Dr. Haroutun Harry Hovanesian, MD

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Get to know Ophthalmologist Dr. Haroutun Harry Hovanesian, who serves patients in California.

A skilled professional in the field of ophthalmology, Dr. Hovanesian is a surgical & medical retina specialist specializing in cataract surgery. He is in practice with Specialty Eye Care Medical Center, seeing patients at the offices in Glendale, Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, and Simi Valley, California.

Specialty Eye Care Medical Center is a growing ophthalmologic group specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of vision disorders utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and advanced eye care practices. The doctors and staff strive to offer patients the highest quality vision care and service, performing a wide variety of surgical procedures such as cataract surgeries with standard as well as premium implants, corneal transplants, refractive procedures, and surgeries for glaucoma (most of the surgeries are performed at the outpatient surgery centers in Glendale). They also perform all laser procedures for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and secondary cataracts, as well as minor surgical procedures such as chalazion excision, pterygium excision, blepharoplasty, removal of lesions from lids, and conjunctiva. Their goal is to provide patients with quality healthcare and excellent service, making a visit to their offices a pleasant and helpful experience.

Originally from Armenia, Dr. Hovanesian graduated with his medical degree from Yerevan State Medical University in 1982. He then went on to perform his residency in ophthalmology at The University of Chicago Hospitals, and his retina fellowship at The University of Tennessee.

The doctor’s professional background includes: Assistant Professor within the Department of Ophthalmology at Yerevan State Medical Institute (10/1988-7/1990), Physician Assistant at Eye Physicians and Surgeons Office in Los Angeles, California (2/1991-6/1993), Research Fellow at the USC/Doheny Eye Institute (7/1993-6/1994), and Research Associate at the Visual Sciences Center at The University of Chicago (7/1994-6/1995).

With over four decades of experience, Dr. Hovanesian is affiliated with Glendale Memorial Hospital & Health Center, California Hospital Medical Center, PIH Hospital Whittier, Methodist Hospital of Southern California, PIH Health Hospital Downey, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, and St. Mary Medical Center – Long Beach.

Dedicated to his profession, he is board-certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). The ABO is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for certifying ophthalmologists in the United States of America. 

In addition to being a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, he is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists.

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Ophthalmologists are experts in the diseases, functions, and anatomy of the eye. They may provide routine care such as vision testing, as well as prescribe and fit eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, ophthalmologists are also surgeons. They repair traumatic injuries to the eye and perform cataract, glaucoma, and corneal surgery.

Among Dr. Hovanesian’s various honors and awards include: The Highest For Young Researchers in Former USSR “Premmiyu Leninskoo Komsolya”, “Development of Complex Methods in Diagnosis and Treatment of Penetrating Wounds of the Eyeball”; Diplomas for the Best Presentation and Best Scientific Work on several conferences during student and residency years; ARVO Retina Foundation Travel Fellowship (1996); and Chicago Ophthalmological Society Beem-Fisher Award, “Growth and Transplantation of Human Fetal RPE Cells as Microspheres” (1998).

Happily married, he and his wife have three daughters. He is fluent in both English and Armenian.

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