Debora M. Lee Chen, OD, MPH, FAAO, DAAO
Duties
Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry & Vision Science
Co-Chief, Binocular Vision Clinic
Chief Mentor, Residency in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation
Berkeley Optometry Disability Officer
About
Dr. Debora (Lee) Chen is an optometrist and clinical researcher who cares for patients who have difficulty using their eyes together as a team. This includes binocular vision disorders, such as amblyopia ("lazy eye"), strabismus (an eye turn), eye teaming issues (tracking difficulties), and vision-related learning disorders. Many of these patients also have developmental differences, cortical vision impairment, or have suffered an acquired or traumatic brain injury. She also provides vision therapy and rehabilitation for these conditions. She serves as the site principal investigator for the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) at Berkeley, and has been involved in the network's clinical studies on amblyopia and intermittent exotropia.
Teaching
Optometry 240, Instructor-In-Charge and Optometry 240L, Lab co-instructor
Diagnosis and treatment of heterophoria, accommodative, vergence and oculomotor anomalies including sensory anomalies and amblyopia. Rationale and methods for treatment with lenses, prism, occlusion, and vision training. Design and implementation of treatment programs.
Optometry 241, Instructor-In--Charge and 241L, Lab Co-Instructor
Advanced diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of strabismus, neurologic oculomotor disorders, amblyopia, and other associated sensory anomalies. Assessment and management of developmental and acquired visual perceptual disorders in relationship to learning disabilities. Design and implementation of treatment programs
Optometry 430B, Optometry Clinic
Examination of patients in a specialty setting: binocular vision, visual processing skills, and vision therapy and rehabilitation.
Optometry 430C, Optometry Clinic
Examination of patients in a specialty setting: binocular vision, visual processing skills, and vision therapy and rehabilitation.
Optometry 441A-C. Specialty Clinics
Examination, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and/or management of patients in specialty clinics: binocular vision, visual processing skills, vision therapy and rehabilitation.
Research Interests
My research focuses on binocular vision and pediatric eye care, with particular interests in amblyopia, strabismus, non-strabismic binocular vision and accommodative disorders, eye movement disorders, and visual information processing. I investigate how eye movements, binocular vision, accommodation, and visual processing are affected in conditions such as traumatic and acquired brain injury, neurodegenerative disease, cerebral visual impairment, and autism spectrum disorder. My work also explores systemic barriers to eye care and the role of community-based and school-based eye examination programs in improving access to vision services for underserved populations. In addition, I conduct systematic reviews on topics, including adherence to amblyopia treatment and the impact of social determinants of health on access and outcomes in eye care.