Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Unit

Head of Department: A.F. Gharakeshishyan

Originally established in 1978 as a trauma department, the current Vitreoretinal Surgery Center operates under the leadership of Dr. Armen Vardanyan, Professor at Yerevan State Medical University and Doctor of Medical Sciences. After completing advanced training in the U.S., Dr. Vardanyan launched Armenia’s first and only specialized Vitreoretinal Center in 1997, equipped with state-of-the-art surgical technology. The center performs all types of retinal detachment surgeries.

Since 1989, Dr. Vardanyan has also served as the Chief Ophthalmologist for the city of Yerevan and Consultant Ophthalmologist for the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In addition to his clinical work, he leads the residency program at the university’s Department of Ophthalmology, where he also teaches as a professor. He has participated in and organized numerous international conferences and has authored more than 45 scientific articles, many of which have been published abroad.

Recognizing that diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness globally, Dr. Vardanyan spearheaded the creation of a task force in 2010, under a Yerevan City Hall initiative. This council—comprised of ophthalmologists and endocrinologists from across the city—works to prevent vision loss in diabetic patients.

Surgeries Performed in the Department

• Primary wound care for penetrating eye injuries
• Reconstructive surgeries following penetrating injuries
• Full-thickness corneal transplants (penetrating keratoplasty)
• Artificial iris implantation for post-traumatic aniridia
• Iris and pupil reconstruction surgeries
• Phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber IOL placement (including scleral fixation techniques in cases of capsular rupture)
• IOL implantation for congenital, post-traumatic, or post-surgical aphakia
• IOL repositioning in case of lens displacement
• Retinal detachment surgery (e.g., scleral buckling, pars plana vitrectomy) using silicone oil, gas, or air tamponade
• Removal of subretinal or epiretinal membranes to treat proliferative vitreoretinopathy
• Optic nerve radial neurotomy

Research & Grants

The department has completed four grant-funded research projects:

• Optic nerve atrophy (NUS)
• Pigmentary retinal dystrophy (NUS)
• Effects of Taurine
• Vitrectomy studies (NUS)

Team & Training

The department is staffed by:

• 11 ophthalmologists
• 6 nurses
• 3 clinical assistants
• 2 academic staff from the Department of Ophthalmology, Yerevan State Medical University

All doctors have undergone international training and regularly participate in international scientific events. The department performs approximately 120 surgeries per month.

Dr. Armen Vardanyan also authored a doctoral dissertation titled: "New Methods for Treating Complex Retinal Detachments and Other Retinal Disorders."

For Appointments or Inquiries

📞 (+374) 10 35 37 40 📞 (+374) 10 34 49 44