Dr. John May Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)
Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)
About Dr. John May
Dr. May graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with two majors: one in art history, the other in biology. While at Holy Cross he also competed as a Division I varsity track & field athlete in multiple events.
After college he earned his Doctorate of Optometry from the State University of New York, completing clinical rotations at Montefiore Medical Center and the West Haven VA Medical Center. Subsequently he finished a residency in primary eye care and geriatric optometry at the West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center.
His responsibilities included clinical instruction of students from Southern California College of Optometry (now Marshall Ketchum University), giving lectures and organizing grand rounds. Shortly after this program he earned Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry.
Prior to joining the Assil Gaur Eye Institute he worked at the Los Angeles County Southwest Area Health Centers, providing patient care with an emphasis on diabetic eye exams and glaucoma management. During his tenure here he achieved the rank of Assistant Professor within the Department of Ophthalmology at Charles R. Drew University teaching in the areas of optics, refraction and contact lenses.
Dr. May has previously lectured on advances in refractive surgery as an invited speaker and served as a consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. He also completed advanced studies in ocular pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (previously at Walter Reed Army Medical Center). Currently he is a guest lecturer at USC College of Pharmacy.
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Education
UCLA Extension Business & Management Department
Professional Designation in Financial Planning, June 2005
Southern California College of Optometry
Residency in Geriatric Eye Care at West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, completed June 2001
State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry
Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) May 2000
College of the Holy Cross
Double Major: Art History & Biology
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) May 1996
Licensure & Certifications
- California State Board License 11517TLG
- New Jersey State Board License 27OA00580800
- Controlled substance registration certificate
Professional Experience
Assil Gaur Eye Institute. Santa Monica & Beverly Hills CA
Optometrist. September 2004 – present
Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
Hubert H. Humphrey Comprehensive Health Center
Optometrist. March 2002 – June 2007
EYEXAM of California
On-call Optometrist. March 2001 – July 2013
West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center
Resident, Primary Eye Care & Geriatric Optometry
July 2000 – June 2001
Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven
Optometry Intern. December 1999 – March 2000
University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Montefiore Medical Center, Henkind Eye Institute, Bronx, NY
Optometry Intern. August 1999 – November 1999
SUNY College of Optometry
Optometry Intern. June 1998 – July 1999, April 2000 – June 2000
Academic Affiliations & Appointments
USC College of Pharmacy
Invited Guest Lecturer. 2011 – 2017
Charles R. Drew University, Department of Ophthalmology
Assistant Professor. March 2004 – June 2007
Southern California College of Optometry
(affiliated with Marshall B. Ketchum University)
Clinic Seminar Lecturer. March 2006 – March 2011
Courses Taught
Basic and Clinical Science Course in Optics
Refraction and Contact Lenses as part of the ophthalmic knowledge assessment program (OKAP) at Charles R. Drew University Department of Ophthalmology
Invited Presentations
“Self –Care Therapies for Ophthalmic Disorders and Contact Lens Care”
USC College of Pharmacy 2010 – 2017
“Advances in Refractive Surgery”
Optometric Grand Rounds
West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center 2006 – 2011
“Introducing Acular LS™”
Assil Gaur Eye Institute CE Program at Spago Beverly Hills March 2005
“Diabetes and Your Vision”
Public Diabetes Education Program
Hubert Humphrey Comprehensive Health Center December 2003
“Update on Low Vision Care”
Blinded Veterans Association Meeting February 2002
“Visual Changes in the Elderly”
GRECC Healthcare Meeting
June 2001
“Transient Visual Loss and Diplopia Associated with Antiphospholipid Syndrome”
CE program at SCCO
May 2001
“A Case Report on Antiphospholipid Syndrome”
Fourth year SCCO student symposium
February 2001
Clinic Research Experience
Enrolled patients in clinical trial and maintained IRB approval for OPHTEC Artisan® Aphakia
Adult Clinical Study IDE # G110050.
March 2013 – present
Participated in the study for the “Clinical evaluation of the Tecnis Multifocal Intraocular Lens
Model ZM900” for Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.
December 2004 – 2006
Additional Professional Education Experience
Harvard School of Public Health
Measurement, Design, and Analysis Methods for Health Outcomes Research Program
August 2004
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Ophthalmic Pathology Course
September 2003
Earned Fellowship, American Academy of Optometry
Annual Meeting in San Diego 2002
Abstracts
Transient visual loss and diplopia associated with Antiphospholipid Syndrome
John May, OD and David Bright, OD.
Poster presented at the annual American Academy of Optometry meeting
December 2001
Choroidal melanoma and the evaluation for metastasis with positron emission tomography (PET)
John May, OD, Julie Chen, OD, Cindy Lum, OD and Pauline Ilsen,
OD. Poster presented at the annual American Academy of Optometry meeting
December 2001.
Additional Activities
Community HOA Board Member
2018 – present
College of the Holy Cross
Class of ’96 Fundraising Agent. 1996 – 2008
Accreditation Council of Optometric Education
Consultant. 2003 – 2006
Los Angeles Eye Institute Community Outreach
Volunteer. 2004
College of the Holy Cross Track Team
D1 400 meter hurdler . 1993
Blog Posts written by Dr. John May
- Why is My Iris Inflamed? When to See a Doctor for Iritis
- How Your Vision Changes in Your 40s and 50s
- Winter Dry Eye Care Tips
- Do Blue Light Glasses Work?
- Why Do I Have Watery Eyes?
- New Clinical Study for ARTISAN® IOL (intraocular lens) now at AGEI
- Aging Eyes Warning Signs That Shouldn’t Be Ignored!
- Thou Shall Follow these 10 Commandments for Healthy Eyes!
- Can Green Smoothies Support Eye Health?
- Sports Glasses Shown to Boost Performance
- Superfoods and How They are Healthy for Your Eyes


