Dr. Matthew Swanic
Matthew Swanic M.D. is a native to the Las Vegas Valley and was proud to return to establish his practice in the town he was born and raised in.
He obtained his medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Dr. Swanic excelled academically and received numerous awards in medical school. He graduated at the top of his class and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, an honor bestowed upon the top medical students.
His accolades did not go unnoticed, and this allowed him to pursue his residency training in Ophthalmology at the prestigious Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
Knowing he wanted to return to the West Coast, he completed his fellowship in Cornea, Refractive Surgery, and Uveitis at the world-renowned Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. Jules Stein Eye Institute is internationally known for elite eye care and is consistently ranked the #1 eye center in the Western United States by the U.S. News and World Report.
Dr. Swanic is Board Certified in Ophthalmology and is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. Dr. Swanic is very down to earth and always tries to place patients at ease. His number one goal is to give his patients the best vision possible.
Did you know Dr. Swanic has personally undergone laser vision correction?
Education & Experience
- Undergraduate Education: University of Nevada Las Vegas – Honors College, BS in Biology, Cum Laude
- Medical School: University of Nevada School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
- Internship: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine
- Residency: Ophthalmology, Tufts New England Eye Center, Boston, MA
- Fellowship: Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles
- Clinical Research & Publications: Dr. Swanic has participated in over 20 clinical trials and appears in numerous publications.
- Study Investigator Implement and manage medical/pharmaceutical trials per protocols of the FDA Code of Federal Regulations and ICH Good Clinical Practices while maintaining strict guidelines per the National Institute of Health..
View Dr. Matthew Swanic’s full Curriculum Vitae here.
Getting to Know Dr. Matthew Swanic
Yes, he’s heavily credentialed with an unmatched educational pedigree, but we want to let you see behind the curtain, too. Our patients love Dr. Swanic’s down-to-earth personality!
What initially motivated you to pursue medicine as a career?
Growing up, a career in medicine wasn’t on my radar. My high school friends and older brother were techies and pursued careers in information technology. My path toward medicine began unexpectedly in college when I took a job at a Family Practice doctor’s office. I loved the idea that a field existed where I could get paid to help people.
If you could pick any three people, living or not, to have dinner with, who would they be and why?
I am not sure I care that much about spending time with famous or successful people. I enjoy just having conversations with my wife after my daughter has gone to bed.
When you’re not working, what are some of your favorite hobbies or ways to spend your free time?
Despite my professional shift towards medicine, my inner techie is still very much alive. I often find myself engaged in electronics, particularly in assembling computers and setting up home theatre systems. Contrary to what some might assume, video gaming isn’t a significant part of my leisure activities, mainly due to time constraints. Although, I did manage to complete The Last of Us Part 1 and 2 last year. For me, the joy lies more in the process of building these systems than in gaming itself. Additionally, my family is a central part of my free time. I have a one-year-old daughter, and nothing compares to the joy of spending time with her and my wife, watching her grow and learn new things.
Do you have any pets?
A lot of my patients know I have a miniature poodle. His name is Qbert. He loves people and occasionally can be seen at the office.
What’s one place you’d love to visit or trip you’d love to take in the future?
Africa has always been a continent I’ve yet to explore, and going on a safari there is a dream I hold dear. Interestingly, there’s a humorous story attached to this dream. A decade ago, I was all set for an African adventure. However, in an unexpected twist, the practice where my colleague and I worked was acquired, leading to us losing our jobs. Since that unforeseen event, the much-anticipated trip to Africa has been on an indefinite hold.
What is one of your favorite books?
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. My preference leans away from fiction, and this book particularly resonates with me. It serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of leading a more peaceful life. Even just reading a chapter or two can bring a sense of grounding and perspective. A poignant fact about the author, Richard Carlson, is that he passed away suddenly from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 45. This tragic event underscores a central theme of his book – the significance of cherishing and making the most of every moment in our lives.
What is one of your favorite movies?
Memento. I like that the plot is a bit perplexing, and the story shows that the human mind is less reliable than we think