Brian A. Francis, MD
Accepting new patients

Brian A. Francis, MD

  • Glaucoma
Doheny Eye Center UCLA Orange County | 18111 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

About

Dr. Brian Francis is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the UCLA Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and the Medical Director of Doheny Eye Center UCLA in Fountain Valley. He is the inaugural holder of the Rupert and Gertrude Steiger Endowed Chair in Vision Research at the Doheny Eye Institute. A leading expert in glaucoma, Dr. Francis specializes in minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), advanced diagnostic technologies, and comprehensive surgical management of glaucoma and cataracts.

Dr. Francis earned his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine, where he also completed his ophthalmology residency. He pursued a fellowship in glaucoma at the University of California, San Francisco, and later earned a Master of Science in Biostatistics and Clinical Trials at the University of Southern California.

Dr. Francis performed the first combined cataract and MIGS surgery in 2006 and continues to pioneer innovations in glaucoma care, including canaloplasty, trabecular microbypass stents, suprachoroidal stenting, and advanced diagnostic modalities like OCT and visual field technology. As Director of Glaucoma Services and Fellowship Director at Doheny-UCLA, he mentors future specialists and trains ophthalmologists worldwide in cutting-edge surgical techniques.

Recognized with the Secretariat, Achievement, and Senior Achievement Awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Francis has authored over 130 peer-reviewed publications, co-edited the textbook Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, and frequently lectures nationally and internationally. He is deeply committed to outreach, regularly providing free glaucoma care in Mexico and supporting underserved communities through UCLA initiatives.

Languages

English, Spanish

Education

Medical Board Certification

Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology, 1998

Fellowship

Glaucoma, UCSF Medical Center, 1997

Residency

Ophthalmology, Tulane University Hospital & Clinics, 1996

Internship

Transitional, Tulane University Hospital & Clinics, 1993

Degree

MD, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1992

Recognitions

Hospital Affiliations

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

Medical Services

Research

Publications

Grippo TM, Töteberg-Harms M, Giovingo M, Francis BA, de Crom RMPC, Jerkins B, Brubaker JW, An J, Radcliffe N, Noecker R. Evidence-Based Consensus Guidelines Series for MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy - Surgical Technique, Post-Operative Care, Expected Outcomes and Retreatment/EnhancementsClin Ophthalmol. 2023;17:71-83
https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S389198

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Centivo
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Health Net of California
  • Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
  • L.A. Care
  • Medicare Advantage
  • MultiPlan
  • UFCM Health System
  • Prime Health Services
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • TRICARE
  • UnitedHealthcare

The list of health care plans above may not be comprehensive and could change. 
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.

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Recognitions

  • Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2024
  • Super Doctors® Southern California, 2022 - 2024
  • Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2021, 2018