Dr. Smolyak is a board certified ophthalmologist who is specializes in the medical, surgical, and laser treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. Fellowship trained in glaucoma, she is highly qualified to manage the disease using sophisticated diagnostic instrumentation and provide the latest medical or surgical interventions to maintain safe intra ocular pressure. These can include prescription medications, glaucoma laser therapy like SLT (selective laser trabeculoplasty), and variety of drainage devices including new minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) devices. She is especially adept at managing glaucoma in patients who also need cataract surgery.

As an ophthalmologist who treats the structures of the anterior segment (the front part of the eye) Dr. Smolyak routinely addresses cataracts, either with or without the presence of glaucoma.

Dr. Smolyak is a graduate of the University of Rochester where she also went on to complete her medical degree. She was a resident in ophthalmology at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine and a glaucoma fellow at Washington University, St. Louis. Dr. Smolyak is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She is also a member of the New York Glaucoma Society and the American Glaucoma Society.

Dr. Smolyak's research interests include clinical trials. She is also dedicated to the education of residents, medical students and provides training to medical personnel both inside and outside of ophthalmology.

Languages

English, Russian

Certified Specialties

Ophthalmology - American Board of Ophthalmology

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Ophthalmology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, St. Louis University Nephrology Fellowship Program. 2001 - 2002

Residency, Ophthalmology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. 1998 - 2001

Internship, St. Vincent's Hospital & Medical Center. 1997 - 1998

Education

MD | University of Rochester School of Medicine/Dentistry (USA). 1997

Research

Dr. Smolyak's research interests include clinical trials. She is also dedicated to the education of residents, medical students and provides training to medical personnel both inside and outside of ophthalmology.

Publications

Journal Articles

Aqueous humor sCD44 concentration and visual field loss in primary open-angle glaucoma.

Nolan MJ, Giovingo MC, Miller AM, Wertz RD, Ritch R, Liebmann JM, Allingham RR, Herndon LW, Wax MB, Smolyak R, Hasan F, Barnett EM, Samples JR, Knepper PA

Journal of glaucoma.. 2007 August 16 (5):419-29. Epub 1900 01 01.

Detection of the free acid of bimatoprost in aqueous humor samples from human eyes treated with bimatoprost before cataract surgery.

Camras CB, Toris CB, Sjoquist B, Milleson M, Thorngren JO, Hejkal TW, Patel N, Barnett EM, Smolyak R, Hasan SF, Hellman C, Meza JL, Wax MB, Stjernschantz J

Ophthalmology.. 2004 December 111 (12):2193-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Ratings & Comments

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Ratings

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

4.5

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

4.8

During this visit did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

4.6

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

4.6

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

4.6

Patient Comments

[...] Dr. Smolyak came in and, as usually, seem in a rush and not particularly friendly. [...]

Aug 17, 2024

I had to wear glasses my entire life but now thanks to my doctor my vision is 20/20

Aug 16, 2024

To me, it seemed like the time spent with the doctor actually discussing my problem was a lot less than I would hope it could be

Aug 09, 2024

All good.

Aug 05, 2024

If I could rate my doctor "6" I would!

Jul 28, 2024

Dr. Just moving from room to room no conversation. Ordered test but didn't explain why.

Jul 26, 2024

Very rushed

Jul 20, 2024

4.5

Good

Jul 10, 2024

5.0

Good experience

Jun 09, 2024

1.0

This was not a good experience. [...]

Jun 05, 2024

2.6

She doesn't listen to me. She does not appear to take my concerns seriously.

May 10, 2024

5.0

Very thorough

Apr 28, 2024

2.0

Dr. Smolyak seemed very overworked. [...]

Apr 19, 2024

5.0

Confidence in provider

Apr 09, 2024

5.0

Dr. Smolyak is good she cares about me and my health.

Mar 19, 2024

5.0

Excellent

Mar 16, 2024

5.0

Always good experiences.

Jan 31, 2024

5.0

Very thorough

Jan 28, 2024

5.0

Very good

Dec 17, 2023

3.8

I'm told she is the best in her specialty- but if I had a choice -she would not be my eye doctor!

Dec 08, 2023

3.0

Provider seemed apathetic and just going through the motions.

Nov 16, 2023

5.0

I would refer Dr Smolyak to family Friends and anyone with eye problems.

Oct 25, 2023

4.2

Seems detached from the patient.

Aug 22, 2023

5.0

Dr Smolyak is always extremely good. She listens to questions, gives exact answers. She has to be one of the very best doctors I have ever had the opportunity to be treated by. Can't say enough good things about her.

Aug 18, 2023

5.0

No bad experience.

Aug 04, 2023

5.0

Dr. Smolyak took my long standing problem seriously and referred me to another ophthalmologist who specializes in my condition.

Jul 09, 2023

5.0

Is very great

Jun 28, 2023

1.8

Rude & dismissive. [...]

Jun 26, 2023

5.0

Great

Jun 21, 2023

5.0

Good experience

May 26, 2023

4.0

Good

May 12, 2023

1.8

[...] I was very displeased with my visit with Dr. Smolyak. She spent less than 10 minutes with me was extremely dismissive of my concerns. When I pressed her with questions she then became very condescending. She acted as if I was inconveniencing her. Rude!

May 05, 2023

4.5

Dr. never asked if I needed drops - just gave pharmacy prescription.

Apr 17, 2023

5.0

This was not my regular doctor but she was very good.

Apr 06, 2023

5.0

I great confidence with the practice.

Mar 29, 2023

5.0

Could be more clear about treatment options

Mar 25, 2023

5.0

ALL GOOD

Mar 12, 2023

4.5

It was a good and adequate service, especially in light of burden of her services.

Mar 12, 2023

3.5

In my opinion, Dr. Is excellent in medical skills. Suggest improvements in pro-actively offering information. Patient often not educated enough to know questions to ask about condition, procedures, etc

Mar 12, 2023

5.0

Dr. Smolyak is a true pro.

Feb 23, 2023

5.0

Dr. Smolyak has always been professional and knowledgeable about my condition.

Feb 22, 2023

3.0

Very distracted attitude

Jan 28, 2023

2.5

Felt like I was just another person she sees in a day.

Jan 13, 2023

1.0

Experience extremely poor [...]

Dec 16, 2022

2.6

Provider never asked anything about my past diagnosis or about past testing or records. Very stoic personality

Nov 11, 2022

5.0

Answered My Concerns and Gave Me Specific Direction !

Oct 22, 2022

3.0

When I told her about problems getting glasses script filled she deflected her responsibility by asking if Lenscrafter had their own optometrist I told her no the script was her job.

Sep 23, 2022

5.0

GREAT SERVICE

Sep 18, 2022

5.0

Dr Smolyak is tops in my estimation.. Very concerned about my welfare,always has a smile.

Aug 21, 2022

5.0

Dr.Smolyak has always been very professional and thorough during my visits. I trust her observations and examinations.

Aug 10, 2022

5.0

Good

Aug 07, 2022

5.0

Dr. Smolyak was very informative, and very informative about my procedure. Her care was excellent.

Jul 20, 2022

5.0

Good experience

Jul 19, 2022

5.0

I already have recommended 2 friends that are now her patients.

Jun 29, 2022

5.0

Very excellent physician

Jun 22, 2022

2.5

Dr Smolyak seemed rushed during this visit.

Jun 13, 2022

3.7

General sense of seeming rushed. [...]

May 24, 2022

2.5

I don't really mean to give Dr. Smolyak a bad review. She was so obviously rushed and needing to go to the next patient that she never asked me if I had questions. [...]

May 22, 2022

5.0

She listened/discussed the issues with my eyes and made recommendations for surgery to help.

May 19, 2022

2.0

On [...] I had an appointment with Dr. Regina Smolyak at 9:15 AM. After the appointment I read the visit notes at home on MyChart. After reading the notes I asked the following questions on MyChart: "In the notes' Assessment and Plan, what is the FPH and how may I benefit from it? What does "thinning on ON" indicate? Is this progressive? If so, how do you prevent it? When do I get another OCT? In the Fundus exam, what does vertical elongation and rim thinning mean, and what should I watch for? Thank you." On [...] Dr. Smolyak responded to my questions on MyChart as follows: "Dear [...], We have open notes for pt to have access to their records, but we do not interpret them for pt. I am happy to discuss all finding of your exam on your next visit. Fph is pictures of the eyes that we took for documentation and follow up of you optic nerve. RS" I was appalled by Dr. Smolyak's response to my written questions. In the midst of my appointment her cell phone went off and she said she had to answer it and she stepped out and apologized for it. [...] In the examination I do not recall her asking if I had any questions. She was quick to leave and she was seen on her cell phone in the hall as I was going to have a picture of my eyeballs. No appointment to see her again was made. She did say I was to see an optometrist. [...] I did have questions after reading MyChart and I expected Dr. Smolyak or a resident to answer them. To be told to address them at my next appointment when I don't have another appointment is a royal dismissal. My husband and I do not consider we are over-reacting. I was accepting of her cell phone uses. One day later to receive her inadequate response makes me think there is a serious problem impacting patient care. [...]

Mar 15, 2022