Dr. Armen Hrachik Vardanyan, M.D., Ph.D., Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, is a distinguished ophthalmologist, scholar, surgeon, and educator whose name is held in the highest regard in Armenian medicine. Widely recognized for his exceptional contributions to vitreoretinal surgery, ophthalmic trauma care, academic medicine, and physician training, Professor Vardanyan represents the highest standards of medical excellence, intellectual leadership, and public service.
With a career spanning decades of clinical, scientific, and academic achievement, Professor Vardanyan has played a central role in the advancement of ophthalmology in Armenia. He has served as Professor at the Department of Eye Diseases of Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi, Head of the Vitreoretinal Department, Head of the Traumatology Department at the Ophthalmological Center named after S. V. Malayan, and for many years as Chief Ophthalmologist of Yerevan. He currently serves as President of the Armenian Ophthalmologists Association, a distinction that reflects his respected leadership and longstanding contribution to the advancement of ophthalmology across Armenia. Through these prominent roles, he has made a profound and lasting impact on both patient care and the education of future generations of physicians.
Professor Vardanyan's academic and professional formation reflects a rare depth of commitment to mastery, service, and innovation. After graduating from Yerevan State Medical University and completing his residency in ophthalmology, he pursued advanced specialization and research in Armenia, Moscow, and the United States. As the first Fellow of the Armenian EyeCare Project, he completed advanced clinical training in retinal and vitreous diseases at the University of California, Irvine, under the mentorship of distinguished leaders in the field. This transformative experience enabled him to bring advanced surgical knowledge, modern ophthalmic techniques, and renewed professional confidence back to Armenia, helping strengthen highly specialized eye care services in the country.
Academic & Clinical Roles
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Professor, Department of Eye DiseasesYerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi
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Head of the Vitreoretinal DepartmentOphthalmological Center named after S. V. Malayan
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Head of the Traumatology DepartmentOphthalmological Center named after S. V. Malayan
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Chief Ophthalmologist of YerevanCity of Yerevan, Republic of Armenia — From 1989 · Former
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PresidentArmenian Ophthalmologists Association
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Professor of Ophthalmology & Vitreoretinal Surgery | Lecturer, ACNHSArmenian College of Nursing & Health Sciences
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First Fellow — Armenian EyeCare ProjectAdvanced Clinical Training in Retinal & Vitreous Diseases · University of California, Irvine · 1996–1997
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Director, Clinical Residency Program in OphthalmologyYerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi
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Consulting OphthalmologistMinistry of Internal Affairs, Republic of Armenia
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Doctor-Intern — Career CommencementCity Hospital No. 1, Yerevan · 1980
Education & Mentorship
As a university professor and mentor, Dr. Vardanyan is deeply respected for his devotion to medical education and the development of young physicians. His teaching is defined by scholarly discipline, clinical precision, and an enduring commitment to the professional and ethical formation of future doctors. Through his years of instruction and daily guidance of residents, physicians, and trainees, he has shaped the professional lives of many in the field of ophthalmology. His legacy extends far beyond his own clinical practice, living on in the many specialists he has trained, inspired, and guided.
Professor Vardanyan is also admired for his humanitarian spirit and unwavering dedication to helping patients facing the most serious and complex eye conditions. Throughout his career, he has restored not only sight, but also hope, dignity, and quality of life to countless individuals. His professional life has been guided by a profound sense of responsibility to serve, heal, and elevate the standard of care available to the people of Armenia.
International Training Chronology
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Eye Trauma & Microsurgery — Advanced TrainingHelmholtz Moscow Research Institute of Eye Diseases, Moscow · 1984
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Intraocular Lens Implantation — Advanced TrainingFyodorov Eye Microsurgery Complex, Moscow · 1985
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Advanced Glaucoma TrainingPostgraduate Subspecialty Course in Glaucoma Management · 1987
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Vitreoretinal Surgery — Advanced Subspecialty TrainingDoheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California · 1993
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Fellowship — Retinal & Vitreous Diseases & SurgeryUniversity of California, Irvine · First Fellow, Armenian EyeCare Project · 1996–1997
Research & Publications
Professor Vardanyan's scholarly output reflects decades of original clinical research spanning vitreoretinal surgery, retinal pathology, conjunctival immunology, and intravitreal pharmacotherapy. His publication record is publicly described as comprising more than 45 scientific publications, contributing substantially to ophthalmic literature produced in Armenia and internationally. The selected works below are publicly indexed and retrievable publications confirmed under his authorship in international scientific databases.
Indexed
IOVS
IOVS
Ophthalmol.
Dissertation
Dissertation
Recognition & Awards
For his distinguished service and exceptional achievements, Professor Vardanyan has received significant national and professional recognition. These honors reflect not only his remarkable professional accomplishments, but also his enduring contribution to the nation and to Armenian medicine.
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Mkhitar Heratsi Medal — 2008
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President's Award in the Sphere of Medicine — Republic of Armenia — 2010
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Special Medal from the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia — 2011