Professional Roles and Affiliations
Dr. Nazlee Zebardast is a clinician scientist specializing in glaucoma, holding the positions of Director of Glaucoma Imaging at Massachusetts Eye and Ear (Mass. Eye and Ear) and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. She is a full-time member of the Glaucoma Service at Mass. Eye and Ear, part of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, and is affiliated with several clinical sites including the Stoneham Eye Center and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Her clinical focus is on the treatment of adult glaucoma.
- Primary work location: 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Contact phone: 617-573-3202
- Additional clinical location: 1 Montvale Avenue Suite 501, Stoneham, MA 02180 (Phone: 781-279-4418)
Education and Training
Dr. Zebardast completed her medical degree at Yale School of Medicine and underwent both her residency training and glaucoma fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Prior to medicine, she earned an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering Science (BASc) and a Master of Science (MSc) at the University of Toronto, focusing on tissue engineering.
Research Expertise and Contributions
Dr. Zebardast’s research integrates clinical ophthalmology with data science, epidemiology, and precision medicine, particularly leveraging machine learning to enhance disease detection and progression assessment in glaucoma. Her research interests include:
- Development of precision medicine-based tools for glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring
- Application of genetic risk scores to stratify glaucoma risk and inform clinical decisions
- Exploration of glaucoma impacts on global health, vision impairment, and associated diseases
She has published over 130 research works with 1620+ citations, including 43 peer-reviewed articles, with 29 authored as first or last author. Her work has appeared in leading ophthalmology journals such as Ophthalmology, Translational Vision Science & Technology, and American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Zebardast serves on editorial boards for ophthalmology journals and has been recognized for her academic achievements with multiple awards, including the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) Career Development Award and the Anne Klibanski Visiting Scholar Award.
Scholarly Impact and Recognition
- Google Scholar citations: Over 2,500 citations
- h-index: Estimated at 21+
- Active in peer review duties and editorial responsibilities for high-impact publications
- Frequently invited to present at international conferences, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the World Medical Innovation Forum
- Engaged in the Harvard Ophthalmology AI Lab, directing projects on AI applications to ophthalmic imaging and glaucoma
Clinical Ratings and Experience
Dr. Zebardast holds a strong clinical reputation, reflected in a patient rating of 4.8 out of 5 from over 300 reviewers at Massachusetts General Hospital. She has over 10 years of clinical experience treating glaucoma patients and currently accepts new patients.
This detailed profile highlights Dr. Zebardast as a highly respected clinician scientist with comprehensive expertise in glaucoma care, advanced imaging technologies, and translational research using machine learning and genetics. Her roles at leading institutions and her active research portfolio demonstrate a strong capacity to integrate cutting-edge science with clinical practice in ophthalmology.
