Biography


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.

As a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon, Dr. Leng uses the latest techniques and small-incisional sutureless technology to minimize patient discomfort and maximize functional outcomes. He 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 Connolly "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 serves the Stanford Health Care community as the Medical Informatics Director for Ambulatory Specialties, helping to integrate technology solutions to advance clinical care.

Dr. Leng is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Society of Retina Specialists. He is also a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Retina Society, the Macula Society, the Vit-Buckle Society, and is a founding board member of the Digital Ophthalmic Society. He volunteers his time as a Command Pilot for the Angel Flight West organization. Dr. Leng has 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.

Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Residency: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (2009) FL
  • Board Recertification, American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology (2021)
  • Fellowship: Stanford University Retina and Vitreous Fellowship (2010) CA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology, 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)

Honors & Awards
  • Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2017)
  • AMA Travel Award, American Medical Association (2001)
  • America's Top Ophthalmologists, Consumers Research Council of America (2012 - 2014)
  • ARVO Travel Award, National Eye Institute (2003)
  • Award for Excellence in Teaching, Stanford Department of Biological Sciences (2000)
  • Baxter Foundation Scholar, Stanford Medical Scholars Program (2001)
  • Best of Palo Alto, Ophthalmologists, Palo Alto Business Award Program (2019)
  • Certificate of Recognition for a Technical Innovation, NASA (2015)
  • Certificate of Recognition for a US Patent, NASA (2003)
  • Certificate of Recognition for Technical Innovation, NASA (2003)
  • Firestone Medal for Excellence in Research, Stanford University (1999)
  • Heed Fellowship, Heed Ophthalmic Foundation (2010)
  • Honor Award, American Society of Retina Specialists (2019)
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Training Fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2003)
  • Kolos Scholar, Stanford Medical Scholars Program (2001)
  • Medical Scientist Research Fellowship, Stanford Medical Scholars Program (2003)
  • Mentoring Program in Ophthalmology Scholarship, Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower (2009)
  • OSN Retina 150, Healio (2016)
  • Paul Kayser International Travel Scholar, Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation (2009)
  • Top Doctor, Castle Connolly (2017 - 2023)

Memberships
  • Grant Scientific Review Committee Member, BrightFocus Macular Degeneration Research Foundation (2022 - Present)
  • Planning Committee Member, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Digital Subspecialty Day (2022 - Present)
  • Mentor, American Society of Retina Specialists Underrepresented in Retina Mentorship Program (2022 - Present)
  • Founding Board Member, Digital Ophthalmic Society (2021 - Present)
  • Associate Editor, Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers, and Imaging Retina (2016 - Present)
  • Editorial Board Member, Journal of Ophthalmology (2013 - 2022)
  • Editorial Board Member, Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology (2019 - 2021)
  • President, Stanford Medicine Alumni Association Board of Governors (2015 - 2017)
  • Director, Stanford Medicine Alumni Association Board of Governors (2010 - 2020)
  • Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2011 - Present)
  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons (2012 - Present)
  • Member, The Retina Society (2014 - Present)
  • Member, The Macula Society (2016 - Present)
  • Member, American Society of Retina Specialists (2009 - Present)
  • Member, Vit-Buckle Society (2012 - Present)
  • Life Member, Society of Heed Fellows (2012 - Present)
  • Member, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (2001 - Present)
  • Editorial Board Member, Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers, and Imaging Retina (2012 - Present)
  • Editorial Board Member, American Society of Retina Specialists Retina Image Bank (2013 - Present)
  • Editorial Board Member, The Open Ophthalmology Journal (2014 - Present)
  • Editorial Board Member, Journal of Ophthalmic Research (2013 - Present)
  • Editorial Board Member, Journal of Clinical & Medical Case Reports (2013 - Present)
  • Member, Ophthalmology Innovation Network (2012 - Present)
  • Member, American Academy of Ophthalmology EyeWiki Retina/Vitreous Section Committee (2014 - 2021)
  • Medical and Surgical Retina Section Editor, The Eye Handbook (2012 - 2021)
  • Member, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Bay Area Alumni Network Steering Committee (2012 - 2021)
  • Lead Faculty Member, WebMedCentral (2011 - 2021)
  • Contributing Editor, OphthalmologyWeb (2008 - 2021)

Administrative Appointments
  • Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Ophthalmic Artificial Intelligence Summit (2021 - Present)
  • Director, Ophthalmic Diagnostics (2010 - Present)
  • Director, Clinical and Translational Research (2015 - Present)
  • Founder and Medical Director, Stanford Ophthalmic Reading Center (STARC) (2016 - Present)
  • IT Physician Advocate, Stanford Health Care (2015 - Present)
  • Medical Informatics Director, Ambulatory Specialties, Stanford Health Care (2023 - Present)
  • Member, Stanford EPIC Provider SuperUser Network (SUN) (2016 - Present)
  • Member, Committee for Ophthalmology Diversity Equity and Inclusion (CODE-I) (2022 - Present)
  • Member, Ophthalmology Department Wellness Committee (2022 - Present)
  • Ophthalmology Department Liaison, Stanford Health Care Main Operating Rooms (2013 - 2017)

Publications

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.


Specializing In

Practice Locations


Retinal and Macular Diseases Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

2452 Watson Court

Palo Alto , CA 94303

(650) 723-6995

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Byers Eye Institute Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

2452 Watson Court

Palo Alto , CA 94303

(650) 723-6995

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

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