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Lawrence C. Chao MD
Cataract, LASIK, Lens Implantation, Cornea
If you've been considering cataract, LASIK, lens implantation, or cornea surgery, schedule a consult at Chao Vision Institute and meet one-on-one with Dr. Lawrence Chao M.D.
With university-level expertise and personalized care, Dr. Chao offers advance cataract surgery with custom intraocular lens (IOLs) implants; LASIK vision correction; and implantable contact lenses. Genuine in character and skilled in surgical techniques, Dr. Chao is involved with all aspects of your care from consult to post operative visits.
By placing the welfare of patients first and foremost, Dr. Chao is considered a doctor whom doctors would choose for themselves or their loved ones. Dr. Chao has been entrusted to care for the eyes of many of Orange County's doctors, healthcare professionals, and their families. Dr. Chao personally has performed over ten thousand cataract and corneal refractive procedures.
University-Level Expertise | Subspecialty Fellowship
A member of the prestigious Max Fine Cornea Society, Dr. Chao is active with the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and International Society of Refractive Surgery.
Prior to establishing Chao Vision Institute, Dr. Chao held numerous clinical faculty positions at UC Irvine including Clinical Instructor, Director of Refractive Surgery at the Beckman Laser Institute, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, and Medical Director of the Gottschalk Eye Clinic.
A Centurian Surgeon for Ladarvision and a certified trainer for VISX, Dr. Chao has helped trained and certify other physicians in LASIK and laser vision correction. Previously named "Teacher of the Year" for his work with resident physicians and corneal refractive fellows at UC Irvine, Dr. Chao currently maintains privileges and affiliation with UC Irvine.
Personalized Care | The Doctors' ChoiceWhen Best Doctors of America asked doctors questions like, "If you or a loved one needed a doctor in your specialty, to whom would you refer them?", his peers elected Dr. Chao.
"Doctors have unique, 'inside' perspective about who's at the top of their profession, who's up on the latest advances in their field, and therefore, where they personally would turn for state-of-the-art care when faced with a serious medical problem." - Best Doctors in America.
If we are to be the change we want to see, then Dr. Chao sets the standard in his approach to patient care. More than just performing eye surgeries, Dr. Chao is hands-on with all aspects of patient care from consults to postoperative care at his practice and office-based procedure center in Irvine, CA.
This standard setting approach to providing personalized care is the change that patients want to see but cannot get at high volume eye care centers. Since the establishment of Chao Vision Institute, Dr. Chao has gained a reputation for offering a premier practice model where university-level experience and state-of-the-art technology are balanced with personalized care to give the best possible clinical and surgical result.
Give Focus to Life | See Clearly What Matters
Dr. Chao collaborates with peers and industry to further research and education in cataract and corneal refractive surgery. A reviewer for scientific papers in professional journals, Dr. Chao has contributed to medical literature including the LASIK Complications Prevention and Management textbook.
Ongoing, he attends local, national, and international cataract and refractive eye meetings, bringing back to his practice the best of ideas, techniques, and technology to give focus to life with clear vision.
Changing Lives
Apr 2008 - Bausch & Lomb, manufacturer of the CRYSTALENS HD, donated 100 intraocular lenses not generally covered by insurance or Medicare to low-income recipients, Dr. Chao, was selected to represent Orange County, CA as one of 100 cataract surgeons nationwide to change 100 lives in 100 minutes performing custom intraocular lens implantation following cataract extraction.
Considering -> Consult -> Experience CVI -> Results

Experience CVI
What patients shared about Dr. Chao and Chao Vision Institute.
"Dr. Chao demonstrates all of the characteristics associated with a caring, compassionate, competent doctor. In many ways, he is truly a healer." - Ronald C, Medical Doctor.
"Outstanding. - like seeing the golf ball." - J Pierce C, Orthopedic Surgeon.
"I found Dr. Chao to be warm & considerate and did an exceptional examination, evaluation, & treatment plan. As a professional, I could not have asked for a better doctor." - Marvin F, DDS.
"I want to thank you for the splendid care you have given to each of my referrals to your practice and to you specifically. All of them have reported high satisfaction with your care and have been pleased with the personal attention they have been given by your staff. Their ability and proficiency reflects your expertise and professional care which I complement you on." - Gordon F, Ophthalmologist.
Considering Eye Surgery?
If you are considering LASIK, ICLs, or cataract & IOL lens implant, call us at 888/623-9363 or 888/oceyemd to make an appointment with Dr. Chao at Chao Vision Institute in Irvine, CA to explore your options for seeing clearly.
When you email us, please let us know if you'd like to get access to 3D-animated topics including Conditions Overview and Surgical Treatment options.
You May Also Like to Know...
How CUSTOM IOLs like the Acrysof ReStor and Crystalens HD work.
Where can I get LASIK Laser Vision Correction and personalized care.
Chao Vision Institute specializes in cataract, cornea, LASIK, and refractive vision correction, providing patients with university-level expertise and personalized care. See Dr. Lawrence Chao for a consult or second opinion if you are considering eye surgery, including Crystalens ™, ReStor™, Visian ICL™, and LASIK surgery in Irvine, Orange County, or the Los Angeles , Riverside, and San Diego areas.
Call us at 888.OCEYEMD in our Irvine, Orange County office in the Los Angeles area to make an appointment or get more information.
Cataract surgery| CRYSTALENS | Refractive Lens Exchange | ReSTOR | Toric IOL
Dr. Lawrence C. Chao, MD - Corneal Refractive Subspecialist | Your Focus | Experience CVI
Custom LASIK | Visian ICL | Wavefront Technology | Cornea Care & Surgery
Privacy Policy | LEGAL DISCLAIMER Copyright © 2009 CHAO Vision Institute, Inc., All rights reserved.
CHAO VISION INSTITUTE
2500 Alton Parkway Ste 102
Irvine, CA 92606
Call 949.679.2426
toll fee 1.888.OCEYEMD