Nhi Nguyen O.D.
Primary Care, Scleral Lenses, Specialty Contacts for Irregular Cornea, Myopia Management
Dr. Nhi was born and raised in Orange County and completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at UC Santa Barbara. As the oldest of three children and the only one with a career in healthcare, she was incredibly fortunate to be raised by her grandmother, who imparted wisdom to her at an early age. Her grandmother is also the reason Dr. Nhi can speak, read, and write in Vietnamese.
As the eldest sibling and child of immigrant parents, taking care of others came naturally to Dr. Nhi. Before deciding to pursue optometry, she considered careers in nursing or physical therapy due to her involvement in sports as a teenager, but eventually realized neither was a good fit. Growing up, Dr. Nhi only ever had two consistent doctors – her pediatrician and her optometrist. While medical school didn’t pique her interest, optometry did. Her annual visits with her optometrist were always pleasant, pain-free, and helped her achieve clearer vision. Dr. Nhi wore her first pair of glasses at 11 years old, transitioned to hard contact lenses at 15, and switched to soft contact lenses at 22. After learning about all of the amazing specialties in vision care, her decision to pursue optometry was solidified.
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about practicing optometry is the personal connections I build with my patients. Although this is a common sentiment, the significance of these relationships truly stands out in my daily work. An encounter that comes to mind is when I helped a patient who was living with a debilitating corneal condition, also known as keratoconus, achieve clear vision for the first time in many years and the first thing she saw was my face! The moment was filled with hugs and tears, and the emotional connection we formed from that experience has led us to stay in touch ever since. I can completely change a patient’s life with a piece of plastic – that’s pretty incredible!
How are you involved in the community and what do you hope to contribute to the future?
Involvement in the community has been a significant aspect of my professional journey. I volunteer at community health fairs, including events like the LA Community Health Fair with UCLA Bruin Vision Project members and the Veterans Stand Down Fair in Compton. Previously, I served as a nutrition instructor for children, where I focused on promoting healthy eating habits and empowering young individuals to make informed dietary choices. This role provided me with a platform to positively impact children’s health and well-being, especially in vision care!
During my graduate studies, I participated in health professional organizations where I shared my personal experiences with aspiring optometry students. My goal is to inspire and motivate them to consider optometry as a career path, emphasizing the fulfillment and opportunities within the field.
Looking to the future, I hope to continue contributing to the community by expanding these initiatives, enhancing access to eye care, and further supporting educational outreach. My aim is to foster greater awareness of eye health, particularly among children and underserved populations, and to inspire the next generation of optometrists to pursue their passions with dedication and enthusiasm.
What’s an interesting fact about you? What are you doing when you’re not checking eyes?
When I was 7, I wrote a letter to the President asking if we could be friends. My grandma mailed it to the White House, and I surprisingly received an official letter accepting my request and a signed portrait of the President and the First Lady! Sadly, that was the extent of our friendship. I am a VIP member of the CDS, otherwise known as the cat distribution system. Cats in need tend to randomly show up at my doorstep or when I am strolling around town. I’ve saved several stray cats, two of which now live with me!
