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UCI Health ophthalmologist named one of country’s best

Dr. Sumit Garg honored by peers for exceptional patient care

October 11, 2024
uci health ophthalmologist dr sumit garg wearing a white coat standing in front of the gavin herbert eye institute in irvine
Dr. Sumit Garg is the medical director of the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute.

Orange, Calif. — UCI Health Dr. Sumit Garg is one of just 15 ophthalmologists and 50 healthcare professionals in the country to be named in the 2024 Healio Honors program, which recognizes clinicians who go above and beyond for their patients, as voted by their peers.

The medical director of the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Garg is a nationally recognized expert in the most advanced techniques in cataract surgery, corneal, conjunctival and refractive surgery, and intraocular lens implants. He has repeatedly been named a Physician of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association.

His writeup highlights an example of his approach to care:

“A story that illustrates Dr. Garg's exceptional contributions involved a patient with severe keratoconus who faced progressive vision loss. Under Dr. Garg's care, the patient underwent a customized treatment plan, including corneal crosslinking and specialty contact lenses. This approach significantly improved the patient's vision, allowing them to avoid a transplant and regain their quality of life. Dr. Garg's dedication to patient-centered care and his innovative treatment strategies have profoundly impacted the field of ophthalmology, elevating the standard of care for patients with complex corneal conditions.”

Garg is currently the principal investigator on a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an ophthalmic solution to treat persistent corneal epithelial defect, a condition in which the cornea fails to heal properly following injury or disease.

Garg is a professor and vice chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. His research focuses on cataract surgery, keratoconus, corneal transplantation, corneal infections and dry eye disease. He is the author or co-author of dozens of publications in peer-reviewed journals as well as book chapters. Additionally, he is the co-editor of a principle textbook in cataract surgery.

Garg also is a frequent lecturer at conferences and symposia locally, nationally and internationally.

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About UCI Health

UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The system comprises its main campus UCI Medical Center, a 459-bed, acute care hospital in Orange, Calif., four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and ambulatory care centers across the region. Recognized as a Top Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centerhigh-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma centergold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on FacebookInstagramLinkedIn and Twitter.