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Graduate Schools :
Department: Ophthalmology
Graduate Schools :
- OD, University of Houston College of Optometry (2018)
- MS, University of Houston (2018)
- BS, Texas A&M University (TX) (2014)
Department: Ophthalmology
Professional Titles
- Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Recognition & Awards
- AAO Leadership Summit Invitation, American Academy of Optometry (2023)
- Advisory Council Nomination for Academic Medical Center Optometrist SIG (nominated), American Academy of Optometry (2023)
-
Optometry Innovation Awards, Eyes on Eyecare
(2023)
Dr. Abbott's company (SunSnap Kids) is a finalist for the 2nd annual pitch competition. Winner to be announced November 2023 at the Eyes on 2024 conference. - Board of Directors for the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society (nominated), OWNS (2023)
- Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, American Academy of Optometry (2022)
- Vice Chair of the Nutrition, Disease Prevention, and Wellness Special Interest Group (elected), American Academy of Optometry (2022)
-
Bright Ideas Pitch Competition -- 1st place, American Academy of Optometry Foundation in collaboration with the Innovation Council
(2022)
SunSnap Kids (a company founded by Dr. Abbott in 2019) was awarded 1st place in a live pitch competition in San Diego, CA by a panel of esteemed eye care innovation judges. -
Best Presentation at American Academy of Optometry, American Academy of Optometry
(2016)
Top presentation out of 750 submissions - NIH Research Grant Recipient, National Eye Institute (2015)
-
Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society Member, Beta Sigma Kappa
(2015)
Qualified based on GPA and merit
Research Interests
Dry eye disease, ocular surface disease, meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, Sjogren's Syndrome, neurotrophic keratitis, neuropathic eye pain, thyroid eye disease, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, graft vs host disease, and other eye and systemic conditions affecting the ocular surface and dry eye.
Teaching
-
Assistant Professor
(2023)
School of Medicine, Ophthalmology
Teach interns, ophthalmology residents, and medical students in the comprehensive dry eye clinic. -
Faculty in Center for Ocular Inflammation
(2023)
School of Medicine, Ophthalmology
Manage Ocular Surface Inflammation in multidisciplinary clinics at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center with Uveitis, Rheumatology, and Glaucoma. -
Faculty in Dry Eye Clinic
(2022)
School of Medicine, Ophthalmology
Manage complex ocular surface disease / dry eye disease cases such as Sjogren's Syndrome, GVHD, OCP, neurotrophic keratitis, neuropathic pain, thyroid eye disease, exposure keratopathy, as well as general dry eye disease conditions (ex. meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, demodex, aqueous tear deficiency, etc).
Publications
- Abbott K. Managing Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid Related Ocular Surface Disease. Modern Optometry. Complex Cases. July/August 2023 Edition.
- Abbott K. Awareness can reduce challenges associated with preservatives in glaucoma treatment. Healio. Cornea/External Disease. Perspective. July 2023.
- Abbott K. Long-awaited Treatment for Demodex Blepharitis Receives FDA Approval. Modern Optometry. Online Exclusive. July 2023.
- Abbott K. The Profound Impact of Sleep on Ocular Health. Review of Presbyopia and the Aging Eye. Jobson Medical Information / WebMD. eResource. October 2023.
- Abbott K. Vision in Motion: Unveiling the Eye-Open Benefits of Exercise. Review of Presbyopia and the Aging Eye. Jobson Medical Information / WebMD. eResource. October 2023.
- Abbot K. Beyond Omega-3 Supplementation: Nutrition for Dry Eye Disease. Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society. Members Blog. September 2023.
- Abbott K., Pucker A. Bright Ideas Pitch Competition: SunSnap Kids. Clinical Podcast Series. American Academy of Optometry Foundation. February 2023.
- Abbott K., Pucker A. Age-Related Changes in Corneal Sensitivity. Clinical Podcast Series. American Academy of Optometry Foundation. March 2023.
- Abbott K., Pucker A. Outcomes of Scleral Lenses for Dry Eye Disease in Chronic Graft-Versus-Host-Disease. Clinical Podcast Series. American Academy of Optometry Foundation. April 2023.
- Abbott K., Brujic M. Impact of glaucoma medications on the ocular surface and how ocular surface disease can influence glaucoma treatment. Clinical Podcast Series. American Academy of Optometry Foundation. October 2023.
- Abbott K. 2023. Resolution of Bilateral Monocular Diplopia, Palinopsia, and Photopsia after Discontinuing Topiramate. American Academy of Optometry. (Poster)
- Abbott K. 2023. Community Eye Healthcare. Ophthalmic Academy Chapter 21. UCHealth Ophthalmic Academy. (Oral presentation)
- Abbott K. 2023. The Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease Amongst the Low Vision Population. Vision2023. Keynote speaker. (Oral presentation)
- Abbott K. 2023. The Role of Sleep in Ocular Surface Disease. American Academy of Optometry. (Oral presentation)
- Abbott K. 2023. “Hey Doc, why do my eyes hurt (or don’t hurt)?”. University of Colorado Department of Ophthalmology 27th Annual Symposium. Cornea section. (Oral presentation)
- Abbott K, Hanson K, Lally J. Prevalence of Dry Eye in the Low Vision Population at the University of Colorado. Journal of Optometry. Volume 17, Issue 2, April–June 2024, 100501.
- Abbott K, Pelak V. Topiramate Associated Bilateral Monocular Diplopia, Palinopsia, and Photopsia. Clinical Insights in Eyecare. Accepted October 16, 2023.
- Abbott K. Does My Dry Eye Patient Have Stage 1 Neurotrophic Keratitis? How to differentiate between the two disease entities. Modern Optometry. Online Exclusive. December 2023.
Professional Memberships
- Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society, Board of Directors
- American Academy of Optometry, Fellow
- Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society, Member
- Nutrition, Disease Prevention, and Wellness Special Interest Group, Vice Chair
- American Medical Center Optometrist Special Interest Group, Advisory Council
- Colorado Optometric Association, Member
- Denver Metro Optometric Society, Member
- Fellows Doing Research SIG, Member
Practice Locations
UCHealth Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center
1675 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-2020
Hospital Affiliation
1675 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-2020
Hospital Affiliation
- University of Colorado Hospital
Specialty Information
Specialties
- Optometry, Board Certification (2018, 2018)
- National Board of Examiners in Optometry, Board Certification (2018)
- Eyes and Vision
- Eyes and Vision - Dry Eyes
- Eyes and Vision - Ocular Pathology
- Eyes and Vision - Corneal Disease
Clinical Interests
Dry eye disease, ocular surface disease, meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, Sjogren's Syndrome, neurotrophic keratitis, neuropathic eye pain, thyroid eye disease, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, graft vs host disease, and other eye and systemic conditions affecting the ocular surface and dry eye.
Care Philosophy
I strive to provide exceptional and comprehensive eye care, especially in relation to physical and mental health as the eyes are a window into the overall health of an individual.
Dry eye disease, ocular surface disease, meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, Sjogren's Syndrome, neurotrophic keratitis, neuropathic eye pain, thyroid eye disease, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, graft vs host disease, and other eye and systemic conditions affecting the ocular surface and dry eye.
Care Philosophy
I strive to provide exceptional and comprehensive eye care, especially in relation to physical and mental health as the eyes are a window into the overall health of an individual.
Personal Interests
In my spare time I enjoy hiking 14ers, skiing with my family, reading non-fiction books, working out, traveling our beautiful Earth, watching Texas A&M University sports, smoking brisket, and spending time with my lovely wife and perfect daughter.
Volunteer Activities
I am on the board of directors for a non-profit named Funzeleo, volunteer with Lutheran Family Services to help with refugee resettlement, a guest lecturer for high schools discussing careers in healthcare (specifically, careers in eye care). I have fundraised for World Sight Day, completed a Living Water mission trip to Nicaragua, a medical mission trips to Costa Rica, sponsor children in Haiti, and am actively involved in my local church.
Public Speaking
Yes
Ocular surface disease / dry eye disease, the role of sleep on eye health, prevalence of dry eye disease amongst specific patient populations, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, sleep, melatonin, and blue light.
In my spare time I enjoy hiking 14ers, skiing with my family, reading non-fiction books, working out, traveling our beautiful Earth, watching Texas A&M University sports, smoking brisket, and spending time with my lovely wife and perfect daughter.
Volunteer Activities
I am on the board of directors for a non-profit named Funzeleo, volunteer with Lutheran Family Services to help with refugee resettlement, a guest lecturer for high schools discussing careers in healthcare (specifically, careers in eye care). I have fundraised for World Sight Day, completed a Living Water mission trip to Nicaragua, a medical mission trips to Costa Rica, sponsor children in Haiti, and am actively involved in my local church.
Public Speaking
Yes
Ocular surface disease / dry eye disease, the role of sleep on eye health, prevalence of dry eye disease amongst specific patient populations, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, sleep, melatonin, and blue light.
General Information
Graduate Schools:
- OD, University of Houston College of Optometry (2018)
- MS, University of Houston (2018)
Undergraduate Schools:
- BS, Texas A&M University (TX) (2014)
Languages: English
Department: Ophthalmology