Prof. Dr. Zornitsa Zlatarova, PhD, DMSc, graduated in Medicine from the Medical University of Varna in 1993. Since 1994, she has been working at the Specialized Eye Hospital for Active Treatment – Varna. She obtained her specialty in ophthalmology in 1998. Since 2019, she has been Deputy Director and since November 2024 she is Director of the hospital.
As a fellow of ORBIS International, ICO, and SOE, she completed specializations in Tampa, USA, and the Eye Clinic of Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany. Her areas of focus include eye banking, vascular and degenerative retinal diseases, and oculoplastic surgery.
In 2007, she defended her PhD thesis on “Malignant Eyelid Tumors – Prevalence, Clinico-Morphological Characteristics, and Surgical Treatment" and was awarded the educational and scientific degree "Doctor." In the same year, she earned a Master's degree in Health Management from MU-Varna.
She began working at MU-Varna as an adjunct assistant, and in 2008, she was appointed as a full-time assistant at the Department of Neurosurgery, ENT, and Ophthalmology. She became a Chief Assistant in 2009 and was awarded the academic title of Associate Professor in December 2011.
In 2017, she defended her Doctor of Science dissertation titled “Reconstructive Eyelid Surgery for Positional Changes and Post-Tumor Excision," earning the academic degree Doctor of Science in Ophthalmology. In November 2018, she was awarded the title of Professor in Ophthalmology at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, MU-Varna.
In March 2020, Prof. Zlatarova became Head of the Optometry Program, and in November 2022, she was elected Head of the newly established Department of Optometry and Occupational Diseases. In February 2025 Prof. Zlatarova became Head of Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, MU-Varna.
She has participated in over 70 national and international scientific forums and congresses, including as an invited speaker. She is a mentor to residents and nine PhD students, five of whom have already earned their doctoral degrees.
Her main scientific interests are in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular and degenerative retinal diseases, glaucoma, and ophthalmic oncology.
Her surgical practice includes ocular laser microsurgery, oculoplastic and eyelid reconstructive surgery, and anterior segment surgery.
Prof. Zlatarova is the author of two monographs, has contributed to three textbooks on ophthalmology, and has over 70 publications in specialized Bulgarian and international scientific journals.
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Open access
Selected Publications (Open Access):
- Z Zlatarova, E Hristova, K Bliznakova, V Atanasova, Z Yaneva, D Koseva et al. Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy Among Diabetic Patients from Northeastern Bulgaria. Diagnostics 2024: 14 (20), 2340.
- Hristova E, Koseva D, Zlatarova Z, Dokova K.
Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Registration in Europe – Narrative Review. Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Jun 17;9(6):745.
- Zlatarova ZI, Dokova KG.
Incidence of Non-melanoma Eyelid Malignancies in Bulgaria (2000–2015). Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2021 Jun;28(3):198–204.
- Zlatarova Z., Ilieva A., Krasnaliev I.
Periocular metastasis associated with colorectal carcinoma. Journal of IMAB. 2018; 2:2030–2033.
- Zlatarova Z., Hristova E., Yotsova V.
Structural changes in the macula in diabetic patients. Bulletin of the Union of Scientists – Varna, Series “Medicine and Ecology" 2017; 2: 32–37.
- Zlatarova Z, Nenkova B., Softova E.
Eyelid reconstruction with full-thickness skin grafts after carcinoma excision. Folia Medica, 2016; 58(1):42–48.
- Hristova E., Zlatarova Z.
Dry age-related macular degeneration – new approach in optical coherence tomography monitoring and quantitative assessment. J Biomed Clin Res 2014; 2:148–154.
- Zlatarova ZI, Softova EB, Dokova KG, Messmer EM.
Expression of MMP-1, -9, -13 and TIMP-1 in basal cell carcinomas of the eyelid. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2012; 250(3):425–431.
- Zlatarova Z.
Eyelid Tumors. Steno Publishing, 2010.
- Zlatarova Z.
Combined treatment for peripapillary choroidal neovascularization. Bulgarian Ophthalmic Digest, 2011; 3:20–25.
- Zlatarova Z., Khristozov K., Dokova K.
Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy among patients with decompensated diabetes mellitus. Bulgarian Ophthalmic Digest, 2011; 2:21–25.
- Zlatarova Z., Nenkova B.
Reconstruction of the anterior lamella of the eyelid with free skin grafts. In: Tumors of the Eye and Ocular Adnexa. MU-Pleven Publishing, 2010: 91–97.
- Zlatarova Z.
Acute multifocal posterior placoid pigment epitheliopathy – a case report. Bulgarian Ophthalmic Digest, 2009; 4:39–42.
- Zlatarova ZI, Dokova KG, Kamburova D.
Incidence of eyelid malignancies in the Varna region. Scripta Scientifica Medica, 2009; 41(1):35–38.
- Zlatarova Z., Hristova R., Nenkova B., Softova E.
Rare malignant eyelid tumours – a case report. In: Fostering research on rare diseases in Eastern Europe. 2006: 204–206.
- Zlatarova Z., Nenkova B.
Use of Hughes tarsoconjunctival flap in lower eyelid reconstruction. Bulgarian Ophthalmic Digest, 2008; 3:32–37.
- Zlatarova Z., Nenkova B., Kamburova D.
Is histological margin status a criterion for reoperation in basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid? In: Tumors of the Eye and Ocular Adnexa. MU-Pleven Publishing, 2006: 74–79.
