At a very early age, Dr. Ambati gained a respect and admiration for those who work in the medical profession. Having spent months in a hospital at a young age, he experienced the compassion, dedication, and caring of skilled doctors and nurses. As he grew older the experience stayed with him with him so when it came time to choose a career path, medicine was a logical choice.
Dr. Ambati earned his MD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine at the age of 17, gaining the title of the world’s youngest doctor, and then began his remarkable career of compassionate medical care. The choice of becoming an Ophthalmologist was an easy one for him.
“In medical school, I enjoyed internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics. Ophthalmology combines all aspects of these. The chance to take care of patients of all ages allows one to diagnose and take care of patients with all sorts of conditions, perform exquisite surgery, and make a difference. It’s a happy field where what you do generally works. Taking the patch off after surgery is the best day of the week. Just seeing the smile when someone can see for the first time in a long time, and appreciate what they’ve been missing, whether it be colors, or details, or clarity, that’s just huge.”
While Dr. Ambati has performed thousands of cataract surgeries, LASIK surgeries, and other vision correction procedures, with expertise in cataract surgery, lifestyle & multifocal lens implants, laser cataract surgery, all-laser LASIK, corneal transplants, Intacs, ICLs, iris repair, and other corneal procedures, it is his humanitarian work in the United States and the world is remarkable.
Dr. Ambati has been recognized for his teaching excellence by a University of Utah Resident Research Mentor Award, the Gold Humanism Award, and by serving as an Instructor at the Harvard Cataract Course. His community and overseas service is consistent and giving: he has conducted free eye screenings in New York, Georgia, and Utah, and served as a volunteer eye surgeon with ORBIS, SightLife, Sight for the Sightless, and Help Mercy International in Ghana, Zambia, India, Panama, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
“I am most proud of my profession’s ability to make a difference. When you help someone see, you help that person re-engage with life, help their family caregiver (typically the youngest female relative) get back to work or school, and the community at large.”
Recently, Dr. Ambati was cited in 2015 at the #1 eye surgeon in the Top 40 under 40 global competition and made the Top 100 Power List of Ophthalmology by The Ophthalmologist magazine. Pacific Clear Vision Institute is proud to have Dr. Ambati as one of our doctors and we encourage you to book your appointment today and get to know this caring and compassionate surgeon.
Most recently Dr. Ambati was made a Research Professor at the Knight Campus at the University of Oregon. He is conducting research in drug delivery, ocular angiogenesis, and has co-founded iVeena, a startup focused on developing an eyedrop for corneal strengthening and an implant for drop-free cataract surgery. You can find out more about his ongoing research at his lab here.
Experience
Experience
Pacific Clear Vision Institute Ophthalmologist and Director of Research (Dec. 2016 to Present)
University of Oregon Research Professor at the Knight Campus (2020 – Present)
University of Utah Tenured Professor of Ophthalmology & Director, Cornea Research (July 2012-Present) Associate Professor in Ophthalmology & Director, Cornea Research (Jan. 2008-2012) Joint Appt: Associate Professor in Neurobiology & Anatomy (July 2008-Present) Joint Appt: Associate Professor in Bioengineering (July 2009-Present)
Salt Lake City VA Ophthalmologist – Jan. 2008 to May 2016
Medical College of Georgia Primary Appt
Associate Professor in Ophthalmology & Director, Cornea Service (July 2006- Sept. 2007)
Asst. Professor in Ophthalmology & Director, Cornea Service (August 2002-July 2006)
Joint Appt. in Cell Biology & Anatomy (July 2003 to Sept. 2007) Joint Appt. in Vascular Biology Center (July 2003 to Sept. 2007) Acting Associate Chief of Staff for Research, Augusta VAMC (July 2007)
Augusta VAMC Ophthalmologist – July 2004 to Dec. 2007
Education
B.A. in Biology magna cum laude (New York University) (May 1991) M.D. (Mount Sinai School of Medicine) (May 1995) Ph.D. in Cell Biology (Medical College of Georgia) (May 2008) MBA (University of Utah) (May 2010)
Education
2008 PhD in Cell Biology Medical College of Georgia 2002 – 2007 Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Medical College of Georgia 2001 – 2002 Fellowship in Cornea & Refractive Surgery Duke University Eye Center 1998 – 2001 Residency in Ophthalmology Harvard, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary 1998 Residency in Internal Medicine Beth, Israel 1995 Medical Doctorate Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Professional Training & Board Certifications
June 1998 Completed residency in internal medicine (Beth Israel Medical Center) June 2001 Completed ophthalmology residency at Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary (Harvard) June 2002 Completed cornea fellowship at Duke University Eye Center July 2003 Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology August 1998 Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine
Professional History
Professional History
2016 – Current Practicing Opthalmologist Pacific ClearVision Institute 2008- 2016 Professor Of Ophthalmology University of Utah Moran Eye Center 2008 PhD in Cell Biology Medical College of Georgia 2002 – 2007 Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Medical College of Georgia 2001 – 2002 Fellowship in Cornea & Refractive Surgery Duke University Eye Center 1998 – 2001 Residency in Ophthalmology Harvard, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary 1998 Residency in Internal Medicine Beth, Israel 1995 Medical Doctorate Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Community Activities
Community Activities
2010 National Lab Day Volunteer Instructor at Salt Lake Math & Science Academy 2003 – 2004 Leadership Augusta Program Module Leader and Commencement Speaker for Junior Medical League of Augusta Co-founder of AVASC Foundation which sponsors talented students in India & America, and conducts Educational Excellence Program Tutor in S.T.A.T.S. (Students Teaching AIDS to Students) and Heart Smart (programs for health education for middle & high school student 2006 Judge for the Siemens Science & Technology Competition 2001 -2011 Judge for the AVASC Foundation at International Science & Engineering Fair 2001 – 2004 Judge for the Intel Science Talent Search 1999 – 2000 Judge for the US Navy at International Science & Engineering Fair 1991 – 1999 Judge for the New York City Science & Technology Expo
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
2018 University of Utah Distinguished Alumni Award 2016 Inducted to American Society of Clinical Investigation 2016 Elected to Top 100 Power List by the Ophthalmologist 2015 #1 Ophthalmologist in Top 40 under 40 Competition by the Ophthalmologist (Magazine) 2014 ARVO Ludwig von Sallman Clinician Scientist Award 2014 Arnold Gold Humanism Award (U. Utah) 2013 Troutman-Veronneau Prize for Cornea Research 2012 ARVO/Genentech Award for Research in Macular Degeneration 2011 Utah Health Care Hero 2010 Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) Award 2010 Asian American Entrepreneur of the Year (Utah Chamber of Commerce) 2009 State of Utah Center of Excellence (Start-up company iVeena) 2009 University of Utah Moran Eye Center Resident Research Mentor Award 2009 Research to Prevent Blindness Physician-Scientist Award 2009 Finalist, Burroughs Wellcome Clinician-Scientist Translational Research Competition 2006 Science Signaling Breakthrough of the Year 2006 MCG Creativity Award 2005 MCG Innovation Award 2005 Schepens Cornea Conference Young Investigator Award – 2005 2001 – 2002 Heed Ophthalmic Fellow 1999 National Eye Institute Travel Fellowship to ARVO (Association for Research in Visual Sciences & Ophthalmology), 1999 1997, 1998 Appointed Senior Preceptor Resident – Beth Israel Medical Center 1997 Bridge Builder Asian American Leadership Award 1995 AMA Educational & Research Foundation – Jerome L. Pettis Scholarship for Excellence in Medical Communications 1994 Alpha Omega Alpha 1993 Elected to American Pathology Chairs Honors Society 1993 Pharmacology Patient Medical Information Award – SUNY Buffalo 1991 Phi Beta Kappa 1991 USA Today All-USA College Academic Team 1991 NYU Founder’s Day Scholar 1989 Presidential Scholar 1989 National Merit Scholar 1989 U.S. Navy National Science Award Winner 1989 Governor’s Salute to Excellence (Maryland’s Highest Civilian Honor) 1989 International Science & Engineering Fair Grand Award 1988 Westinghouse Science Talent Scholar
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At a very early age, Dr. Ambati gained a respect and admiration for those who work in the medical profession. Having spent months in a hospital at a young age, he experienced the compassion, dedication, and caring of skilled doctors and nurses. As he grew older the experience stayed with him with him so when it came time to choose a career path, medicine was a logical choice.
