As the first U.S. surgeon to perform LASIK using the IntraLase femtosecond laser, Dr. Tran helped establish a new standard of precision and customization in laser vision correction. His work integrating IntraLase with Custom LASIK has significantly enhanced surgical outcomes, making procedures safer and more effective.

Dr. Tran has also pioneered innovative treatments for keratoconus, including the world’s first combination of IntraLase technology with intracorneal rings (Intacs™). He is also among a small, elite group of surgeons nationwide who offer all six FDA-approved forms of vision correction, providing patients with the most comprehensive range of options for achieving optimal vision. He has played an integral role in FDA clinical trials, helping to evaluate and refine emerging vision correction technologies to improve patient safety and surgical success. Beyond refractive surgery, he is renowned for his expertise in presbyopia correction and advanced cataract surgery, utilizing real-time intraoperative adjustments to optimize surgical outcomes.

Coastal Vision Medical Group is proud to be one of a select few FDA Clinical Investigation Sites in the United States—a distinction awarded only to surgeons with exceptional outcomes. This recognition underscores the practice’s leadership in advanced vision correction techniques. Additionally, Coastal Vision is one of only a handful of practices nationwide to offer all six FDA-approved forms of vision correction, ensuring comprehensive options for every patient.

Dr. Tran earned his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and completed his ophthalmology residency at the Scheie Eye Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. He then pursued a prestigious fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at the Shiley Eye Center at UC San Diego.

For Dr. Tran, restoring vision is more than a profession—it is a lifelong passion. Trusted by industry leaders, fellow physicians, and high-level executives, he remains the surgeon of choice for those seeking the highest standard of care in vision correction.

EDUCATION

1984 BS, Electrical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA
1985 Graduate Studies in Electrical & Biomedical Engineering, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
1987 Graduate Studies in Electrical & Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
1993 MD, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

1994 Internship, Internal Medicine, St. Mary Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
1997 Resident in Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

FELLOWSHIPS

1998 Fellow in Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Shiley Eye Center, University of California, San Diego, CA

BOARD CERTIFICATION

1999 American Board of Ophthalmology

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery

• Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology

• Founding Member of the American-European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery

UNIVERSITY & HOSPITAL POSITIONS

• Clinical Instructor, Shiley Eye Center, University of California, San Diego, CA

• Staff Ophthalmologist, St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, CA

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

• Jones J, Koch Dd, Vold S, Mccabe C, Rhee D, Lewis R, Smith S, Nguyen Qh, Samuelson Tw; Horizon U.s. Investigators (Tran DB Et Al.). Results from the United States Cohort of the Horizon Trial of a Schlemm Canal Microstent to Reduce Intraocular Pressure in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019 Sep;45(9):1305-1315. Doi : 10.1016/j .Jcrs.2019.03.024. Epub 2019 Jul 17.

• ​​​​​​​Samuelson Tw, Chang Df, Marquis R, Flowers B, Lim Ks, Ahmed Iik, Jampel Hd, Aung T, Crandall As, Singh K; Horizon Investigators (Tran Db Et Al.). a Schlemm Canal Microstent for Intraocular Pressure Reduction in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Cataract: the Horizon Study. Ophthalmology. 2019 Jan;126(1):29-37. Doi : 10.1016/j .Ophtha.2018.05.012. Epub 2018 Jun 23.

• Tran DB, Vargas V, Potvin R. Neodymium:yag Capsulotomy Rates Associated with Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Versus Manual Cataract Surgery. J Cataract Rfract Surg. 2016 Oct;42(10); 1470-1476. Doi : 10.1016/j .Jcrs.2016.08.019.

• Whitman J, Dougherty Pj, Parkhurst Gd, Olkowski J, Slade Sg, Hovanesian J, Chu R, Dishler J, Tran Db, Lehmann R, Carter H, Steiner Rf, Koch Dd. Treatment of Presbyopia in Emmetropes Using a Shape-Changing Corneal Inlay: One-Year Clinical Outcomes. Ophthalmology. 2016 Mar; 123(3):466-75. Doi:10.1016/j. Ophtha. 2015.11.011. Epub 2016 Jan 27.

• Lanchulev T, Hoffer Kj, Yoo Sh, Chang Df, Breen M, Padrick T, Tran Db. Intraoperative Refractive Biometry for Predicting Intraocular Lens Power Calculation After Prior Myopic Refractive Surgery. Ophthalmology. 2014 Jan;121(1):56-60. Doi:10.1016/j .Ophtha.2013.08.041. Epub 2013 Oct 30.

• Tran DB, Binder Ps, Brame Cl. Lasik Flap Revision Using the Intralase Femtosecond Laser. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2008 Winter;48(1):51-63.

• Sarayba Ma, Ignacio Ts, Binder Ps, Tran Db. Comparative Study of Stromal Bed Quality by Using Mechanical, Intralase Femtosecond Laser 15- and 30-Khz Microkeratomes. Cornea. 2007 May;26(4):446-51.

• Sarayba Ma, Ignacio Ts, Tran Db, Binder Ps. a 60 Khz Intralase Femtosecond Laser Creates a Smoother Lasik Stromal Bed Surface Compared to a Zyoptix Xp Mechanical Microkeratome in Human Donor Eyes. J Refract Surg. 2007 Apr;23(4):331-7.

• Tran DB, Shah V. Higher Order Aberrations Comparison in Fellow Eyes Following Intralase Lasik with Wavelight Allegretto and Customcornea Ladarvision4000 Systems. J Refract Surg. 2006 Nov;22(9):s961-4.

• Tran DB, Sarayba Ma, Bor Z, Garufis C, Duh Yj, Soltes Cr, Juhasz T, Kurtz Rm. Randomized Prospective Clinical Study Comparing Induced Aberrations with Intralase and Hansatome Flap Creation in Fellow Eyes: Potential Impact on Wavefront-Guided Laser in Situ Keratomileusis. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2005 Jan;31(1):97-105.

• Sujata S. Purohit, MD; Raymund T. Angeles, MD; Alan R. Westeren, MD; Jay Mcdonald, MD; Daniel B. Tran, MD; Tom Clinch, MD; and David J. Schanzlin, MD. Chapter 16: “Angle-Supported Phakic Intraocular Lenses: the Phakic 6h2.” Phakic Intraocular Lenses; Principles and Practice. 2004, Slack, Inc. David R. Hardten, Md, Facs, Richard L. Linstrom, MD, Elizabeth a Davis, Md.

• Tran DB, Schanzlin Dj, Traub Ir, Juhasz Tibor, Kurtz R. Intralase Femtosecond Laser for Intacstm Implantation. “Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments.” Chapter 23, First Edition (2002).

• Tran DB, Zadok D, Carpenter M, Korn Ts, Twa M, Schanzlin Dj. Intraocular Pressure Measurement in Patients with Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments. J Refract Surg. 1999 Jul-Aug; 15(4):441-3. Erratum In: J Refract Surg 1999 Sep-Oct;15(5):512. Korn Ts [Corrected to Korn Ts].

• Zadok D, Tran Db, Twa M, Carpenter M, Schanzlin Dj. Pneumotonometry Versus Goldmann Tonometry After Laser in Situ Keratomileusis for Myopia. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1999 Oct;25(10):1344-8.

• Tran DB, Zadok D, Schanzlin Dj. Intraocular Pressure Measurement in Patients with Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments. J Refract Surg. 1999 Jul-Aug; 15(4):441-3.

• Tran D, Schanzlin Dj. Corneal and Conjunctival Calcifications. Current Ocular Therapy 5t H Edition (1998).

• Tran, DB, Silverman Se, Zimmerman K, Feldon Se. Age-Related Deterioration of Motion Perception and Detection. Graefe’s Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1998 Apr;236(4):269-273.

• Tran, DB, Wilson Mc, Fox Ca, Clancy R, Teener Jw, Golden Ja, Liu Gt. Möbius Syndrome with Oculomotor Nerve Paralysis Without Abducens Paralysis. J Neuroophthalmol. 1998 Dec;18(4):281-83.

• Silverman Se, Tran Db, Zimmerman Km, Feldon Se (1994). Dissociation Between the Detection and Perception of Motion in Alzheimer’s Disease. Neurology. 1994 Oct;44(10):1814-1818.