Theodore Leng, MD, FACS

Dr. Leng is considered to be one of the top 150 worldwide leading innovators in the field of medical and surgical retina and serves the Department of Ophthalmology as both the Director of Clinical and Translational Research and the Director of Ophthalmic Diagnostics.

He is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon. Dr. Leng specifically focuses on surgery for macular holes, epiretinal membranes and macular pucker, and performs several of these types of surgery on a weekly basis. Dr. Leng uses the latest techniques and small-incisional sutureless technology to minimize patient discomfort and maximize functional outcomes.

Dr. Leng's medical retina specialties include the diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusions. Dr. Leng is committed to bringing the highest level of patient-centered care for all types of retinal conditions.


BIOGRAPHY

Theodore Leng, MD, MS, FACS received his AB in Philosophy and BS in Biological Sciences from Stanford University, graduating with Departmental Honors. He received his Masters of Science in Biological Sciences from Stanford University while conducting research at the Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, CA on cellular ion membrane channels. Dr. Leng received his medical degree from the Stanford University School of Medicine, during which he completed a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Training Fellowship.

Dr. Leng completed his ophthalmology residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the highest ranked eye hospital and residency training program in the country. He was awarded the Heed Fellowship, the most prestigious national award for ophthalmologists entering a career in academic medicine. Dr. Leng returned to Stanford University to complete a fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery and was awarded the Paul Kayser International Travel Scholarship to work in Santiago, Chile. He has been a full-time faculty member of the Stanford University Department of Ophthalmology since 2010 and has been named one of “America’s Top Ophthalmologists” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America and is a Castle Connoly "Top Doctor."

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Leng has a vibrant clinical and basic science research program and has published over 200 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, book chapters and abstracts. He is frequently invited to speak at national and international meetings. Dr. Leng serves as the Associate Editor of the peer-reviewed journal, Ophthalmic Surgery Lasers & Imaging Retina.

Dr. Leng is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Retina Society, the Macula Society, the Vit-Buckle Society, as well as the American Society of Retina Specialists. He volunteers his time in medical student free clinics and also flies patients as a Command Pilot for the Angel Flight West organization. Dr. Leng recently served as the President of the Stanford Medicine Alumni Association to support its mission of reaching, inspiring, serving and engaging over 26,000 Stanford Medicine alumni.

Clinical Focus

• Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinal Vascular Disease, Retinal Detachment Surgery
• Macular Edema, Macular Hole Surgery, Epiretinal Membrane, Endophthalmitis
• Branch and Central Retinal Vein Occlusion, Macular Pucker
• Lens Dislocation and Subluxation, Complications of Cataract Surgery
• Ophthalmology

Academic Appointments

• Assistant Professor - Med Center Line, Ophthalmology
• Assistant Professor - Med Center Line (By courtesy), Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine
• Member, Bio-X
• Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute

Administrative Appointments

• Director, Clinical and Translational Research (2015 - Present)
• Director, Ophthalmic Diagnostics (2010 - Present)
• Director, Stanford Ophthalmic Reading Center (STARC) (2016 - Present)
• Member, Stanford EPIC Provider SuperUser Network (SUN) (2016 - Present)
• IT Physician Advocate, Stanford Healthcare (2015 - Present)
• Ophthalmology Department Liaison, Stanford Healthcare Main Operating Rooms (2013 - 2017)

Honors & Awards

• Best of Palo Alto, Ophthalmologists, Palo Alto Business Award Program (2019)
• Honor Award, American Society of Retina Specialists (2019)
• Top Doctor, Castle Connolly (2017 - 2020)
• Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2017)
• OSN Retina 150, Healio (2016)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

• Editorial Board Member, Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology (2019 - Present)
• Associate Editor, Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers, and Imaging Retina (2016 - Present)
• President, Stanford Medicine Alumni Association Board of Governors (2015 - 2017)
• Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2011 - Present)
• Fellow, American College of Surgeons (2012 - Present)

Professional Education

• Fellowship:Stanford University Retina and Vitreous Fellowship (2010) CA
• Residency:Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Ophthalmology Training (2009) FL
• Board Certification: Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology (2010)
• Internship:Huntington Memorial Hospital (2006) CA
• Medical Education:Stanford School of Medicine (2005) CA
• MS, Stanford University, Biological Sciences (2000)
• AB/BS, Stanford University, Philosophy & Biological Sciences (1999)

Community and International Work

• Angel Flight West

  Topic

  Air transport

  Populations Served

  Patients

  Location

  US

  Ongoing Project

  Yes

  Opportunities for Student Involvement

  Yes

• Veterans Airlift Command

  Topic

  Air transport

  Populations Served

  Veterans and their families

  Location

  International

  Ongoing Project

  Yes

  Opportunities for Student Involvement

  No

• Arbor Free Clinic, Menlo Park

  Partnering Organization(s)

  Stanford University School of Medicine

  Populations Served

  Underserved

  Location

  Bay Area

  Ongoing Project

  Yes

  Opportunities for Student Involvement

  Yes

• Haitian Eye Initiative, Cap Haitian, Milot, Thomonde