fields are not personable. Dr. Duncan addressed all my concerns regarding my vision and went over all the films I understand my condition more now and she is just such a lovely person to work with. It is such a treat to see someone who is a so skilled and knowledgable and also just such a compassionate & fun individual. If I have to have this condition I am lucky to have access to her.
    Oct 09, 2024
    Once we were actually engaged with the nurses, assistant s, and doctor, we felt very supported and cared for. It was just a matter of the waiting around that was an issue.
    Oct 08, 2024
    On a professional level, Dr Duncan was her usual friendly and efficient self with the exam and responses to my various-perhaps too many -questions every year. On a personal level each visit with her is akin to reconnecting with an old friend who wants to check up on my well-being. She and her support team are truly special.
    Aug 02, 2024
    Excellent care from both resident and her supervisor.
    Jun 29, 2024
    Could not be more pleased with Dr Duncan and the entire staff. Based on 70 years of experience it could not be better!
    May 15, 2024
    Dr.Duncan is wonderful. Good listener, took her time, answered questions and friendly.
    Apr 10, 2024
    Good
    Mar 25, 2024
    The doctor has always been helpful and listened to my concerns and helped to solve any problems.
    Mar 22, 2024
    Dr Duncan showed me test results and explained them, answered questions, reassured me about a positive aspect of the test results. Excellent doctor- patient interview.
    Mar 13, 2024
    Yes I would recommend it
    Dec 18, 2023
    I trust Dr Duncan and sherespects my input into my medical decisions.
    Dec 15, 2023
    Always the best Dr.
    Dec 13, 2023
    There was a miscommunication from her team but Dr Duncan's care is always excellent.
    Nov 09, 2023
    Dr. Duncan put my mind at ease with all of the issues we were worried about. She is absolutely amazing and took her time when listening to my concerns. The entire staff was amazing and super friendly.
    Nov 08, 2023
    Dr Duncan was very good and I did not feel rushed when I was with her. My complaint is not with Dr Duncan or the technicians. My complaint is how the timing and scheduling of the appointments take place. My time is just as valuable as everyone in the office and I resent having to wait more than an hour after my scheduled appointment time. Especially when I arrived ten minutes early.
    Sep 30, 2023
    Dr. Duncan delivers excellent customer care & very professional & kind.
    Sep 09, 2023
    I was left with a bad feeling that something was terribly wrong but I wasn't told what it might be
    Aug 30, 2023
    Dr. Duncan is so special. I've never experienced a Care Provider with so much heart and positivity. She brings such calm and hope to these unnerving visits, I always look forward to seeing her. She is THE BEST
    Aug 23, 2023
    Doctor doesn't offer any New information in latest treatments or studies. I always have to ask or bring up something that I read myself. I was hoping by coming to UCSF that I could get information on the latest research in opthamalogy research.
    Aug 20, 2023
    What a wonderful experience I had. I was very concerned about my diagnosis of Macular Degeneration. I am an Ovarian Cancer survivor with a number of other health challenges. I am an artist just getting back into the studio so my vision is of extreme importance to me. I was so impressed with how thoughtful & human and understanding she was and I appreciated seeing all the images and getting such a complete explanation of this condition. She is easy to talk to and did not dismiss my concerns. I feel so much better knowing that I have a rock star doctor who is working to find treatments for this creepy condition. I am grateful that the paradigm has shifted from the top down authority figure to a human who specializes in something that can help humanity and that they can show their own humanity in the process. Thank you UCSF for hiring only the best of the best. You hit the jackpot with this one.
    Jul 29, 2023
    The doctor was top notch!. She spent a lot of time with me reviewing my condition, showed a great depth of knowledge and interest, listened to my input and carefully informed me of my options.
    Jul 10, 2023
    Dr. Dincan extraordinary physician in all aspects.
    Jul 10, 2023
    Efficient, knowledgeable, educational
    Jul 08, 2023
    Dr. Donkan is always kind and very sweet and always this pest on the lookout for what if I need something during the visit and always answers all my questions
    Jul 06, 2023
    The provider told me I was "all set" in terms of scheduling my follow ups. It turned out that I had to scheduled them myself. I scheduled a follow up with her in a year and I still need to call another UCSF facility in order to contact an optometrist. The provider said she referred me to them and I should expect a call from them. Clearly that was not the case.
    Jun 21, 2023
    She seemed stressed and overworked. We were there over 4 hours for us to be told nothing can be done for our issue. Receptionist was lazy and took her time knowing there was a long line of patients waiting to be registered. Nurses were nice friendly but over worked
    Jun 14, 2023
    Excellent
    May 27, 2023
    Dr Duncan was great. Very knowledgeable, thorough, and friendly.
    May 15, 2023
    A super great provider!!
    May 06, 2023
    Dr Duncan is other worldly special. I have never experienced her level of knowledge, care, kindness and transparency in any industry, let alone health care. Im terrified of my condition but she alone gives me so much hope. I cannot believe I am.so fortunate to have her treat my condition and my soul equally so well.
    Apr 22, 2023
    Her warm, friendly, and caring manner is consistent and remarkable. Her expertise is reassuring; her time spent with me is a joy every time.
    Apr 15, 2023
    She didn't look at my report before seeing me. Felt like I was just another appointment. Asked me if it was my first time there and it wasn't! Also when registering to see her I had all my previous test results forwarded to her. There was no comparison of anything from previous years and the current. It felt as if the only tests that mattered were today and starting from scratch.
    Apr 09, 2023
    Very good
    Apr 03, 2023
    Dr. Duncan is an excellent physician/specialist. She is professional, thorough, approachable, friendly and extremely conscientious about how she treats me. She wants what is best for me and I am very lucky for that!!
    Mar 20, 2023
    Dr. Duncan was fabulous. Listened to my questions and concerns. Never made me feel as if she needed to he somewhere else. Waited for me to ask all of my questions, then answered each one and made sure I understood everything.
    Mar 09, 2023
    Dr. Duncan is fantastic. I really appreciated her listening to me and explaining things well.

    Selected research

    See all research
    Decorative Caduceus

    Study to Evaluate ACDN-01 in ABCA4-related Retinopathy (STELLAR)

    To evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single dose of ACDN-01 when administered to participants with ABCA4-related retinopathy.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Retinal Imaging in Patients With Inherited Retinal Degenerations

    The current study will assess cone spacing twice at baseline and every 6 months for 30 months. The primary outcome will be measured at 24 months.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    EyeConic: Qualification for Cone-Optogenetics

    Number of participants with preserved central retinal volume

    Recruiting

    Doctors see bright future for augmented sight

    With the help of Dr. Duncan's research into augmented sight, blind and low-vision patients can see light for the first time in years.

    Watch the story on ABC7

    Contact me

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