Elaine Chen

Dr. Elaine Chen is an SCCO Associate Professor at Marshall B. Ketchum University's Southern California College of Optometry. She holds clinical and teaching roles in cornea and contact lens services across multiple locations including Anaheim and Los Angeles, CA. Her expertise spans keratoconus management, advanced contact lens fitting, pediatric optometry, and dry eye research. She has been a full-time faculty member since 2016 following a postdoctoral residency in cornea and contact lenses at SCCO.

Dr. Chen earned a BA in Psychology (UCLA) and OD from UC Berkeley School of Optometry. Her research focuses on dry eye syndrome, contact lens efficacy, and corneal health. She has published extensively on clinical tests for evaporative dry eye, mask-associated dry eye impacts, and scleral lens innovations.

• Education: BA, UCLA; OD, UC Berkeley

Her research interests emphasize translating clinical findings into improved patient care, particularly for complex corneal conditions. Notable contributions include validating symptom questionnaires and advancing diagnostic protocols for dry eye subtypes.

Awardees include dual Fellowships from the American Academy of Optometry and Scleral Lens Society. Her clinical practice integrates advanced fitting techniques for irregular corneas and pediatric patients. She collaborates on grants exploring contact lens materials and ocular surface interactions, contributing to the Cornea and Contact Lens Service team at SCCO.

Dr. Chen advocates for proactive care in asymptomatic contact lens wearers and has pioneered studies on post-corneal cross-linking lens adaptation. She also researches pandemic-related shifts in vision correction habits and their public health implications.