Rebecca Chen, M.D.

Ophthalmology
Glaucoma
Cataract Surgery

New Patient Appointment or 214-645-2020

Biography

Rebecca Chen, M.D., is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in medical and surgical care for glaucoma, as well as cataract surgery.

Dr. Chen earned her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She completed a residency in ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute, where she was voted Chief Resident. She received advanced training through a glaucoma fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where she was a Heed Fellow.

Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, she joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2025. She previously served on the faculty at the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Chen has published peer-reviewed academic articles, contributed to the book Emerging Ocular Infections, and presented at regional and national meetings related to her areas of expertise.

Personal Note

When she’s not at work, Dr. Chen enjoys exploring local foods, hiking, traveling, trying new hobbies, and spending quality time with her family.

Education & Training

Residency - Cleveland Clinic Foundation (2018-2021), Ophthalmology
Fellowship - Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (2021-2022)
Medical School - Case Western Reserve University (2012-2017)
Internship - Metro Health Medical Center/Case Western University (2017-2018), Internal Medicine

Professional Associations & Affiliations

American Glaucoma Society
American Academy of Ophthalmology

Honors & Awards

Diamond Doc Award (>90th percentile of patient feedback surveys), September 2023 and September 2024, UC Davis Health System
Heed Fellowship 2021, Heed Ophthalmic Foundation and Society of Heed Fellows
Best Resident Paper/Presentation 2020, Annual Ophthalmology Research, Residents, and Alumni Meeting, Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute

Books & Publications

Books
- Viral retinitis in Emerging Ocular Infections (1st ed.)
  Chen RI, Venkat A, Isada C (2023), Springer International Publishing
Publications
- Effect of COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place Orders on Visual Outcomes of Ophthalmic Surgical Emergencies.
  Chen RI, Vanner EA, Chang TC, Ophthalmic epidemiology 2025 Jun 32 3 318-325
- Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy and Goniotomy, With or Without Concomitant Cataract Extraction, in Steroid-Induced and Uveitic Glaucoma: 24-Month Outcomes.
  Chen RI, Purgert R, Eisengart J, Journal of glaucoma 2023 Jun 32 6 501-510
- Assessment of visual field progression in glaucoma.
  Chen RI, Gedde SJ, Current opinion in ophthalmology 2023 Mar 34 2 103-108
- Impact of an Electronic Decision Support Tool to Improve Ophthalmic Safety in Hydroxychloroquine Prescribing Practices.
  Chen RI, Kuo BL, Kalur A, Muste JC, Deal C, Singh RP, Ophthalmic surgery, lasers & imaging retina 2022 Jun 53 6 310-316
- Hydroxychloroquine Prescription Practices after 2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology Recommendations.
  Chen RI, Chen AX, Greenlee TE, Conti TF, Deal C, Singh RP, Ophthalmology 2021 Jul 128 7 1112-1114
- Acute retinal necrosis following recombinant subunit varicella-zoster virus vaccine.
  Chen RI, Deaner JD, Srivastava SK, Lowder CY, American journal of ophthalmology case reports 2020 Dec 20 100962
- Trabecular Meshwork Height in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Versus Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma.
  Masis M, Chen R, Porco T, Lin SC, American journal of ophthalmology 2017 Nov 183 42-47
- Ethnic differences in trabecular meshwork height by optical coherence tomography.
  Chen RI, Barbosa DT, Hsu CH, Porco TC, Lin SC, JAMA ophthalmology 2015 Apr 133 4 437-41
- Myopia and glaucoma: sorting out the difference.
  Hsu CH, Chen RI, Lin SC, Current opinion in ophthalmology 2015 Mar 26 2 90-5

Research

Glaucoma surgical outcomes
Biometric associations in glaucoma using optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Clinical Focus

Glaucoma
Cataract Surgery
Combined Cataract and Glaucoma Procedures