Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hai Yen – A Pioneer in Refractive Surgery in Vietnam

With nearly 30 years of unwavering dedication to ophthalmology in Vietnam, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hai Yen stands as a leading figure and a true pioneer in the development of modern refractive treatment in the country.

Graduating in Medicine from the prestigious St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy (Russia) in 1990, Dr. Tran Hai Yen returned to Vietnam and began her career at Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, where she quickly focused her expertise on ophthalmology.

With passion and visionary leadership, she became the first LASIK surgeon in Vietnam following advanced training in Singapore. She also founded the first specialized Refractive Department in the country. Her track record of over 30,000 successful surgeries—including advanced techniques such as wavefront-guided laser, EpiLASIK, PTK, Femto-LASIK, and SMILE—speaks volumes about her surgical expertise and dedication.

Beyond her surgical achievements, Dr. Tran Hai Yen is also a devoted educator. She currently serves as a visiting lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City and Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine. She plays a key role in technology transfer and professional support for ophthalmology units nationwide.

She is an active member of renowned international medical organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), and the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Ophthalmological Society. Frequently invited as a keynote speaker at international conferences, she continues to elevate Vietnam’s presence in the global ophthalmology field.

In 2014, she was awarded the title “Eminent Physician” by the President of Vietnam. In 2015, she was conferred the academic title of Associate Professor, in recognition of her substantial contributions to community healthcare.

Currently, Dr. Tran Hai Yen leads Hai Yen Eye Care, a specialized high-quality refractive treatment center, and Hai Yen Institute of Vision Research & Training, where she dedicates her efforts to educating the next generation of eye care professionals.

With patient safety and treatment quality as her top priorities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hai Yen is not only a mentor to thousands of young doctors, but also a trusted source of care for thousands of patients across the country.