Welcome to the Chao Vision Institute website. Here you'll find information in a simple yet useful format to help you make an educated decision about your eye care options.

Refractive vision correction is a corneal refractive subspecialty in ophthalmology which provides the best uncorrected vision with less dependence on glasses and contact lenses. 

It is my hope to bring you university level expertise with the best of care at our premier facility, the Chao Vision Institute. We offer the latest technologies, educational resources, and state-of-the-art procedures in a setting designed for efficiency, ease, and comfort.

There is no assembly line mentality at Chao Vision Institute. We provide undivided attention to every detail of your care at our sole Irvine facility. Please call us to discuss your eye care needs or set up a consultation.

Thank you for your support,

Lawrence C. Chao, M.D.

Medical Director

Consult Dr. Chao | Corneal Refractive Eye Physician and Surgeon

While we know you have many reasons for choosing an eye care specialist, we'd like to present a few reasons why you should choose Dr. Lawrence C. Chao should you have cataract, LASIK, or corneal refractive eye care and vision correction needs.

Dr. Chao is a board-certified ophthalmologist with subspecialty fellowship training in cataract, cornea, and refractive vision corrective surgery. This higher level of training means Dr. Chao is one of a select group of cataract and refractive surgeons in the country who is able to manage both routine and complex corneal refractive cases. 

Prior to establishing Chao Vision Institute, Dr. Chao held numerous clinical and faculty positions including  Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine. At Chao Vision Institute, Dr. Chao offers LASIK laser vision correction, Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) implant, and cataract surgery with custom intraocular lens (IOLs) implant.  For more about  Dr. Chao's education and training includes - click on MEET DR. CHAO.

Experience CVI | Personalized Care

We combine expert techniques, innovations, and personalized care to create a a higher level of care you can experience at each and every encounter. You will see that, throughout the facility, details make the difference, setting us apart as one of the most unique corneal refractive practices in Orange County and Southern California. Elected by peers to "Best Doctors of America", Dr. Chao is personally and completely involved with all aspects of your CVI experience from consult to postoperative visits.  For more about the Chao Vision difference - click on EXPERIENCE CVI.

Your Focus Is Our Focus

From myopia to presbyopia, today's vision conditions can be corrected with one or a combination of laser-based and lens-based refractive vision corrective surgery to help you see clearly.  For more about vision conditions to see which vision corrective option is right for you - click on YOUR FOCUS.

Refractive Options for the Way You Live

Whether you have been told you have cataracts or have been wondering is LASIK laser vision correction right for you, we offer initial as well as second opinion consults to discuss your vision correction options.

• CATARACTS - Microincision no-stitch cataract surgery with intraocular lens implant offers clear vision to patients suffering from age-related clouding of their natural crystalline lens.
• CUSTOM IOLs - While monofocal or single vision intraocular lenses (IOLs) offer distance vision, multifocal (ReStoR, ReZoom) and accommodative (CRYSTALENS) IOLs lessen your dependence on glasses or contacts by offering a fuller range such as distance and reading or computer vision. Toric IOLs can correct for astigmatism as well as provision great distance vision. Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) - using the micro incision no-stitch technique of cataract removal, removing the natural lens, and implanting a Custom IOL can lessen one's dependence on glasses or contacts.
• CUSTOM LASIK - Laser Vision Correction such as LASIK and PRK uses a cool excimer laser to correct vision (nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism). Wavefront technology provides for greater precision and customization, resulting in better vision quality.
• ICL - Working with your natural lens to correct vision, Implantable Contact Lens (Visian ICL) or phakic lens implant offers quality of vision, safety, advanced lens material, removability, and comfort.  The Visian ICL is a great choice for patients with high degrees of nearsightedness or special vision correction needs.

Contact Us | Patient Forms

For patient forms you can print, complete and fax back to 949.679.2616; or to learn more on what to expect on your first visit, maps and directions,  click on Contact Us. 

Considering -> Consult -> Experience CVI -> Results