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Dr. Stephanie P. Chen is a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery, cornea transplantation, and refractive surgery at Altos Eye Physicians. She also serves as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), providing an elevated patient experience with individualized care, attention to detail, and modern practice techniques. Dr. Chen graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and earned her Medical Degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. She completed her ophthalmology residency at UCSF and pursued subspecialty training in Cornea, External Diseases, and Refractive Surgery at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Known for her compassionate, patient-centric approach, she is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and proficient in Spanish, committed to connecting with patients on a personal level and making a positive impact on their lives. She specializes in modern cataract surgery with advanced lens options, laser vision correction, and complex corneal care, including procedures like DMEK/DSAEK, PKP, pterygium surgery, corneal cross-linking, and ocular surface reconstruction. A California native, she enjoys cycling, snowboarding, and exploring the natural beauty of the Bay Area and Northern California with her family and friends.

Dr. Bradley Barnett, MD, PhD, is a fellowship-trained cornea specialist and the founder of California LASIK & Eye in Sacramento. He focuses on modern vision correction and advanced corneal care—offering LASIK and PRK, EVO ICL™, premium cataract surgery, and treatments for complex corneal disease. His approach pairs leading technology with a friendly, no-rush consultation style so patients understand every option. Dr. Barnett completed his ophthalmology residency at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute and a cornea fellowship at the UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute. He holds both an MD and a PhD in Pharmacology from Johns Hopkins and began his academic journey as an Echols Scholar at the University of Virginia. In addition to refractive and cataract surgery, he performs corneal transplantation, cross-linking for keratoconus, and pterygium surgery, and manages dry eye with in-office therapies. He founded his practice to deliver a streamlined, outcomes-focused experience that supports clear, lasting vision.

Jillian K. Chong, MD, is a cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon who helps patients see—and feel—their best with customized, evidence-based care. She offers advanced cataract surgery with a full range of lens options and modern refractive procedures for patients seeking to reduce dependence on glasses or contacts. She also treats complex corneal disease and dry eye, combining medical therapy with procedural options when indicated. Dr. Chong completed ophthalmology residency at Kresge Eye Institute (Wayne State University) and a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins. Her surgical expertise includes DMEK/DSAEK/DALK/PKP corneal transplantation, corneal cross-linking, and laser vision correction (LASIK, SMILE, PRK) as well as EVO ICL and refractive lens exchange. Patients appreciate her clear explanations, careful goal-setting and collaborative follow-up.

Dr. Carla Berkowitz is a comprehensive ophthalmologist and cornea specialist at Eye Care of San Diego. She provides individualized care for cataracts, corneal disease, dry eye, and refractive needs, offering both medical therapies and advanced surgical options. Patients appreciate her warm, collaborative style and the time she takes to explain findings and next steps. Dr. Berkowitz earned her MD at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, completed ophthalmology residency at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, and pursued fellowship training in Cornea and External Ocular Diseases at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute. She offers care in multiple San Diego locations and is proficient in Spanish to better serve multilingual communities.

Dr. Mustafa Safi is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist focused on cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery. He completed a cornea fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis after ophthalmology residency at California Pacific Medical Center; earlier training includes a research fellowship at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute and medical school at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Safi provides comprehensive care for disorders that affect the cornea and ocular surface, including keratoconus, infectious keratitis, corneal scarring and dystrophies, dry eye disease, and eyelid-related surface irritation. He offers advanced treatments such as corneal collagen cross-linking, corneal transplantation, ocular surface reconstruction with amniotic membrane or limbal stem cell techniques, cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation, and modern options for laser vision correction when appropriate. Patients value his thoughtful counseling, attention to visual goals, and collaborative approach to long-term care.

Dr. Kirsten Wagner is an ophthalmologist with a focus on cornea and external disease, caring for adults with conditions that affect the clarity, comfort, and protection of the eye’s surface. She sees patients in Santa Barbara and provides both medical and surgical options tailored to each person’s needs, from easing chronic dryness to restoring vision affected by corneal disorders and cataracts. Patients appreciate Dr. Wagner’s clear explanations and collaborative style. She discusses what’s causing symptoms, outlines practical next steps, and helps people choose treatments that fit their goals and routines. When surgery is the best path, she emphasizes preparation, safety, and a smooth recovery. Outside the operating room, she partners closely with referring optometrists and primary care teams so care feels connected and convenient. New patients are welcome, and second opinions are available by request.

Dr. Nicole M. Fuerst is a board-certified ophthalmologist and cornea, cataract, and refractive surgeon at Fuerst Eye Center. She treats each patient like family and specializes in advanced corneal and cataract procedures, refractive surgery, and the care of dry eye and other ocular surface diseases. Known for clear explanations and a calm, supportive manner, she welcomes referrals for both routine and complex cases. Dr. Fuerst earned her medical degree at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, completed ophthalmology residency at the Scheie Eye Institute (University of Pennsylvania), and a two-year clinical and research fellowship in cornea and external disease at Duke Eye Center. She has authored peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has been recognized as a Southern California Super Doctors Rising Stars honoree and a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Her goal is to combine surgical excellence with compassionate, individualized care that restores comfort and vision.

Dr. Joanne Choi is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained cornea specialist. She provides comprehensive eye care with a focus on restoring clarity for patients with corneal disease, cataracts, and refractive needs. Her philosophy blends meticulous surgical planning with a warm, collaborative style so patients understand every step—from pre-operative counseling to post-operative recovery. She offers advanced lens options for cataract surgery and tailors vision correction to each person’s lifestyle. Dr. Choi completed a cornea and external disease fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, after an ophthalmology residency at the Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University. She also completed a transitional year at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital and earned her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine, following undergraduate study in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at UCLA.

Dr. Jawad Ahmad is a cornea specialist who helps patients see—and feel—better with precise, personalized care. He offers advanced cataract surgery and a full range of corneal procedures, including corneal cross-linking for appropriate candidates. Patients appreciate his calm manner, careful measurements, and honest conversations about what each option can and cannot do, from dry eye procedures to laser vision correction. Dr. Ahmad completed fellowship training at the Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, focusing on cornea, refractive surgery, and advanced cataract techniques. He earned his medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate College of Medicine and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a concentration in neurobiology. At Pacific Eye Surgeons, he provides comprehensive ophthalmology alongside subspecialty care, coordinating closely with each person to match safety, recovery, and long-term visual goals.

Dr. Ryan G. Smith is a cornea, cataract, and refractive surgeon who enjoys helping patients see clearly with personalized, evidence-based care. He offers a full range of options for vision correction and complex corneal disease, tailoring treatment to each patient’s lifestyle and goals. Patients appreciate his calm manner, clear explanations, and emphasis on shared decision-making at every step of the process. After ophthalmology residency at Stanford, Dr. Smith completed advanced fellowship training in Cornea and External Disease at the University of California, Irvine. In practice at Pacific Eye MD, he performs modern cataract surgery, advanced corneal transplantation, and laser vision correction, and collaborates closely with referring optometrists and primary care providers. Whether restoring clarity after a difficult cataract, treating keratoconus, or managing a stubborn corneal infection, he focuses on durable outcomes and a smooth recovery experience.

Dr. Adam Dao is a board-certified ophthalmologist with advanced fellowship training in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery. He cares for patients across San Diego with a practical, patient-first approach — explaining options clearly and tailoring plans to each person’s vision goals. Dr. Dao offers the full spectrum of cataract and refractive care, including complex cataract surgery and premium lens options, as well as surgical and medical treatments for corneal disease.A Dallas native and Texas A&M graduate (Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa), Dr. Dao earned his medical degree at McGovern Medical School in Houston, completed ophthalmology residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and pursued fellowship training in Cornea, External Diseases, and Refractive Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. He has performed more than 10,000 ophthalmic procedures and values shared decision-making, comfort, and long-term results.

Dr. Clémence P. Bonnet is an assistant professor in the Cornea Division at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute. She cares for patients with the full spectrum of corneal and ocular surface diseases and offers both medical and surgical treatments tailored to each person’s goals. Her surgical expertise includes endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK and DMEK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), penetrating keratoplasty, limbal stem cell transplantation, refractive surgery, corneal cross-linking, and cataract surgery. A physician–scientist, Dr. Bonnet’s research focuses on limbal stem cell deficiency, ocular surface disease, and multi-modal corneal imaging to improve diagnosis and monitoring. Her training spans France and the United States, including ophthalmology residency in Paris, fellowship training in cataract/refractive surgery, and an international research fellowship in corneal disease and surgery at UCLA. She earned her MD from the University of Rouen and completed a PhD in cell biology through Paris Cité Université and UCLA. Patients appreciate her clear explanations and collaborative approach to selecting the safest, most effective options for restoring comfort and vision.

Dr. Shyamanga Borooah is a retina specialist at UC San Diego’s Shiley Eye Institute with a focus on inherited retinal disease and macular degeneration. After medical school at Imperial College London and ophthalmology residency training in South East Scotland, he completed advanced retinal fellowships, including prestigious training at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. As an Associate Professor, he cares for adults and children with genetic retinal conditions as well as patients with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other complex retinal disorders. His clinic integrates advanced imaging and specialized testing such as retinal electrophysiology, and he works closely with genetic counselors when appropriate. Dr. Borooah leads clinical trials, including first-in-region gene therapy studies for inherited retinal disease, and he directs a laboratory developing novel treatments for macular disease. His contributions have been recognized with honors such as a Rowling scholarship for translational medicine, a Foundation Fighting Blindness career development award, and a Fulbright scholarship. He strives to provide clear explanations, compassionate guidance, and access to the most current therapies.

Dr. Rami Gabriel is a cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery specialist who provides both medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions affecting the front of the eye. He performs advanced cataract surgery with premium lens options, laser vision correction, and corneal transplantation, and he manages complex ocular surface disease including dry eye and keratoconus. Patients value his combination of meticulous technique and down-to-earth communication. Dr. Gabriel earned his MD at the University of California, Irvine and completed ophthalmology residency at Duke University, where he received multiple honors for teaching, research, and innovation. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery at Duke, gaining extensive experience with modern corneal procedures and laser refractive technologies. At South Coast Eye Care Centers, he partners with patients to personalize treatment plans that optimize both vision and long-term eye health.

Dr. Madeline Ripa is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery. She provides medical and surgical care for corneal disease, performs corneal transplantation when appropriate, and offers refractive cataract surgery with standard, toric, and premium intraocular lenses. Her approach emphasizes shared decision-making, clear communication, and evidence-based recommendations tailored to each patient’s goals for vision and lifestyle. Dr. Ripa completed both undergraduate studies and medical school at Saint Louis University. She then trained in ophthalmology at Loyola University Medical Center, where she served as chief resident, followed by advanced fellowship training in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City. She is excited to serve patients in Sonoma County and works closely with families and referring doctors to deliver comprehensive, coordinated care.

Christine S. Wang is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist with advanced subspecialty training from the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, one of the nation's top-ranked centers for ophthalmic surgery. She specializes in advanced cataract surgery and premium intraocular lenses, offering personalized solutions for visual freedom and reduced dependence on glasses. Her expertise includes the full range of refractive surgery options such as LASIK, PRK, implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery, and refractive lens exchange. She is skilled in various corneal transplantation techniques including penetrating keratoplasty (PK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), allowing her to tailor surgical plans to individual anatomy and visual goals. Dr. Wang also provides glaucoma monitoring and minimally invasive glaucoma interventions when indicated. Her approach is evidence-based, precise, and focused on long-term clarity and performance. Dr. Wang completed her ophthalmology residency at the Medical College of Virginia, where she served as Chief Resident and received the Resident Research Award. She has published on surgical outcomes and contributed as a reviewer for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Cornea Society, and Women in Ophthalmology. A Bay Area native, she is dedicated to bringing world-class surgical care to her home community.

Dr. Alexander Foster is a cornea and anterior segment surgeon at Davies Eye Center serving North County San Diego. Born and raised locally, he performs a large volume of cataract and LASIK procedures and takes pride in delivering tailored surgical plans using advanced intraocular lens technology, including the Light Adjustable Lens. He also offers the full spectrum of keratoplasty (corneal transplantation) and manages complex anterior segment problems referred by colleagues. Dr. Foster graduated from the University of Southern California medical school as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, completed ophthalmology residency at the University of Washington, and then undertook subspecialty training in corneal transplantation in Seattle. He is experienced with modern techniques such as Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty and also performs scleral-fixated intraocular lenses, pterygium excision, iris repair, and MIGS. Patients appreciate his combination of surgical precision and friendly Southern California vibe.