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Craig J. Chaya
Rating: 4.9 of 5
( out of 680 reviews )

Craig J. Chaya, MD

Languages spoken: English, Thai

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Midvalley Health Center

Moran Eye Center
243 East 6100 South
Murray , UT 84107

John A. Moran Eye Center

65 N Mario Capecchi
Salt Lake City , UT 84132

Redwood Health Center

1525 West 2100 South
Salt Lake City , UT 84119
  • Craig J. Chaya, MD, practices anterior segment ophthalmology and surgery, focusing on the medical and surgical management of routine/complex cataracts and glaucoma.

    Dr. Chaya received his medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, and his BS degree from La Sierra University, Riverside, California. He completed residencies in internal medicine at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and ophthalmology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Additionally, he received training in international ophthalmology as a Himalayan Cataract Project/Freedom Foundation Fellow in Kathmandu and Hetauda, Nepal, and completed a glaucoma fellowship at the University of Utah, John A. Moran Eye Center.

    In addition to the main University of Utah campus location, he also practices at Moran’s clinics at the Redwood and Midvalley health centers, along with the Salt Lake Veterans Medical Center and Primary Children's Medical Center. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Utah Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

    Dr. Chaya has an interest in international ophthalmology and serves as Moran's Division Chief of Global Ophthalmology. He has worked as a consultant and volunteer in Guam, Micronesia, Ghana, Haiti, Thailand, and Nepal. His research interests include novel glaucoma surgical devices and international blindness prevention. His philosophy is to provide customized, compassionate eye care that considers the whole person.

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

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Ophthalmology

    Patient Rating

    Rating: 4.9 out of 5
    4.9 /5
    ( out of 680 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.

    December 24, 2025
    MIDVALLEY
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Chaya in every way equals the mastery of his mentor, Dr. Crandall--and, although he does not prefer bolo ties, he perhaps actually exceeds him in some ways. I've had them both, so I know. Personable, exacting, careful, expeditious, and courteous.

    December 21, 2025
    MIDVALLEY
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great provider who takes the time with the patient to ensure you understand diagnosis and treatment plans.

    December 21, 2025
    MIDVALLEY
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    I am nearly 86 years old and have had Glaucoma for a number of years. Dr. Chaya has helped me preserve my eyesight so I can still read/drive and function normally and that is a blessing

    December 20, 2025
    REDWOOD HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Really like him.. have seen other dr lately more than him..

    December 19, 2025
    REDWOOD HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr Chaya is the best out there. Caring, compassionate and competent.

    December 17, 2025
    REDWOOD HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Chaya has been very good about answering any questions I might have about care he provides. Also, he's made himself available via text message and he's been very prompt about replying when there have been questions about post-op care. And, my surgical outcomes (cataract removal) were excellent.

    December 14, 2025
    REDWOOD HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    I completely trust Dr. Chaya. He is compassionate and thorough.

    December 13, 2025
    REDWOOD HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr Chaya is outstanding! Knowledgeable, thorough, and amicable.

    December 10, 2025
    MIDVALLEY
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    China enters your waiting room, bursting with energy and you feel more positive about your own self just for being in a conversation with him, listening, listening to his diagnoses and his Encouragement.

  • Craig J. Chaya, MD, practices anterior segment ophthalmology and surgery, focusing on the medical and surgical management of routine/complex cataracts and glaucoma.

    Dr. Chaya received his medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, and his BS degree from La Sierra University, Riverside, California. He completed residencies in internal medicine at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and ophthalmology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Additionally, he received training in international ophthalmology as a Himalayan Cataract Project/Freedom Foundation Fellow in Kathmandu and Hetauda, Nepal, and completed a glaucoma fellowship at the University of Utah, John A. Moran Eye Center.

    In addition to the main University of Utah campus location, he also practices at Moran’s clinics at the Redwood and Midvalley health centers, along with the Salt Lake Veterans Medical Center and Primary Children's Medical Center. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Utah Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

    Dr. Chaya has an interest in international ophthalmology and serves as Moran's Division Chief of Global Ophthalmology. He has worked as a consultant and volunteer in Guam, Micronesia, Ghana, Haiti, Thailand, and Nepal. His research interests include novel glaucoma surgical devices and international blindness prevention. His philosophy is to provide customized, compassionate eye care that considers the whole person.

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

    Board Certification and Academic Information

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

    Education history

    Fellowship Small Incision Cataract Surgery/Glaucoma - Himalayan Cataract Project/Freedman Foundation Fellow
    Fellowship Glaucoma Fellowship/Clinical Instructor - University of Utah/John A. Moran Eye Center Fellow
    Residency Ophthalmology - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Resident
    Chief Resident Internal Medicine - West Los Angeles VAMC Chief Resident
    Residency Internal Medicine - West Los Angeles VAMC Resident
    Internship Internal Medicine - West Los Angeles VAMC Intern
    Professional Medical Medicine - Loma Linda University M.D.
    Undergraduate Human Biology - La Sierra University B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Agraz, D, MD, Phillips DL, MD, Chaya CJ, MD (). Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy (GATT) with 5-O Prolene Suture. Submitted to Moran CORE August 2016. (Epub ahead of print)
    2. Weldy E, MD, Chaya CJ, MD (). Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy (GATT) with iTrack catheter. Submitted to Moran CORE September 2016. (Epub ahead of print)
    3. Konuganti PY, Rajamani M, Chaya CJ, Ramamurthy C (2024). Short-Term Outcomes of a Modified Safer Surgery Trabeculectomy Technique. J Curr Ophthalmol, 36(1), 23-30. (Read full publication)
    4. Chaya CJ, Herndon LW, Lince J, Radcliffe N, Sadri E, Yadgarov A, Ianchulev T (2024). Surgical Outcomes, Ocular Safety and Tolerability of Bio-Interventional Cyclodialysis with Allograft Scleral Reinforcement: Clinical Experience of More than 240 Cases. J Clin Med, 13(16). (Read full publication)
    5. Wang B, Wallace RT, Musser JA, Chaya CJ, Kraus CL (2024). Micropulse cyclophotocoagulation compared to continuous wave cyclophotocoagulation for the management of refractory pediatric glaucoma. PLoS One, 19(1), e0291247. (Read full publication)
    6. Huang MJ, Samuelson TW, De Francesco T, Levin A, Sieck E, Gazzard G, Porter M, Gallardo M, Chang RT, Liu WW, Chaya C, Gulati S, Shah M (2023). Managing primary open-angle glaucoma in the setting of suboptimal surgical outcomes in the fellow eye. J Cataract Refract Surg, 49(7), 764. (Read full publication)
    7. Ayesha A, Wallace RT, Mai AP, Simpson RG, Chaya CJ (2023). Iris atrophy after administration of Dexycu: Additional evidence and possible mechanism for a rare complication. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep, 30, 101806. (Read full publication)
    8. Asafali F, Rajamani M, Ramamurthy C, Chaya CJ, M V (2022). Relationship of degrees of gonioscopy assisted transluminal trabeculotomy and trabecular shelf to success using a marker suture technique. Eye (Lond), 37(1), 132-138. (Read full publication)
    9. Sharfi D, Finklea B, Ehrlich JR, Chaya CJ, Farris BK, Macintosh P, Alter DC, Gilbert SS, Reiter S, Oliva MS, Pettey J, Tabin G, Chan RVP, OBanion JA, American Academy of Ophthalmology Task Force on Academic Global Ophthalmology (2022). Global Ophthalmology Fellowships: Then and Now. Int Ophthalmol Clin, 63(1), 33-38. (Read full publication)
    10. Patil A, Swiston C, Wallace RT, Paulson C, Conley ME, McCoy L, Chaya C, Wirostko B (2022). Exfoliation Syndrome and Exfoliation Glaucoma in the Navajo Nation. Vision (Basel), 6(4). (Read full publication)
    11. Levin AM, McGlumphy EJ, Chaya CJ, Wirostko BM, Johnson TV (2022). The utility of home tonometry for peri-interventional decision-making in glaucoma surgery: Case series. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep, 28, 101689. (Read full publication)
    12. Wallace RT, Murri M, McCoy L, Peralta E, Pettey JH, Chaya CJ (2022). Patterns of Blindness in the Navajo Nation: A 9-Year Study. Vision (Basel), 6(3). (Read full publication)
    13. Levin AM, Chaya CJ, Kahook MY, Wirostko BM (2021). Intraocular Pressure Elevation Following Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injections: Short and Long-term Considerations. J Glaucoma. (Read full publication)
    14. Paulson C, MD, Thomas SC, MD, Gonzalez O, MD, Taylor S, MD, Chaya CJ, MD, et al (2021). Exfoliation Syndrome in the Baja Verapaz Region of Guatemala. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 62(8), 70.
    15. Chaya CJ, McCoy Lori (2021). Global Outreach in the Era of COVID-19. 33-34.
    16. Conrady CD, MD, Shakoor A, MD, Patel R, MD, Chaya CJ, MD, et al (2020). Combined Phacoemulsification and Pars Plana Vitrectomy for the Treatment of Cataract in Patients With Noninfectious Uveitis. 4(5), 393-400.
    17. Levin, AM, MD, Chaya CJ, MD, Simpson RG, MD (2020). The burden of required preoperative history / physicals on veterans undergoing cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg, 46(6), 918.
    18. Rajamani M, MD, Ramamurthy C, MD, Ramamurthy S, MD, Chaya CJ, MD, et al (2020). Outcome of a low-cost glaucoma drainage device with posterior chamber / pars plana insertion of the tube. Eye (Lond), 35, 901-9012.
    19. Aung T, MD, Ozaki M, MD, Lee MC, MD, Chaya CJ, MD, et al (2017). Genetic association study of exfoliation syndrome identifies a protective rare variant at LOXL1 and five new susceptibility loci. Nat Genet, 49(7), 993-1004.
    20. Aung T, Ozaki M, Lee MC, Schltzer-Schrehardt U, Thorleifsson G, Mizoguchi T, Igo RP Jr, Haripriya A, Williams SE, Astakhov YS, Orr AC, Burdon KP, Nakano S, Mori K, Abu-Amero K, Hauser M, Li Z, Prakadeeswari G, Bailey JNC, Cherecheanu AP, Kang JH, Nelson S, Hayashi K, Manabe SI, Kazama S, Zarnowski T, Inoue K, Irkec M, Coca-Prados M, Sugiyama K, Jrvel I, Schlottmann P, Lerner SF, Lamari H, Nilgn Y, Bikbov M, Park KH, Cha SC, Yamashiro K, Zenteno JC, Jonas JB, Kumar RS, Perera SA, Chan ASY, Kobakhidze N, George R, Vijaya L, Do T, Edward DP, de Juan Marcos L, Pakravan M, Moghimi S, Ideta R, Bach-Holm D, Kappelgaard P, Wirostko B, Thomas S, Gaston D, Bedard K, Greer WL, Yang Z, Chen X, Huang L, Sang J, Jia H, Jia L, Qiao C, Zhang H, Liu X, Zhao B, Wang YX, Xu L, Leruez S, Reynier P, Chichua G, Tabagari S, Uebe S, Zenkel M, Berner D, Mossbck G, Weisschuh N, Hoja U, Welge-Luessen UC, Mardin C, Founti P, Chatzikyriakidou A, Pappas T, Anastasopoulos E, Lambropoulos A, Ghosh A, Shetty R, Porporato N, Saravanan V, Venkatesh R, Shivkumar C, Kalpana N, Sarangapani S, Kanavi MR, Beni AN, Yazdani S, Lashay A, Naderifar H, Khatibi N, Fea A, Lavia C, Dallorto L, Rolle T, Frezzotti P, Paoli D, Salvi E, Manunta P, Mori Y, Miyata K, Higashide T, Chihara E, Ishiko S, Yoshida A, Yanagi M, Kiuchi Y, Ohashi T, Sakurai T, Sugimoto T, Chuman H, Aihara M, Inatani M, Miyake M, Gotoh N, Matsuda F, Yoshimura N, Ikeda Y, Ueno M, Sotozono C, Jeoung JW, Sagong M, Park KH, Ahn J, Cruz-Aguilar M, Ezzouhairi SM, Rafei A, Chong YF, Ng XY, Goh SR, Chen Y, Yong VHK, Khan MI, Olawoye OO, Ashaye AO, Ugbede I, Onakoya A, Kizor-Akaraiwe N, Teekhasaenee C, Suwan Y, Supakontanasan W, Okeke S, Uche NJ, Asimadu I, Ayub H, Akhtar F, Kosior-Jarecka E, Lukasik U, Lischinsky I, Castro V, Grossmann RP, Sunaric Megevand G, Roy S, Dervan E, Silke E, Rao A, Sahay P, Fornero P, Cuello O, Sivori D, Zompa T, Mills RA, Souzeau E, Mitchell P, Wang JJ, Hewitt AW, Coote M, Crowston JG, Astakhov SY, Akopov EL, Emelyanov A, Vysochinskaya V, Kazakbaeva G, Fayzrakhmanov R, Al-Obeidan SA, Owaidhah O, Aljasim LA, Chowbay B, Foo JN, Soh RQ, Sim KS, Xie Z, Cheong AWO, Mok SQ, Soo HM, Chen XY, Peh SQ, Heng KK, Husain R, Ho SL, Hillmer AM, Cheng CY, Escudero-Domnguez FA, Gonzlez-Sarmiento R, Martinon-Torres F, Salas A, Pathanapitoon K, Hansapinyo L, Wanichwecharugruang B, Kitnarong N, Sakuntabhai A, Nguyn HX, Nguyn GTT, Nguyn TV, Zenz W, Binder A, Klobassa DS, Hibberd ML, Davila S, Herms S, Nthen MM, Moebus S, Rautenbach RM, Ziskind A, Carmichael TR, Ramsay M, lvarez L, Garca M, Gonzlez-Iglesias H, Rodrguez-Calvo PP, Fernndez-Vega Cueto L, Oguz, Tamcelik N, Atalay E, Batu B, Aktas D, Kasm B, Wilson MR, Coleman AL, Liu Y, Challa P, Herndon L, Kuchtey RW, Kuchtey J, Curtin K, Chaya CJ, Crandall A, Zangwill LM, Wong TY, Nakano M, Kinoshita S, den Hollander AI, Vesti E, Fingert JH, Lee RK, Sit AJ, Shingleton BJ, Wang N, Cusi D, Qamar R, Kraft P, Pericak-Vance MA, Raychaudhuri S, Heegaard S, Kivel T, Reis A, Kruse FE, Weinreb RN, Pasquale LR, Haines JL, Thorsteinsdottir U, Jonasson F, Allingham RR, Milea D, Ritch R, Kubota T, Tashiro K, Vithana EN, Micheal S, Topouzis F, Craig JE, Dubina M, Sundaresan P, Stefansson K, Wiggs JL, Pasutto F, Khor CC (2017). Genetic association study of exfoliation syndrome identifies a protective rare variant at LOXL1 and five new susceptibility loci. Nat Genet, 49(7), 993-1004. (Read full publication)
    21. Bettis DI, Morshedi RG, Chaya C, Goldsmith J, Crandall A, Zabriskie N (2015). Trabeculectomy With Mitomycin C or Ahmed Valve Implantation in Eyes With Uveitic Glaucoma. J Glaucoma, 24(8), 591-9. (Read full publication)
    22. Barrett A, Chaya C (2014). Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy: Blending Tradition With Innovation. 90, 87-8.
    23. Ramirez AM, Chaya CJ, Gordon LK, Giaconi JA (2008). A comparison of semiautomated versus manual Goldmann kinetic perimetry in patients with visually significant glaucoma. J Glaucoma, 17(2), 111-7. (Read full publication)
    24. Schneider NG, Koury MA, Cortner C, Olmstead RE, Hartman N, Kleinman L, Kim A, Chaya C, Leaf D (2006). Preferences among four combination nicotine treatments. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 187(4), 476-485.
    25. Han S, Chaya C, Hoo GW (2006). Thrombolytic therapy for massive pulmonary embolism in a patient with a known intracranial tumor. J Intensive Care Med, 21(4), 240-245.

    Review

    1. Asrani SG, McGlumphy EJ, Al-Aswad LA, Chaya CJ, Lin S, Musch DC, Pitha I, Robin AL, Wirostko B, Johnson TV (2024). The relationship between intraocular pressure and glaucoma: An evolving concept. [Review]. Prog Retin Eye Res, 103, 101303. (Read full publication)

    Book Chapter

    1. Pettey JH, Chaya C, Lavin K (01/10/2016). The Capsular Opening. In B. Henderson (Ed.), Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.

    Case Report

    1. Liu ET, Seery LS, Arosemena A, Lamba T, Chaya CJ (2017). Corneal edema and keratitis following selective laser trabeculoplasty. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep, 6, 48-51. (Read full publication)

    Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

    1. Nakatsuka AS, MD, Mifflin MD, MD, Chaya CJ, MD (2020). Yamane Intraocular Lens Fixation in a Patient with a Large Iris Defect. [Web].
    2. Ferguson T, Chaya CJ (2017). Supraciliary Microstent Implantation [Video]. University of Utah: Moran CORE.
    3. Ferguson T, Chaya CJ (2017). Implantation of Two Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stents for POAG [Video]. University of Utah: Moran CORE.
    4. Swan R, Chaya CJ (2016). Glaucoma Ahmed Tube Shunt [Video]. University of Utah: Moran CORE.
    5. Swan R, Chaya CJ (2016). Phaco-Trabeculectomy [Video]. University of Utah: Moran CORE.