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Dr. David Hwang is an ophthalmologist specializing in corneal, cataract and refractive surgery. He has special interests in ocular infectious diseases, corneal endothelial dystrophies and diseases (conditions in which one of the cornea's layers is breaking down), and high-risk corneal transplantation. He is committed to developing innovative techniques and instruments for ophthalmologic surgery.

In research, Hwang's work includes translational endeavors – applying new information from studies to patient care – for corneal endothelial diseases. In particular, he has looked at cellular transplantation and gene therapy approaches to treatment.

A native of Illinois, Hwang obtained both his undergraduate and medical degrees from UCSF, graduating first in his medical school class. After a two-year residency in internal medicine and a three-year residency in ophthalmology, both at UCSF, he completed concurrent fellowships in cornea and refractive surgery and in uveitis at the Doheny Eye Institute.

In 1990, Hwang joined the faculty at UCSF, where he is the Pearl T. Kimura and Samuel J. Kimura Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology. He also serves as co-director of UCSF's cornea and refractive surgery services, and holds a joint appointment as associate of the UCSF Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology. He has served as UCSF's medical director of ophthalmology and as medical eye bank director of UCSF's tissue bank.

Hwang has served in leadership and executive roles in a number of professional organizations, including president of the Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group, and executive secretary of the Max Fine Cornea Society. For the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he chaired a joint task force on the use of vancomycin in ophthalmology. He served on the writing committee for the AAO's Basic and Clinical Science Course's volume on cornea and external eye disease, authoring and editing the section on ocular infectious and external eye disease.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has honored Hwang with awards, including the Senior Achievement Award. He has been named to the Castle Connolly America's Top Doctors list every year since 1996. He has published more than 100 scientific papers and abstracts, and co-authored two texts on cornea and refractive surgery.

A committed educator, Hwang is active in teaching UCSF medical students, residents and fellows. He has received the Kimura Award for Excellence in Teaching from the UCSF Department of Ophthalmology.

Hwang lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, who is also an ophthalmologist, and their three sons.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, 1990

  • Fellowships

    Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, Ophthalmology, 1990

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Ophthalmology, 1989

    UCSF, Internal Medicine, 1986

  • Internship

    UCSF, Internal Medicine, 1985

  • Education

    University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, 1984

  • Languages

    Portuguese

    Chinese - Mandarin

    Chinese - Cantonese

    English

Medicine is my calling, and I'm privileged to tackle tough challenges, discover and share innovative ideas, and deliver compassionate patient care.

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    406 Ratings
    About our process
    Mar 28, 2025
    I know he is an expert in his field and his explanations are always very clear and informative. He spent time chatting with me and understanding my concerns.
    Mar 15, 2025
    Very much appreciate Dr. Hwang and all he does with great care in treating me.
    Mar 08, 2025
    Dr Hwang is great to worth with, very thorough and makes every visit a great experience.
    Mar 07, 2025
    Dr. Hwang is very caring and friendly which helps put you at ease. He is very articulate and explains his procedure and your possible outcomes extremely well. One of the best physicians I've had ever at UCSF in terms of patient experience. I would recommend him highly to anyone with a cornea or cataract issue.
    Mar 06, 2025
    Dr David Hwang is the best!
    Mar 05, 2025
    Dr. Huang is fantastic, discussing procedure, couldn't be better.
    Mar 03, 2025
    Dr. Hwang devoted significant time discussing my case with me. The time I spent with him was truly helpful and totally professional - 5 stars!
    Feb 26, 2025
    Such excellent practice
    Jan 28, 2025
    I appreciated the extra time and concern to explain my medical condition and concerns, Everyone was very helpful and patient with my questions.
    Jan 26, 2025
    David and his entire team are terrific, I would highly recommend David (Dr Hwang) to my friends and family.
    Jan 18, 2025
    Dr. Hwang is excellent and I would highly recommend him to my family, friends and colleagues!
    Jan 18, 2025
    Fabulous experience. Doctor was outstanding. Also excellent experience at UCSF.
    Jan 09, 2025
    I am very concerned about potentially having another cornea transplant after 35 years and doctor Hwang talk to me off the ledge and gave me a lot of his time to alleviate some of my concerns. He is a RockStar. Whatever you are paying him is not enough
    Dec 06, 2024
    Discussions were detailed and quite helpful.
    Dec 02, 2024
    Dr Hwang the best
    Nov 27, 2024
    Very pleased with my visit.
    Nov 10, 2024
    Dr HWANG is absolutely masterful surgeon and I am grateful for his help and care
    Nov 02, 2024
    Actual rating for this care provider David Hwang M.D. Is higher than Very Good - Outstanding.
    Oct 27, 2024
    Dr. Hwang was very generous with his time and clearly and thoroughly explained the surgical options available to me. I felt very well Informed and so could make the best decision possible for my situation.
    Oct 25, 2024
    David Hwang is wonderful. So glad I was able to get to see him again (20+ years after he did my cataract surgery).
    Oct 25, 2024
    Very friendly, effective and efficient.
    Oct 25, 2024
    Dr Hwang enjoys my full confidence.
    Oct 17, 2024
    Good
    Oct 05, 2024
    MD was kind and personable. He took time to connect to me as a human being and not just a potentiometer surgical patient. He was very focused on getting accurate information .
    Sep 25, 2024
    Outstanding care and concern.
    Sep 23, 2024
    The doctor, care provider - David G. Hwang, MD - is a great surgeon. In my view, he communicates well with me and his team. Helped me to understand. I am very pleased with the outcome and results.
    Sep 18, 2024
    Top notch!
    Sep 08, 2024
    Printed instructions are top notch: clear, complete and well written. Thank you!
    Sep 07, 2024
    Listened and responded with clarity and concern.
    Aug 11, 2024
    Dr. Hwang is very competent.
    Jul 30, 2024
    I am very happy to be seen by Dr.Hwong and I will be scheduled for my next visit for Laser procedure.
    Jul 26, 2024
    I have recommended Dr Hwang two others and will continue to do so.
    Jul 17, 2024
    Dr Hwang took the time to describe the effects of prior treatments (not performed at UCSF) affecting my vision, and made a detailed plan for future treatment should a deterioration In my vision require it. I appreciate that.
    Jul 17, 2024
    Love Dr Hwang
    Jul 08, 2024
    Excellent advice
    Jul 03, 2024
    Dr Hwang is a wonderful physician. I am sad we are moving.
    Jun 21, 2024
    Care received by Dr Hwong has been excellent in every way.
    Jun 19, 2024
    The experience was a good one after waiting for over an hour to see him.
    Jun 07, 2024
    Dr Hwang is an excellent provider with strong interpersonal skills. I have to do a lot of testing before I see him though which is a cold experience.
    Jun 07, 2024
    Dr. David Hwang is the Best
    May 24, 2024
    Dr Hwang and I have had and are having a wonderful relationship! I feel very well-served by this man!
    May 21, 2024
    I was verbally instructed on prep needed for my upcoming procedure and given opportunity to ask questions. I was also given a printout with thorough instructions for before, during and after surgery care.
    May 19, 2024
    Dr Hwang is the BEST
    Apr 27, 2024
    They explained things to me very well, I have no doubt,
    Apr 23, 2024
    DR Hwang is amazing
    Apr 15, 2024
    I couldn't be happier
    Apr 15, 2024
    I am so grateful for the care that Dr. Hwang has given to me and for the successful surgery in the right eye.
    Mar 25, 2024
    Dr. Hwang, among other things, is a technician. He really does not want to let patients in to the technical aspect of his work.
    Mar 22, 2024
    Doctor is truly excellent.
    Mar 17, 2024
    World class. I travel from another state just because of how good he and his team are.
    Mar 14, 2024
    Dr Hwang is exceptional. His bedside manner is amazing. For a specialist, his willingness to take the time to explain difficult and complicated procedures wonderful. I always end up feeling that my patience waiting was well worth it.
    Mar 09, 2024
    Never encountered a more caring doctor
    Dec 20, 2023
    Have utmost respect for and confidence in Dr. Hwang.
    Dec 16, 2023
    Dr Hwang is a very caring, professional doctor. I truly believes he cares about me as a person, and will make every effort to do the best he can, as far as my condition.
    Dec 15, 2023
    Dr Hwang is a great doctor TrueType cares
    Dec 15, 2023
    Like I said waiting time and My Chart where the only down side. The Doctors where all Fabulous and made me feel safe in their care.
    Dec 15, 2023
    Dr Hwang is terrific, but the scheduling and wait time is so bad that I would never recommend to someone else.
    Dec 13, 2023
    Outstanding care.
    Dec 13, 2023
    Dr Hwang is great but shouldn't be overbooked so that patients have to wait so long!!
    Dec 11, 2023
    Very good
    Dec 08, 2023
    My overall experience and care was excellent.
    Dec 02, 2023
    Dr Huang is one of the most pleasant and smartest doctors know. I forgot his name, but so was the resident doctor who saw me first. Excellent chair-side manner. I tend to get nervous when being examined but I was very relaxed with him
    Nov 08, 2023
    Dr Whang is fantastic.
    Oct 30, 2023
    Dr. Hwang is amazing and he tries to address all your concerns and questions and he doesn't rush you , he is one of a kind and very caring and professional and knowledgeable!I m lucky to find him
    Oct 30, 2023
    Dr Hwang is an excellent doctor, and I trust him totally
    Oct 23, 2023
    Dr. David Hwang embodies UCSF excellence, compassion and expert, specialized healthcare!!
    Oct 22, 2023
    Seems to have superb expertise and has achieved very good results for my health, but seems rushed in appts and Impatient when asked to discuss alternative approaches.
    Oct 13, 2023
    Dr. Hwang is an excellent physician.
    Sep 22, 2023
    I tell all my friends and family about the care and understanding Dr. Hwang provides his patience. I always recommend Dr. Hwang and UCSF to everyone in my circle.
    Sep 20, 2023
    Dr Hwang is amazing, He, and his team, are so knowledgeable and courteous. The spend the time needed to determine issues and potential remedies, then explain with options available to correct the problem. The are courteous and show concern. Dr Hwang made my decision easy and I am so comfortable moving forward with the procedure recommended. He also made me comfortable with the procedure, recovery and the projected final results. I have nothing but positive feedback for Dr. Hwang and his team.
    Sep 19, 2023
    He was friendly and professional. I'm very impressed with Dr. Hwang
    Sep 16, 2023
    Dr. Hwang is very kind, professional and attentive!
    Sep 13, 2023
    Long wait was very frustrating.
    Sep 06, 2023
    Dr Hwang is very thorough and caring. He takes the time to listen to your concerns and provides thorough feedback.
    Sep 02, 2023
    5 stars in all areas. Thanks!
    Aug 30, 2023
    EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE
    Aug 17, 2023
    Dr Hwang is the best
    Aug 16, 2023
    Dr Whang is the best!
    Aug 08, 2023
    I have recommended others to Dr. Hwang. There is no one like him. He is a great doctor, great surgeon, and a nice person!
    Jul 30, 2023
    Dr Huang is excellent
    Jul 18, 2023
    I have requested a second opinion regarding current treatment and, in particular, findings from one of Dr. Hwang's fellows that appeared in the written report but were not provided to, nor discussed, with me.
    Jul 15, 2023
    Always a challenge with the wait times, but Dr David Hwang is absolutely superb in every way. His care has been amazing, this last 5 years
    Jun 25, 2023
    Dr Hwang was relaxed and ultimely addressed my concern by offering a rather attractive alternative...a different IOL, which looks really great.
    Jun 24, 2023
    All was perfect and professional!
    Jun 19, 2023
    Exceptional Doctor
    Jun 18, 2023
    Thorough and compassionate dealing with a patient.
    Jun 16, 2023
    Dr Hwang is outstanding!
    Jun 08, 2023
    Dr David Huang is excellent
    Jun 05, 2023
    Providers would go beyond the standard to provide the best care to patient.
    Jun 04, 2023
    This doctor never is on time for appointments and I have waited more than 2 hours (after traveling 1 hr each wayP to see him. I have not experienced this long wait time, with no updates, with any other doctor.
    Jun 02, 2023
    Didn't Interact with a care giver

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