Bio
CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. NO REFERRAL NECESSARY
*** Dr. Leng sees patients with retinal conditions at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford in Palo Alto, CA. If you wish to make an appointment, please call 650-723-6995 and ask to speak with Maree del Castillo or Sonia Orellana. ***
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
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Assistant Professor - Med Center Line, Ophthalmology
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Assistant Professor - Med Center Line (By courtesy), Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine
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Member, Bio-X
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Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
Administrative Appointments
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Director, Clinical and Translational Research (2015 - Present)
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Director, Ophthalmic Diagnostics (2010 - Present)
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Director, Stanford Ophthalmic Reading Center (STARC) (2016 - Present)
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Member, Stanford EPIC Provider SuperUser Network (SUN) (2016 - Present)
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IT Physician Advocate, Stanford Healthcare (2015 - Present)
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Ophthalmology Department Liaison, Stanford Healthcare Main Operating Rooms (2013 - 2017)
Honors & Awards
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Best of Palo Alto, Ophthalmologists, Palo Alto Business Award Program (2019)
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Honor Award, American Society of Retina Specialists (2019)
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Top Doctor, Castle Connolly (2017, 2018, 2019)
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Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2017)
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OSN Retina 150, Healio (2016)
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Certificate of Recognition for a Technical Innovation, NASA (2015)
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America's Top Ophthalmologists, Consumers Research Council of America (2012 - 2014)
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Heed Fellowship, Heed Ophthalmic Foundation (2010)
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Mentoring Program in Ophthalmology Scholarship, Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower (2009)
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Paul Kayser International Travel Scholar, Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation (2009)
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ARVO Travel Award, National Eye Institute (2003)
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Certificate of Recognition for Technical Innovation, NASA (2003)
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Certificate of Recognition for a US Patent, NASA (2003)
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Training Fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2003)
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Medical Scientist Research Fellowship, Stanford Medical Scholars Program (2003)
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AMA Travel Award, American Medical Association (2001)
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Baxter Foundation Scholar, Stanford Medical Scholars Program (2001)
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Kolos Scholar, Stanford Medical Scholars Program (2001)
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Award for Excellence in Teaching, Stanford Department of Biological Sciences (2000)
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Firestone Medal for Excellence in Research, Stanford University (1999)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Editorial Board Member, Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology (2019 - Present)
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Associate Editor, Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers, and Imaging Retina (2016 - Present)
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President, Stanford Medicine Alumni Association Board of Governors (2015 - 2017)
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Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2011 - Present)
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Fellow, American College of Surgeons (2012 - Present)
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Member, The Retina Society (2014 - Present)
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Member, The Macula Society (2016 - Present)
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Member, American Society of Retina Specialists (2009 - Present)
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Member, Vit-Buckle Society (2012 - Present)
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Life Member, Society of Heed Fellows (2012 - Present)
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Member, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (2001 - Present)
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Director, Stanford Medicine Alumni Association Board of Governors (2010 - Present)
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Editorial Board Member, Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers, and Imaging Retina (2012 - Present)
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Editorial Board Member, American Society of Retina Specialists Retina Image Bank (2013 - Present)
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Member, American Academy of Ophthalmology EyeWiki Retina/Vitreous Section Committee (2014 - Present)
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Editorial Board Member, Journal of Ophthalmology (2013 - Present)
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Editorial Board Member, The Open Ophthalmology Journal (2014 - Present)
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Editorial Board Member, Journal of Ophthalmic Research (2013 - Present)
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Editorial Board Member, Journal of Clinical & Medical Case Reports (2013 - Present)
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Member, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Bay Area Alumni Network Steering Committee (2012 - Present)
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Member, Ophthalmology Innovation Network (2012 - Present)
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Medical and Surgical Retina Section Editor, The Eye Handbook (2012 - Present)
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Lead Faculty Member, WebMedCentral (2011 - Present)
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Contributing Editor, OphthalmologyWeb (2008 - Present)
Professional Education
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Fellowship:Stanford University Retina and Vitreous Fellowship (2010) CA
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Residency:Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Ophthalmology Training (2009) FL
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Board Certification: Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology (2010)
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Internship:Huntington Memorial Hospital (2006) CA
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Medical Education:Stanford School of Medicine (2005) CA
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MS, Stanford University, Biological Sciences (2000)
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AB/BS, Stanford University, Philosophy & Biological Sciences (1999)
Community and International Work
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Angel Flight West
Topic
Air transport
Populations Served
Patients
Location
US
Ongoing Project
Yes
Opportunities for Student Involvement
Yes
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Veterans Airlift Command
Topic
Air transport
Populations Served
Veterans and their families
Location
International
Ongoing Project
Yes
Opportunities for Student Involvement
No
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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
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Haitian Eye Initiative, Cap Haitian, Milot, Thomonde
Topic
Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery
Partnering Organization(s)
Surgical Eye Expeditions, Project Medishare
Populations Served
Northern and Central Haiti
Location
International
Ongoing Project
Yes
Opportunities for Student Involvement
Yes