Steven M Christiansen M.D.

Steven M. Christiansen M.D.

Steven M. Christiansen, MD is board certified in ophthalmology and is fellowship-trained as a retina specialist and vitreoretinal surgeon. Dr. Christiansen grew up in Salt Lake City, graduating summa cum laude from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and a minor in music. He attended medical school at the University of Utah School of Medicine, followed by a transitional internship at Indiana University Methodist Hospital. He then completed ophthalmology residency at the University of Iowa, consistently ranked among the nation’s top ophthalmology residency training programs. He completed two years of subspecialty fellowship training in vitreoretinal disease and surgery at the Cincinnati Eye Institute and the University of Cincinnati.After finishing retina fellowship, Dr. Christiansen practiced as a retina specialist in Colorado Springs and is now thrilled to be living in Castle Rock with his wife and four young children.

Dr. Christiansen has published 16 articles in peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals, maintains an active ophthalmology-blog, and is a recipient of the Secretariat Award (2017) and Achievement Award (2018) from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Christiansen specializes in all areas of retinal and vitreous pathology, including the medical treatment of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal vascular disease, as well as the surgical treatment of epiretinal membrane, macular hole, posterior segment trauma, and retinal detachment.

Board Certification

  • American Board of Ophthalmology
    November 2020

Education

Training

Leadership and Volunteer Experience

Awards

Book Chapters

Research

Clinical Trials

  • Tafenoquine
    Phase 2 study to evaluate long-term safety of Tafenoquine, 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals LLC, clinical trial 60PH04 – sub-investigator
  • RHINE
    Phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Faricimab (RO6867461) in participants with Diabetic Macular Edema (RHINE), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, clinical trial GR40398 – sub-investigator
  • TENAYA
    Phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Faricimab in participants With neovascular agerelated macular degeneration, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, clinical trial GR40306 – sub-investigator
  • KESTREL
    Phase 3 study assessing the efficacy and safety of brolucizumab versus aflibercept in adult patients with visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema, Novartis, clinical trial RTH258B2301 – sub-investigator
  • MERLIN
    Phase 3 study to assess safety and efficacy of brolucizumab 6 mg q4 weeks compared to aflibercept 2mg q4 weeks in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with persistent retinal fluid, Novartis, clinical trial RTH258 – sub-investigator
  • RAPTOR
    Phase 3 study to assess the efficacy and safety of Brolucizumab versus Aflibercept in adult patients with visual impairment due to macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion, Novartis, clinical trial CRTH258C2302 – sub-investigator
  • RAVEN
    Phase 3 study assessing the efficacy and safety of brolucizumab versus aflibercept in adult patients with visual impairment due to macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion, clinical trial RTH259, Novartis – sub-investigator

  • PANDA
    Phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of conbercept intravitreal injection in subjects with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, clinical trial KHB-1802, Novartis – sub-investigator

  • CANDELA
    Phase 2 study of the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of repeated doses of high-dose aflibercept in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, clinical trial VGFTe (HD)-AMD-1905, Regeneron – sub-investigator
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Board of Ophthalmology

Conditions We Treat

Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related disease causing damage to the macula, resulting in distortion and central vision loss

Diabetic Retinopathy 
Damage to retina blood vessels due to uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

Retinal Detachments
Detachment of retina due to retinal holes, horseshoe tears, lattice degeneration, or trauma

Macular Hole
Hole in macula due to scar tissue formation, resulting in central vision loss

Epiretinal Membrane
Scar tissue-related swelling and distortion of normal retinal contour resulting in distortion and vision loss

Retinal vein and arterial occlusions
Blockage or back-up of retinal blood flow causing retinal swelling and vision loss

Uveitis
Intraocular inflammation caused by infection, autoimmune, and systemic disease

Vitreous Floaters
Chronic floaters in vision due to posterior vitreous detachment and vitreous degeneration