Ming Chen, MD, MSc, FACS, has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the second year he has received this designation. Only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are selected annually as Castle Connolly Top Doctors for their specialties in their respective regions. This recognition matters because it provides patients with an objective, peer-vetted measure of medical excellence, helping them identify highly qualified specialists for complex healthcare needs.
Dr. Chen, an ophthalmologist and founder of Ming Chen, MD, INC in Honolulu, provides comprehensive eye exams, cataract and glaucoma care, and advanced eye surgery. "I'm honored to be recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. This recognition reflects the dedication I have brought to my medical career and to caring for my patients every day," says Dr. Chen. "Providing the best care begins with genuine compassion for each patient and what they are experiencing." The importance of this recognition extends beyond individual achievement, as it signals to the community that Honolulu has access to nationally recognized eye care expertise, potentially reducing the need for patients to travel elsewhere for specialized treatment.
Dr. Chen evaluates and treats primary ocular conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye disease, and refractive errors. He also manages complex cases such as vitreoretinal diseases and blepharoptosis. His key procedures include phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, endocyclophotocoagulation, limbal relaxing incisions, punctal plug insertion for dry eye, sutureless blepharoptosis repair, astigmatic keratotomy, and bimatoprost implant administration. For patients, this means access to a wide range of advanced treatment options locally, which can lead to better outcomes and convenience.
The practice features the Ming Chen Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers a Scholarship for Modern Eyecare Education. Additionally, the office maintains a multilingual staff fluent in English, Cantonese, Taiwanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Mandarin. This linguistic diversity is crucial in Hawaii's multicultural community, ensuring that language barriers do not prevent patients from receiving quality eye care.
Dr. Chen earned his Doctor of Medicine from Zhong Shan Medical College in Taiwan in 1973. He completed a research fellowship at the University of Illinois and Cook County Hospital in 1974, followed by a general surgery residency at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He completed his four-year residency training in ophthalmology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago in 1980. Furthermore, he earned a Master of Science in Evidence-Based Practice (Ophthalmology) from the University of Teesside, UK, in 2011. This extensive training background underscores why peer recognition matters: it validates decades of education and experience that directly benefit patient care.
Throughout his career, Dr. Chen has published 45 peer-reviewed articles in ophthalmology. He currently serves as a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. His previous leadership roles include serving as President of the Hawaii Ophthalmological Society and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Kuakini Hospital. He was recently honored as the 2025 Hawaii Mandarin Award recipient. These contributions highlight how Top Doctor designations recognize not only clinical skill but also academic and professional leadership that advances the entire medical field.
Top Doctors are nominated by peer physicians and selected by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team. Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at https://castleconnolly.com and in various print and online partner publications. Nominations are open to all board-certified MDs, DOs, and DPMs. The Castle Connolly team chooses honorees based on nominee criteria that includes their medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. This verification process is important because it provides transparency and credibility, helping patients make informed decisions about their healthcare providers in an industry where marketing claims can sometimes be misleading.
