Meet our Surgeons

Steven Chen, MD, FACS

Dr. Chen is a board-certified, fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon.  After graduating from Tulane University School of Medicine, he completed an internship at Charity Hospital, New Orleans, followed by an ophthalmology residency at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York. He then was accepted to a prestigious oculoplastic surgery fellowship with Drs. Frank Nesi and Geoffrey Gladstone. After several years of private practice and teaching ophthalmology residents at Tulane, Dr. Chen moved to Arizona in 1997. In 2004, he founded Oculoplastic Consultants of Arizona, a practice devoted solely to oculoplastic surgery.

Dr. Chen is a fellow of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.  He has clinical faculty appointments at Tulane University School of Medicine and University of Arizona School of Medicine.  He is also an adjunct professor at Arizona State University.  Dr. Chen has received multiple awards for excellence in the teaching of ophthalmic surgical residents and has numerous scientific presentations and publications to his credit.  He has been in private practice since 1994, and has performed over 29,000 major surgical procedures. 

In his spare time, Dr. Chen is an avid tennis player, world-traveler and photographer. You may see some of his work displayed in the offices and surgery centers.

Education and Credentials

  • Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 1989

  • Charity Hospital of New Orleans, LA, Internship 1990

  • Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, New York, NY - Ophthalmology Residency, 1993

  • William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI - Oculoplastic Surgery Fellowship, 1994

  • Board-Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology, 1994

  • Fellow, American Society of Ophthalmic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS)

  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons

  • Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology

  • Fellow, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery

  • University of Arizona, School of Medicine, Clinical Lecturer

  • Arizona State University, Adjunct Professor

  • Tulane University School of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor

Austin Pharo, MD

Dr. Pharo is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Society of Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). He graduated from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, completed his internship in internal medicine at Ochsner Medical Center followed by a residency in ophthalmology at the LSU Eye Center in New Orleans. He then finished a prestigious oculoplastic and facial reconstructive surgery fellowship with Drs. Nesi, Gladstone, Black, Schlachter, Nesi-Eloff and Kahana. Upon completion of his training, he then joined the departments of both the LSU Eye Center and the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans where he served as an Assistant Professor, teaching residents in ophthalmology, otolaryngology and oral surgery from both LSU and Tulane Schools of Medicine. Simultaneously, Dr. Pharo worked in private practice serving communities throughout south Louisiana. In July of 2023, he joined Dr. Chen in practice at Oculoplastic Consultants of Arizona.

The eyes, lids and face are highly sensitive and visible areas requiring a delicate touch and artistic eye to maximize functional and aesthetic results. Dr. Pharo has dedicated his career to this niche field of medicine. He is an expert in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the eyes, eyelids, orbit, midface, forehead, and lacrimal system, operating nowhere else on the body. In addition, he has extensive experience in laser skin-resurfacing and non-surgical procedures such as Botox for both cosmetic and functional needs.

In his free time, Dr. Pharo enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, general aviation, golf and painting.

Education and Credentials

  • LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, Doctor of Medicine (MD), 2014

  • Ochsner Clinics, New Orleans, LA
    Internship, 2015

  • LSU Eye Center, New Orleans, LA, Residency, 2018

  • William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
    ASOPRS fellowship, 2020

  • Board-Certified
    American Board of Ophthalmology, 2021

  • Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology

  • Fellow, American Society of Ophthalmic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS)

  • LSU School of Medicine
    Clinical Assistant Professor