Eye & Vision Care at University of Colorado Hospital's Eye Center
Your eyesight is precious. The doctors at the UCH Eye Center offer the highest level of care for a wide range of conditions from routine eye care to highly technical surgery and cutting edge treatments for eye diseases.
Why Choose UCH Eye Center for Ophthalmology
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- UCH and the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology has been ranked in the Top 10 Best Clinical (Patient Care) Programs in a recent Ophthalmology Times survey.
- The UCH Eye Center is dedicated to serving the vision care needs of our patients and to advance research. Our state-of-the-art facility provides both routine and specialty diagnostic and clinical care.
- All of our doctors are fellowship trained – which means they have achieved the highest level of expertise. They are able to diagnose and treat the most complicated cases.
- Eye Center doctors also conduct clinical research. Not only does this mean they are deeply knowledgeable in their area, but it makes it possible for us to offer you the latest treatments and surgical options sooner than other eye doctors.
- With over 35,000 patient visits a year, we have diagnosed and treated a huge range of eye conditions.
- Our doctors train the next generation of eye doctors!
Eye & Vision Conditions We Treat at the UCH Eye Center
By the age of 65, one third of Americans have some form of vision-impairing eye disease. But most don’t know it because there are often no symptoms. Not surprisingly, vision loss and blindness have a significant impact on one's quality of life. But they are often preventable.
With new technology, such as laser surgery, vision may even be dramatically improved. It is important to protect your eyes and maintain healthy habits such as getting regular eye exams.
Our wide variety of ophthalmology services include:
Featured Services
LASIK Eye Surgery
Imagine finally ditching your eyeglasses!
Located in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Taravella and Dr. Davidson are nationally recognized specialists offering the latest in vision correction including LASIK, PRK and other surgery techniques.
Our team approach and double case review means you receive 100% custom treatment: you get exactly the right care for your eyes. If LASIK surgery is not right for you or if complications arise, our doctors have the depth of expertise to offer you options right here at UCH.
Cataract Treatment and Surgery
Cataract surgery has come a long way.
Tremendous advances in technology now give you safer and better options than ever before. Thanks to improvements in Intraocular lenses (IOL) and surgical techniques, our doctors may not only be able to help restore your vision, but actually make it better than it was – minimizing your dependence on glasses or reading glasses.
Featured Doctors
Dr. Naresh Mandava
Dr. Mandava has been named one of the “Top Ophthalmologists in America” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America for 3 years in a row. Dr. Mandava, the department chief, is a specialist in the medical and surgical management of retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment.
Dr. Michael Taravella
Dr. Taravella has been named five times as one of Denver’s Top Doctors in 5280 Magazine. He is a nationally recognized specialist in LASIK and refractive surgery, corneal surgery and cataract surgery. Dr. Taravella also is an expert in the management of corneal diseases, including corneal transplantation.
Dr. Richard S. Davidson
Dr. Davidson is widely respected for his clinical expertise and research in the treatment of corneal conditions. He specializes in refractive procedures such as LASIK and PRK surgery, small incision and no-stitch cataract surgery, corneal transplantation and other procedures.
Dr. Malik Kahook
Dr. Kahook is director of Clinical Research at the UCH Eye Center. He specializes in the medical and surgical care of glaucoma and cataracts. Dr. Kahook was recently awarded an AGS Clinician-Scientist Fellowship Award for 2007 as well as the AGS Compliance Grant for 2007.
Dr. Vikram Durairaj
Dr. Durairaj is a board certified ophthalmologist and eye surgeon and is a fellowship trained specialist in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery (eye plastic surgery). Dr. Durairaj has numerous publications and has lectured extensively both nationally and internationally.
Eyes and Vision Research
UCH Eye Center doctors are:
- researching different molecules that may be used in treating macular degeneration. We are conducting an artificial vision project that may some day lead to solutions for currently irreversible and progressive blindness.
- identifying undiscovered proteins in the eye (proteomics) which could lead to advances in early diagnosis of diseases such as glaucoma, retinal diseases, as well as more common conditions such as severe dry eye syndrome.
- studying changes in the thickness and curvature of the cornea after LASIK surgery with the goal of improving LASIK technology especially in the area of overcorrection.
For information about research trials, contact Mary Preston at (720) 848-2035 or Mary.Preston@ucdenver.edu
Additional Resources
National Eye Institute
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Eye MD Link
Web MD