Dr. Joanne Choi, MD – Cornea Specialist in San Francisco

Meet Dr. Joanne Choi

Dr. Joanne Choi is a fellowship-trained cornea specialist and ophthalmologist at San Francisco Eye Institute. She specializes in corneal disease, cataract surgery, and refractive vision correction for patients throughout the Bay Area.

Her clinical expertise includes corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, and refractive procedures such as LASIK, PRK, and refractive lens exchange. She has specialized experience managing Fuchs corneal dystrophy and keratoconus.

Education and Professional Training

Medical Education

Dr. Choi earned her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Cell Developmental Biology, cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2014. She went on to earn her Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, in 2020.

Residency Training

Following medical school, Dr. Choi completed a Transitional Year Residency at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital in Ypsilanti, Michigan (2020–2021), followed by a comprehensive Ophthalmology Residency at the Kresge Eye Institute, Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, in Detroit, Michigan (2021–2024). Her residency training provided extensive experience in all aspects of ophthalmology, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

Fellowship Training

Dr. Choi completed her Fellowship in Corneal and External Disease at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, Maryland (2024–2025). Her fellowship focused on corneal transplantation, anterior segment reconstruction, refractive cataract surgery, and laser vision correction.

Professional Credentials

Professional Memberships

Dr. Choi maintains active membership in leading professional organizations dedicated to advancing ophthalmology and corneal disease management:

American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)
Cornea Society
Women in Ophthalmology

Clinical Experience and Areas of Expertise

Corneal and External Disease Management

Dr. Choi has received specialized training in the diagnosis and surgical management of corneal diseases, including:

Corneal transplantation – Including penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK), and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK)
Fuchs corneal dystrophy – A progressive corneal condition affecting the inner layer of the cornea
Keratoconus – A progressive corneal ectasia requiring specialized management and surgical intervention
Corneal scarring and opacity – From trauma, infection, or prior surgery
Ocular surface disease – Including pterygium and related conditions

Cataract Surgery and Advanced Lens Technology

Dr. Choi performs cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens (IOL) options, including:

Standard monofocal IOLs
Multifocal and extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) lenses for reduced dependence on glasses
Toric IOLs for astigmatism correction
Advanced surgical techniques to optimize visual outcomes

Refractive Surgery and Vision Correction

Dr. Choi evaluates patients for a comprehensive range of refractive procedures:

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) – For myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) – An alternative surface ablation technique
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) – For presbyopia and refractive error correction in patients over 45

Recognition and Academic Contributions

Clinical Recognition

Stanley Grandon M.D. Prize for Best Presentation in Anterior Segment Research – “The Effect of Lifitegrast on Corneal Endothelial Cells in Dry Eye Disease,” Kresge Eye Institute 69th Annual Clinical Conference, Detroit, Michigan.
Podium presentation – “DMEK in a Unicameral, Vitrectomized Eye with Tube Shunt and Bullous Keratopathy” American Academy of Ophthalmology Cornea Subspecialty Day, October 19th 2024, Chicago, IL

Publications and Research

Dr. Choi’s research interests include corneal endothelial cell biology, refractive surgery outcomes, and advanced surgical techniques for corneal disease management.

Her published work includes studies on:

Visual outcomes of implantable collamer lenses and small incision lenticule extraction for myopia correction
Femtosecond laser-assisted corneal lenticule implantation for corneal ectasia
Advanced techniques for Descemet’s endothelial keratoplasty
Photoreceptor cell death in retinal detachment
Mutation screening in inherited retinal dystrophies

Teaching and Mentorship

Dr. Choi volunteers as clinical faculty in the California Pacific Medical Center ophthalmology residency program, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing ophthalmic education.

Patient Care Philosophy

Dr. Choi takes a personalized approach to eye care. Before recommending treatment, she takes time to understand each patient’s visual goals, lifestyle, and concerns, then builds a plan around those specifics.

Her approach includes:

Thorough evaluation using advanced diagnostic technology
Clear discussion of treatment options, expected outcomes, and risks
Customized surgical and non-surgical treatment plans
Commitment to evidence-based practice

Community Involvement and Service

Dr. Choi is committed to expanding access to eye care for underserved communities. Her community involvement includes:

The Vision Detroit Project – provided free eye exams addressing eye-care disparities in Detroit, Michigan
Sight Savers at Wayne State School of Medicine – led a student-led organization providing free vision screenings to Detroit’s underserved population
International outreach – performed cataract surgery for underserved patients at the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) campus in the Dominican Republic

Personal Interests

Outside of her professional practice, Dr. Choi enjoys cooking, exploring new cuisines, and creating pottery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Choi

What are Dr. Choi’s credentials and qualifications?

Dr. Choi earned her MD from Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed her ophthalmology residency at the Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University. She completed her fellowship in corneal and external disease at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital—one of the nation’s premier ophthalmology training centers. She maintains active membership in the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Cornea Society, and Women in Ophthalmology.

What is Dr. Choi’s clinical experience?

Dr. Choi has completed extensive training in all aspects of ophthalmology, with specialized expertise in corneal disease management, corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, and refractive surgery. Her training includes a dedicated research year in retinal cell biology and ongoing clinical experience in complex anterior segment cases.

What procedures does Dr. Choi perform?

Dr. Choi specializes in corneal transplantation (PKP, DMEK, DSEK, DALK), modern cataract surgery with advanced intraocular lens options, refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK and RLE), and comprehensive management of corneal diseases including Fuchs dystrophy and keratoconus. She also evaluates and manages ocular surface disease.

What is Dr. Choi’s approach to patient care?

Dr. Choi believes in personalized, patient-centered care. She takes time to understand each patient’s unique visual goals and lifestyle needs, performs thorough clinical evaluation, and develops customized treatment plans. She emphasizes transparent communication about treatment options, realistic outcome expectations, and potential risks and benefits.

Page Updated: May 1, 2026

The doctors at San Francisco Eye Institute have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.

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