Optimum vision comes from optimum eye health.
Comprehensive exams, specialty contact lenses and myopia control with Dr. Julia Chang, across from St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.
Dr. Hui-Chu Julia Chang, OD, PhD
- Comprehensive exams
- Contact lens fittings
- Keratoconus care
- Myopia control
- Orthokeratology
- Designer eyewear
A scientist’s approach to your eyes.
“My goal is to provide the best potential vision to all my patients with the most technological designs supported by strong research.”
Dr. Hui-Chu Julia Chang, OD, PhD, received her PhD in Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She studied cell cycle regulation and cancer biology as a post-doctoral fellow at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA, then conducted glaucoma research and stem cell therapy for ocular disorders in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota.
She graduated from the New England College of Optometry, where she received the William R. Baldwin Scholastic Achievement Award and was inducted into the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society. Dr. Chang has provided comprehensive eye examinations, contact lens examinations and disease management in the Boston area since 2006, and assists in the care of patients with laser vision correction and cataract surgeries.
She provides specialty contact lens fitting for diseased corneas, including keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration and post-surgical corneas, with extensive experience in SynergEyes hybrid lenses. She is a certified orthokeratologist and is passionate about preventing myopia progression in school-age children.
The primary care doctor of your eyes.
Comprehensive Eye Exams
A review of your health and vision history and a full set of tests of eye health. Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can affect the eyes without symptoms, so an annual exam is recommended.
Visual Field Testing
Important for diagnosing and monitoring conditions such as glaucoma, brain tumor and optic neuritis.
Binocular Vision Testing
Clear, comfortable vision doesn’t stop at 20/20. Good binocular vision increases visual efficiency and prevents eyestrain, and matters most for children who rely on vision to learn.
Disease Treatment & Management
Dr. Chang is the primary care doctor of your eyes: pink eye, conjunctivitis, allergy, dry eye, uveitis, keratoconus, glaucoma and more.
Corneal Topography
A surface map of the cornea, used before laser vision correction, for custom-made contact lenses and Orthokeratology, and to monitor corneal disease.
Laser Vision Correction Care
Pre- and post-operative care for LASIK, LASEK and PRK, in work with corneal specialists at Boston Eye Group.
Contact Lens Exams & Fittings
Soft, gas permeable (RGP), toric, multifocal and hybrid lenses, plus custom lenses for irregular corneas such as keratoconus and post-surgical corneas.
Hybrid Lenses (SynergEyes)
Specialty fittings with the most technological hybrid lenses, for the best potential vision.
Orthokeratology
Also known as Corneal Refractive Therapy. A safe, non-surgical, FDA-approved way to correct vision.
Myopia Control
Slowing nearsightedness from progressing at school age.
Plans we accept.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Harvard Pilgrim
- United Health
- EyeMed
- Cigna
- Tufts
- Aetna
- Davis Vision
- Health Plans
- Vision Service Plan (VSP)
- Fallon Community
Intercept nearsightedness early.
The myopic population is growing worldwide. In the United States it has increased 66% over the past 30 years, from 25% to 41.6% of people aged 12–54. Myopic change in the eye is usually permanent, and no treatment “cures” it, so the aim is to prevent progression as early as possible, especially at ages 7 to 18.
Many approaches have been studied: soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, under-correction, atropine and Orthokeratology. Atropine is not practiced in the USA for myopia control in children due to side effects. Ortho-K has been shown to be safe and effective.
The curvature of regular glasses and contact lenses focuses the image behind the peripheral retina, which encourages the eye to grow longer and more myopic. After Ortho-K, the image focuses in front of the peripheral retina, which discourages axial eye growth. Multifocal soft contact lenses can apply the same principle, with the add power tailored to each eye.
Ask About Myopia Control
Clear sight by day. Corrected while you sleep.
Ortho-K is a non-surgical treatment that reshapes the cornea to reduce nearsightedness and astigmatism. A customized retainer lens gently flattens the cornea during sleep. After it is removed on waking, the cornea keeps its shape and you see clearly all day without glasses or contacts, much as braces correct teeth.
Also known as corneal refractive therapy (CRT), the FDA approved it in 2002 for nearsightedness and astigmatism at any age. It is FDA approved to correct up to −6 D of myopia and mild astigmatism.
- FDA approved
- Non-surgical, painless
- Reversible, with no permanent change to corneal tissue
- Safe for kids and adults
- Great for athletes and swimmers
- Potential for myopia control in school-age children
Unlike LASIK, Ortho-K is reversible, and children are generally not good candidates for LASIK because their eyes are still developing. People who wore Ortho-K in their youth can still choose LASIK later, and those who don’t qualify for LASIK due to a thin cornea can be good candidates for Ortho-K.
“Ortho-K made schoolwork easier to see, and he finds the lenses easy to insert and remove.”
“Ortho-K is convenient for sports because glasses get in the way.”
“Wearing the lenses only at night avoids interference with daytime activities and social life.”
“Inserting the lenses was difficult at first, then easy with practice. Night-only wear is convenient.”
“Prefers Ortho-K for comfort and for preserving eyesight over the long term.”
“Ortho-K helped prevent worsening of classroom vision, and will help with future driving.”
“Ortho-K improved daytime vision, especially reading the board, and made school easier.”
“Vision stabilized after about two weeks, and lens care is low maintenance.”
“Ortho-K works for swimming and gymnastics, when glasses and daytime contacts aren’t practical.”
“Praised Dr. Chang’s explanations and patience in fitting SynergEyes hybrid lenses.”
Frames for every face and every budget.
We carry a large selection of designer frames for adults and children. Our optical has something to fit every budget. Stop by today.
Brighton Center, across from St. Elizabeth’s.
Brighton, MA 02135
Phone 617-903-3538
Text 617-888-9188
Fax 617-903-3547
Email [email protected]
Office Hours
- Tuesday
- 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday
- 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday
- 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Parking
Many off-street parking spots and a nearby municipal parking lot are available.
By Bus
Routes #57 (Watertown Square), #65 (Brighton Center) and #86 (Cleveland Circle).
Green Line
Take the B, C or D to Kenmore Square, then the #57 or #65 bus to St. Elizabeth’s, or the B to Warren Street and walk north, left on Cambridge Street, one block to Henshaw Street.
Red Line
To Harvard Square, then the #86 bus to Washington and Market Streets. Walk two blocks east on Washington Street to Henshaw Street.