Cathay General Hospital | Taiwan
Yu-Chih Hou is the Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Cathay General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, and a distinguished corneal specialist. He graduated from National Taiwan University College of Medicine, completed his residency and corneal fellowship there, and conducted molecular genetics research at the Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan. Professor Hou has led numerous clinical trials — from allergenic conjunctivitis therapies to genotype-phenotype studies in corneal dystrophies and antioxidant treatment for dry eye — and pioneered work on novel ophthalmic solutions and corneal erosion management in Sjögren’s syndrome. His research focuses on external eye disease, corneal transplantation, YAG-laser therapy, TGFBI-linked corneal dystrophy, phototherapeutic keratectomy, and cataract surgery, culminating in over 80 published research articles. He has also authored a foundational book chapter on YAG laser treatment of recurrent corneal erosion. Notably, his work on corneal dystrophy genetics in Taiwan, topical ganciclovir for CMV endotheliitis, and the combined PTK–PRK approach for Thiel-Behnke dystrophy reflect his innovation. His insights into corneal toxicity from alcohol-based antiseptics and effective azithromycin regimens in chlamydial conjunctivitis further highlight his clinical and research contributions.
Profile: Orcid | Scopus
Featured Publications
Liu, H.-Y., Chu, H.-S., Wang, I.-J., Chen, W.-L., Hou, Y.-C., & Hu, F.-R. (2020).
Clinical features and outcomes of Acanthamoeba keratitis in a tertiary hospital over 20-year period. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, 119(6), 932–939.
Tew, T. B., Chu, H.-S., Hou, Y.-C., Chen, W.-L., Wang, I.-J., & Hu, F.-R. (2020).
Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty for microbial keratitis in Taiwan from 2001 to 2014. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, 119(8), 1254–1261.
Shen, H.-C., & Hou, Y.-C. (2020).
Toxic keratopathy associated with topical abuse of low-concentration anesthetics: A report of two cases. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 68(1), 151–153.
Hung, K.-C., Lu, C.-J., Liu, H.-Y., Hou, Y-C., Wang, I.-J., Hu, F.-R., & Chen, W.-L. (2020).
Use of white light in vivo confocal microscopy for the detection of spatial changes in the corneal nerves in cases of early-stage Acanthamoeba keratitis with radial keratoneuritis. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 68(1), 123–129.
Tu, P.-N., & Hou, Y.-C. (2019).
Bilateral corneal melting associated with topical diclofenac 0.1% after cataract surgery in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome. Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology, 9(3), 196–199.