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Marcus J. Ko, MD, FACS

Dr. Marcus J. Ko is a distinguished oculofacial plastic surgeon and board-certified ophthalmologist. He is one of only 800 members of the prestigious American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). Dr. Ko grew up between Hawaii and Hong Kong, attended Iolani School, and is delighted to return to Hawaii to serve our local community.

Dr. Ko earned his bachelor’s degree at the Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated with honors and received the prestigious Howard Hughes Research Fellowship. He went on to obtain his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, which followed by ophthalmology residency at Stanford University School of Medicine. He then completed a rigorous 2-year fellowship in oculofacial plastic surgery at the #1 Eye Hospital in the U.S., Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

For more than a decade, Dr. Ko has run his own busy solo oculofacial plastic surgery practice in Reno, Nevada where he performs the full spectrum of cosmetic and reconstructive oculofacial surgery and has done over 20,000 procedures. He has particular interest in periorbital rejuvenation surgery as well as double eyelid surgery.

Dr. Ko has contributed to the advancement of oculofacial plastic surgery by publishing numerous peer-reviewed articles in the scientific literature, authoring chapters in textbooks, and presenting at national conferences. He is an invited instructor at the annual Bay Area Ophthalmology Course at Stanford where he teaches oculofacial anatomy and surgical techniques to residents and practicing ophthalmologists from around the world. He also currently serves on the Accreditation Committee of ASOPRS.

In his free time, he enjoys playing the violin, guitar, and piano, tennis, snowboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, photography, and spending time with his wife and daughter. His secret childhood achievement is having performed at both Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House with the Iolani Concert Orchestra. He speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ko to our team at the Oculoplastics Center.

Education

Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts

John Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

Training

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
ASOPRS Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Fellowship
Miami, Florida

Stanford University School of Medicine
Ophthalmology Residency
Palo Alto, California

Baylor College of Medicine
General Surgery Internship
Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency
Houston, Texas

Academic Societies

Erickson BP, Feng PW, Ko MJ, Modi YS, Johnson TE. Gun-related eye injuries: A primer. Surv Ophthalmol. 2020 Jan-Feb;65(1):67-78. Epub 2019 Jun 20.

Ko MJ, Erickson BP, Blessing NW, Tse DT. The Flip-Back Myocutaneous Advancement Flap for Periocular Reconstruction. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019 Nov/Dec;35(6):569-573.

Zatezalo CC, Tavakoli M, Ayala-Haedo J, Callaway NF, Ko MJ, et al. A Prospective Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial to Analyze Pain and Surgical Outcomes Between Frontal Nerve Block and Subconjunctival Anesthesia For Conjunctival Mullerectomy Resection. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018 Nov/Dec; 34(6): 575-578.

Kim JW, Jacobsen BH, Ko M, Lee DK, Jubran RF, Berry JL. Three presentations of CNS disease in patients with intraocular retinoblastoma at a tertiary medical center in the United States. Ophthalmic Genet. 2018 Jan-Feb; 39(1): 115-119.

Chao DL, Ko MJ, Johnson TE. Hematic cyst around orbital floor implant masquerading as choroidal mass. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015 Mar; 113(3):e143534.

Lee WW, Ko AC, Ko MJ. In: Kersten RC, McCulley TJ, ed. Curbside Consultation in Oculoplastics: 49 Clinical Questions. Thorofare, NJ: SLACK Incorporated; 2016, 33-38.

Ko MJ, Lee WW. Oculoplastics. In: Chern KC, Wright KW, eds. Review Questions in Ophthalmology, 3^rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 177-228.

Lee WW, Erickson BP, Ko MJ, Liao SD, Neff A. Advanced single-stage eyelid reconstruction: anatomy and techniques. Dematol Surg. 2014 Sep; 40 Suppl 9:S103-12.

Erickson BP, Modi YS, Ko MJ, Hussain RM, Gomez-Fernandez C, Johnson TE. Transitional cell-type papillary carcinoma of the lacrimal sac manifesting as a medial canthal skin lesion. Orbit. 2014 Oct; 33(5): 378-81.

Ko AC, Erickson BP, Ko MJ, Sayed M, Lee WW. Ablative laser assisted topical delivery of antifibrotics in the management of cicatricial ectropion. World J of Ophthalmol. 2014 May 12; 4(2):7-13.

Sayed MS, Ko MJ, Ko AC, Lee WW. Ocular damage secondary to lights and laser: how to avoid and treat if necessary. World J of Ophthalmol. 2014 Feb 12; 4(1):1-6.

Ko MJ, Morris CK, Kim JW, Lad SP, Arrigo RT, Lad EM. Orbital fractures: National inpatient trends and complications. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 Jul-Aug;29(4):298-303.

Ko MJ, Hollier L. New World Cranial Deformation Practices: Historical Implications For Pathophysiology Of Cognitive Impairment In Deformational Plagiocephaly. J Craniofac Surg. 2008 Jan;19(1):29

Girotto JA, Ko MJ, Redett R, Muehlberger T, Talamini M, Chang B. Closure of Chronic Abdominal Wall Defects: A Long Term Evaluation of the Components Separation Method. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 1999 Apr; 42(4):385-94; discussion 394-5.

Co-Author In:

Harvard Medical School. “Communicating with the Patient, Number 1: During Working Rounds,” an English-Cantonese Medical Phrasebook for Physicians and Medical Students. New Haven, CT: Harvard Medical School, 1999.

Harvard Medical School. “Communicating with the Patient, Number 2: During Urgent Care,” an English-Cantonese Medical Phrasebook for Physicians and Medical Students. New Haven, CT: Harvard Medical School, 1999

Harvard Medical School. “Communicating with the Patient, Number 3: Review of Systems,” an English-Cantonese Medical Phrasebook for Physicians and Medical Students. New Haven, CT: Harvard Medical School, 1999.

Testimonials

“Thank you Dr. Ko! When I opened my eyes – and could see everything so brightly & colorful with a great big field of vision – I was amazed…. You have given me such a nice gift of seeing a bright light world. Thank you.”
JW
“Dr. Ko is amazing. He explained what he was going to do and why. Absolutely no pain. Highly recommend Dr. Ko.”
Mark C.
“Dr. Ko has performed 2 eyelid surgeries for me. I have only had extremely positive visits with him and am very pleased with the results of the surgeries. His instructions were clear. He is very personable and positive. I knew what to expect. An outstanding physician.”
Franz L.
“Dr. Ko explained the procedure to close a cancer on the bridge of my nose close to the corner of my eye. He and his staff took their time to go over everything with me and put me at ease prior to surgery. I’ve had plenty of surgeries and have plenty of scars, I can’t see any scar and family and friends can’t see any sign of surgery. I highly recommend Dr. Ko.”
Catherine G.
“Dr. Ko more than provided me a successful medical procedure. As a result my confidence is back. My issues required 2 separate surgeries to correct a distorted alignment including a drooping eyelid that restricted my upper vision. My previous 2 eyelid surgeries in years past by 2 different doctors had disappointing results that seemed to magnify over time. I was very fortunate to find Dr. Ko to fix my issues.”
John J.
“My experience with Dr. Ko was incredibly positive. He did cosmetic surgery to correct my drooping upper eyelids and did a wonderful job. My eyes look great. Not only is he a highly competent and professional surgeon he is a warm and caring person. He graciously answered all my many questions and never made me feel rushed. His assistants are also kind and extremely knowledgeable. I was very nervous about the whole idea of plastic surgery, especially near my eyes, when I went in for the initial evaluation with Dr. Ko and his medical staff, yet felt confident and completely reassured when I left the office. I highly recommend Dr. Ko and his staff.”
Barbara H.
“Dr. Ko is an incredibly caring, compassionate and trustworthy physician. Dr. Ko took care of my issue and did not try to up sell cosmetic surgery. When I inquired about a procedure, recommended by another, he suggested that I leave things alone, think about it, and if after time I really felt I needed it to schedule a time to discuss further. So refreshing to have a plastic surgeon not pushing change. I believe Dr. Ko has put the patient’s interest foremost in his business plan. Thank you!”
Bob C.

Marcus J. Ko, MD, FACS

Education

Training

Academic Societies

Medical Publications

Testimonials

Questions? Contact Us!