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David W. Johnson, MD

Licensure

  • Diplomate, American Board of Ophthalmology, November 1990
  • Diplomate, National Board of Medical Examiners, July 1986
  • Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners, October 1986

Current Position

  • Private Practice - Consulting Surgeon for Vitreoretinal Disorders

Academic Appointments

  • Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology
    Univ. of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO
    September 2003-present
  • Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology
    Univ. of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO
    July 1998-August 2003
  • Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
    Univ. of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO
    July 1992-June 1998
  • Instructor of Ophthalmology
    Univ. of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO
    July 1989-July 1992
  • Chief, Division of Ophthalmology
    Denver Health Medical Center
    July 1989-June 1991

Postgraduate Training

  • Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Disease
    Preceptor: Kenneth R. Hovland, M.D.
    Univ. of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO
    July 1991-June 1992
  • Residency in Ophthalmology
    Univ. of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO
    July 1986-June 1989
  • Transitional Internship Presbyterian/Saint Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO
    June 1985-June 1986

Education

  • Doctor of Medicine
    Univ. of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY
    May 1985, Magna Cum Laude
  • Bachelor of Arts
    Transylvania University, Lexington, KY
    May 1981, Summa Cum Laude

Professional Societies

  • Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology
    Secretariat for State Affairs Committee Member 2005-present
    Leadership Development Program 2002-2003
  • Colorado Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons
    Councilor to American Academy of Ophthalmology 2003-present
    President 2002-2003
    Treasurer 2000-2002
    Chairman, Program Committee 1999-present
    Member, Program Committee 1995-present
    Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee Member 2004-present
  • The American Society of Retina Specialists
  • Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
  • Alpha Omega Alpha
  • Colorado Medical Society

Research Projects

  • Sub-investigator for Visudyne in Age-Related Macular Degeneration study (photodynamic therapy) 1999-2000.
  • Sub-investigator for Miravant study of tin ethyl etiopurpurin (photodynamic therapy) 1999.
  • Principal Investigator Phase 3 multicenter clinical trials of ISIS 2922 (fomivirsen sodium) intravitreal injection for therapy of cytomegalovirus retinitis (Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), 1994-1998. This was the first controlled trial of an antisense drug for human use. FDA approval 1998; trade name Vitravene.
  • Collaborator for CPCRA Study 039: bis-POM for prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus retinitis, 1997-1999.
  • Collaborator for HOE 901/3006 Human insulin analogue study (Hoechst Marion Roussel), 1997.
  • Collaborator for ACTG 266 study of monoclonal antibody MSL 109 for adjunctive therapy of cytomegalovirus retinitis, 1996.
  • Collaborator for study of oral ganciclovir for maintenance therapy of CMV retinitis (Syntex, Inc.), 1994-1996.
  • Collaborator for ABCD Trial (Appropriate Blood Pressure Control in Diabetes Mellitus, Type II), 1996-1998.
  • Collaborator for study of aminoguanidine in diabetic patients with nephropathy, 1995-1998.
  • Collaborator for pilot study of irbesartan for kidney function in hypertensive diabetic patients, 1995-1998.

Born and raised in Northern Kentucky, Dr. Johnson has been an adopted Coloradan for 21 years. He completed his medical training at University of Louisville School of Medicine and after graduating with honors, moved to complete his internship (Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital) and residency in ophthalmology (University of Colorado Health Sciences Center). After serving as director of the Eye Clinic at Denver Health Medical Center for two years, Dr. Johnson received fellowship training in vitreoretinal disease under the tutelage of Kenneth R. Hovland, M.D. Dr. Johnson then joined the full-time faculty in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University in 1992, and served as Residency Director there until 1998.

Dr. Johnson joined Douglas L. Holmes, M.D. in private practice in July 1998 and Colorado Retina Associates, P.C., was born. In addition to participating in a growing and gratifying practice, Dr. Johnson is active in the Colorado Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and has served as president (2002-2003), and currently as Councilor to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He also serves on the Secretariat for State Affairs, a politically active committee of the Academy.

Dr. Johnson has had a lifelong love of music and plays guitar in a band with fellow ophthalmologists. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two girls, especially on trips to the Colorado mountains. While a past hobby of zymurgy has faded over several years, Dr. Johnson has lately become a budding oenophile.