When Dr. Amelia Fong was invited to take over Aina Haina Eye Center (“AHEC”) by well-respected Ophthalmologist Dr. Joyce Cassen in 2017, she embraced the opportunity to run her own practice at home in Hawaii. As an Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic Surgeon, she is able to offer comprehensive eye care from routine eye exams to premium cataract surgery and treatment for eye injuries, diabetic eyes, dry eye, glaucoma, and other eye diseases. She is also able to treat conditions such as droopy eyelids, eye bags, droopy brows, inward/outward turning of the eyelids and other issues. She also performs Mohs reconstructive surgeries, and offers facial fillers and Botox injections. Dr. Fong brought on Optometrist Janet Tham, O.D. allowing AHEC to offer vision exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses, as well.

Dr. Fong enjoys all aspects of Ophthalmology and helping her patients see better, but she really loves the “art” of Oculoplastics, which was planted at a young age.

“I remember my grandfather having difficulty with his vision,” said Dr. Fong. “His eye doctor recommended eyelid surgery to fix his droopy eyelids which were blocking his vision. After the surgery, he was a different man. Not only could my grandfather see better, but he looked better, too! He was so happy with the results and full of confidence. After this experience, I knew I wanted to become an eye doctor and specialize in eyelids.”

Dr. Fong graduated from Punahou with honors, and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She returned home to attend the University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine (“JABSOM”), and completed her Ophthalmology training at the Georgetown/Medstar Washington Hospital Center. She then finished a highly competitive Oculoplastics fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern where she served as an associate professor. She currently serves as a volunteer clinical educator at JABSOM.

Dr. Fong is the only female Oculoplastic Surgeon in Hawaii and sees patients from across the state, referred by many of her patients and numerous physicians.

“The diversity of Oculoplastics amazes me,” continued Dr. Fong. “I remember performing a bilateral droopy eyelid surgery on a Vietnam veteran who, after I finished, gave everyone in the room a huge hug, and proclaimed that the ladies didn’t stand a chance! In stark contrast, I remember enucleating (removing an eye) from a healthy teenager after a knife fight. I did my best to explain why his eye could not be saved, and also shared that down the line he could be fitted for a prosthesis so realistic it might be very difficult for someone to tell the difference. Oftentimes in Oculoplastics, the goal is not to have your work stand out, and that means you have succeeded.”

Dr. Fong volunteers with various medical organizations and, as a surfer and animal lover, also helps with beach cleanups and organizations that care for animals. She and husband Jon are ecstatic new parents of Jaxon, born in January, and thanks to supportive family members, Dr. Fong has returned from maternity leave and is back caring for her patients.