Dr. Lejla Vajzovic MD

Practice: Duke Eye Center

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Website: https://dukeeyecenter.duke.edu/

Phone: 919-681-3937

Email: lejla.vajzovic@duke.edu

Dr. Vajzovic is a vitreoretinal surgeon and tenured Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke University School of Medicine with expertise in adult and pediatric retinal diseases and surgery.

Dr. Vajzovic is passionate about translational research and collaborates closely with Duke biomedical engineers to develop imaging devices to improve ophthalmic care. She serves as a principal investigator for numerous national clinical trials in early to late stages of development. Her research interests span from pediatric retinal diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity to adult diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and venous occlusive diseases, as well as vitreoretinal surgical topics such as retinal tears, retinal detachments, macular holes and macular puckers.

In addition, Dr. Vajzovic is interested in cutting edge technologies and recovery of vision in hereditary and common retinal diseases with gene-therapy, stem cell technology and retinal implants. She is a co-director of the Duke Pediatric Retina and Optic Nerve Center, and directs the Duke Center for Artificial and Regenerative Vision, where she performs gene-therapy delivery, and implantation of the Argus II bionic eye to restore vision to individuals with total blindness.

An influential educator, she organizes and directs several highly successful national and international courses, including the first-of-its-kind Advances in Pediatric Retina Course at Duke and the international Duke Fellows Advances in Vitreous Surgery Course. She is director of prestigious Duke Vitreoretinal Surgical Fellowship and director of Duke Eye Center's Continuing Medical Education program.

Dr. Vajzovic completed her vitreoretinal fellowship training at Duke and residency training at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL. While in training, she received Heed Fellowship Award, Society of Heed Fellows Award and Retina Society Research Award. She is active on the Women in Ophthalmology Board of Directors where she serves as a Treasurer and a Chair of Clinical Trial Training Program. In addition, she serves as a Retina Society AAO Council Representative. She is elected member of the Retina Society, Macula Society and Club Jules Gonin Society. Dr. Vajzovic has been awarded the American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award, American Society of Retina Specialists Senior Honor Award, Women in Ophthalmology Emerging Leader Award and Emerging Leader Award by Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Medical Alumni Association.

  • Ophthalmology Residency, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute - University of Miami

    Internal Medicine Internship, Medicine - Saint Louis University, School of Medicine

    Ophthalmic Pathology Fellowship, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute - University of Miami

    M.D. 2006 - Mayo Clinic, Alix School of Medicine

    B.S. 2002 - University of Missouri - Columbia

FAQ

At the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, we are often contacted by anxious parents or patients who are seeking information after receiving a diagnosis of Coats’ Disease. The questions below are provided as a resource to assist you as you and your doctor decide the best approach for treatment. These questions do not constitute any form of medical advice or diagnosis. Each patient is unique. An experienced retinal specialist who has examined the patient is the best source of information for diagnosis and treatment. We always recommend getting a second opinion.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor (Download PDF)

  • Ahead of any treatments or procedures, it is important to ask yourself and the doctor the following questions:

    • How do you know that this is Coats’ Disease?

    • Has your doctor treated other patients with Coats’ Disease?

    • Have you sought a second opinion? If not, please consult our Doctor Directory for knowledgeable doctors in your area.

    • What Stage of Coats’ Disease is he/she in?

    • Will his/her vision get worse over time?

    • Will the eye have pain?

    • Will his/her eye start to turn out? Is muscle corrective surgery an option?

    • Are cataracts likely?

    • How likely is glaucoma? (due to retinal detachment)

    • Is there calcification?

    • What is the anticipated disease progression?

    • Is there a thorough vision exam available?

    • Where is the vision affected? (central/peripheral/distance)

    • Does he/she have depth perception? (3D visibility)

    • What about the non-Coats’ eye?

    • To what extent is his/her vision affected?

    • Will we be able to use this as a baseline to measure progress/decline?

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