Dr. Randal Pham M.D.
Ophthalmologist
989 Story Road Suite 8063 San Jose California, 95122Rating
4/5
About
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
MD at University of California
San Francisco
University of California, Berkeley A.B. Biochemistry 1983
University of California, San Francisco M.D. Medicine 1988
Board Certification
American Board of Ophthalmology
OphthalmologyAmerican Board of OphthalmologyABO
Provider Details
Dr. Randal Pham M.D.'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
Awards
- Achievement Award from the American Academy Journal of Ophthalmology
- Founding Member of the Leon Goldman Founding Circle
- Best Clinical Science Award Best Clinical Science
- 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)
Treatments
- Eye and face
Professional Society Memberships
- American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, California Medical Association, American Medical Association
Articles and Publications
PUBLICATIONS
As First Author
What do you attribute your success to?
I succeed by choosing the hardest path for my journeys, achieving balance in everything that I do, giving the best that I have and treating others the way I would like to be treated.
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.
Philanthropic Initiatives
Establish free laser surgery services for indigent patients teaming with Twitter. Attend medical missions in third world countries. Provide scholarships to medical students and offer travel grants to enable physicians-in-training to carry out research in third world countries.
Teaching and speaking
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTAdjunct Clinical Assistant Professor 1996-2004
Department of Ophthalmology
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
School of Medicine
Stanford University
PRESENTATIONS
Pham R T H: Periorbital Rejuvenation in Asian 10/2014
AAO Course: Tips for Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery in Asian Patients
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Chicago, Illinois
Pham R T H: Introduction to Aesthetic Facial Surgery by Fractional Lasers 10/2014
Intense Pulse Light, Radiofrequency and Ultrasound Devices (Lab Instructor)
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Chicago, Illinois
Pham R T H: Laser Physics 10/2014
AAO Course: Introduction to Aesthetic Facial Surgery by Fractional Lasers, Intense Pulsed Light, Radiofrequency and Ultrasound Devices
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Chicago, Illinois
Pham R T H: Lateral Canthotomy for Patients on Anti-coagulants 04/2014
Undergoing Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (eposter)
World Ophthalmology Congress
Tokyo, Japan
Pham R T H: The Exposed Orbital Implant (invited speaker) 04/2014
World Ophthalmology Congress
Tokyo, Japan
Pham R T H: Oculoplastic Case Discussion Panel 03/2014
California Society of Facial Plastic Surgery Annual Symposium
Lake Tahoe, California
Pham R T H: Complications in Asian Blepharoplasty 11/2013
AAO Course: Tips for Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery in Asian Patients
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
New Orleans, Louisiana
Pham R T H: Introduction to Aesthetic Facial Surgery by Fractional Lasers 11/2013
Intense Pulse Light, Radiofrequency and Ultrasound Devices (Lab Instructor)
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
New Orleans, Louisiana
Pham R T H: Laser Physics 11/2013
AAO Course: Introduction to Aesthetic Facial Surgery by Fractional Lasers, Intense Pulsed Light, Radiofrequency and Ultrasound Devices
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
New Orleans, Louisiana
Pham R T H: Lateral Canthotomy for Small Eyes Undergoing Laser 05/2013
Refractive Cataract Surgery with Image-Guidance System
Americal Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Symposium and Congress
San Francisco, California
Pham R T H: Oculoplastic Case Discussion Panel 03/2013
California Society of Facial Plastic Surgery Annual Symposium
Lake Tahoe, California
Pham R T H: Asian Blepharoplasty 11/2012
AAO Course: Tips for Oculoplastic Surgery in Asian Patients
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Chicago, Illinois
Pham R T H: Fractional Laser Resurfacing in Asian 11/2012
AAO/ASOPRS Joint Course: Introduction to Aesthetic Facial Surgery by Fractional Lasers, Intense Pulse Light, Radiofrequency and Ultrasound Devices
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Chicago, Illinois
Pham R T H: Introduction to Aesthetic Facial Surgery by Fractional Lasers 11/2012
Intense Pulse Light, Radiofrequency and Ultrasound Devices (Lab Instructor)
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Jointly sponsored by the AAO’s Annual Meeting Committee and ASOPRS
Chicago, Illinois
Pham R T H: Periorbital Rejuvenation in Asian and Dark Skin (Director) 11/2012
43nd Fall Scientific Symposium
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Chicago, Illinois
Pham R T H: Complications of Periorbital Rejuvenation in Asian 11/2012
43nd Fall Scientific Symposium
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Chicago, Illinois
Pham R T H: Instructor for Cataract Phaco Lab 7/2012
Stanford Bay Area Ophthalmology Course
Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Stanford
Stanford, California
Pham R T H: Oculoplastic Case Discussion Panel 3/2012
California Society of Facial Plastic Surgery Annual Symposium
Lake Tahoe, California
Pham R T H: Aesthetic Practice with New Technologies (Course Director) 10/2011
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Jointly sponsored by the AAO’s Annual Meeting Committee and ASOPRS
Orlando, Florida
Pham R T H: Fractional Resurfacing with Stamping Handpiece 10/2011
AAO Course: Aesthetic Practice with New Technologies
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Jointly sponsored by the AAO’s Annual Meeting Committee and ASOPRS
Orlando, Florida
Pham R T H: Asian Blepharoplasty 10/2011
AAO Course: Tips for Oculoplastic Surgery in Asian Patients
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Orlando, Florida
Pham R T H: Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation 10/2011
AAO Course: Introduction to Aesthetic Facial Surgery by Fractional Lasers,
Intense Pulse Light, Radiofrequency and Ultrasound Devices
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Jointly sponsored by the AAO’s Annual Meeting Committee and ASOPRS
Orlando, Florida
Pham R T H: Introduction to Aesthetic Facial Surgery by Fractional Lasers 10/2011
Intense Pulse Light, Radiofrequency and Ultrasound Devices (Lab Instructor)
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
Hobbies / Sports
- Photography, Horseback Riding, Swimming, Scuba Diving
Favorite professional publications
- Modern Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dermatologic Surgery, International Plastic Surgery, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
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 M.D.'s Practice location
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