Richard Davidson, MD
Professor, Ophthalmology

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Medical School:
  • MD, Hahnemann University (1997)
Undergraduate School:
  • BS, George Washington University (DC) (1992)
Internship:
  • Crozer-Chester Medical Center Program (1998)
Residency:
  • Thomas Jefferson University/Wills Eye Institute Program, Chief Resident, Ophthalmology (2001)
Fellowships:
  • University of California (Davis) Health System Program, Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery (2002)
Languages: English
Department: Ophthalmology

Professional Titles

  • Co-Medical Director, Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank
  • Co-Director, Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Fellowship
  • Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs and Quality, UCHealth Eye Centers

Recognition & Awards

  • “Top Doctor”, Castle Connolly (2016)
    2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • "Top Doc" in Ophthalmology, Denver’s 5280 Magazine (2016)
    2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
  • Refractive/Cataract Surgery Subcommittee, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) (2012)
    Appointed to the Refractive/Cataract Surgery Subcommittee for the Cataract Clinical Committee of the ASCRS.
  • “Top Doc”, US News and World Report Magazine (2012)
  • Basic Clinical Science Course, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2011)
    Appointed to the Committee for Refractive Surgery
  • President's Award, University of Colorado Hospital (2010)
    Awarded for "Working together with the pre-op call center team."
  • Best Poster, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2009)
    Awarded "Best Poster" at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, October 2009.
  • Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2008)
    Award given by the American Academy of Ophthalmology for significant service to the organization.
  • Foundations of Doctoring, University of Colorado School of Medicine (2007)
    Recognition for participation as a faculty mentor in the University of Colorado School of Medicine Foundations of Doctoring Program.
  • Full Time Faculty Teaching Award, Residents in the Department of Ophthalmology (2006)
    Awarded as the 1st Annual Academic Faculty Teaching Award from the graduating residents in the Department of Ophthalmology

Research Interests

"Ultrathin" corneal donor tissue for DSAEK procedures, new intraocular lens technology, and new treatments for dry eyes.

Teaching

  • Associate Professor (2008)
    School of Medicine, Ophthalmology
    Cataract surgery, corneal surgery, and refractive surgery
  • Assistant Professor (2002)
    School of Medicine, Ophthalmology
    Cataract surgery, corneal surgery, and refractive surgery
  • Professor (2016)
    School of Medicine, Ophthalmology
    Cataract surgery, corneal surgery, and refractive surgery

Publications

  • 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
  • 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
  • Petrash CC, Palestine AG, Smith J, Davidson R, Pantcheva MB. Iris Retraction Without Hypotony. Ophthalmol Ther. 2022 Jun;11(3):1273-1279. PubMed PMID: 35318608
  • Davidson RS, Donaldson K, Jeffries M, Khandelwal S, Raizman M, Rodriguez Torres Y, Kim T. Persistent opioid use in cataract surgery pain management and the role of nonopioid alternatives. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2022 Jun 1;48(6):730-740. PubMed PMID: 34753878
  • Li T, Davidson RS, Virgili G. Choosing Intraocular Lenses in Patients Undergoing Bilateral Cataract Extraction-One Size Does Not Fit All. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2022 Nov 1;140(11):1053-1054. PubMed PMID: 36136317
  • Radell JE, Tatum JN, Lin CT, Davidson RS, Pell J, Sieja A, Wu AY. Risks and rewards of increasing patient access to medical records in clinical ophthalmology using OpenNotes. Eye (Lond). 2022 Oct;36(10):1951-1958. PubMed PMID: 34611314
  • Sedhom JA, Patnaik JL, McCourt EA, Liao S, Subramanian PS, Davidson RS, Palestine AG, Kahook MY, Seibold LK. Physician burnout in ophthalmology: U.S. survey. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2022 Jun 1;48(6):723-729. PubMed PMID: 34596630
  • 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
  • Davidson RS, Donaldson K, Jeffries M, Khandelwal S, Raizman M, Torres YR, Kim T. Persistent Opioid Use in Cataract Surgery Pain Management and the Role of Non-Opioid Alternatives. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2021 Nov 12. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34753878
  • Williams ER, Patnaik JL, Miller DC, Lynch AM, Davidson RS, Kahook MY, Seibold LK. Iris manipulation during phacoemulsification: intraoperative and postoperative complications. Int J Ophthalmol. 2021;14(5):676-683. PubMed PMID: 34012881
  • 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
  • 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
  • Physician Burnout in Ophthalmology: A National Survey. Sedhom JA, Patnaik JL, McCourt EA, Liao S, Subramanian PS, Davidson RS, Palestine AG, Kahook MY, Seibold LK.J Cataract Refract Surg. 2021 Sep 30.
  • Risks and rewards of increasing patient access to medical records in clinical ophthalmology using OpenNotes. Radell JE, Tatum JN, Lin CT, Davidson RS, Pell J, Sieja A, Wu AY.Eye (Lond). 2021 Oct 5.
  • Ryburn C, Patnaik JL, Miller DC, Alexander J, Lynch AM, Davidson RS, Taravella MJ. What Is the Cost of a Posterior Capsule Rupture Complication?. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020 Aug 1;51(8):444-447. PubMed PMID: 32818276
  • Kieval JZ, Al-Hashimi S, Davidson RS, Hamilton DR, Jackson MA, LaBorwit S, Patterson LE, Stonecipher KG, Donaldson K. Prevention and management of refractive prediction errors following cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2020 Aug;46(8):1189-1197. PubMed PMID: 32541369
  • 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, 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
  • Como CN, Bubak AN, Blackmon AM, Jones D, Mueller NH, Davidson R, Nagel MA. Varicella Zoster Virus Induces Differential Cell-Type Specific Responses in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells and Keratocytes. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019 Feb 1;60(2):704-711. PubMed PMID: 30786281
  • Donaldson K, Fernández-Vega-Cueto L, Davidson R, Dhaliwal D, Hamilton R, Jackson M, Patterson L, Stonecipher K. Perioperative assessment for refractive cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2018 May;44(5):642-653. PubMed PMID: 29891157
  • Al-Hashimi S, Donaldson K, Davidson R, Dhaliwal D, Jackson M, Kieval JZ, Patterson L, Stonecipher K, Hamilton DR. Medical and surgical management of the small pupil during cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2018 Aug;44(8):1032-1041. PubMed PMID: 30033113
  • Hovanesian JA, Starr CE, Vroman DT, Mah FS, Gomes JAP, Farid M, Shamie N, Davidson RS, John T, Holland EJ, Kim T. Surgical techniques and adjuvants for the management of primary and recurrent pterygia. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2017 Mar;43(3):405-419. PubMed PMID: 28410726
  • Bonnell LN, SooHoo JR, Seibold LK, Lynch AM, Wagner BD, Davidson RS, Taravella MJ. One-day postoperative intraocular pressure spikes after phacoemulsification cataract surgery in patients taking tamsulosin. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2016 Dec;42(12):1753-1758. PubMed PMID: 28007106
  • Taravella MJ, Davidson R. Reply. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2016 Nov;42(11):1693-1694. PubMed PMID: 27956308
  • Davidson RS, Dhaliwal D, Hamilton DR, Jackson M, Patterson L, Stonecipher K, Yoo SH, Braga-Mele R, Donaldson K. Surgical correction of presbyopia. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2016 Jun;42(6):920-30. PubMed PMID: 27373400
  • Taravella MJ, Meghpara B, Frank G, Gensheimer W, Davidson R. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in complex cases. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2016 Jun;42(6):813-6. PubMed PMID: 27373386
  • Alexander JK, Davidson RS. Managing Expectations in Refractive Surgery. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2016 Spring;56(2):1-17. PubMed PMID: 26938335
  • Taravella MJ, Davidson R, Erlanger M, Guiton G, Gregory D. Time and cost of teaching cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2014 Feb;40(2):212-6. PubMed PMID: 24461498
  • Donaldson KE, Braga-Mele R, Cabot F, Davidson R, Dhaliwal DK, Hamilton R, Jackson M, Patterson L, Stonecipher K, Yoo SH, ASCRS Refractive Cataract Surgery Subcommittee. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2013 Nov;39(11):1753-63. PubMed PMID: 24160384
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Professional Memberships

  • Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society (AOA), Member
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Member
  • American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), Member
  • American Board of Ophthalmology (ABOP), Associate Examiner
  • Pan American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO), Member
  • The Cornea Society, Member
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS), Member
  • Paton Corneal Society, Member
  • Luther Rice Society Advisory Council, George Washington University, Member

Practice Locations

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

Hospital Affiliation
  • University of Colorado Hospital

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Ophthalmology, Board Certification (2002, 2022)
  • Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery, Specialized Training (2002)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Eyes and Vision - Cataract
  • Eyes and Vision - Cataract Extraction
  • Eyes and Vision - Corneal Disease
  • Eyes and Vision - Corneal Transplantation
  • Eyes and Vision - Dry Eyes
  • Eyes and Vision - Eye Disease
  • Eyes and Vision - LASIK Surgery
  • Eyes and Vision
  • Eyes and Vision - Uveitis and Ocular Immunology
  • Cancers - Eye Cancers
  • Cancers
  • Eyes and Vision - Ophthalmic Oncology
  • Surgery - Eye and/or Orbital Surgery
  • Surgery
Clinical Interests
Small incision no-stitch cataract surgery, "bladeless" laser-based cataract surgery with the LenSx laser, corneal transplants (partial and full thickness) and LASIK surgery and other forms of vision correction surgery.

Care Philosophy
I strive to provide the best care for my patients. I believe in treating the person as a whole, taking every aspect of a patient’s body and health into consideration during diagnosis and treatment.

Public Speaking
Yes

General Information

Medical Schools:
  • MD, Hahnemann University (1997)
Undergraduate Schools:
  • BS, George Washington University (DC) (1992)
Internships:
  • Crozer-Chester Medical Center Program (1998)
Residency Programs:
  • Thomas Jefferson University/Wills Eye Institute Program, Chief Resident, Ophthalmology (2001)
Fellowships:
  • University of California (Davis) Health System Program, Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery (2002)
Download CV
Languages: English
Department: Ophthalmology
SOM Resources
CU Resources
Contact Us
CU Anschutz
Fitzsimons Building
13001 East 17th Place
Campus Box C290
Aurora, CO 80045

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