معرفی
Craig J. Chaya, MD, is Associate Professor (Clinical) of Ophthalmology at the University of Utah and serves as Division Chief of Global Ophthalmology at the John A. Moran Eye Center. He practices anterior segment ophthalmology and surgery across multiple clinical sites including the University of Utah flagship campus, Redwood and Midvalley Health Centers, Salt Lake Veterans Medical Center, and Primary Children’s Medical Center.
Education & Training:
- MD – Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA
- BS – La Sierra University, Riverside, CA (Human Biology)
- Residency – Internal Medicine, West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
- Residency – Ophthalmology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Fellowship – Glaucoma, University of Utah / John A. Moran Eye Center
- Fellowship – International Ophthalmology, Himalayan Cataract Project/Freedom Foundation (Kathmandu & Hetauda, Nepal)
Clinical & Research Focus
Dr. Chaya specializes in the medical and surgical management of complex cataracts and glaucoma, emphasizing micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and novel surgical devices. He is deeply engaged in global ophthalmology, directing international outreach and blindness-prevention programs across Guam, Micronesia, Ghana, Haiti, Thailand, and Nepal. His research portfolio includes prospective surgical outcome studies, epidemiologic analyses of exfoliation syndrome, and innovative techniques such as gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT).
Selected Publication Themes
Recent peer-reviewed work spans three major domains: (1) refinement of trabeculotomy and cyclodialysis techniques to improve safety and efficacy in glaucoma surgery, (2) epidemiologic and genetic investigations into exfoliation syndrome and glaucoma among underserved populations, and (3) development of global ophthalmology training curricula and COVID-19-adapted outreach models.
Scientific & Professional Recognition
- Board Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology
- Associate Professor (Clinical), University of Utah Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
- Division Chief, Global Ophthalmology, John A. Moran Eye Center
Teaching & Mentorship
Dr. Chaya supervises residents and fellows in complex anterior segment surgery and global ophthalmology rotations. He contributes to Moran CORE educational videos and lectures on MIGS techniques and international surgical outreach.
