Meet Dr. Jovkar

Why Choose our Practice?

We strive to improve, maintain, and restore our patient’s vision by application of leading-edge technologies and by diligent human care. We educate and encourage our patients to take control of their eyesight and their health.

There are many reasons to choose our practice. Not only is Dr. Jovkar a premier eye surgeon, but he and his staff are dedicated to helping patients achieve their vision and health goals. Whether you need laser vision correction, cataract surgery, pterygium surgery, cosmetic eye surgery, a glaucoma screening or a contact lens fitting, we will find the right vision solution for you.

The following are eight logical reasons why you should choose us for your eye care. Please click on the + to open each sub-sections below.

1. Education and Training

Dr. Jovkar is an American Board-certified ophthalmologist. He completed his ophthalmic residency training at the premier medical school, McGill University in Montreal, which has ranked consistently for years in the top position for all medical/doctoral schools in Canada (see link), and is very highly regarded medical school in the USA.

Even before LASIK was FDA-approved in the U.S., Dr. Jovkar studied refractive surgery with several pioneering Canadian eye surgeons. While still in Canada, Dr. Jovkar contributed research and contributed by writing a book chapter on laser eye surgery before LASIK was approved by the FDA in the USA. Dr. Jovkar is among the best trained ophthalmologists in the San Francisco Bay Area. Training with several well-known ophthalmologists in cosmetic ophthalmic procedures, Dr. Jovkar has continued to keep abreast of new ophthalmic surgical techniques.

Because of Dr. Jovkar’s extensive training and experience, he is frequently invited to give lectures to other doctors in the San Francisco area on advanced medical and surgical techniques. Before specializing in ophthalmology, Dr. Jovkar practiced general and internal medicine. This experience has proven instrumental in providing him with a broad understanding of a patient’s overall medical problems.

2. Experience

Dr. Jovkar is highly experienced in ophthalmic surgeries. He has been practicing medicine that includes surgery for close to 30 years and has performed thousands of eye surgeries. He regularly performs an impressive breadth of eye surgeries including cataract, laser eye surgery, glaucoma, pterygium, and cosmetic eye surgery. Because of his impressive body of work, Dr Jovkar was chosen by San Jose Magazine as one of San Jose’s Top Doctors.

Professional Qualifications:

Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, Community Hospital of Los Gatos 2001-2002, 2006-2008.
Vice-chairman of Ophthalmology, Community Hospital of Los Gatos 2000.
Member of the Medical Advisory Committee of the Santa Clara County Medical Association 2001-present.
Public Service Committee of the Santa Clara County Medical Association, 2001.
Expert reviewer of medico-legal ophthalmology cases 2000- Present.
Invited reviewer for the monthly journal, Ophthalmology, published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2002-Present.
Invited Continuing Medical Education Lectures to Primary Care Physicians and Specialists on medical and surgical eye diseases given at Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose Medical Center, and Regional Medical Center of San Jose.

3. Offering the Most Advanced Technologies

Dr. Jovkar and the staff at Medical & Surgical Vision Care, Inc. utilize the latest technological advances to provide patients with the best available care using both innovative surgical techniques and technologies as well as state-of-the art testing modalities for use during a patient’s regular office check-up. Besides earning a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from McGill University, Dr. Jovkar also holds a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in biomedical engineering. Dr. Jovkar’s training in electrical and computer engineering enables him to offer the latest technological advances in ophthalmology and surgery to his patients.

Dr. Jovkar has extensive experience in laser technology and its applications in the field of ophthalmology. For cataract and multifocal procedures, Dr. Jovkar utilizes the most up-to-date lens technology, such as ReStor multifocal and AcrySof Toric implants, to help patients achieve a broad range of vision. Dr. Jovkar uses the latest pterygium surgical techniques including tissue transplants and no-stitch surgery with impressively low recurrence rates.

Dr. Jovkar and his staff utilize the latest imaging testing technologies available. To screen and help with progression for glaucoma, Dr. Jovkar uses the latest Optical coherence tomography (OCT) machines to map the eye’s optic nerve and internal structures.

We use the most modern ultra-widefield retinal imaging device Optomap which captures more than 80% of your retina in one image. Traditional methods used by most doctors typically reveal only about 15% of your retina at one time. Optomap enhances Dr. Jovkar’s ability to detect even the earliest sign of disease that appears on your retina and educate you about your eye health.

Medical & Surgical Vision Care, Inc. was the first ophthalmology practice to use Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in the San Jose area years ago. Dr. Jovkar has invented proprietary artificial intelligence technologies to make the EMR more robust, efficient, thereby allowing the most optimal patient treatment.

Dr. Jovkar and his staff started using fully electronic phoropters to measure refraction of the eyes more than 20 years ago. We offer the most advanced dry eye treatments available only in a very few centers in northern California, including Lipiflow, and Intense Pulsed-Light (IPL).

4. Reputable Affiliations

Dr. Jovkar has served as the Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Los Gatos Hospital. He served on the clinical staff of Stanford University. He has been serving on the Medical Executive Committee of the Los Gatos Surgical Center for many years. He has been a member of the Medical Advisory Committee of the Santa Clara Medical Association for many years.

Dr. Jovkar performs the majority of ophthalmic surgeries at Los Gatos Surgical Center, a premier ambulatory surgical center. This center is focused on state-of-the-art eye procedures and technologies to help ensure the best possible outcomes.

Dr. Jovkar is a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and fellow of the International College of Surgeons. Dr. Jovkar is recognized by the following professional organizations:

American Board of Ophthalmology
Medical Board of California
California Medical Association
International College of Surgeons
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Santa Clara County Medical Association
Peninsula Eye Society

5. Outstanding Quality of Care

In a recent assessment by The California Physician Performance Initiative, a collaborative of health plans and medical groups, Dr. Jovkar earned perfect scores in each category of quality measures evaluated. For all assessed Quality Measures, Dr Jovkar ranked in the top 1% of all ophthalmologists in California.

Dr. Jovkar is the eye physician and surgeon of choice for many Bay Area physicians both to treat them and their patients.

At Medical & Surgical Vision Care, Inc. we pride ourselves on putting the patient first. Dr. Jovkar, and all of the staff at the Medical & Surgical Vision Care, Inc. are dedicated to providing the best possible eye care to our patients and helping them achieve the best vision available to them. We are committed to understanding each patient’s health and eye concerns, lifestyle needs and vision goals

6. Patient Education

A critical area of our mission is patient education. We strongly believe that a well-informed patient and a strong doctor-patient relationship is a prerequisite to better care and outcomes. We ensure that each patient understands their particular eye condition, the treatment options available to them, and the potential outcomes.

An important part of our mission is to educate our patients about the ways in which they can help themselves achieve their vision goals through understanding and following pre-operative and post-operative instructions and living a healthier lifestyle. We strive to both answer our patient’s questions in the office and to provide other resources (such as the Patient Education portion of our website) for patients during, before, and after they leave our practice.

7. Patient Satisfaction

Dr. Jovkar has been successfully performing cataract, refractive, glaucoma, and oculoplastic surgery for close to 30 years. His patients express an extremely high rate of satisfaction and have been the largest source of new patient referrals. Dr. Jovkar is grateful to thousands of patients who have referred their family and friends to our practice. Our patients include physicians, attorneys, hospital administrators, pharmacists, nurses, engineers, school principals, teachers, accountants, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, police officers, sheriffs of several cities, fire fighters, athletes, military personnel, moms, dads, grandparents, and patients from several other States who travel here regularly to be cared for at our practice.

See a sampling of patient reviews and testimonials here.

8. Teaching Other Physicians, Research, and Publications

Dr. Jovkar has given Continuing Medical Education Lectures to hundreds of physicians, including specialists, on medical and surgical eye diseases at Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose Medical Center, and Regional Medical Center of San Jose. Additionally, Dr. Jovkar has given lectures to optometrists and ophthalmologists in the area of inflammatory surface ocular problems.

Dr. Jovkar has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals in addition to co-authoring material used in a book on laser surgery in the International Ophthalmology Clinics. Some of the journals that have published his articles are:

Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Ophthalmic Practice
Medical Physics
Journal of Nuclear Medicine
Journal of Neural Transmission
Annals of Ophthalmology
American Journal of Ophthalmology.

A detailed list of research experience and publications are noted below.

Personal Interests

Dr. Jovkar follows the Socratic dictum that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Dr. Jovkar “examines” life by exercising mindful awareness, by engaging in life-time self-improvement, by spending time with family and friends, by studying philosophy (love of wisdom), and psychology (human mind), by listening to, and playing classical instrumental music, by restoring and driving 50’s and 60’s classic European roadsters and coupés, by marvelling nature, by hiking, and by engaging in vigorous physical exercise.

Research Experience

Effects of image distortion on stereoscopic image performance. McGill Vision Research Laboratory, McGill University, Montreal. (1994-1995)
Quantification of D2-dopamine receptors density and affinity in vivo in the basal ganglia of normals and schizophrenics, using the labeled D2-dopamine antagonist 11C-raclopride, and Positron Emission Tomography. Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. (1989)
The quantitative analysis of cerebral D2 and S2-serotonin receptors in vivo in primate and human, using the labeled antagonist, 18F-ethylspiperone and Positron Emission Tomography. Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research, Cologne, West Germany. (1987-1988)
Graduate studies in the area of optimization of experimental design and quantification of local cerebral glucose metabolism and protein synthesis in human in vivo studies. Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. (1984-1986)
(Honors) Undergraduate thesis in engineering. Thesis Title: Three-dimensional surface reconstruction of white blood cells from 2-dimensional cross-sectional images. Computer Vision and Robotics Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. (1984)
Design of a radio-frequency receptor antenna for the 26-meter radio telescope for observation of cosmic hydrogen spectral lines. Canadian National Research Council, Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, White Lake, British Columbia, Canada. (April–Sept 1983)

Merit Scholarships Received During Studies:

The Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism Award, 1989. This award was offered on a competitive basis to cover travel expenses to Bolgna, Italy, to attend the International Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism Conference.
Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, 1989. This scholarship provided the financial support to carry out research at Karolinska Institute, Sweden, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology
The Society of Nuclear Medicine Fellowship Grant, 1988. This scholarship was awarded on a competitive basis in North America by the Society of Nuclear Medicine Education and Research Foundation ”to stimulate interest among students in the United States and Canada in the field of nuclear medicine”. In 1988, eight scholarships were granted in North America.
Max-Planck-Institut für Neurologische Forschung, Cologne, West Germany, 1988. This scholarship provided complete financial support to carry out research in Germany at the Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne, West Germany.
The Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism Award, 1987. This award was offered on a competitive basis to cover travel and registration expenses to attend the Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism Conference in the summer of 1987.
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, 1987. This scholarship was awarded by the German academic program which covered all living and travel expenses for research at Max Planck Insititue in Cologne, Germany.
Graduate Studies Scholarships: Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec, 1986. Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec, 1985. Fonds F.C.A.C. pour l’aide et le soutien a la recherche, 1985. Montreal Neurological Institute, 1984.
These post-graduate scholarships, which were awarded on a competitive basis to Canadian graduate students, enabled Dr. Jovkar to continue research at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada:
National Research Council Canada, 1983. Provided the financial support for Dr. Jovkar’s research work at the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, B.C., Canada.
James McGill Award, 1982. This scholarship was given to engineering students with a high academic standing by McGill University.

Publications

2003

Peripheral keratitis associated with erythema elevatum diutinum. Aldave A.J., Shih J.L., Jovkar S., McLeod S.D. Am J Ophthalmol 2003 Mar;135(3):389-90

1999

Contralateral amaurosis secondary to retrobulbar anesthesia. Jovkar S., and Connolly W.E.S. Annals of Ophthalmology 31(6):295.
Radial Keratotomy after Photorefractive Keratectomy for undercorrected myopia. Kwitko M., Jovkar S., and Hua Yan. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, In Press.

1996

Correction of astigmatism post penetrating keratoplasty by photorefractive keratectomy. Deschênes J., Jovkar S., Balazsi G., and Thompson P. Book Chapter in International Ophthalmology Clinics 36(4):113.
Arcuate keratotomy for the correction of naturally-occuring astigmatism. Kwitko M., Jovkar S., Yan P., and Rymer S. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 22:1439-1442.
Phototherapeutic keratectomy for correction of astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty. Jovkar S., Deschenes J., Burnier M.N., Roy M., Balazsi G., Thompson P. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 37:3-S945.
Retinal Surgery and Ocular Trauma by Smiddy W., Chong L., and Frambach D. Invited book review by editor- in-chief. Jovkar S. Ophthalmic Practice 14(5)227.

1995

Effect of image distortions on stereoscopic performance. Jovkar S., Hess R.F., Wilcox L., Simmons D. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 36:4-S366.

1991

Quantification of baboon cortical S2 serotonin receptors in vivo with 3-N-(2′-18F)fluoroethylspiperone and Positron Emission Tomography. Jovkar S., Wienhard K., Coenen H.H., Pawlik G., and Heiss W.D. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine 18:158-163, 1991.

1990

The quantitative analysis of D2 dopamine receptors in baboon striatum in vivo with 3-2’18Ffluoroethylspiperone using Positron Emission Tomography. Jovkar S., Wienhard K., Pawlik G., and Coenen H.H. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism 10:720-726, 1990.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies of dopamine receptor distribution using 18fluoroethylspiperone: findings in disorders related to the dopaminergic system. Wienhard K., Coenen H.H., Pawlik G., Rudolf J., Laufer P., Jovkar S., Stocklin G., and Heiss W.D. Journal of Neural Transmission 81:195-213, 1990.

1989

The in vivo quantification of D2 dopamine and S2 serotonin receptor density and affinity in baboon brain with PET using 3-(2′-F-18)fluoroethylspiperone. Jovkar S., Wienhard K., Pawlik G., and Coenen H. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism 9(1):194, 1989.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) investigation of the dopaminergic system in neurological patients using 3-[18F]fluoroethylspiperone. Wienhard K., Coenen H.H., Pawlik G., Hebold I., Jovkar S., Stocklin G., and Heiss W.D. In: PET in Clinical Research and Clinical Diagnosis, Beckers C., Goffinet A., Bol A., eds. Kluver Academic Publishers, 90-107, 1989
Neurological applications of the D2 antagonist FESP with PET. Wienhard K., Coenen H.H., Pawlik G., Rudolf J., Jovkar S., Stocklin G., and Heiss W.D. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism 9(1):116, 1989 Minimization of parameter estimation errors in dynamic PET: choice of scanning schedules. Jovkar S., Evans A., Diksic M., Nakai H., and Yamamoto Y.L. Physics in Medicine and Biology 34(7):895-908, 1989.
The effects of model configuration, ligand specific activity and binding characteristics on the in vivo quantification of D2 dopamine receptors in the striatum with PET. Jovkar S., Wienhard K., Pawlik G., and Coenen H. Medical Physics 16(3):492, 1989.

1988

Positron Emission Tomography investigation of the dopaminergic system in neurological patients, using 3-N-(F-18)fluoroethylspiperone. Wienhard K., Coenen H., Pawlik G., Hebold I., Jovkar S., Stocklin G., and Heiss W.D. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 29(5):821, 1988.

1987

Determination of optimal scan schedules and validation of an empirical tissue noise model in Positron Emission Tomography dynamic studies. Jovkar S., Evans A., Diksic M., and Yamamoto Y.L. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism 7(1):S454, 1987.
Simultaneous measurement of protein synthesis and glucose utilization in an implanted brain tumor model. Kirikae M., Diksic M., Yamamoto Y.L., Nakai H., Jovkar S., and Redies C. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism 7(1):S505, 1987.
Alternative approach to estimate lumped constant in the deoxyglucose model: simulation and validation. Matsuda H., Nakai H., Jovkar S., Diksic M., Evans A., Meyer E., Redies C., and Yamamoto Y.L. Journal of Nuclear Medicine 28(4):471-480, 1987.

1986

The influence of plasma sampling times on accuracy of estimation of the input function in the deoxyglucose model.
Jovkar S., Nakai A., Evans A., Diksic M., and Yamamoto Y.L. Journal of Nuclear Medicine 27(6):999, 1986.
Optimization of experimental design in tracer kinetic models applied Positron Emission Tomography and autoradiography. M.Sc. Thesis.
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal Neurological Institute, 1986.

1985

Three-dimensional surface reconstruction of white blood cells from 2-Dimensional cross-sectional images. (Honors) Under-graduate Thesis.
Computer Vision and Robotics Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, McGill University, 1984.

1983

Design of a radio-frequency receptor feed horn antenna for the 26-meter radio telescope dish at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory. Technical Report.
Canadian National Research Council, White Lake, British Columbia, 1983.

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