Karen Christopher, MD

Associate Professor, Ophthalmology


FacultyPhoto
Medical School
  • MD, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine (2013)
Undergraduate School
  • BS, University of Notre Dame (IN) (2009)
Internship
  • Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center Program (2014)
Residency
  • University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers Program, Ophthalmology (2017)
Fellowships
  • University of Colorado, Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery (2018)
Languages
English
Department
Ophthalmology

Professional Titles

  • Section Chief of Ophthalmology, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center

Publications

  • Edmiston AM, Christopher KL, Taravella MT. Macular Corneal Dystrophy. Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Updated May 2, 2018. Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1193871
  • Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Ifantides C, Miller DC, Davidson RS, Taravella MJ, Lynch A, Wagner B. Time Utilization and Refractive Prediction Enhancement Associated with Intraoperative Aberrometry Use During Cataract Surgery. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021;15:531-539. PubMed PMID: 33603331
  • Rohl A, Christopher KL, Ifantides C. Two cases of pen ink scleral tattoos and a brief review of the literature. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2021 Mar;21:101015. PubMed PMID: 33537509
  • Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Miller DC, Lynch AM, Taravella MJ, Davidson RS. Accuracy of Intraoperative Aberrometry, Barrett True-K With and Without Posterior Cornea Measurements, Shammas-PL, and Haigis-L Formulas After Myopic Refractive Surgery. J Refract Surg. 2021 Jan 1;37(1):60-68. PubMed PMID: 33432996
  • Strong Caldwell A, Patnaik JL, Ackerman M, Christopher KL, Lynch AM, Singh JK. Risk of Refractive Prediction Error After Cataract Surgery in Patients with Thyroid Eye Disease. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021;15:4431-4438. PubMed PMID: 34795474
  • Fichtner JE, Patnaik J, Christopher KL, Petrash JM. Cataract inhibitors: Present needs and future challenges. Chem Biol Interact. 2021 Nov 1;349:109679. PubMed PMID: 34600869
  • Patnaik JL, Christopher KL, Pedler MG, Shieh B, Petrash CC, Wagner BD, Mandava N, Lynch AM, Palestine AG, Petrash JM. The Protective Effect of Metformin Use on Early Nd:YAG Laser Capsulotomy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2021 Aug 2;62(10):24. PubMed PMID: 34415985
  • Ifantides C, Naids SM, Muttuvelu DV, Mian SI, Christopher KL. A Modified Flanged Intrascleral Intraocular Lens Fixation Technique Using an Externalized Needle for Haptic Docking. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021;15:2047-2050. PubMed PMID: 34040338
  • Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Ifantides C, Miller DC, Davidson RS, Taravella MJ, Lynch A, Wagner B. Time Utilization and Refractive Prediction Enhancement Associated with Intraoperative Aberrometry Use During Cataract Surgery. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021;15:531-539. PubMed PMID: 33603331
  • Rohl A, Christopher KL, Ifantides C. Two cases of pen ink scleral tattoos and a brief review of the literature. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2021 Mar;21:101015. PubMed PMID: 33537509
  • Miller DC, Patnaik JL, Palestine AG, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Cataract Surgery Outcomes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Patients at a Tertiary Care Academic Medical Center in the United States. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2021 Oct;28(5):400-407. PubMed PMID: 33369513
  • Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Miller DC, Lynch AM, Taravella MJ, Davidson RS. Accuracy of Intraoperative Aberrometry, Barrett True-K With and Without Posterior Cornea Measurements, Shammas-PL, and Haigis-L Formulas After Myopic Refractive Surgery. J Refract Surg. 2021 Jan 1;37(1):60-68. PubMed PMID: 33432996
  • Christopher KL, Dawson VJ, Kandarakis SA, Ifantides C. A Review and Update on Surgical Management of Intraocular Lens Dislocation. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2021 Jan 1;61(1):15-28. PubMed PMID: 33337791
  • Ifantides C, Christopher KL, Deitz GA, Smith JM, Patnaik JL, SooHoo JR, Subramanian PS. Ophthalmic Injuries by Less-Lethal Kinetic Weapons During the US George Floyd Protests in Spring 2020. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2021 Feb 1;139(2):242-244. PubMed PMID: 33270094
  • Dawson VJ, Patnaik JL, Ifantides C, Miller DC, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Comparison of refractive prediction for intraoperative aberrometry and Barrett True K no history formula in cataract surgery patients with prior radial keratotomy. Acta Ophthalmol. 2021 Sep;99(6):e844-e851. PubMed PMID: 33258305
  • Miller DC, Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Lynch AM, Seibold LK, Mandava N, Taravella MJ. Posterior Capsule Rupture during Cataract Surgery in Eyes Receiving Intravitreal anti-VEGF Injections. Curr Eye Res. 2021 Feb;46(2):179-184. PubMed PMID: 32657614
  • Fonteh CN, Patnaik JL, Grove NC, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Predictors of Pseudophakic Retinal Tears at a Tertiary Care Academic Medical Center. Ophthalmol Retina. 2022 Jun;6(6):450-456. PubMed PMID: 35093584
  • Gelinas N, Lynch AM, Mathias MT, Palestine AG, Mandava N, Christopher KL, Patnaik JL. Gender as an effect modifier in the relationship between hypertension and reticular pseudodrusen in patients with early or intermediate age-related macular degeneration. Int J Ophthalmol. 2022;15(3):461-465. PubMed PMID: 35310058
  • Miller DC, Patnaik JL, Palestine AG, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Cataract Surgery Outcomes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Patients at a Tertiary Care Academic Medical Center in the United States. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2020 Dec 28;:1-8. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33369513
  • Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Penland KJ, Pantcheva MB, Lynch AM, Ifantides C. Outcomes and Risk Factors for Complications in Cataract Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2022 Oct 4;:1-7. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 36196031
  • Christopher KL, Dawson VJ, Kandarakis SA, Ifantides C. A Review and Update on Surgical Management of Intraocular Lens Dislocation. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2021 Jan 1;61(1):15-28. PubMed PMID: 33337791
  • Kalhorn A, Patnaik JL, Ifantides C, Capitena Young CE, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Association between Increased Cataract Surgery Duration and Postoperative Outcomes. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2022 Apr 18;:1-6. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 35436169
  • Gelinas N, Lynch AM, Mathias MT, Palestine AG, Mandava N, Christopher KL, Patnaik JL. Gender as an effect modifier in the relationship between hypertension and reticular pseudodrusen in patients with early or intermediate age-related macular degeneration. Int J Ophthalmol. 2022;15(3):461-465. PubMed PMID: 35310058
  • Ifantides C, Christopher KL, Deitz GA, Smith JM, Patnaik JL, SooHoo JR, Subramanian PS. Ophthalmic Injuries by Less-Lethal Kinetic Weapons During the US George Floyd Protests in Spring 2020. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2021 Feb 1;139(2):242-244. PubMed PMID: 33270094
  • Dawson VJ, Patnaik JL, Ifantides C, Miller DC, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Comparison of refractive prediction for intraoperative aberrometry and Barrett True K no history formula in cataract surgery patients with prior radial keratotomy. Acta Ophthalmol. 2020 Nov 30. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33258305
  • Carvajal Bedoya G, Caplan L, Christopher KL, Reddy AK, Ifantides C. Tattoo Granulomas With Uveitis. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2020 Jan-Dec;8:2324709620975968. PubMed PMID: 33238758
  • Siegel DT, Christopher KL. Bleeding Under an Established Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) Flap. Ophthalmology. 2020 Oct;127(10):1302. PubMed PMID: 32951669
  • Miller DC, Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Lynch AM, Seibold LK, Mandava N, Taravella MJ. Posterior Capsule Rupture during Cataract Surgery in Eyes Receiving Intravitreal anti-VEGF Injections. Curr Eye Res. 2021 Feb;46(2):179-184. PubMed PMID: 32657614
  • Ifantides C, Deitz GA, Christopher KL, Slingsby TJ, Subramanian PS. Less-Lethal Weapons Resulting in Ophthalmic Injuries: A Review and Recent Example of Eye Trauma. Ophthalmol Ther. 2020 Sep;9(3):1-7. PubMed PMID: 32535838
  • Dawson VJ, Patnaik JL, Wildes M, Bonnell LN, Miller DC, Taravella MJ, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Risk of posterior capsule rupture in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy during phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Acta Ophthalmol. 2022 Nov;100(7):813-818. PubMed PMID: 35253993
  • Christopher KL, Ifantides C, Lynch AM, Patnaik JL. Intraocular lens calculations in patients with previous sequential radial keratotomy and LASIK/PRK. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2022 Aug 1;48(8):971-973. PubMed PMID: 35171141
  • Fonteh CN, Patnaik JL, Grove NC, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Predictors of Pseudophakic Retinal Tears at a Tertiary Care Academic Medical Center. Ophthalmol Retina. 2022 Jun;6(6):450-456. PubMed PMID: 35093584
  • Strong Caldwell A, Patnaik JL, Ackerman M, Christopher KL, Lynch AM, Singh JK. Risk of Refractive Prediction Error After Cataract Surgery in Patients with Thyroid Eye Disease. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021;15:4431-4438. PubMed PMID: 34795474
  • Fichtner JE, Patnaik J, Christopher KL, Petrash JM. Cataract inhibitors: Present needs and future challenges. Chem Biol Interact. 2021 Nov 1;349:109679. PubMed PMID: 34600869
  • Christopher KL, Hood CT, Mian SI, Ayres B. Endophthalmitis in Advanced Microbial Keratitis: Risk Factors and Examination Findings. Cornea. 2020 Sep;39(9):1096-1101. PubMed PMID: 32472790
  • Patnaik JL, Christopher KL, Pedler MG, Shieh B, Petrash CC, Wagner BD, Mandava N, Lynch AM, Palestine AG, Petrash JM. The Protective Effect of Metformin Use on Early Nd:YAG Laser Capsulotomy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2021 Aug 2;62(10):24. PubMed PMID: 34415985
  • Ifantides C, Sieck EG, Christopher KL. Rotary Chop: A New Technique for Teaching Chop and Tackling Mature Cataracts. Ophthalmol Ther. 2020 Jun;9(2):321-327. PubMed PMID: 32301058
  • Ifantides C, Naids SM, Muttuvelu DV, Mian SI, Christopher KL. A Modified Flanged Intrascleral Intraocular Lens Fixation Technique Using an Externalized Needle for Haptic Docking. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021;15:2047-2050. PubMed PMID: 34040338
  • Christopher KL, Miller DC, Patnaik JL, Lynch AM, Davidson RS, Taravella MJ. Comparison of Visual Outcomes of Extended Depth of Focus Lenses in Patients With and Without Previous Laser Refractive Surgery. J Refract Surg. 2020 Jan 1;36(1):28-33. PubMed PMID: 31917848
  • Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Ifantides C, Miller DC, Davidson RS, Taravella MJ, Lynch A, Wagner B. Time Utilization and Refractive Prediction Enhancement Associated with Intraoperative Aberrometry Use During Cataract Surgery. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021;15:531-539. PubMed PMID: 33603331
  • Rohl A, Christopher KL, Ifantides C. Two cases of pen ink scleral tattoos and a brief review of the literature. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2021 Mar;21:101015. PubMed PMID: 33537509
  • Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Miller DC, Lynch AM, Taravella MJ, Davidson RS. Accuracy of Intraoperative Aberrometry, Barrett True-K With and Without Posterior Cornea Measurements, Shammas-PL, and Haigis-L Formulas After Myopic Refractive Surgery. J Refract Surg. 2021 Jan 1;37(1):60-68. PubMed PMID: 33432996
  • Miller DC, Patnaik JL, Palestine AG, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Cataract Surgery Outcomes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Patients at a Tertiary Care Academic Medical Center in the United States. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2021 Oct;28(5):400-407. PubMed PMID: 33369513
  • Christopher KL, Dawson VJ, Kandarakis SA, Ifantides C. A Review and Update on Surgical Management of Intraocular Lens Dislocation. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2021 Jan 1;61(1):15-28. PubMed PMID: 33337791
  • Ifantides C, Christopher KL, Deitz GA, Smith JM, Patnaik JL, SooHoo JR, Subramanian PS. Ophthalmic Injuries by Less-Lethal Kinetic Weapons During the US George Floyd Protests in Spring 2020. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2021 Feb 1;139(2):242-244. PubMed PMID: 33270094
  • Dawson VJ, Patnaik JL, Ifantides C, Miller DC, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Comparison of refractive prediction for intraoperative aberrometry and Barrett True K no history formula in cataract surgery patients with prior radial keratotomy. Acta Ophthalmol. 2021 Sep;99(6):e844-e851. PubMed PMID: 33258305
  • Miller DC, Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Lynch AM, Seibold LK, Mandava N, Taravella MJ. Posterior Capsule Rupture during Cataract Surgery in Eyes Receiving Intravitreal anti-VEGF Injections. Curr Eye Res. 2021 Feb;46(2):179-184. PubMed PMID: 32657614
  • Fonteh CN, Mathias MT, Mandava N, Manoharan N, Lynch AM, Navo R, Patnaik JL. Mental health and visual acuity in patients with age-related macular degeneration. BMC Ophthalmol. 2022 Oct 2;22(1):391. PubMed PMID: 36183081
  • Larochelle RD, Patnaik JL, Lynch AM, Mandava N, Hanson K. Low Vision Referral Patterns in Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Curr Eye Res. 2022 Dec;47(12):1641-1645. PubMed PMID: 36259507
  • Xia JL, Patnaik JL, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Comparison of cataract surgery outcomes in patients with type 1 vs type 2 diabetes mellitus and patients without diabetes mellitus. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2023 Jun 1;49(6):608-613. PubMed PMID: 36779812
  • Ifantides C, SooHoo JR, Christopher KL. Impact of a formal manual small-incision cataract surgery curriculum in an American ophthalmology residency program. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Jun;71(6):2474-2477. PubMed PMID: 37322664
  • Christopher KL, Terrin S, Lohmeier J, Hartman M, Davidson RS, Taravella MJ. Comparison of the Modified Jones Tube Technique and the DMEK EndoGlide Technique With and Without Viscoelastic Material for DMEK Tissue Preparation. Cornea. 2023 Feb 1;42(2):247-251. PubMed PMID: 36582037
  • Sidhu S, Grove NC, Patnaik JL, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Association Between Intraoperative Cataract Surgical Complications and Mortality. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2024 Aug 8;:1-7. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 39116406
  • Fonteh CN, Patnaik JL, Grove NC, Lynch AM, Pantcheva MB, Christopher KL. Refractive outcomes using Barrett formulas and patient characteristics of cataract surgery patients with and without prior LASIK/PRK. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2024 Sep;262(9):2937-2944. PubMed PMID: 38558260
  • Geiger MD, Lynch AM, Palestine AG, Grove NC, Christopher KL, Davidson RS, Taravella MJ, Mandava N, Patnaik JL. Are there sex-based disparities in cataract surgery?. Int J Ophthalmol. 2024;17(1):137-143. PubMed PMID: 38239954
  • Grove NC, Pelak VS, Christopher KL, Wagner BD, Lynch AM, Patnaik JL. Cataract Phacoemulsification in People with Dementia: Characterization and Outcomes. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2024 Oct;31(5):400-408. PubMed PMID: 37971269
  • Bernstein IA, Zhang YV, Govil D, Majid I, Chang RT, Sun Y, Shue A, Chou JC, Schehlein E, Christopher KL, Groth SL, Ludwig C, Wang SY. Comparison of Ophthalmologist and Large Language Model Chatbot Responses to Online Patient Eye Care Questions. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Aug 1;6(8):e2330320. PubMed PMID: 37606922
  • Smith SE, Lynch AM, Auer EA, Bol KA, Christopher KL, Mandava N, Patnaik JL. Visual Functioning and Mortality of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients in a Colorado Cohort. Ophthalmol Retina. 2023 Nov;7(11):982-989. PubMed PMID: 37437714
  • Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Lynch AM, Grove N. Investigation into the relationship between body mass index and cataract surgery characteristics and complications. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2023 Sep-Oct;51(7):742-745. PubMed PMID: 37406642
  • Ifantides C, SooHoo JR, Christopher KL. Impact of a formal manual small-incision cataract surgery curriculum in an American ophthalmology residency program. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Jun;71(6):2474-2477. PubMed PMID: 37322664
  • Mudie LI, Patnaik JL, Gill Z, Wagner M, Christopher KL, Seibold LK, Ifantides C. Disparities in eye clinic patient encounters among patients requiring language interpreter services. BMC Ophthalmol. 2023 Mar 2;23(1):82. PubMed PMID: 36864395
  • Xia JL, Patnaik JL, Lynch AM, Christopher KL. Comparison of cataract surgery outcomes in patients with type 1 vs type 2 diabetes mellitus and patients without diabetes mellitus. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2023 Jun 1;49(6):608-613. PubMed PMID: 36779812
  • Christopher KL, Terrin S, Lohmeier J, Hartman M, Davidson RS, Taravella MJ. Comparison of the Modified Jones Tube Technique and the DMEK EndoGlide Technique With and Without Viscoelastic Material for DMEK Tissue Preparation. Cornea. 2023 Feb 1;42(2):247-251. PubMed PMID: 36582037
  • Christopher KL, Patnaik JL, Penland KJ, Pantcheva MB, Lynch AM, Ifantides C. Outcomes and Risk Factors for Complications in Cataract Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2023 Oct;30(5):492-498. PubMed PMID: 36196031

Practice Locations

Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Administration Medical Center
1700 Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80045
303-399-8020

UCHealth Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center
1675 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-2020

Hospital Affiliation
  • Denver Health Medical Center
  • University of Colorado Hospital
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  • Children's Hospital Colorado

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Ophthalmology, Board Certification
  • Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery, Specialized Training (2018)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Eyes and Vision
  • Surgery - Eye and/or Orbital Surgery
  • Surgery
  • Eyes and Vision - Corneal Disease
  • Eyes and Vision - Corneal Transplantation
  • Eyes and Vision - Eye Disease
  • Eyes and Vision - Dry Eyes
  • Eyes and Vision - Cataract
  • Eyes and Vision - Cataract Extraction
Public Speaking
Yes