Dr. Kirk K. Hou, MD, PhD

VITREORETINAL SURGEON
MD/PhD · UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute

Dr. Kirk Hou is a leading vitreoretinal surgeon who brings precision to every diagnosis and a steady hand to every procedure. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Princeton University, Dr. Hou earned his MD/PhD from Washington University and completed fellowship training at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute. He combines rigorous evidence-based medicine with the latest imaging and surgical technology.

Dr. Hou specializes in diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachments, and complex vitreoretinal surgery. He is actively involved in clinical trials investigating novel therapies—giving his patients access to treatments not yet widely available. But above all, he believes the best outcomes start with patients who feel informed, prepared, and supported.

Languages: 

English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese

“There’s nothing more fulfilling than taking care of patients and knowing they view you as their doctor—someone they trust. That’s the best part of medicine.”

Dr. Kirk K. Hou

Meet Dr. Hou

Professional Background

Education & Training

Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship UCLA School of Medicine | 2019–2021

Ophthalmology Residency Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA | 2016–2019

Internal Medicine Internship Barnes-Jewish Hospital | 2015–2016

Doctor of Medicine / Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD) Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis | 2015

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE), Summa Cum Laude Princeton University | 2006

Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor SocietyPhi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society

Current Hospital Affiliations:

  • Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles
  • Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar
  • Eisenhower Health Main Campus, Rancho Mirage


Board Certification:

  • American Board of Ophthalmology (2021)


Professional Memberships:

  • American Society of Retina Specialists
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)

Clinical Recognition:

  • Leaders of Influence: 2023 L.A.’s Top Doctors


Teaching Awards:

  • Fellow Teaching Award, UCLA (2021)
  • Resident Teaching Award, UCLA (2019)


Research Fellowships:

  • John and Theiline McCone Fellowship, UCLA (2019–2020)
  • Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellowship (2019–2020)
  • Sigma-Aldrich Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, Washington University (2011–2013)


Academic Honors:

  • Needleman Prize in Pharmacology, Washington University (2015)
  • Ticona Senior Thesis Award, Princeton (2006)

Dr. Hou has authored peer-reviewed research on surgical outcomes in diabetic retinopathy, novel drug delivery systems, systemic risk factors for macular degeneration, and emerging therapies for retinal disease. His MD/PhD training in pharmacology informs his ongoing work in clinical trials investigating new treatments for macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

Current Research Interests:

  • Systemic risk factors for macular degeneration
  • Surgical outcomes in proliferative diabetic retinopathy
  • Novel drug delivery for retinal diseases
  • Clinical trials for AMD and diabetic macular edema

What Patients Are Saying

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Treatment Options at RVC

Surgical

Intravitreal Injections (Anti-VEGF Therapy)

The primary treatment for wet AMD to reduce fluid and preserve vision.

Surgical

Pneumatic Retinopexy

Pneumatic retinopexy is an in-office procedure used to repair certain types of retinal detachment — a condition where the retina separates from the back wall of the eye.

Surgical

Retinal Laser Therapy

Retinal laser therapy is an in-office procedure in which your retina specialist uses a focused beam of light to treat damaged or at-risk areas of your retina.

Surgical

Scleral Buckle Surgery

Scleral buckle surgery is an operation to repair a retinal detachment a condition where the retina separates from the back wall of the eye.