ABOUT US
Board Certification
- Diplomate, American Board of Ophthalmology
Professional Experience
- Founder and Medical Director of Eye Institute of Marin
since 2004 - Director of Glaucoma Service
Solano Regional Medical Foundation, Solano County, CA 2000-2004
Education
- Medical Doctorate, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, 1995
- Bachelor of Science with Honors in Chemistry, University of California, Davis, 1990
Internship
- Internal Medicine Internship, Stamford Hospital, Stamford, Connecticut, 1996.
Residency
- Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, 1999.
FELLOWSHIP in GLAUCOMA
- University of Southern California, Doheny Eye Institute, 2000.
Eye Care – Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologists are Doctors of Medicine who are clinically and surgically trained to diagnose and treat all types of eye disorders. They are the only eye care professionals certified to perform surgery on the eye. Ophthalmologists have graduated from medical school, first earning their Medical Doctorate (M.D.), and then continuing their medical education with specialized training in Ophthalmology (surgery and treatment of diseases of the eyes). Finally, some continue on to additional training (Fellowship) in a specific area of eye care, such as Glaucoma.
Kathryn K. Najafi-Tagol, M.D.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
"I fell in love with ophthalmology during my medical school rotation in this specialty," says Dr. Najafi. "I find it very rewarding to help people by improving their vision."
Dr. Najafi is a specialist in geriatric vision care, which includes treating cataracts and glaucoma. She completed a fellowship in glaucoma at Doheny Eye Institute and is an expert at managing glaucoma through medications and/or surgical techniques. She also treats children with glaucoma and cataracts.
"I was inspired to specialize in glaucoma surgery by a 90-year-old patient who was blind from glaucoma. ‘Dr. Najafi,’ she said, ‘if you had been my doctor 10 years ago, I wouldn’t be blind.’ This made me realize how many people with glaucoma are unaware of their condition. Had they been screened and received early treatment, their vision could have been saved."
"I believe in offering the best quality care possible to my patients," Dr. Najafi says. "This starts by being a good listener. You can identify many problems just by listening to your patients’ description of their problems."
Dr. Najafi-Tagol is a strong believer in patient education. "I want each patient to thoroughly understand his or her condition and I encourage questions," she says. "I also stress the importance of regular vision check-ups and screenings for eye diseases."
Amy Tran, O.D
Dr. Tran is a therapeutically certified optometrist, trained to diagnose, treat and manage ocular diseases in adults and children. She received her doctorate degree from Southern California College of Optometry in 2004 with Cuma Laude Honor.
Prior to joining Eye Institute of Marin, Dr. Tran has been serving patients in the heart of San Francisco, focusing on comprehensive eye care and specialty contact lenses. Her expertise in specialty contact lens fittings includes multi-focal, rigid gas permeable (hard), and Keratoconus lens designs.
During her scholastic training, Dr. Tran had travelled with SVOSH, a world-wide student volunteering optometric service, to remote areas in San Salvador, El Salvador, to provide eye care and eyeglasses to the indigenous population. She had also worked at US Naval Hospital based in Yokosuka, Japan, serving American Naval officers and their respective families. Dr. Tran was also trained in vision therapy for children with learning disabilities at Buena Park Speech and Learning Center in Southern California and at Dr. Beth Ballinger in Newport Beach, CA.
Dr. Tran is dedicated to serving her community, being a volunteer for numerous non-profit organizations. She is determined to make a difference in eye care services and is extremely excited to work with our doctors, staffs, and patients at Eye Institute of Marin.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amy Tran O.D.
Education
- Southern California College of Optometry: Doctor of Optometry, Cum Laude, May 2004
- University of California at Riverside: Bachelor of Science in Biology, June 1997
Professional Experience
07/06 –08/10 Managing Optometrist, Lenscrafters – San Francisco, CA
- Manage and practice full scope optometry at a multi-million corporate optometry practice located in downtown San Francisco with strong experience in customizing multi-focalsoft contact lens fitting to meet individual patient’s needs; evaluate and fit RGP lenses for patients with keratoconus and post-LASIK corneal ectasia; provide therapies for computer-related dry eye patients and post-LASIK dry eye cases; and treat patients with soft contact lens related red eye as well as other ocular emergencies.
- Communicate weekly with co-managers and retail team on strategies and directives to improve patients’ experience, and increase patient base growth to generate revenues of 105% annually.
- Led daily huddles with associates to address store goals and productivity of the week and to conduct feedback loops with associates.
- Recruit, interview, and train staff by incorporating instructional programs on patient/customer communication for optimal patient experience.
- Evaluate performance of junior level employees.
05/05 – 07/06 Independent Optometrist, First Sight Vision Services, Inc. at Wal*Mart – Corona, CA
- Managed all aspects of business including staff training, contact lens product selection, and office operations.
- Provided full scope optometric care for a diverse population and performed all types of contact lens fitting.
- Created 110% annual practice growth.
06/02 – 06/04
Optometric Internship, EyeCare Clinic at Southern California
- Special training in low vision aid management; visual efficiency and strabismic evaluation; vision therapy for school-aged patients under the guidance of Dr. Rouse and Dr. Susie Cotter.
Optometric Internship, Optometric Clinic of Los Angeles, East Downtown Los Angeles
- Provided comprehensive eye exams, low vision evaluations, and ocular disease management for under-served Hispanic population under the guidance of Dr. Tony Carnevalli.
- Worked with visiting ophthalmologists in providing care for patients with glaucoma, ocular ischemia, and diabetes-related retinopathy.
Newport Beach Developmental Optometry in Newport Beach, CA
- Performed extensive vision therapy for patients with post-stroke, head trauma injuries, and Parkinson’s Disease.
- Developed vision therapy programs for children with strabismus, amblyopia, binocular dysfunction, and learning disabilities.
US Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan
- Managed and treated patients referred from ER and ophthalmology departments for blunt trauma, corneal injuries and infections under the guidance of Dr. E. Semon and Dr. W. Hill.
- Provided comprehensive eye care for naval officials and their families.
Buena Park Speech and Learning Center in Buena Park, CA
- Performed vision therapy to enhance visual and perceptual skills for developmentally delayed children (Cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, autism, etc.)
Optometric Volunteering Services
- SVOSH- Student volunteer optometric service to Humanity - El Salvador
- San Fernando Valley Elementary School vision Screening - San Fernando
- Special Olympic Vision Screening – Long Beach, CA
- Open House event at Eye Care Clinic – Fullerton, CA
Member
