About Dr. Christiansen
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 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.
Front Range Retina is independent and physician-owned; every clinical and practice-related decision is made by Dr. Christiansen with you, the patient, in mind.
Training & credentials
Clinical focus
Dr. Christiansen treats the full range of retinal and vitreous disease, medical and surgical:
Awards & leadership
- Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2018
- Secretariat Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2017
- NIH/NIDDK Summer Research Grant, University of Utah School of Medicine, 2010
- Graduated cum laude, BYU Marriott School of Management, 2009
- Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society and Beta Gamma Sigma
- Young Ophthalmology (YO) committee, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2015–2019
- EyeRounds committee, University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, 2015–2017
- Online education committee, University of Iowa Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, 2014–2017
- EyeSteve.com, 2013–present
- Medical School Student Council, University of Utah School of Medicine, 2010–2013
Publications & research
Dr. Christiansen has published 16 articles in peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals, authored two book chapters, and served as sub-investigator on nine clinical trials of retina therapies, including the phase 3 trials of faricimab and brolucizumab for macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.
Peer-reviewed research (16 publications)
- Pseudohyphema after recent pseudophakia. Ophthalmology 2019;126(3):466.
- Association of Mentor-to-Program Contact and Applicant Rank Disclosure with Vitreoretinal Fellowship Applicant's Final Match Outcome in 2016 and 2017. JAMA Ophthalmol 2018.
- Twitter at the 2014 and 2015 Annual Meetings of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology 2016;123(8):1835-37.
- Current options in the management of pellucid marginal degeneration. J Refract Surg 2014;30:474-85.
- Change in keratometry after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. J Cataract Refract Surg 2014;40:564-74.
- Vitreous and Aqueous Penetration of Orally Administered Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Combination in Humans. Cornea 2013;32:1315-20.
- Sources of medical error in refractive surgery. J Refract Surg 2013;29:303-10.
- Corneal biomechanics in iatrogenic ectasia and keratoconus: A review of the literature. Oman J Ophthalmol 2013;6:12-7.
- Comparison of the ratio of keratometric change to refractive change induced by myopic ablation. J Refract Surg 2012;28:675-82.
- Laser in situ keratomileusis in patients with collagen vascular disease: a review of the literature. Clin Ophthalmol 2012;6:1827-37.
- Astigmatism induced by conventional spherical ablation after PRK and LASIK in myopia with astigmatism < 1.00 D. Clin Ophthalmol 2012;6:2109-17.
- Anesthetic keratopathy presenting as bilateral Mooren-like ulcers. Clin Ophthalmol 2012;6:1719-22.
- Laser in-situ keratomileusis in patients with diabetes mellitus: a review of the literature. Clin Ophthalmol 2012;6:1665-74.
- The effect of preoperative keratometry on visual outcomes after moderate myopic LASIK. Clin Ophthalmol 2012;6:459-64.
- Use of loteprednol for routine prophylaxis after photorefractive keratectomy. Clin Ophthalmol 2012;6:653-9.
- Effect of iris registration on outcomes of LASIK for myopia with the VISX CustomVue platform. J Refract Surg 2009;25:493-502.
Book chapters
- Diagnostic Ophthalmology. Amirsys Publishing, Salt Lake City, Utah. November 2013.
- Glaucoma: Causes and Risk Factors. Glaucoma: Basic and Clinical Perspectives. Future Medicine, London, England. October 2012.
Clinical trials (sub-investigator)
- RHINE: Phase 3, faricimab in diabetic macular edema, F. Hoffmann-La Roche
- TENAYA: Phase 3, faricimab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration, F. Hoffmann-La Roche
- KESTREL: Phase 3, brolucizumab vs aflibercept in diabetic macular edema, Novartis
- MERLIN: Phase 3, brolucizumab vs aflibercept in neovascular AMD with persistent retinal fluid, Novartis
- RAPTOR: Phase 3, brolucizumab vs aflibercept in macular edema from branch retinal vein occlusion, Novartis
- RAVEN: Phase 3, brolucizumab vs aflibercept in macular edema from central retinal vein occlusion, Novartis
- PANDA: Phase 3, conbercept intravitreal injection in neovascular AMD, Novartis
- CANDELA: Phase 2, high-dose aflibercept in neovascular AMD, Regeneron
- Tafenoquine: Phase 2, long-term safety of Tafenoquine, 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals
Colorado is home
Dr. Christiansen lives in Castle Rock with his wife and four young children. After practicing as a retina specialist in Colorado Springs, he built Front Range Retina to bring subspecialty retina care to the communities along the Front Range and throughout Colorado, close to home for his patients, and for his family.
In patients' words
"He is highly efficient, confident and explains your particular situation in a very understandable and relatable way… without a doubt the best experience I have ever had with a doctor."