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3. Vitaliy Zak

Vitaliy Zak, MD

Retina

Dr. Vitaliy Zak graduated with honors from Donetsk National Medical University in Donetsk, Ukraine and completed residency in Ophthalmology at his alma mater. He was awarded with a travel grant by European Society of Ophthalmology and received advanced training at the Oxford Eye Hospital in the United Kingdom.

After relocating to the United States, Dr. Zak completed the Temple University Internal Medicine Residency Program at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and obtained certification by American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).

Dr. Zak has completed two Vitreoretinal Fellowships in the United States. He was trained in medical retina at the Foundation for Retina Research in New Orleans, LA, and in vitreoretinal surgery at the Valley Retina Institute in McAllen, TX.

Dr. Zak is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists and British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons. He is also a principal investigator for Starlight and Restore clinical trials which study Multi Characteristic Opsin (MCO-010) gene therapy in the treatment of two rare retinal diseases that cause blindness – retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt disease.

Dr. Zak focuses on surgical and medical treatment of retina diseases. He has passion for treating patients with diabetic eye disease and retinal detachments. Additionally, he specializes in cataract surgeries and medical and surgical treatment of certain glaucoma patients.

In his leisure time, he likes spending time with his family, traveling, playing pickleball and chess.

Education

• Doctor of Medicine: Donetsk State Medical University, Donetsk, Ukraine
• Residency in Ophthalmology: Donetsk State Medical University, Donetsk, Ukraine
• Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine: Temple University Internal Medicine Residency Program, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
• Medical Retina Fellowship: The Foundation for Retina Research, New Orleans, LA
• Medical and Surgical Vitreoretinal Fellowship: The Valley Retina Institute, McAllen, TX

Professional Affiliations and Awards

• Medical School Diploma with Honors
• Travel Grant of European Society of Ophthalmology to the Oxford University Eye Clinic
• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• American Society of Retina Specialists
• British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons

Personal Hobbies

• Spending time with family
• Playing musical instruments
• Traveling
• Chess

Languages Spoken

• English
• Spanish
• Russian