Roger V. Ohanesian, M.D., FACS
Specialist in Lens Implants For Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Associate Clinical Professor, UC-Irvine Department of Ophthalmology

Dr. Ohanesian is an acknowledged leader in eye surgery and presently teaches medical and surgical techniques in the United States and internationally. As the founder of Harvard Eye Associates 30 years ago, he has remained involved in the development of new procedures for a wide variety of ophthalmic conditions.

Dr. Ohanesian has completed over 30,000 surgical eye procedures and shares his expertise with other eye doctors as a diagnostic and surgical consultant.

He received his medical degree from the University of Vermont, College of Medicine and was then selected for a two year staff appointment at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Following this he completed his residency at Harvard University's Ophthalmology program at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He was later appointed as associate clinical professor of ophthalmology and was on staff at Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education.

Among his many professional affiliations, Dr. Ohanesian is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons; Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology; and is a past president of the Orange County Medical Association, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and California Ophthalmologic Association. Dr. Ohanesian is certified by the American Board of Eye Surgery and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Ohanesian has yearly attended multiple professional courses and meetings and has taught medical and surgical techniques at national and international conferences. He has over thirty-five years of experience in surgical procedures and is the founder of Harvard Eye Associates. In addition to his busy private practice, since 1992, when he founded the Armenian Eye Care Project, he has traveled twice yearly to Armenia, the home of his ancestors, to provide medical and surgical teaching, equipment and pharmaceuticals.

On two to three week trips, he and his colleagues have traveled to all parts of the country from earthquake areas to war zones and performed reconstructive surgery on hundreds of victims of warfare and landmines. He has raised more than 9 million dollars for supplies and equipment for the country and has brought numerous patients to America for gratis surgery at Harvard Eye Associates and other locations.

All partners at Harvard Eye Associates have performed numerous humanitarian missions to less fortunate countries throughout the world. It is their practice commitment to help patients receive proper eye care without regard for economics.

1973-1974 — Clinical Instructor Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
1970-1973 — Residency, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School
1969 — Basic Sciences and Clinical Techniques in Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
1966-1967 — Internship, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York
1962-1966 — MD, University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
1958-1962 — BA, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts

Medical Licenses & Certification

1975 — California Medical License
1969 — Massachusetts Board of Registration and Discipline in Medicine
1966 — Vermont Board of Medical Registration

Academic Appointments

1988-Present — Associate Clinical Professor, University of California, Irvine
1972-1975 — Ophthalmology Instructor, Harvard Medical School

Elected Positions

1987-1988 — President, Orange County Association of Ophthalmology
1977-1985 — Chief of Ophthalmology, San Clemente Hospital
1976-1985 — Chief of Ophthalmology, South Coast Medical Center

Medical and Volunteer Teachings

1994-Present — Primary organizer and speaker: Annual Armenian American
            Ophthalmology Conference, Republican Eye Hospital, Yerevan, Armenia
1992-Present — Director: Armenian Eye Care Project
1998 — Principal lecturer at Central Eye Hospital, Damascus, Syria
1995 — Guest Lecturer, American Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, California
1994 — Guest Lecturer Armenian Congress of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
1991 — Guest Lecturer, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Atlanta, Georgia
1990 — Guest Lecturer, San Francisco, CA, Phacoemulsification and Small Incision Course
1990 — Guest Lecturer, Dana Point, CA, Phacoemulsification and Small Incision Course
1987 — Guest Lecturer, Brooklyn Eye Institute, Brooklyn, New York
1986 — Principal Lecturer, London Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital
1985 — Principal Lecturer, New York Academy of Ophthalmology Meeting
1979 — Principal Speaker, New England Ophthalmology Society, Boston, Massachusetts
1974 — Principal Speaker, Harvard Department of Continuing Education, Boston, Massachusetts

Honors

2005 — St. Nerses Humanitarian Medal, Costa Mesa, California
2004 — Ellis Island Medal of Honor New York City, New York
2002 — Ararat Home, Humanitarian of the Year Award, Mission Hills, California
2000 — Honorary Doctorate from Armenian Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
1999 — Presidential Award for Service to Country, Yerevan, Armenia
1997 — Outstanding Clinical Professor Award, University of California, Irvine
1996 — Outstanding Contribution, Science Technology Society, University of California
1996 — Humanitarian Award, Service to Medicine, University of Vermont Medical College
1994 — Humanitarian Award, Armenian Professional Society
1993 — Operating room named in his honor, Republican Eye Hospital, Yerevan, Armenia
1991 — Outstanding Clinical Professor Award, University of California, Irvine
1985 — Second Place: Surgical Film Award, Intraocular Implant Society, San Francisco
1983 — First Place: Surgical Film Award, Intraocular Lens Symposium, New Orleans
1963 — Carey Award for Anatomy, University of Vermont, Medical College, Burlington
1955 — Eagle Scout Award, Troop Four, Watertown, Massachusetts

Professional Societies

Fellow, American College of Surgeons; Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology; California Medical Association; Orange County Medical Association; American Intraocular Implant Society; Kerato-refractive Society; Orange County Society of Ophthalmology; California Association of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School Alumni Association; Royal Society of British Medicine; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Alumni Association; University of Vermont Alumni Association; Science, Technology Society.

Personal Interests

Dr. Ohanesian has been a resident of Laguna Beach since moving from Boston in 1974 with Eileen with whom he has been married since 1971. They have one son, Andrew who is in college at Berkeley. Roger enjoys playing paint ball and whitewater rafting in addition to his travels to Armenia.