Empire Eye and Laser Center

Empire Eye and Laser Center Quality Worth Seeing... At Empire Eye and Laser Center, we strive to provide quality care through the latest, most advanced technologies available.

We also recognize that even the greatest medical developments are only as good as the difference they make in people's lives. We, therefore, emphasize that the most important person in the practice is you, the patient.

03/07/2026

Actually... the reviews don't lie! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dr. Kao truly is a 5-star eye surgeon, and if you meet him, we know you'll agree.
Whether you need cataract or eyelid surgery, vision correction treatment, or other minor procedures on or around the eyes, he's ready to earn your glowing feedback too.

03/05/2026

"I'm really excited to go on my honeymoon and not pack contacts."

We are so happy for Lyndsey, who chose next-gen SMILE vision correction at Empire Eye and Laser Center to prepare for her big day. After wearing glasses and contacts since she was ten, she was ready for a change that would fit her active life.

Lyndsey shared that her experience with Dr. Chang and the team was smooth and quick. She had her procedure on a Thursday and was back to work by Monday, feeling perfectly fine. For Lyndsey, SMILE was a great choice because it felt like a safe and effective way to achieve the vision she wanted.

The results have been life-changing for her, and we are honored to have played a part in her journey. Whether you are getting married, traveling, or just want more independence from corrective lenses, we are here to help you explore your options.

Congrats on your new vision and your upcoming nuptials! 💍

Curious if SMILE is right for you? Visit the link in our bio or call/text 661.88.LASIK to schedule your free consultation.

Stop reaching for those eye drops every ten minutes and start treating the source of your discomfort! 👁️✨Spring in the C...
03/03/2026

Stop reaching for those eye drops every ten minutes and start treating the source of your discomfort! 👁️✨

Spring in the Central Valley is beautiful, but the almond blooms and Bakersfield dust can make your eyes feel anything but great. If your eyes are constantly itchy, gritty, or even "over-watering," you might be dealing with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). 🌬️🌼

🧐 What is MGD?
MGD is a common condition where the tiny oil glands in your eyelids become clogged. Because MGD is a progressive disease, it can lead to permanent gland loss if it is not treated early.

💡How IPL Provides Relief
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy goes beyond temporary fixes like artificial tears. It uses gentle pulses of light to help your eyes feel their best:
⚡ Calms Inflammation: Reduces abnormal blood vessels that contribute to redness and swelling.
🧼 Clears Blocked Glands: Gently warms and liquefies hardened oils to get your glands flowing again.
🌊 Stabilizes Your Tears: Helps your natural tears stay on your eye longer for lasting comfort.

📢 Limited Time Offer
Right now is the perfect time to try IPL, because we're giving you $50 OFF your first treatment! 💸

Don't let the Kern County spring keep you indoors. Our award-winning dry eye specialists are ready to help you find lasting relief and restore your comfort so you can enjoy the best time of year in the Valley.

💬 Comment "IPL" to learn more, or 📱 call/text 661.325.EYES to schedule your dry eye evaluation today to see if IPL is right for you.

Offer Terms and Restrictions:
Limit one discounted IPL treatment per patient. Cannot be combined with other offers, discounts, or credits. Individual results and experiences may vary. Offer subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. Offer ends 03/31/2026.

Your tax refund just got a $300 bonus. 💸Why spend your refund on something temporary when you can reinvest it in yoursel...
03/02/2026

Your tax refund just got a $300 bonus. 💸

Why spend your refund on something temporary when you can reinvest it in yourself? This spring, give your lifestyle the ultimate upgrade with laser vision correction (LVC) at Empire Eye and Laser Center. 🌸

We are offering $300 off all three of our advanced LVC procedures: LASIK, PRK, and the next-gen SMILE pro.

If you have an active lifestyle, SMILE pro may be for you! It is the flapless, gentler, and faster way to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. Because there is no flap required, this procedure offers a faster recovery and a reduced risk of post-operative dry eye symptoms.

Why settle for anything less than the best?
🏆 Our surgeons, Dr. Chang and Dr. Kao, were voted Best Ophthalmologists in the Bakersfield Californian five years in a row.
💻 We use the most advanced laser technology right here in Kern County.
🚗 No sitting in traffic; get world-class results without having to drive to Los Angeles.

💳 We also offer 0% financing for up to 24 months through Cherry, making it easy to fit your new vision into almost any budget.

Stop searching for your glasses and start seeing every detail of the Bakersfield spring. ☀️

Comment SMILE to learn more or call/text 661.88.LASIK to schedule your FREE consultation today!

Offer Terms & Restrictions:
$150 per eye off full "non-cash" price regardless of payment type. Must pay surgery deposit in March or April 2026 to qualify. Cannot be combined with other offers, discounts, or credits. Individual results and experiences may vary. Offer subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. 0% APR and other promotional rates subject to eligibility through Cherry. Exact terms and APR depend on credit score and other factors. Down payment in the amount of monthly payment will be due at the time of purchase. Call 661.325.3937 for full details.

02/28/2026

Stop guessing your practice’s income! 🛑🩺

If you’re just taking last year’s total revenue and dividing it by 12, you aren’t budgeting. You’re gambling with your cash flow. 🎰 The "January Slump" is real. When deductibles reset, your collections dip, but your fixed costs don't. If your budget doesn't account for that, you're headed for a mid-winter crisis. ❄️📉

Here is the 4-Step Historical Average Method to fix your forecast:
1️⃣ Pull 12-Month Data: Get the actual collections for every provider.
2️⃣ Find the Base: Calculate your average monthly revenue.
3️⃣ Apply Seasonality: Identify your "low" months (like Jan/Feb) and drop them by a realistic % (e.g., -20%).
4️⃣ The Zero-Sum Flip: Redistribute those "lost" dollars into your high-volume months so your annual total stays 100% accurate.

The result? A roadmap that actually reflects how your practice operates in the real world. 🗺️✨

Ready to stop the guesswork?
I’ve built a Forecasting Calculator that does all the "Zero-Sum" math for you.
💬 Comment "FORECAST" below and I’ll DM you the link to download the spreadsheet for FREE!

Struggling to keep your practice finances on track? We’re here to help. Click the link in bio to learn how we take the heavy lifting off your plate. 🤝

02/28/2026

We always try to accommodate, within reason! 😬

02/26/2026

Picking the right color before surgery is super important! The vibes have to be perfect! 🤩 💙

Thanks to your incredible support during the nomination period, we are thrilled to again find ourselves on the ballot in...
02/24/2026

Thanks to your incredible support during the nomination period, we are thrilled to again find ourselves on the ballot in several categories of "Best Of 2026." We are tremendously grateful for your many votes of confidence, and we hope to count on your support again over the next two weeks to help us bring home this recognition for our team and providers!

Here are our nominations:
🔹Best Ophthalmologist - Daniel H. Chang, MD: https://www.bakersfield.com/bestof2026/ #/gallery/516657341/
🔹Best Optometrist - Vin T. Dang, OD: https://www.bakersfield.com/bestof2026/ #/gallery/516497008/
🔹Best Medical Group - Empire Eye and Laser Center: https://www.bakersfield.com/bestof2026/ #/gallery/515943040

The last day of voting is Tuesday, March 3rd, so remember to make every day count!

🙏 Thank you for your continued support! We are grateful to be part of such an amazing community, and look forward to continuing to serve you with the highest quality medical and surgical eye care for years to come.

Ever wonder who is behind the steady hands and world-class vision results at Empire Eye and Laser Center?MeetDr. Andrew ...
02/24/2026

Ever wonder who is behind the steady hands and world-class vision results at Empire Eye and Laser Center?

MeetDr. Andrew A. Kao, a board-certified ophthalmologist whose commitment to advanced eye care is deeply rooted in his hometown. After completing elite training across the country, Dr. Kao returned to Bakersfield to serve his community atEmpire Eye and Laser Centerin 2016.

🎓Top-Tier Training
Dr. Kao graduated with honors fromUniversity of California, Berkeley,before earning his medical degree fromUniversity of California, San Francisco. He completed a fellowship in ocular pathology atBascom Palmer Eye Institute, followed by residency atNew York Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he was recognized as the top resident in his class. He then returned to UCSF for a year-long fellowship in ocular oncology, caring for complex ocular tumors and teaching cataract surgery to residents.

🏆Award-Winning Care and Service
Dr. Kao has performed thousands of sight-restoring surgeries and is known for bringing the most advanced ophthalmologic treatments back to Bakersfield. He has been voted Best Ophthalmologist inThe Bakersfield Californian's"Best Of" Readers’ Choice Poll five years in a row from 2021 through 2025. He was also named Operation Sight Volunteer of the Year in 2022 and 2024 by theASCRS Foundationfor his charitable surgical work.

🤝Giving Back and Leading Forward
Beyond private practice, Dr. Kao serves as a volunteer surgeon, board member, and Chief Medical Officer atAdvanced Center for Eyecare, providing medical and surgical eye care to underserved communities in Kern County. On a national level, he lectures at educational conferences, trains surgeons in cataract and microinvasive glaucoma procedures, and has served as a principal investigator and sub-investigator on multiple FDA clinical trials involving glaucoma drug delivery and advanced intraocular lens technologies.

🎻Life Outside the Clinic
When he is not caring for patients, Dr. Kao enjoys traveling, reading, and cheering on Giants baseball. He is an amateur runner and cyclist, an Eagle Scout who now serves as President of the Southern Sierra Council of Scouting America, and a lifelong musician. He plays violin with the BC/CSUB Chamber Orchestra and is Vice President of the Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra, where his own musical journey began.

Dr. Kao believes that his community deserves the same level of expertise found at the nation’s top eye institutions. For patients in Bakersfield, that level of care is available right here at home.

Drop a comment below to say hello or ask a question about Dr. Kao.

02/21/2026

It's just his first day... filling in for a tech... 👀

02/19/2026

"It's crazy how something so small can make such a big difference."

From wearing glasses since first grade to seeing the world clearly as a high school teacher, Jocelyn’s journey is truly inspiring. 🍎

We loved hearing how her cousin’s recommendation led her to Empire Eye and Laser Center. Jocelyn was looking for a way to simplify her busy days in the classroom. Between moving from the whiteboard to helping students at their desks, she wanted to focus on her teaching rather than her glasses. 👓

Our team, including Jessica and Dr. Chang, made sure she felt comfortable and informed during her SMILE vision correction journey. Jocelyn even took home the small pieces of tissue removed during the surgery to show her students under a microscope. It is amazing how such a small thing can create such a life-changing result.

Thank you, Jocelyn, for trusting us with your vision and for the incredible work you do educating the students of Bakersfield. We are so happy you can now live your life and lead your classroom with complete visual freedom.

What is SMILE?

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is an advanced form of laser vision correction. This minimally invasive procedure can help reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts by correcting nearsightedness and astigmatism.

Unlike other methods, SMILE uses only a tiny incision to reshape the cornea, which helps reduce the risk of post-operative dry eye. Many patients enjoy a quick recovery and can often return to their normal activities as early as the next day.

Ready to see if SMILE is right for you? Visit eelc.link/smile or send us a DM to book your free consultation.

Thanks to your incredible support during the nomination period, we are thrilled to again find ourselves on the ballot in...
02/18/2026

Thanks to your incredible support during the nomination period, we are thrilled to again find ourselves on the ballot in several categories of "Best Of 2026." We are tremendously grateful for your many votes of confidence, and we hope to count on your support again over the next two weeks to help us bring home this recognition for our team and providers!

Here are our nominations:
🔹Best Ophthalmologist - Daniel H. Chang, MD
🔹Best Optometrist - Vin T. Dang, OD
🔹Best Medical Group - Empire Eye and Laser Center

Remember, you can vote once daily through March 3rd for your favorite business or service provider in each category! You can find links to all of our ballot pages at https://eelc.link/best (

Address

4105 Empire Drive
Bakersfield, CA
93309

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16613253937

Website

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Our Story

Empire Eye and Laser Center is committed to enhancing each patient's quality of life by delivering superior surgical and medical eye care, as well as aesthetic treatments, in a caring environment that promotes a memorable experience.

Our highly trained ophthalmologists, optometrists, and aesthetics providers are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes in a warm, friendly environment. They enjoy spending time with each patient and helping them understand their conditions and treatment to empower them to participate in their own care. At Empire Eye and Laser Center, we are passionate about nurturing an exceptional patient experience and strive to provide the highest quality care through innovation and state-of-the-art technology. We also recognize that even the greatest medical developments are only as good as the difference they make in people’s lives. We, therefore, emphasize that the most important person in our practice is you, the patient.