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Emily Ka Yi Tam, MD, MPH

  • 4.8 / 5 (99 ratings)
Pediatric Ophthalmology
Accepting New Patients
MultiCare Provider
Location
316 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Suite 402, Tacoma, WA, 98405
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Emily Ka Yi Tam, MD, MPH, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in caring for children and adults. In addition to treating vision conditions, the procedures she performs include eye muscle realignment, cataract removal, lens implant, tear duct probing, removal of eyelid lesions and eyelid repair.

Languages: Cantonese, English, Mandarin
Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology
Professional School: David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
Residency: Boston University Medical Center, Ophthalmology (Boston, MA)
Fellowship: Seattle Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Ophthalmology (Seattle, WA)
Medical Groups:
  • MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's
Research:

Tam EK, Port A, Martin D, Fridman G, Ness S, Siegel NH. Ocular syphilis resurgence in an urban underserved community in the United States. Int J Ophthalmol. 2022 Aug 18;15(8):1357-1362. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2022.08.20. PMID: 36017039; PMCID: PMC9358170.

Liebman DL, Tam EK, Lithgow MY, Kane JE, Fischbein NJ, Lefebvre DR, Chwalisz BK, Gaier ED. Optic Perineuritis Associated With Cryptococcal Meningitis Presenting With a "Hot Orbit" in a Patient With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. J Neuroophthalmol. 2022 Mar 23. doi: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000001538. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35421041.

Tam EK, Laver NV, Thakore-James M, et al. ARHGEF-10 gene mutation presenting as orbital inflammatory syndrome. BMJ Case Reports. 2022;15:e245475.

Tam EK, Elhusseiny AM, Shah AS, Mantagos IS, VanderVeen DK. Etiology and outcomes of childhood glaucoma at a tertiary referral center. J AAPOS. 2022 Apr 7:S1091-8531(22)00064-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2021.12.009. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35398512.

Tam EK, Harrell M, Siegel N. Understanding the Lack of Under-represented Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Ophthalmology. Journal of Academic Ophthalmology. 2021. Doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1736495

Tam EK, Dong X. Survey of Residency Directors' Views on Entrepreneurship. JMIR Med Educ. 2021 Apr 14;7(2):e19079. doi: 10.2196/19079. PMID: 33851929; PMCID: PMC8082379.

Tam EK, De Arrigunaga S, Shah M, Kefella H, Soriano S, Rowe S. Patient and Clinician Satisfaction With Shared Medical Appointments for Glaucoma. Semin Ophthalmol. 2021 Mar 15:1-6. doi: 10.1080/08820538.2021.1896758. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33720810.

Tam, EK, Ness S, Peeler, C. Exudative Hemorrhagic Retinopathy Related to All-Trans Retinoic Acid Differentiation Syndrome in a Patient with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. International Journal of Ophthalmology. 2021; 14(2). PMID: 33614465

Tam EK, Mehravaran S, Young A, Duarte PB, Mondino K, Coleman AL. Relationship between Geography and Refractive Error from the UCLA Preschool Vision Program. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2020;:1-7. PMID: 32669011

Elhusseiny AM, Jamerson EC, Menshawey R, Tam EK, El Sayed YM. Collector Channels: Role and Evaluation in Schlemm’s Canal Surgery. Current Eye Research. 2019;. PMID: 32449380

Tam EK, Gilbert AL. Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2019; 30(6):467-471. PMID: 31449087

Leng Y, Tam EK, Falavarjani KG, Tsui I. Effect of Age and Myopia on Retinal Microvasculature. Ophthalmic Surgery Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49(12):925-931. PMID: 30566699

Tam EK, Lonngi M, Demer JL. MRI findings of contralateral oculomotor nerve palsy in Parry-Romberg syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2018;10:81-83. PMID: 29780922

Tam EK, Golchet P , Yung M, Decroos C, Spirn M, Lehman Clark L, Ambresin A, Tsui I. Ischemic Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in the Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Era. Retina, 2018: 38(2), 292-298. PMID: 28207609

  • 4.9 Provider showed concern
  • 4.8 Provider explained things clearly
  • 4.8 Provider included you in decisions
  • 4.8 Provider discussed treatment options
  • 4.8 Likelihood of recommending this provider
4.8 out of 5 (99 ratings, 17 comments)
  • Mar, 14 2026
    Dr. Ka Tam worked me into an already full schedule to address my urgent issues. She and the assistants went above and beyond to diagnose the reason for my diminishing vision in one eye. Dr. Tam provided a full report of her detailed exam which was shared with other specialists working on my condition (GCA). The urgency related to my Rheumatologist and Primary care doc resulted in an immediate, appropriate increase of prednisone to forestall the impact on my eye. Prior to her input, the increased dosage was not considered until an MRI not scheduled for two weeks. She also made an urgent referral for a temporal artery biopsy to confirm her diagnosis. I simply can't fully express my thanks for the care Dr. Tam provided and the resulting action she initiated in response to a walk-in emergency visit.
  • Dec, 30 2025
    Our doctor was amazing at explaining the pathophysics of the problem.The degree to it, the options for it and what she felt was best at that moment. It Was very appreciated.
  • Dec, 18 2025
    Dr. Tam explained everything about my options for treatment and possible surgery. The nurse was also very helpful in answering questions I thought of later.
  • Jul, 29 2025
    Dr Tam is an amazing physician! She's wonderful with our little one and she definitely knows her stuffs very well. What a good fortune for our kid to be treated by her!
  • Jul, 24 2025
    They do a tremendous job with comfort, concern and explaining options for the treatments to be performed!
  • Jun, 26 2025
    Dr Tam was very warm and accommodating to my questions and concerns.
  • Jun, 12 2025
    All around such a great experience for myself and child ! Knowing my child was well taken care of !
  • Jun, 6 2025
    Provider was very nice, patient and soft spoken. My chold doesn't do well with people he doesn't know and he had no issues with his doctor or anything she asked of him.