Tom Chang MD

Ophthalmologist and Founder of Acuity Eye Group, Editor & Chief @ Retina Times; Editorial Board Member @ Evidence-Based Eye Care

Chang received his MD from the University of Toronto Medical School and his ophthalmology residency training from the University of Western Ontario. He completed three fellowships in retinal diseases: an ophthalmic pathology fellowship from the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University, a macular disease fellowship with Dr. Donald Gass at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami, and a vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta.

Upon completion of his training, Dr. Chang was Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of British Columbia for five years and then an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Institute for six years where he was Director of the Retina Fellowship. .

Dr. Chang was part of the team that performed the world's first surgical implantation of stem cell treatment for dry macular degeneration, which was in collaboration with the Johnson & Johnson Stem Cell organization. To date, the doctors at RIC have performed more sub-retinal stem cell surgeries than any other center in the world.

Tom Chang is also a medical researcher. He has researched on matters of health outcome assessments as well as drug delivery systems.

Chang has given more than 120 lectures in over 15 nations worldwide and has authored more than 50 medical publications. He has served on several scientific advisory boards and has handled high-profile patients across the world, including physicians, professional athletes, and CEOs.

Tom Chang founded the Retina Institute of California (RIC)in November 2005. Under his leadership, RIC has performed more stem cell surgeries involving retinas than any other medical facility.

Tom Chang MD was awarded the recognition of the top teaching award from his ophthalmology residents for three straight years. He also formerly served as the team ophthalmologist for the NBA Vancouver Grizzlies.

At the University of British Columbia, Dr. Chang served as the assistant professor of ophthalmology.

Dr. Chang is noted for his specialties in the surgical management of macular degeneration, complex diabetic retinopathy, clinical epidemiology and instrument design.

During his career, Dr. Chang has held positions as an Associate Examiner for the American Board of Opthalmology; Clinical Instructor and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of British Columbia; Sub-Investigator for Clinical Trials for Bausch & Lomb; Principal Investigator for Clinical Trials for Oculex Pharmaceuticals; Fellowship Program Director, Medicare Compliance Officer and Director at the USC School of Medicine; Medical Director for Doheny Macular Degeneration Center; Investigator for the California Center for Clinical Research and the Retina Institute of California.

Dr. Tom Chang is affiliated with a number of professional memberships and affiliations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology Retina Society; Macula Society; the American Society of Retina Specialists; Club Vit; Umbo Society; Retina Institute of California DBA Acuity Eye Group; Trilogy Eye Medical Group Inc. DBA Acuity Eye Specialists; San Gabriel Ambulatory Surgery Center; California Center for Clinical Research; Orange ASC and Renaissance ASC.

Dr. Chang's research interests include health outcome assessments and drug delivery systems, and his clinical interests include macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

The Acuity 360 Examination, developed by Tom Chang MD of the Acuity Eye Group, allows patients to receive quick yet thorough eye examinations without a doctor present. It can detect a wide array of problems, allowing people to get vision care early and prevent greater limitations in the future.