Brian Zaugg, MD, specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of corneal and anterior segment eye diseases, including expertise in all types of cornea transplantation, routine and complex cataract surgery including multifocal lenses and laser assisted surgery, anterior segment reconstruction, pterygium removal, and refractive surgery including LASIK, PRK, implantable collamer lenses, and clear lens extraction.

His practice is located at the Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, and the Moran Eye Center, Farmington Health Center, Farmington. He also serves veterans at the Veteran Affairs Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Dr. Zaugg is a team ophthalmologist for the Utah Jazz.

His research interests focus on improving efficiency and safety in cataract surgery as well as refractive surgery outcomes.

He is an expert in all types of cornea transplant surgery including deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, penetrating keratoplasty and endothelial keratoplasty.

Get to know Dr. Zaugg by watching his profile video.

Specialties

Board Certification

American Board of Ophthalmology National Board of Medical Examiners

Patient Rating

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

4.8 /5

( out of 1046 reviews )

The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

Patient Comments

Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

October 30, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Very knowledgeable excellent rapport

October 30, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I've been seeing Dr Zaugg for years. Without his expert care I would not be able to see, work, ski or drive. Now I have the best sight of my life. He is a great doctor and a joy to partner with on my care.

October 29, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr. Brian Laugh is dedicated, caring, and has provided me with the highest standard of care.

October 27, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 4 out of 5

Good

October 26, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Doc Zaugg is knowledgeable, explained what was being done. He answered our questions right away. I rate him on top of the list.

October 25, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

A great experience with dr zaugg.

October 25, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

would highly recommend him

October 22, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I have been seeing Dr Zaugg for a number of years. He has always been very professional and friendly. His knowledge is above and beyond in all categories of his profession. I will continue to see Dr Zaugg as long as I need to. He is the best

October 17, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

He is very good at what he does

October 17, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Excellent doctor [TRANSLATED]

October 10, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr Zaugg was professional, knowledgable and kind. He made it easy to feel comfortable and safe when explaining the procedure.

October 10, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviewed test results, listened to my concerns, provided helpful advice.

October 09, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr. Brian Zaugg is an exceptional doctor. He came highly recommended and everything I had heard was absolutely true. He's brilliant kind considerate engaging and just a great surgeon. I will go back whenever I need more care. And I will suggest him to my friends.

October 09, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr Zaugg was very knowledgeable and understood the challenges that I was dealing with. He seemed like he really cared about me and my situation. He explained his thought and what he felt like would help me. It was comforting feeling like he really cared. He wasn't rushed and spent adequate time with me.

October 07, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr. Zaugg is very good at what he does and very pleasant It was a very good experience getting my Cataracts surgery done. I would highly recommend Dr. Zaugg .

October 07, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Great work hard and don't keep me waiting very professional doctor nothing but respect for him

October 04, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

The best at what he does

October 03, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I am a retired ophthalmologist who lives in Scottsdale, AZ and I flew to the Moran Eye Center for my first cataract surgery one year ago with Dr. Zaugg due to his outstanding reputation. The surgical care I received was excellent, and I recently returned to have cataract surgery on my other eye. Being an eye surgeon I am very impressed with the facility, equipment, staff, and physicians. I highly recommend Dr. Zaugg and his team!

October 02, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

You can trust him as surgeon and doctor!!

October 01, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

He is a very nice and personable person. He didn't make us feel like we were just a number to him. My husband and I are older and he treated us with kindness and a listening ear. He was very respectful to us. A lot of doctors are very pompous and prideful. He was very down to earth.

October 01, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr Zaugg is an excellent eye doctor. I would recommend him to everyone. He is kind, very knowledgable, happy to answer your questions. He's a great doctor. He also did our catarac surgeries and was excellent!! I would highly recommend Dr Zaugg!!

September 20, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Love Dr. Laugh. He's my go to guy.

September 19, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 4 out of 5

Dr. Zaugg is a very good physician. He did a fabulous I trusted him to take care of my one important thing to me.. My eyes

September 19, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I needed an assessment of my ongoing cornea disease, current and what's ahead. Dr zaugg provided that.

September 18, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr ZAUG-OPHTHALMOLOGIST at the UofU MORAN EYE CENTER although very young he was very knowlegable I was told at the fu to my CATARACT surgery that my eyes are very dry, why did he not tell me at the surgery and this may affect my vision THIS IS INFO I SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD AT EITHER THE CONSULTATION OR SURGERY [NAME REMOVED]

September 17, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr Zaugg is tops. [TRANSLATED]

September 17, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Very professional and skilled. So happy I trusted him to do my eye surgery. Am returning for my second eye surgery

September 15, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr Zaugg did a good job. My first eye to remove cataracts was successful and relatively painless. I received a 20/20 assessment at the after meeting... Thanks

September 07, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 4 out of 5

Quick and efficient but wasn't in the room with me more than 5 minutes.

September 04, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I think the docs at Moran are very good including Zaugg or I wouldn't go there

August 30, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Great people!

August 29, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I'm very grateful for his guidance and expertise! He recommended scleral lenses that have greatly improved my vision, and help stabilize my cornea.

August 28, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I have great confidence in Dr. Zaugg!

August 26, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

A skilled practitioner and surgeon who is personable in his approach. I have complete confidence in him. He is caring and inclusive in his treatment.

August 21, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

He takes the time to listen to you. And then deciding with you the best way to proceed with your individualized care. Very willing to answer questions and explain procedures. I feel confident in receiving care from him.

August 21, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr. Zaugg was friendly, relaxed and knowledgeable, I feel like I'm in excellent hands. I'm a retired physician so I am critical.

August 20, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Zaugg saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, But now am found; Was blind, but now I see.

August 19, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I highly recommend Dr. Zaugg. He will diagnose you appropriately. My cataract was removed and the lens put in successfully. I am having my second eye done because I trust him.

August 17, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 2 out of 5

He tested my eyes 7 years ago and I was very satisfied. This time he didn't seem like the same guy. He was totally disinterested and did the bare minimum. I had questions about my very dry eyes and bloodshot eyes all the time. No advice for me. I felt like I might as well have had my eyes checked at Walmart. Very disappointed. I won't be back.

August 15, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Super personable and professional. He was interested in me and my experience. Super happy with the results

August 15, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I've seen Dr Zaugg since 2019 he is an expert by far the best'

August 11, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

An absolutely great doctor and professional.

August 11, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Very professional very concerning caring

August 08, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Always great to have your health in the hands of a trustworthy and accomplished professional.

August 07, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Dr. Zaugg and his team (Ashley, Glen, Suzanne, Lupe) are thorough, courteous, and highly professional.

August 07, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Very knowledgeable and caring doctor.

July 19, 2025

FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I have been seeing Dr Zaugg for years. He the best and his staff is awesome. I would recommend Dr Zaugg to anyone and everyone

July 19, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

I have great confidence in Dr Zaugg and his ability to care for my eye issues !!

July 19, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 4 out of 5

Dr Zaugg is very knowledgeable. An outstanding doctor and surgeon.

July 18, 2025

MORAN EYE CENTER

Rating: 5 out of 5

Outstanding Doctor has to be one of the best in Cataract Surgery in the USA

Dr. Zaugg is a team ophthalmologist for the Utah Jazz.

His research interests focus on improving efficiency and safety in cataract surgery as well as refractive surgery outcomes.

He is an expert in all types of cornea transplant surgery including deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, penetrating keratoplasty and endothelial keratoplasty.

Get to know Dr. Zaugg by watching his profile video.

Board Certification and Academic Information

Academic Departments	Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences -Associate Professor (Clinical)
Board Certification	American Board of Ophthalmology National Board of Medical Examiners

Education history

Fellowship	Cornea and Refractive Surgery - John A. Moran Eye Center	Fellow
Residency	Ophthalmology - John A. Moran Eye Center	Resident
Internship/Residency	Ophthalmology - University of Utah	Intern/Resident
Professional Medical	Medicine - University of Utah	M.D.
Undergraduate	Major: Biology; Minor: Chemistry - University of Utah	B.S.
Undergraduate	Utah State University

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Moshirfar M, Moin KA, Pandya S, Karimian F, Zaugg B, Khan S, Kim G, Zhu D, Mifflin M, Mohamed M, Murri M (2024). Severe intraocular pressure rise after implantable collamer lens implantation. J Cataract Refract Surg, 50(9), 985-989. (Read full publication)
Ivan A Cardenas, BSc, Emilie L Ungricht, MD, Brian Zaugg, MD, Randall Olson, MD, Jeff H Pettey, MD (2023). Efficiency of a polymer-coated phacoemulsification tip in cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg, 49(10), 1056-1060.
Jensen NR, Ungricht EL, Harris JT, Zaugg B, Barlow WR, Murri MS, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2023). Temperature Change of Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices in a Bi-Chamber Set-Up at a Flow of 0 and 20mL/min. Clin Ophthalmol, 17, 555-560. (Read full publication)
Wilkinson SW, Ungricht EL, West WB, Harris JT, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2023). Comparison of Phacoemulsification Grooving Efficiency in Longitudinal vs Transversal Handpieces. Clin Ophthalmol, 17, 191-195. (Read full publication)
Peterson JS, Cooper C, Ungricht EL, Mamalis C, Barlow W, Zaugg B, Bernhisel AA, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2022). Measurement of Phacoemulsification Vacuum Pressure in the Oertli CataRhex3. Clin Ophthalmol, 16, 1731-1737. (Read full publication)
Peterson JS, Christensen MR, Cooper C, Mamalis C, Bernhisel AA, Zaugg B, Barlow WR, Ungricht E, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2022). Optimization of Phacoemulsification Tip Gauge on the Oertli CataRhex3 in an in vitro Setting. Clin Ophthalmol, 16, 1091-1097. (Read full publication)
Ramshekar A, Heczko J, Bernhisel A, Barlow W, Zaugg B, Olson R, Pettey J (2021). Optimizing Tip Diameter in Phacoemulsification of Varying Lens Sizes: An in vitro Study. Clin Ophthalmol, 15, 4475-4484. (Read full publication)
Lonial S, Nooka AK, Thulasi P, Badros AZ, Jeng BH, Callander NS, Potter HA, Sborov D, Zaugg BE, et al (2021). Management of belantamab mafodotin-associated corneal events in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Blood Cancer J, 11(5).
Farooq AV, Degli Esposti S, Popat R, Thulasi P, Lonial S, Nooka AK, Jakubowiak A, Sborov D, Zaugg BE, Badros AZ, Jeng BH, Callander NS, Opalinska J, Baron J, Piontek T, Byrne J, Gupta I, Colby K (2020). Corneal Epithelial Findings in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Treated with Antibody-Drug Conjugate Belantamab Mafodotin in the Pivotal, Randomized, DREAMM-2 Study. Ophthalmol Ther, 9(4), 889-911. (Read full publication)
Zaugg B (2020). September consultation #4. J Cataract Refract Surg, 46(10), 1446. (Read full publication)
Bohner A, Peterson JS, Wright AJ, Mamalis C, Bernhisel A, Zaugg B, Barlow WR Jr, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2020). Effects on phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter at variable longitudinal ultrasound settings when combined with constant torsional energy. J Cataract Refract Surg. (Read full publication)
Bernhisel AA, Cahoon JM, Sella R, Zaugg B, Barlow WR, Stagg BC, Afshari NA, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2019). Optimum on-time and off-time combinations for micropulse phacoemulsification in venturi vacuum mode. J Cataract Refract Surg, 45(12), 1797-1800. (Read full publication)
Bernhisel AA, Zaugg BE, Mamalis N, Dutton JJ, Patel BCK (2019). An unusual case of idiopathic calcinosis of the eyelid. Orbit, 38(6), 500-502. (Read full publication)
Kabbara SW, Heczko J, Ta B, Bernhisel A, Barlow W, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey J (2019). Impact of torsional micropulse on phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter. Can J Ophthalmol, 54(5), 560-564. (Read full publication)
Kabbara SW, Heczko J, Ta B, Bernhisel A, Barlow W, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey J (2018). Determining optimal ultrasound percent on time with long-pulse torsional phacoemulsification. Can J Ophthalmol, 54(3), 395-398. (Read full publication)
Stutz LA, Heczko JB, Bird BA, Thomson RS, Bernhisel AA, Barlow WR, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2019). Optimization of the Oertli CataRhex 3® phacoemulsification machine. Clin Ophthalmol, 13, 633-639. (Read full publication)
Thomson RS, Bird BA, Stutz LA, Heczko JB, Bernhisel AA, Barlow WR, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2019). The effect of increasing power when grooving using phacoemulsification. Clin Ophthalmol, 13, 611-615. (Read full publication)
Ha L, Wright A, Wright DD, Bernhisel A, Barlow WR, Pettey JH, Zaugg B, Olson RJ (2019). High vacuum and aspiration on phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter for Centurion. Can J Ophthalmol, 54(1), 136-138. (Read full publication)
Boulter T, Bernhisel A, Mamalis C, Zaugg B, Barlow WR, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2019). Phacoemulsification in review: Optimization of cataract removal in an in vitro setting. Surv Ophthalmol, 64(6), 868-875. (Read full publication)
Kabbara S, Heczko JB, Bernhisel AA, Barlow WR, Zaugg B, Pettey JH, Olson RJ (2018). Effect of high vacuum and aspiration on phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter using a transversal ultrasound machine. J Cataract Refract Surg, 44(11), 1378-1383. (Read full publication)
Bohner AD, Wright AJ, Ta BT, Bernhisel AA, Zaugg B, Barlow WR, Pettey JH, Olson RJ (2018). Optimum on-time duty cycle for a transversal ultrasound machine. J Cataract Refract Surg, 44(9), 1140-1143. (Read full publication)

Other

Farooq AV, Degli Esposti S, Popat R, Thulasi P, Lonial S, Nooka AK, Jakubowiak A, Sborov D, Zaugg BE, Badros AZ, Jeng BH, Callander NS, Opalinska J, Baron J, Piontek T, Byrne J, Gupta I, Colby K (2020). Correction to: Corneal Epithelial Findings in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Treated with Antibody-Drug Conjugate Belantamab Mafodotin in the Pivotal, Randomized, DREAMM-2 Study. Ophthalmol Ther (9(4), pp. 913-915). England. (Read full publication)

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Brian E. Zaugg, MD

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Clinical Locations

Farmington Health Center

John A. Moran Eye Center

Specialties

Board Certification

Patient Rating

Patient Comments

Board Certification and Academic Information

Education history

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Other

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