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West Hollywood Optometric Center
8205 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 15
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323-650-0337 Office Direct
323-650-7783 FAX Direct

E-Mail: DrMark@DrMarkChung.com

Community Service

Since opening its doors in November of 1986, Dr. Chung and his staff have catered to the specific needs and demands of the gay community. The gay and lesbian community in turn responded very favorably to this then-new optometric center whose emphasis on customer service and excellence was unparalleled. By 1989, the practice had past its crucial years, and began enjoying its first growing pains of expansion, renovation, and computerization. During this same era, the AIDS epidemic became the central focus of the gay community, as we watched our brothers, friends,
and lovers suffer.
Dr. Chung became more involved in fundraising efforts and events for such organizations as AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center (GLCSC). During this period, he was approached by APLA to voluntarily examine a few of their clients who were in dire need of eyecare, and he quickly responded. In those days, these clients were very young, very sick, and terrified of losing their vision from CMV Retinitis. Dr. Chung soon realized that there was a desperate need for quality pro bono eyecare within our community. While several dentists were volunteering their services at this point (and many continue to do so), no doctors were offering eyecare of any kind. Thus, "APLA Day" was born at the West Hollywood Optometric Center. Since 1989, clients of APLA have been examined at no charge, on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. In more recent years, this service has been extended to clients of Minority AIDS Project, GLCSC, Bienestar, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation. All examinations and contact lens fittings are at no charge, and discounts are given on eyeware and most contact lens products. Appointments are required, and must first be authorized by the case worker of the clients' AIDS healthcare facility. Dr. Chung and his staff feel very gratified to continue offering this service to our community, and always look forward to being of service to their particular needs.