
Dr. Randal Pham, MD, MS, FACS
Ophthalmologist
989 Story Road Suite 8063 San Jose California, 95122About
Randal Pham, MD, MS, FACS, is an award-winning, board-certified eye surgeon in San Jose, California. He has a special interest in the prevention and treatment of world blindness. Dr. Pham earned his undergraduate degree with honors at the University of California in Berkeley. He completed his medical degree at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine and then an ophthalmology residency training at the Case Western Reserve University MetroHealth St. Luke’s Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Pham went on to finish an oculofacial plastic surgery fellowship with surgeons Sterling S. Baker, MD, and P. David Hunter, MD, at the University of Oklahoma. He became the first Vietnamese-American to be inducted into the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Pham is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and maintains several professional memberships including being a fellow of American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, and a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, Refractive Surgery Alliance Society, and a former member of the Board of Trustees of the California Medical Association.
Education and Training
University of California, Berkeley Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biochemistry 1983
University of California San Francisco School of Medicine Medical Degree 1988
Board Certification
American Board of Ophthalmology
OphthalmologyAmerican Board of OphthalmologyABO
Provider Details

Dr. Randal Pham, MD, MS, FACS's Expert Contributions
I'm farsighted and have a slight astigmatism - should I wear my glasses all the time?
You may not need glasses all the time. With very little sphere and cylinder in your glasses you may only need to wear your glasses at night when you drive. The reason that your eyes can read better toward the end of the day is that you are 35 y/o and you may be starting becoming presbyopic but for now you do not need reading glasses yet. I you take off your glasses you will be able to read. READ MORE
Does Visine help watery eyes?
No, Visine is an over-the-counter medication for red eye. You can get dependent on it. It works temporarily by constricting the vessels of the eye making the eye looks white. When the effect is gone the eye gets redder. READ MORE
Is it a blood clot or pink eye?
The pink eye seen in patients infected with Covid-19 has a distinctive red lid margins with some lid swellings. If you think that your father has high risks for Covid-19 fatality you should request a test on an emergency basis for your father. Those with the eye signs have severe infections and usually need hospitalization. READ MORE
Do I need to see a doctor if I have conjunctivitis?
Hi, Yes, please see an eye doctor. You could be infected and may need treatment. Sincerely, Randal Pham, MD, MS, FACS, FASOPRS READ MORE
Why are my eyes watering after cataract surgery?
You may have dry eye caused by eyedrops like steroid to help calm down inflammation after cataract surgery. Use of preservative free artificial tears should help. READ MORE
I accidentally slept in my contacts. Can just once cause permanent damage?
No, you may have a cornea ulcer. This is an emergency. You can lose your vision. You need to see an ophthalmologist ASAP. And please do not use the contact lens again until further instructions from the ophthalmologist. READ MORE
How long is the recovery from a cataract surgery?
The usual recovery time for cataract surgery is one month. However, with the state-of-the-art technology the recovery time can be as short as a few minutes. With femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery most patient can see immediately coming off the OR table. READ MORE
What is the treatment for diabetic eye disease?
Early detection and treatment are keys to success. Please have your mother seen by an eye professional as soon as possible. READ MORE
Why do I blink so often?
You may have dry eye, which initiates the blink reflex. Please check with an eye professional (optometrist or ophthalmologist). READ MORE
My mother's eyes seem cloudy in color. Why?
Diabetes can cause cataracts, which make the eye cloudy. Also, diabetes can cause bleeding in the back of the eye. Please have her eyes checked by an ophthalmologist. READ MORE
I accidentally got eye makeup remover in my eyes and it is burning in spite of using water on them. What should I do now?
Please wash it out with tap water. If it still hurts, please see an eye MD. READ MORE
Can a 3 year old child have glasses?
Yes, 3 year olds may need glasses. It is crucial that they see clearly so the eye brain pathways can be well developed. READ MORE
There's an intense pain in my eyes and my vision is blurry. What could this be from?
Pain and blurriness can be a serious problem. You could have a narrow angle glaucoma attack or uveitis; both of these are blinding diseases. Please see an eye physician (ophthalmologist) immediately. READ MORE
Does not wearing glasses all the time increase eye power?
No. If you can see without glasses you do not need to wear them. Not wearing glasses will not make your eyes worse. However, you may not see 20/20 without glasses. READ MORE
Can i be affected with two types of cataract in the same eye?
Yes, but the second cataract is just a membrane that was left to contain the man-made lens that was used to replace the original cataract, the natural lens that got cloudy. The second cataract (also called second cataract) can be broken down by a laser. The laser procedure takes only a few minutes to perform and is painless. It is usually performed at least 3 months after the original cataract surgery if you develop symptoms such as blurry vision or glare. You don't even have to lie down for this laser procedure. Please make sure you have a dilated exam before the procedure to rule out other causes of blurry vision that occur in the retina. READ MORE
Why are my eyes blood red when I wake up?
When you stare at the computer for a long time during the day without blinking you can develop dry eye. One of the signs of dry eye is redness. I recommend using preservative free artificial tears during your work hours (every 2 hours) to see if it helps. Please visit an eye professional for an exam. There are several good medications that require prescriptions that can help. One is Xiidra; the other is Restasis. Xiidra works faster and can make a difference in 1 to 2 weeks. Restasis will take a couple months to be fully effective. Good luck! READ MORE
My eyes feel very dry after LASIK. What could be the cause for this?
After Lasik the eyes can feel dry, but we now have very good medications to treat dry eye. Xiidra eye drops and Blink preservative free can help alleviate dry eye. Please return to have a post op check with your surgeon. Please ask him or her whether these drops can help you. Good luck. READ MORE
I can't stand to wear contacts
You probably have severe dry eye of your left eye. Please stop wearing contact lenses in both eyes and have your eyes checked by an eye professional, optometrist or ophthalmologist. READ MORE
Constant eye floaters--what's wrong?
Floaters are result of an entity called posterior vitreous detachment. Please have your eye check by an eye professional to rule out retinal detachment. If you do not have retinal detachment do not worry about it too much. The floaters usually go away. READ MORE
Why are my eyes so sensitive to light?
You probably have dry eye. Please get a pair of good sunglasses to see if they help. The moisture that the glasses retain on your eyes usually help. Preservative free artificial tears can also help. Check with an eye professional to rule out cataract and other diseases that cause light sensitivity. READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of MedicineAreas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Medical Director Aesthetic & Refractive Surgery Medical Center 1994 - 2017
- Medical Director Advanced Surgery Medical Center 2005 - 2017
- Founder / Ophthalmologist Aesthetic & Refractive Surgery Medical Center -
Awards
- Achievement Award from the American Academy Journal of Ophthalmology
- Founding Member of the Leon Goldman Founding Circle
- UCSF Innovators Award Year
- Stanford Provost Award Year
- Best Clinical Science Award Year American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery
- American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award Year
- Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations and Physicians for a Healthy California Leadership Award Year
- America’s Top Surgeons Year Castle and Connolly
- Patients' Choice Award 2008,2009 Patients' Choice
Treatments
- Ophthalmology
- Oculoplastic Surgery
- Laser Refractive Surgery
- Cataract Surgery
- Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty)
- Rhinoplasty (nasal Dorsum Implant)
- Facelift (rhytidectomy)
- Acne Scars
- Botox
- Removal Of Lip Lines
- Refractive Lens Exchange (dysfunction Lens Repair)
Professional Memberships
- American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American College of Surgeons
- American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery
- Refractive Surgery Alliance Society
- California Medical Association
Fellowships
- University of Oklahoma Oculofacial Plastic Surgery
Areas of research
Published extensively in the field of laser surgery of the eye and periorbital areas. Selected to be Editor-in-chief of Modern Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Randal Pham, MD, MS, FACS's Practice location
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Dr. Randal Pham, MD, MS, FACS's reviews
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Media Releases
Transforming Vision and Appearance While Advocating for Global Eye Health
San Jose, California – Randal Pham, MD, MS, FACS, a board-certified ophthalmologist with a fervent commitment to combating world blindness, is at the forefront of aesthetic and refractive surgery at the Aesthetic & Refractive Surgery Medical Center. With over 25 years of dedicated service, Dr. Pham and his exemplary team provide advanced surgical care that not only enhances patients’ vision but also their overall appearance, all delivered in a warm and welcoming environment.
Dr. Pham, the Founder of the Aesthetic & Refractive Surgery Medical Center, has revolutionized eye care in Northern California by being the first surgeon in the region to implant the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® multifocal intraocular lens. This groundbreaking technology allows patients to experience clear vision at both near and distance without the need for glasses. Alongside this innovation, Dr. Pham established the Advanced Surgery Medical Center in 2005, creating the first training center for laser cataract refractive surgery in the Western United States, utilizing the state-of-the-art CATALYS® Precision Laser System from OptiMedica.
A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biochemistry with honors, Dr. Pham furthered his education at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Case Western Reserve University MetroHealth St. Luke’s Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, followed by a fellowship in oculofacial plastic surgery at the University of Oklahoma. His remarkable journey has led him to become the first Vietnamese-American inducted into the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Pham has not only built a successful practice in the heart of Silicon Valley’s Vietnamese community but has also contributed significantly to research focused on preventing blindness caused by trachoma through innovative laser technologies. His extensive experience includes performing thousands of successful procedures that utilize advanced techniques to ensure patient safety and satisfaction.
The Aesthetic & Refractive Surgery Medical Center is recognized for its exceptional patient care, thanks in large part to the award-winning and highly educated staff who ensure a reassuring and welcoming experience from the moment patients enter the office until their departure. Dr. Pham is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care, making the center a beacon of hope for patients seeking aesthetic and refractive surgical solutions.
Dr. Pham’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his numerous professional memberships, including being a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as his involvement with the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery and the Refractive Surgery Alliance Society. He has also served as a former member of the Board of Trustees of the California Medical Association.
His academic contributions are notable, with published research in prominent journals such as Dermatologic Surgery and Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. A landmark paper published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports highlights Dr. Pham’s innovative approach to curing blindness through a combination of laser treatments and intraocular technologies. His groundbreaking work has earned him numerous accolades, including the inaugural UCSF Innovators Award, the Stanford Provost Award, the Best Clinical Science Award from the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award, and the Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations and Physicians for a Healthy California Leadership Award.
Dr. Randal Pham has been recognized as one of America’s Top Surgeons by Castle and Connolly, underscoring his dedication to advancing both the field of ophthalmology and the well-being of his patients.
Recommended Articles
- What is Conjunctivitis: The Facts
Conjunctivitis is a condition that most commonly appears in the human eyeball, specifically in the front of the eye. Conjunctivitis can be seen when the white part of the eye turns red or pink. Most people think that red eye can appear if they don’t sleep enough, but they might not actually be...
- What are the Causes and Symptoms of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of conditions that leads to the impairment of the optic nerve that carries information from the eyes to the brain. It is a progressive condition, which, if not treated, may lead to complete loss of vision. The most common cause of this damage is the increase in the pressure...
- Eye Infections: Bacterial, Viral, and Fungal
Eye infections occur when various harmful microorganisms invade the eyes. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. When suspecting an eye infection, you should go and get a detailed eye examination from an eye doctor. Trying to self-diagnose and even self-treat eye problems and eye...
- Diagnosing Cataracts: What You Need To Know
What are cataracts?When the lens located inside the human eye gets cloudy, it is called a cataract. A cataract in Latin means waterfall, thus describing what your vision with cataract is like; seeing through a waterfall. A cataract occurs as a result of the inability of the lens to allow sufficient...
- What are the Causes and Symptoms of Pink Eye?
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a contagious eye condition caused by the inflammation and infection of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye and the eyeball. Infection and swelling of the the mucous membrane becomes reddish, and the entire...
- What is Cataract Surgery?
The exact cause of cataracts is not known. Nevertheless, it seems that most cataracts are caused by long-term variations in the eye lens protein components which in turn causes cloudiness in the lens. Though not common, cataracts can affect infants and young children due to genetic enzyme...
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