LOOKING FOR YOUR PHYSICIAN OR GENERAL EYE CARE? CLICK HERE TO GO TO PINNACLE EYE CENTER.
LOOKING FOR YOUR PHYSICIAN OR GENERAL EYE CARE? CLICK HERE TO GO TO PINNACLE EYE CENTER.
Pinnacle Surgery Center is the premier center for eye surgery in Colorado Springs. Located in Pinnacle Eye Center, this Ambulatory Surgery Center was designed specifically for all areas of ophthalmic surgery to provide our community, ages 2 years to 100 years old, with the most advanced, cost-effective and efficient ocular surgical experience in the region. The Surgery Center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Our surgeons provide the utmost peace of mind for your surgery.
We have 20 surgeons covering the spectrum of eye care including, cataract, glaucoma, oculo-plastics, cornea, and retina surgical care.
Dr. Aveen Banich was born in Chicago. Her father was a family doctor and some of her earliest memories are accompanying him on house calls to see patients on weekends. Dr. Banich also volunteers to teach third year Medical students at the University of Colorado Medical School. This program is entitled “the Hidden Curriculum” and it focuses on balance, healing and the process of medical students growing into becoming compassionate physicians.
Dr. Barad is a comprehensive ophthalmologist specializing in medical and surgical eye care. He enjoys interacting with patients of all ages and is committed to the development of a strong doctor-patient relationship. He is a great listener and very effective communicator. The amount of time he spends with each patient is based on individual need rather than a rigid schedule.
Dean Carlson, MD is a board-certified comprehensive ophthalmologist with subspecialty training in the medical and surgical management of glaucoma from the University of Iowa. He has practiced in Colorado Springs for 25 years following service in the Air Force as an ophthalmologist. He has over 30 years of surgical experience, and while no longer performing intraocular surgeries, he continues to treat glaucoma patients with complicated glaucoma utilizing medications and laser treatments, including Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) and Diode Laser Photocoagulation.
Dr. Dewey’s accomplishments in the field of ophthalmology are recognized internationally for improving the safety and efficiency of cataract surgery. He is perhaps best known for developing the safest cataract surgery needle, the “Dewey Radius Tip.” This patented device is manufactured by MicroSurgical Technology of Redmond, WA, and is specifically rounded at its edges to improve the safety of the needle for cataract surgery.
In addition to providing the most up-to-date comprehensive eye care, Dr. Falknor performs traditional and laser cataract surgery utilizing the CATALYS® Precision Laser System, and implants monofocal, toric, and multifocal intraocular lens implants. In addition, he specializes in the treatment and surgery of corneal diseases including corneal transplantation and pterygium surgery.
Dr. Scott Jones is an eyelid, orbit and lacrimal surgeon. He specializes in blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, lacrimal surgery, eyelid malpositions, orbital surgery, blepharospasm and cosmetic facial rejuvenation. He takes time to customize each patients surgical plan to assure long lasting and natural results.
Dr. Luu came to Colorado Springs and joined Retina Consultants of Southern Colorado in 2003. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of vitreous and retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, uveitis, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, retinal detachment, and retinal vascular diseases.
Dr. Marshall practices personalized ophthalmology—she believes it is important to listen to patients and takes the time to match their vision goals to their individual needs. She is a comprehensive ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) and dry eye specialist, welcoming patients of all ages. She has performed ocular surgery since 2000, including laser treatments for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and secondary cataracts (YAG capsulotomy). She performs cataract surgery using traditional methods as well as the CATALYS® Precision Laser System and uses today's modern aspheric, toric and multifocal IOLs.
Dr. Martidis is a pioneer in managing macular edema using an injection of corticosteroid medication into the vitreous cavity. He published the first article on the use of this technique in the management of diabetic macular edema as a complication of diabetic retinopathy. He also has broad expertise in the management of other medical retinal conditions (macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, central serous retinopathy) and vitreo-retinal surgery (retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane, macular hole).
Dr. Matthew Miller is a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist with expertise in medical, laser, and surgical treatments for glaucoma as well as routine and complex cataract surgery. He performs both traditional glaucoma surgeries and more recently developed minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. In addition to standard cataract surgery with monofocal intraocular lenses, Dr. Miller offers advanced technologies including toric, extended depth of focus, and multifocal intraocular lenses to reduce or eliminate patients’ dependency on glasses and contact lenses. He has extensive training in comprehensive eye care and manages patients with a wide variety of eye conditions.
Dr. Angela Mortland was born and raised in Iowa. Dr. Mortland retired from the Air Force in 2019 after 20 years of service. She is a board-certified ophthalmologist and provides services to include evaluation for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, dry eye and diabetic retinopathy. She also performs comprehensive eye exams as well as laser treatments for glaucoma and secondary cataracts (YAG capsulotomy).
Dr. Pelton specializes in oculofacial plastic surgery, a subspecialty of ophthalmology. He sees patients with all types of facial trauma, skin cancer, tearing issues, dog bites, facial fractures and many other common eyelid problems. His expertise has been honed over 20 + years of oculoplastic work and he and his office staff pride themselves on the personal care they provide to his patients. All patients leave Dr. Pelton's office with his cell phone number.
Dr. Rich specializes in all medical and surgical retinal diseases including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, vascular diseases of the retina, uveitis, vitreoretinal interface abnormalities such as epiretinal membrane and macular hole, retinal detachment, ocular trauma, and complications of anterior segment surgery.
Dr. Ronquillo is a medical retina specialist and vitreoretinal surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of vitreous and retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration(AMD), retinal detachments, diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, retina vascular diseases, uveitis and inherited retinal diseases. He was a recipient of numerous clinical and research awards including a National Eye Institute grant, and has published multiple peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters in Ophthalmology.
Dr. Sarrafizadeh specializes in the management of a variety of medical, surgical, and inflammatory retinal conditions. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and has presented his findings at national and international conferences. He is the recipient of a number of awards for clinical and basic science research excellence.
Dr. Sbarbaro is a fellowship trained cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery specialist. He treats a wide variety of common eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, pterygium, dry eyes, diabetes, and macular degeneration, but also subspecializes in severe conditions associated with the front portion of the eye including keratoconus, Fuchs’ Dystrophy, corneal scarring, recurrent pterygium, and keratitis sicca. Dr. Sbarbaro performs most common ophthalmic procedures such as cataract surgery, pterygium removal with tissue grafting, and eyelid procedures, but also has specialized training and experience in LASIK surgery, refractive cataract surgery, and corneal transplantation.
A native of Western Kansas, Dr. Smetana graduated with highest distinction in undergraduate and medical school at the University of Kansas. After completing an internship at Presbyterian/St. Luke's in Denver, he completed his 3-year ophthalmology training at the Anheuser-Busch Eye Institute at St. Louis University. He was chosen most outstanding resident and chief resident during his final year in St. Louis. Dr. Smetana has been board certified and practiced in Colorado Springs since 2004. He also travels to a monthly satellite in Buena Vista. His surgical experience includes laser cataract surgery and oculoplastic surgery. He also performs comprehensive and medical eye exams.
Dr. Taylor’s practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of vitreoretinal diseases including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane, macular hole, retinal vascular disease, and intraocular inflammatory disease.
Dr. George Ulrich, MD is a medical doctor/ophthalmologist who specializes in diseases and surgery of the eye. He grew up in Colorado Springs and completed medical school at the University of Colorado in Denver. Following medical school Dr. Ulrich was a Navy physician. His military experience included service as a medical officer in the Submarine Force followed by specialty training in ophthalmology at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego and fellowship training in glaucoma at Duke University. Dr. Ulrich completed a career in the US Navy and moved back to Colorado Springs in 2010.
Narine Viruni, M.D., attended University of California, Los Angeles and graduated with Bachelor of Science in physiology. She earned her medical degree at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. She then completed ophthalmology residency at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, and received multiple awards, including the Heed Fellowship. Dr. Viruni continued her training at Johns Hopkins by further specializing and completing a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery. She then accepted a faculty position at Johns Hopkins as Assistant Chief of Service and codirector of the ocular trauma unit. In this role, she managed patients with complex retinal pathology and trained residents and fellows in surgical and medical retinal diseases. Dr. Viruni has participated in multiple research studies and presented at national and international meetings.Dr. Viruni specializes in diagnosis and treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disease, retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane, and macular hole.Dr. Viruni is looking forward to joining Retina Consultants of Southern Colorado in summer/fall of 2023.
