When Anne Lynch, MD, MSPH, professor and director of the Division of Ophthalmic Epidemiology in the University of Colorado Department of Ophthalmology, wanted to recruit more patients with early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration for research, she and a team of researchers turned to social media to engage the community.

Kara Mason | May 23, 2023

Jack Schaef wants to fly as a pilot someday, but it might just be water that helps make that dream come true.

Kara Mason | May 15, 2023

Faculty in the University of Colorado Department of Ophthalmology are working to prevent physician burnout before it even begins through a new resident wellness program. 

Kara Mason | May 08, 2023

If you see Richard Davidson, MD, jump out of his seat at the next Colorado Avalanche game, it doesn’t necessarily mean the team just scored a goal. As the lead team ophthalmologist for the Denver-based hockey squad, Davidson might be headed back to the locker room to tend to a player who just took a blow to the head or a stick to the eye. 

Greg Glasgow | April 26, 2023

While some of his grade school classmates looked up to famous athletes or television characters, Will Osier’s childhood superhero was his ophthalmologist. Now, more than 15 years later, Osier is set to attend the University of Colorado School of Medicine where his doctor pioneered a treatment that saved his vision.

Kara Mason | April 25, 2023

In health care, both being and feeling seen can make a world of difference. That’s especially true for women, who face higher risks of eye disease and make up two-thirds of people experiencing blindness across the world.

Kara Mason | April 18, 2023

A new drug delivery platform developed by Malik Y. Kahook, MD, professor of ophthalmology and the Slater Family Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, shows promise for the future of glaucoma care after six months of follow up in the first human study.  

Kara Mason | April 11, 2023

Although vision impairments affect people of all ages and backgrounds, the cost of an initial low vision rehabilitation evaluation can prevent patients from getting the comprehensive care they need.

Rachel Wittel | March 13, 2023

Many patients have been touched by the compassionate care they receive at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Sometimes, the families of these patients honor that care posthumously. Sophie Liao, MD, associate professor of ophthalmology at CU School of Medicine, was named the inaugural Robert H. Bell Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology in gratitude for the care she delivered to one such patient in 2021.

Toni Lapp | February 10, 2023

Although Black Americans are the second-largest minority population in the United States, they remain underrepresented in vision health research. They also carry the highest burden of eye disease ranging from general visual impairment to glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and blindness.

Rachel Wittel | February 06, 2023

Ocular problems stemming from environmental factors appear to be significant, says Malik Y. Kahook, MD, vice chair of translational research and the Slater Family Endowed Chair in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He served as senior author on a global review published in Reviews on Environmental Health that focused on the effects of climate change and air pollution on eye health.

Toni Lapp | January 30, 2023

The University of Colorado School of Medicine is proud of our faculty's work that contributes to UCHealth's annual rankings on the U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals. These rankings are important as many students, residents, faculty, and patients consider these rankings when deciding where to train, practice and receive care.

School of Medicine | January 19, 2023

A newer technique for preparing corneal tissue for transplantation has been shown to be safe and effective, while providing a faster and smoother process than the traditional technique, according to researchers in the Department of Ophthalmology at University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Toni Lapp | January 18, 2023

When Alex Ford tells people he’s seeing the world with new eyes, he means it. Ford has had severe myopia, or nearsightedness, since childhood. For almost as long as he can remember, his day would begin by stumbling out of bed and fumbling to find his glasses or contact lens kit.

Toni Lapp | January 11, 2023

We all know that your eyes are a window to your soul, but they also provide insight into your overall health. Getting enough rest, staying active, and consuming a well-balanced diet are just as important to maintaining healthy eyes as the rest of your body. And if you have eye diseases, lifestyle factors take on even more importance.

Toni Lapp | January 04, 2023

As we close the books on 2022, it’s worth looking back to see how far we have come this year. The communications staff in the University of Colorado School of Medicine Dean’s Office covered a variety of stories from the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, from welcoming new faculty to sending off the next generation of eye doctors into the field, pioneering new treatments for blinding diseases, and winning recognition for groundbreaking research.

Department of Ophthalmology | December 16, 2022

Caleb Hebel was in his mid-30s, the prime of his life, with two active children and one on the way, when his mysterious ailment started. “I was go, go, go,” he recalls. “I played hockey, golf, and lifted weights. Our kids were involved in sports, so we were always going places.” On top of that, he was the chief financial officer of a real estate development company and principal of a family business.

Toni Lapp | December 02, 2022

Researchers in the Division of Ophthalmic Epidemiology in the University of Colorado Department of Ophthalmology have confirmed an association between vision loss from advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with depression, following a study of patient data collected over seven years. This finding will help bring visibility into the impact of the disease, which is a leading cause of vision loss for older adults.

Toni Lapp | November 10, 2022

As winter weather moves into Colorado, so do health risks related to snow blindness. Whether you are hiking or snowshoeing at higher elevations, skiing, or skating on a frozen lake, you should protect your eyes from this condition, also known as photokeratitis.

Rachel Wittel | November 04, 2022

The state of modern AI is really exciting for health care. With increasing computing capabilities and access to vast datasets, new algorithms are being developed every day. In that sense, the technology has arrived, but there are many remaining challenges in implementing AI in clinical settings.

Toni Lapp | November 01, 2022

Not many health care providers encourage their patients to break out their smartphones during office visits, but David Simpson, OD, an optometrist at the Low Vision Rehabilitation Service at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, prefers that they do. He treats patients dealing with a variety of vision-related diagnoses – the most common being age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

Toni Lapp | October 13, 2022

At first glance, dry eyes may seem like a minor complaint, but eye care providers at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus know that severe cases can be difficult to treat, often stemming from multiple factors. Left untreated, dry eye disease can impair vision and affect quality of life.

Toni Lapp | October 10, 2022

As one of the largest eye centers in the country, the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus treats many complicated ocular conditions. One is Fuchs’ dystrophy, an inherited disease that affects the cornea ­– the clear covering of the eye. The disease causes cell death in the endothelium, the innermost layer of the cornea. Although death of these cells is a normal part of aging, Fuchs’ accelerates the process and causes vision impairment and discomfort.

Toni Lapp | September 28, 2022

Prem Subramanian, MD, PhD, professor and vice chair for academic affairs in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has been named the inaugural Clifford R. and Janice N. Merrill Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology.

Toni Lapp | September 23, 2022

Generating retinas from stem cells and transplant technologies to restore human sight felt like just a dream for Valeria Canto-Soler, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology in the University of Colorado School of Medicine. When she joined the CU Department of Ophthalmology faculty in 2017, she signed on as the inaugural director of CellSight, the department’s ocular stem cell and regeneration research program, setting benchmarks 15 years in the future.

Rachel Wittel | September 12, 2022

For over 20 years, 61-year-old Annette Sandoval struggled with dry eyes, a condition many Coloradans experience given the state’s arid climate. Allergies can also trigger dry eyes, as well as frequent computer use, medication side effects, and numerous health conditions. In many cases, the condition can significantly affect quality of life, as it did for Sandoval.

Toni Lapp | September 09, 2022

The National Eye Institute (NEI) has awarded a $5 million grant to Tianjing Li, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, in a continuation of the NEI’s support of the Cochrane Eyes and Vision US Satellite (CEV US Satellite) at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center.

Toni Lapp | September 06, 2022

The University of Colorado Department of Ophthalmology’s ocular stem cell and regeneration research program, CellSight, was awarded the top two prizes in the National Eye Institute’s 3D Retinal Organoid Challenge (NEI 3D ROC). The NEI, part of the National Institutes of Health, launched the three-phase challenge in 2017 to stimulate research using retina organoids. These organoids are similar to human retinas but are grown in a lab from stem cells, enabling researchers to study eye diseases and treatments noninvasively.

Toni Lapp | September 01, 2022

A $200,000 grant from the University of Colorado School of Medicine's Program to Advance Physician Scientists and Translational Research (CU ASPIRE) will support researchers to develop new, targeted therapies for those who have experienced vision loss following traumatic brain injuries.

Toni Lapp | August 24, 2022

Looking for ways to introduce new ophthalmic technicians to a supportive career development path, the University of Colorado Department of Ophthalmology in partnership with UCHealth Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center created the Ophthalmic Assistant (OA) Academy, a clinical mentorship program.

Rachel Wittel | August 17, 2022

The University of Colorado Department of Ophthalmology was selected by the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR) to host the organization’s longstanding low vision conference in partnership with Denver’s Anchor Center for Blind Children from July 24-27, 2023.

Rachel Wittel | August 15, 2022

Emily McCourt, MD, chief of pediatric ophthalmology at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center and Children’s Hospital Colorado, has been named the inaugural Ponzio Family Chair for Pediatric Ophthalmology at Children’s Colorado.

Toni Lapp | August 10, 2022

A new service in Colorado will strengthen care and comfort for infants with retinopathy of prematurity through a hybrid in-person and telemedicine approach. Many infants born prematurely face the risks of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potentially blinding eye disease that occurs because blood vessels in the back of the eye are not fully developed and could grow abnormally after premature birth.

Rachel Wittel | August 05, 2022

Denver-area magazine 5280 recently published its list of top doctors for 2022. On this year’s list, CU School of Medicine faculty members continue to be ranked among the best. We're proud to congratulate the 193 CU School of Medicine faculty members honored with the title "Top Doctor."

School of Medicine | August 02, 2022

“You can’t hurt steel.”

Phil Cusimano means it, too. While fixing his roof a few months ago, the 74-year-old veteran fell through and onto his patio – getting right up with nothing but a scratch.

Cusimano is known for his strength, from excelling in track and field during his high school days to enlisting in 1967 to serve in the Vietnam War. His kryptonite seemed to be his eyes.

Rachel Wittel | June 23, 2022

Residency and fellowship program directors in the University of Colorado Department of Ophthalmology described the Class of 2022 as incredibly resilient. The graduating class, comprised of six residents and five fellows, has withstood frequent changes in training, hospital protocols, and personal milestones amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rachel Wittel | June 19, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic found many of us spending more time in isolation, exercising less, and eating and drinking more. All of that caused negative effects on physical and mental health, but what did the pandemic mean for our eye health? As it turns out, plenty — from the effects of increasing screen time to skipping routine eye exams due to COVID-related health concerns.

Greg Glasgow | June 19, 2022

Pop singer Justin Bieber shocked fans last week when he posted a video on Instagram in which he explained he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a condition that causes paralysis on one side of the face. 

Greg Glasgow | June 14, 2022

Philip Tarlow’s inspiration to pursue art was sparked at an early age. He recalls a kindergarten teacher noticing his fascination with construction workers, which ultimately became the subject matter of his creations 30 years later. 

Rachel Wittel | April 13, 2022

Jayashree Kalpathy-Cramer, PhD, has been named chief of the new Division of Artificial Medical Intelligence in Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado (CU) School of Medicine. In her new role, Kalpathy-Cramer will translate novel artificial intelligence (AI) methods into effective patient care practices at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center.

Rachel Wittel | March 17, 2022

By the time Karre Wakefield’s friends and classmates turned 16 and got behind the wheel, she had accepted riding as only a passenger. Wakefield was born with hydrocephalus, or excess fluid in her brain, which damaged her optic nerve and rendered her ineligible for a driver’s license in the state of Colorado.

Rachel Wittel | February 04, 2022

Procedures to alleviate eye pressure associated with blinding diseases such as glaucoma date back over a century. Although glaucoma, a condition that damages the eye’s optic nerve, allows for a number of treatment options prior to surgery, including drops and lasers, research has shown traditional surgical techniques could result in higher risks of vision complications, longer recovery times, and higher associated costs. Identifying this disconnect, Malik Y. Kahook, MD, professor of ophthalmology and the Slater Family Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, sought out a more accessible and practical solution to propel glaucoma treatment into the 21st century.

Rachel Wittel | January 31, 2022

Malik Y. Kahook, MD, professor of ophthalmology and the Slater Family Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has been named chair of the Orbis Medical Advisory Committee. A global non-profit, Orbis International focuses on prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness through training, education, and advocacy, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Rachel Wittel | January 25, 2022

For more than a decade, Tom Poindexter managed his glaucoma with drops as routinely as brushing his teeth. Catching it early, he was diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, in his 50s.

Rachel Wittel | January 14, 2022

Although early warning signs are often out of sight, patients with any type of diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss or blindness for people who have diabetes, but it’s not the only type of diabetic eye disease.

Rachel Wittel | November 29, 2021

Jennifer Patnaik, PhD, researcher at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, received the first-ever Philip and Elaine Ellis New Investigator in Ophthalmology Research Award. The gift provides independent research funding to new ophthalmic investigators.

Rachel Wittel | November 23, 2021

Scott Oliver, MD, chief of the Retina Service and director of the Eye Cancer Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has been named the inaugural Vitale-Schlessman Endowed Chair in Retinal Diseases at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, effective Nov. 1, 2021. 

Rachel Wittel | November 16, 2021

CellSight researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine are offering the first evidence connecting drusen formation, or yellowish deposits that accumulate under the retina, with extracellular vesicles and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Rachel Wittel | November 12, 2021

Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have been awarded a $1.6 million, four-year grant by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study systemic biomarkers of inflammation that signal the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Rachel Wittel | November 08, 2021

If you think ghosts, goblins, and vampires are spooky, then beware of the terrors that can result from wearing costume contact lenses that have not been properly prescribed or fitted. Studies show people wearing cosmetic contacts have an increased risk for infections.

Rachel Wittel | October 26, 2021

The death of a 16-year-old boy who was bullied for being gay inspired Michael A. Puente, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, to campaign to change a 27-year-old federal regulation restricting the ability of gay and bisexual men to donate their corneas in the United States.

Chanthy Na | October 21, 2021

Kathryn Mayer was sitting outside with friends one evening when she experienced a strange sensation that caused her right eye to feel very blurry. She went to bed that night thinking it must be an issue with her contact lenses and carried on normally the next day.

Rachel Wittel | September 30, 2021

As controversy swirls around the first disease-modifying Alzheimer’s drug ever approved, top experts at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus see the move – for the most part – as a step forward.

Debra Melani | June 15, 2021

Diego Restrepo, PhD, professor of cell and developmental biology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, is leading a National Institutes of Health-funded grant into why people infected with SARS-CoV-2 often lose their sense of smell. It’s frequently one of the first symptoms of the infection.

Chris Casey | March 23, 2021

Natalia Vergara, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has been awarded a 3D ROC prize by the National Eye Institute (NEI) for her research team’s work to create better models to accelerate the development of new therapies for retinal diseases.

School of Medicine | February 03, 2021

During the months-long pandemic, healthcare providers have seen a lot of things, often on levels they have never seen before. From brain fog and loss of smell to leg clots and purple toes, what began as a mysterious pulmonary disease has shown the world that its destructive powers far transcend the lungs.

Debra Melani | January 21, 2021

Some forms of blindness and visual impairment can be cured with a corneal transplant surgery using donated eye tissue. However, federal regulations in the United States and Canada severely restrict the ability of sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating their eye tissue.

School of Medicine | September 24, 2020

Each year, Denver-area magazine 5280 publishes its list of top doctors. The annual list was recently released, and year after year, our CU School of Medicine faculty members were ranked among the best. We're proud to congratulate the more than 160 CU School of Medicine faculty members honored with the title top doctor.

School of Medicine | August 12, 2020

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have won a grant to study why many infected with COVID-19 lose their sense of smell.

David Kelly | July 21, 2020

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has been awarded $4 million over the next four years from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH) grant. As a result, the university is now part of a national network of research institutions sharing best practices around commercialization of academic discoveries.

Staff | October 23, 2019

United by a mission to remove barriers, advance research and improve lives, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus with its hospital partners, Children’s Hospital Colorado and UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, today launched its first-ever marketing campaign: This Is Breakthrough.

Staff | September 30, 2019

When an academic medical campus attracts the best minds in science and unleashes them on the biggest challenges in health care, barriers simply don’t stand a chance.

Staff | September 15, 2019

In contrast to the science fiction portrayal of evil computers plotting to overthrow humankind, artificial intelligence (AI) in fact seems poised to help improve human health in a multitude of ways, including flagging suspicious moles for dermatologist follow-up, monitoring blood volume in military field personnel and tracking flu outbreaks via Twitter.

Guest Contributor | September 03, 2019

When Valeria Canto-Soler, Ph.D., was a biology student in Argentina, she dreamed of a career studying elephants and other African wildlife in their natural habitat.

Kathleen Bohland | August 30, 2017

The Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and CU Innovations have awarded three researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus $350,000 grants with the hope they will strike scientific gold.

Michael Davidson | April 18, 2017

AURORA, Colo. – A new device designed to perform safer, more effective cataract surgery is going on the market following a licensing agreement between the University of Colorado and Mile High Ophthalmics LLC.

Staff | January 26, 2015

The CU Technology Transfer Office reports researchers from CU Anschutz have been granted two new patents.

Danielle Zieg | April 14, 2014

AURORA, Colo.– Galaxy Ophthalmics and CU have completed an exclusive option agreement to allow the company to commercialize an implantable medical device to help prevent loss of vision resulting from glaucoma.

Staff | November 04, 2013