Dr. Nathan Schramm, OD, FSLS, FBCLA is passionate about helping patients with complex corneal conditions, including keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia, as well as preventing and managing myopia. He is one of only approximately 250 fellowship-trained scleral lens specialists worldwide and is among the first optometrists to earn certification as a Nutrition Eye Care Provider. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2008.
An accomplished clinician, educator, writer, and key opinion leader, Dr. Schramm founded the International Congress of Scleral Contacts, the first conference dedicated exclusively to ocular prosthetics and scleral lenses, which has since grown into an annual international event. He contributed to a 2019 ophthalmology textbook chapter on scleral lenses and has authored articles for Advanced Ocular Care, Collaborative Eye, Contact Lens Spectrum, and Natural Awakenings.
Dr. Schramm has lectured to thousands of optometrists and ophthalmologists across the United States, China, and India on advanced scleral lens design and the role of nutrition in eye health. Having completed part of his medical training in China, he incorporates a thoughtful, integrative approach to patient care, combining advanced technology with whole-body wellness principles.
I genuinely love my job because it's a perfect intersection of what the world needs, what I'm good at, and what gives me passion. The best part of my day is fitting a visually impaired patient with advanced lenses and witnessing their awe at how they can now truly see the world. In addition, I take great joy in treating poor vision in children to create a lifelong impact using advanced myopia control techniques.
I donate blood several times yearly (I'm B Positive, like my personality). I became an eye doctor because my grandfather, who raised me like his son, developed an incurable eye disease. I want to continue to educate my eye doctor colleagues on how best to help their patients with irregular astigmatism and complicated corneal conditions.
In my early 20s, I was a personal trainer, so this is one of the reasons why I discuss diet and exercise with my patients. Many people are unaware eye health can be impacted by these things. Another interesting fact is I saved a nun's life and received a congressional commendation. When I'm not fixing eyes, I work out daily with either yoga or high-intensity interval training like CrossFit. Intermittent fasting and extended water only fasts keep me mentally balanced and appreciative. I love spending time with my wife, Julie, and our Siberian Husky, Sasha.
Dr. Valerie Lam, OD, FAAO, FOVDR is passionate about diagnosing and treating vision problems that interfere with a child's ability to read, learn, and focus. She specializes in conditions such as convergence insufficiency, tracking and reading difficulties, double vision, amblyopia, and strabismus. She also provides care for patients experiencing visual complications following traumatic brain injury, surgery, or concussion.
Dr. Lam offers non-surgical treatment through Vision Therapy, a customized program designed to strengthen the connection between the eyes and brain to improve visual function and performance. She completed a residency in Pediatrics and Vision Therapy at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. She went on to earn fellowship recognition from both the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FOVDR), distinctions that reflect advanced clinical expertise and commitment to excellence.
Dr. Lam earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of California, San Diego, before receiving her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. During her training, she gained experience in diverse clinical settings including an Indian Health Service reservation, low-income schools, low vision clinics, and a surgical center. These experiences strengthened her commitment to serving patients across all stages of life and circumstance.
Driven by a desire to serve others through healthcare, Dr. Lam chose optometry because of its unique ability to transform daily life through vision. She is dedicated to helping children and adults overcome vision-related challenges so they can succeed academically, professionally, and personally.
I love that being an optometrist allows me to connect with patients on a very personal level, not only talking about their vision issues but even just sharing a part of their life. My passion is working with kids because they always bring out the joy in you, even on a rainy day! I love doing vision therapy because it allows me to use my creativity to design new activities that are engaging and exciting for our patients. Most of all, I love seeing patients succeed and get better, and it fulfills me knowing that I was able to be a part of their success!
At Insight Vision Center, we love to give back. We've attended international mission trips to help provide vision care in under served countries. We also enjoyed volunteering at the Special Olympics, doing eye exams for special needs athletes. One of our passions is mentoring pre-optometry students and we always welcome them into our office to share our knowledge of the profession. We've been frequent guest speakers at the local optometry schools, sharing with aspiring optometrists about our journey and encouraging them to go out and make a difference.
I am married to my childhood best friend whom I've known since I was 2 years old and we have 3 adorable kids! When I'm not at Insight, I'm working my other job of being mom and spend my time cooking dinner, taking kids to sports and dance lessons, and playdates at the park.
If you need a contact lens to fit just right so you can truly see your best, there are few people on this green earth better to have in your corner than Dr. Thanh Mai, OD, FSLS.
Dr. Mai specializes in advanced, custom contact lenses for patients with complex corneal conditions, including keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, and corneas altered by refractive surgery or transplants. As a Fellow of the Scleral Lens Society, he brings a high level of expertise to cases that require precision, creativity, and persistence. When others see a challenging cornea, he sees a blueprint.
Because he is highly nearsighted himself, Dr. Mai has a personal passion for myopia management. He understands what it means to rely on vision correction every single day, which fuels his commitment to helping children slow or even stop the progression of myopia. Through orthokeratology and other evidence-based treatments, he works to protect long-term eye health and expand what is possible for young patients.
Dr. Mai lectures nationally, teaching other doctors about specialty contact lenses and modern myopia control strategies. He also has a growing passion for patient education beyond the exam room. With aspirations of becoming a trusted YouTube voice in eye care, he aims to translate complex eye conditions into clear, practical guidance that empowers patients to understand their vision and make confident decisions about their eye health.
Being an optometrist is great! If you have a son or daughter interested in healthcare, I wholeheartedly recommend optometry and welcome them to shadow us at the office or chat over lunch. The best part of my job is solving vision problems that can truly transform people's lives, especially for patients with keratoconus or past surgical complications. Money can't buy the feeling you get when you improve someone's vision and quality of life.
Insight Vision Center partners with residents and local businesses across Orange County. I am a past president of the Orange County Optometric Society, which helps me stay up-to-date with changes in our profession and engaged in community service. I enjoy teaching students at Marshall B. Ketchum University to be the best optometrists they can be and sharing clinical pearls with colleagues.
I recently started learning golf, and it's a tough sport to master you'll find me out there trying to stop slicing the ball. I love playing board games and spending time with my wife and our two children. You'll also find me at the Rose Bowl during football season cheering on my UCLA Bruins or at Pauley Pavilion appreciating John Wooden's legacy.
Dr. Ariel Chen, OD is dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered eye care through annual exams, advanced contact lens fittings, vision therapy, and medical eye disease management. She has a special interest in preventative care, including myopia control, and enjoys educating patients about the latest innovations in optometry to help them protect their vision for life.
Dr. Chen's passion for optometry began at age four when she received her first pair of glasses. Experiencing firsthand how clearly seeing the world could transform daily life sparked her desire to pursue a career in eye care. As a lifelong glasses and contact lens wearer, she understands the meaningful impact that thoughtful, personalized vision care can have on confidence and quality of life.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego, cultivating a strong foundation in both science and patient-centered care. Dr. Chen received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry, where she trained in diverse clinical settings including a military hospital, veterans hospital, Indian Health Service facility, and private practice clinics. These experiences prepared her to manage a wide range of ocular conditions with skill and compassion.
Having personally experienced dry eye, eye strain, nystagmus, and retinal tears, Dr. Chen brings both clinical expertise and personal insight to her patient care. She is committed to helping patients feel informed, supported, and confident as they navigate their lifelong vision health journey.
I love the long-lasting relationships we form with our patients. It's truly an amazing feeling to see our patients grow and share stories about their lives every year. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the positive impact of our care and dedication. The scope of optometry has rapidly grown in the last few years, allowing us to better support our community. Whether it's a journey through improving their ability to study through vision therapy, implementing myopia control for preventative care, or helping them see clearly for the first time in years with our special scleral lenses, I am honored to be part of a team that is always motivated to provide the best care and experience.
Through undergraduate and graduate school, I volunteered with local clubs, providing vision screenings to schools and underserved communities. School screenings are an important way of identifying children who may need additional help with their vision before it hinders their educational journey. I also had the opportunity to provide care to underserved areas in Tecate, Mexico. Donating glasses and contact lens solutions have had a huge positive impact on these smaller communities. Over the summers, I enjoyed volunteering with local no-kill dog shelters where we would take care of abandoned dogs and get them ready for the adoption process.
Going forward, I would love to become more involved in the Orange County community by participating in the Orange County Optometric Society, which will allow me to remain up-to-date on the latest optometric innovations. I am also open to serving as a resource for those who are interested in becoming a healthcare provider through mentorship!
I love writing short stories in my free time so look out for my future New York Times Bestseller! I also enjoy running and hiking in the beautiful nature all around us in Southern California. My closet is full of board games and my most recent obsession is Mahjong. The recipe for a happy Dr. Ariel Chen, OD is boba, coffee, tacos, and the occasional soft serve ice cream with a taiyaki fish on top by the ocean.
Dr. Nhi Nguyen, OD was born and raised in Orange County and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. As the oldest of three children in a family of immigrant parents, caring for others has always been part of who she is. She was especially influenced by her grandmother, who helped raise her and instilled in her resilience, compassion, and a deep sense of service. Thanks to her grandmother, Dr. Nhi is fluent in Vietnamese, allowing her to speak, read, and write the language and better serve her community.
Before choosing optometry, Dr. Nhi explored several healthcare paths, including nursing and physical therapy, inspired in part by her years playing sports. Ultimately, she realized she was drawn to a profession that combines long-term relationships, precision, and meaningful impact.
Growing up, she consistently saw only two doctors each year: her pediatrician and her optometrist. While medical school never felt quite right, optometry stood out. Her annual eye exams were always positive, comfortable experiences that helped her see the world more clearly. Having worn glasses since age 11, rigid contact lenses at 15, and soft contact lenses at 22, she personally understands how vision correction shapes confidence and daily life.
After discovering the wide range of specialties within optometry, her decision was clear. Today, Dr. Nhi is committed to providing thoughtful, patient-centered eye care while building the same trust and continuity that first inspired her to pursue the profession.
What I love most about practicing optometry is the personal connections I build with my patients. A memorable experience for me was helping a patient with keratoconus achieve clear vision for the first time in many years the first thing she saw clearly was my face! Moments like that remind me how powerful vision care can be in changing someone's life.
Involvement in the community has been an important part of my journey. I have volunteered at community health fairs, including events with UCLA Bruin Vision Project members and Veterans Stand Down Fairs, and previously served as a nutrition instructor for children to promote healthy lifestyle choices. I hope to continue expanding these initiatives, increasing access to eye care, and inspiring the next generation of optometrists.
When I was seven, I wrote a letter to the President asking if we could be friends. My grandma mailed it to the White House, and I received an official letter and a signed portrait in return! I am also a VIP member of the "cat distribution system" cats in need often find their way to me, and I've rescued several, two of whom now live with me.
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