Lernik Torossian, OD, FAAO

Lernik Torossian, OD, FAAO, earned her Doctor of Optometry degree and graduated with honors in research from the University of California, Berkeley. She has trained at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s pediatric clinic in Florida, served as a U.S. Air Force member at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, and cared for veterans at the Portland veterans affairs hospital. She completed a residency in pediatric optometry and Vision Therapy, where she focused on examinations and long-term care of patients in the areas of sports vision, traumatic brain injury, and binocular vision. Dr. Torossian has actively conducted research from her early undergraduate years at UC San Diego (cancer biology research), to her years at Berkeley (diabetic eye disease), to well into her residency training (pediatric eye disease research). She joins the USC Roski Eye Institute’s list of prestigious Faculty as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology to further pursue advancements in patient care, teaching, and research. Prior to her arrival at USC, she provided a high level of patient care to individuals from all walks of life in a large private practice, while caring for a pediatric population within her own practice.During the past decade at USC, in addition to her clinical and academic achievements, Dr. Torossian has held several key administrative and leadership roles that have advanced the operations and visibility of the departments and clinics she has led. She has played a central role in the design and build-out of two full-scope optometry and optical clinics, and one hospital-based optical, from concept to completion. ensuring each space was optimized for patient flow, efficiency, and modern standards of care, while operating within the framework of an academic institution and medical center. In her leadership capacity, she has effectively managed teams, fostering collaboration and professional growth across all levels of clinical and retail services. Dr. Torossian has also spearheaded the development of programs and streamlined workflows and patient experience initiatives, reflecting her dedication to both operational excellence and compassionate, patient-centered care.Dr. Torossian has been recognized nationally with several leadership, service, and clinical honors, and is an active fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She has been elected and currently serves in leadership roles within national organizations to help ensure the best for those in her community and beyond.

• California Optometric Association: Young Optometrist of the Year, 2018
• American Optometric Foundation: 2011-2012 Terrence N. Ingraham Pediatric Optometry Residency Award, 2012
• American Academy of Optometry: Fellow, 2012
• California Optometric Association: George I. Dean, Jr., OD, Leadership Award, 2011
• University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry: Graduated with Honors in Research, 2011
• Southern California College of Optometry: Michael Rouse Memorial Fund Recipient, 2011
• University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry: Optometry Service Award, 2010
• Meredith W. Morgan University Eye Center: Shanaz Rafinejad Ophthalmic Award, 2010
• UC Optometric Student Association: Board Member of the Month Award, 2010
• Meredith W. Morgan University Eye Center: Clinical Honors, 2010
• The Vision Care Institute: Travel Grant Essay Winner, 2009
• National Eye Institute (NEI) / National Institute of Health (NIH): NEI T35 Summer Research Fellowship, 2009
• AAO: Student Research Grant Winner: California Chapter of AAO, 2009
• AAO: Student Travel Fellowship: Vistakon, 2009
• AAO: Advocacy Leadership Award, 2008
• National Eye Institute (NEI) / National Institute of Health (NIH): NEI T35 Summer Research Fellowship, 2008

• Age-Related Changes in Dynamic Iris Behavior Assessed Using a Programmable Closed-Loop Iris Control System. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2022 11 01; 11(11):9.. View in PubMed
• Epidermal sensing of oxygen is essential for systemic hypoxic response. Cell. 2008 Apr 18; 133(2):223-34.. View in PubMed

• Xu, Benjamin
• Song, Brian
• McKean-Cowdin, Roberta
• Jiang, Xuejuan
• Shah, Sona
• Lifton, Jacob
• Borchert, Mark
• Chang, Melinda
• Shahidi, Mahnaz
• Chuong, Cheng-Ming