Eye & Vision Care at University of Colorado Hospital

  • The UCH and 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
  • University of Colorado Hospital has an entire eye center dedicated to serve the vision care needs of our patients and to advance research.  The Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute is a state-of-the art facility dedicated to providing 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
  • Our doctors also conduct research.  Not only does this mean they are deeply knowledgeable in their area, but it makes it possible for us to offer the latest treatments and surgical options to our patients sooner than other eye doctors
  • Our doctors train the next generation of eye doctors. 

Eye & Vision Conditions Treated at the University of Colorado Hospital

Your eyesight is precious. The doctors at University of Colorado Hospital 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. 

More than 28 million people are affected each year by age related eye diseases. Other medical conditions, such as diabetes, and even diet also may affect your eyesight.  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.

But vision loss and blindness 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.

With over 35,000 patient visits a year, we have seen it all. Let us help you keep your eyes healthy.

We provide services for a wide variety of treatments and conditions including:

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 ensuring that 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  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  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 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, congratulations to Dr. Kahook who was recently awarded an AGS Clinician-Scientist Fellowship Award for 2007 as well as the AGS Compliance Grant for 2007.

Dr. Vikram 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.

New Research

At University of Colorado Hospital, our 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 Tim Byrne at (720) 848-5051 or Tim.Byrne@UCHSC.edu

Additional Resources

National Eye Institute

American Academy of Ophthalmology  

Eye MD Link

Web MD