Dr. Ariel Chen, O.D.

Primary Eye Care, Contact Lenses, Myopia Management, Vision Therapy, Medical Eye Services

Dr. Chen is excited to take care of her patients through annual comprehensive eye exams, specialty contact lenses, vision therapy, and ocular disease management. She enjoys educating her patients on preventative care such as myopia control treatments and keeping them up-to-date on the latest innovations in the field of optometry. Dr. Chen understands and emphasizes the importance of high-quality eye care and strives to ensure her patients receive just that.

I received my first pair of glasses at the young age of 4 years old. They were these small pink circle glasses and I was amazed by how different the world looked and even more amazed by how excited my parents were. The first time I tried contact lenses, I teared up in excitement as I could finally eat a hot bowl of beef noodle soup without my glasses fogging up. Seeing how much eye care could affect my life led me down the path of dedicating my educational career to becoming an optometrist. I studied at the University of California, San Diego where I graduated with a major in biology and a minor in psychology in order to become a well-rounded doctor. During my time at Southern California College of Optometry, I trained under doctors at the military hospital, veterans hospital, Indian health reservation hospital and private practice clinics. After graduating, I was ecstatic to become part of a clinic that practiced optometry to its full scope and prioritized its patients’ needs above all else.

Through the years, I’ve personally experienced many ocular problems including dry eyes, eye strain, nystagmus, and even retinal tears. I quickly learned the importance of taking care of your vision at a young age and continuing to care for your eyes throughout your life. Using my own personal experience and my expertise as an optometrist, I aim to help my patients feel comfortable and cared for as they navigate through their vision health journey.

What do you love about your job?

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.

How are you involved in the community and what do you hope to contribute to the future?

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!

What’s an interesting fact about you? What are you doing when you’re not checking eyes?

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. Chen is boba, coffee, tacos, and the occasional soft serve ice cream with a taiyaki fish on top by the ocean.