Wayne Fung, MD

Initially destined for a career in rural Family Practice, Wayne Fung’s service as an Air Force Flight Surgeon first exposed him to ophthalmology. His residency training in 1960s San Francisco took place just before the dawn of phacoemulsification and VISC vitrectomy techniques. A Heed Fellowship with Ed Okun at Washington University, followed by a surgical retina fellowship with Ed Norton and Don Gass at Bascom Palmer, connected him with eye-opening techniques, including intravitreal air for giant tears and Machemer’s vitreous research.

Steady hands, a convergence of maturing technologies, and a courageous creativity to try new techniques helped Dr. Fung bring ophthalmic surgery into the modern era. Dr. Fung was selected to be one of the first seven U.S. surgeons to receive a VISC cutter from Bob Machemer, and his was the first practice west of the Mississippi River to obtain a phacoemulsification unit from Charles Kelman. With the two new instruments, patients in need, and a curious mind, he was an integral collaborator in early conversations about vitrectomy for anterior and posterior segment applications.

From his private practice, he published over 38 peer-reviewed manuscripts, including Vitrectomy for CME following Cataract Surgery (Irvine-Gass Syndrome), Intravitreal Air for Giant Tears, work on the 20g intravitreal cryoprobe, case-selection criteria for phacoemulsification based on a 1978 10-year retrospective, and one of the first efforts to develop a medical therapy for neovascular AMD, alpha-interferon 2a, in 1991. Additionally, as an early posterior-anterior segment surgeon, Dr. Fung flew 35 times over eight years to serve as the personal ophthalmologist to the President of Taiwan.

Dr. Fung was deeply beloved by nearly five decades of ophthalmology residents and fellows at California Pacific Medical Center. His patient teaching of indirect ophthalmoscopy to “find the second hole,” retinal anatomic drawings, phacoemulsification, vitrectomy, and scleral buckling lives on in his students. A dedicated member of the CPMC ophthalmology community throughout his career, he remained an active participant in Grand Rounds and a committed supporter of Pacific Vision Foundation, where he served on the Board of Directors.

Wayne was an active member of several international and national associations, including The Society of Heed Fellows, Macula Society, Club Jules Gonin, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Retina Society, where he served as Vice President and President. Over four decades, his numerous papers, courses, and committee appointments earned him the AAO Lifetime Service Award in 2010. In service of the global community, he also participated in nine missions with Project Orbis, traveling from Ethiopia to Cuba to Bangladesh.

Dr. Fung’s impact extended well beyond his contributions to ophthalmology. He was a beloved teacher, colleague, mentor, and friend whose warmth and generosity left an enduring mark on the CPMC community. Dr. Susan Day captured that spirit in her reflections on Wayne:

“Wayne Fung epitomizes the CPMC spirit. Ever-present, ever-smiling, ever-supportive of others, each resident who trained at PMC cum PPMC cum CPMC holds Wayne in high regard. Wayne had the perfect bedside manner—patient with patients; able to communicate clearly; considerate and respectful of people from all walks of life. If there was a call for a volunteer, Wayne would raise his hand. If there was a resident walking home when his gray Porsche drove by, Wayne would offer a lift. If an attending was needed for surgery, Wayne would rise to the occasion if at all possible.

Memories of Wayne include attendance at the iconic Letterman fluorescein angiogram sessions (complete with bike rides across the Golden Gate Bridge); sneaking residents into the doctors’ dining room; stopping to pick up litter strewn on a hallway; greetings to team members regardless of stature in life; and, of course, tending to his amazing salt-water aquarium. Wayne’s greatest asset was probably his wife, Helen, who was ever-present at functions sponsored by CPMC ophthalmology. Whether annual Barkan Days, medical staff events, weekly Grand Rounds, or chicken parties, Wayne was always present. It is highly likely that, were attendance taken over the years, Wayne would clearly surpass all others.”