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Children’s Hospital Colorado
Anschutz Medical Campus
13123 East 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
Emergency Locations
In life-treatening emergencies, find the emergency room location nearest you. For non-life-treatening medical needs when your pediatrician is unavailable, visit one of our convenient urgent care locations.
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Insurance plans accepted
We participate with most major health insurance plans and national transplant networks.
Prepare for your visit
We want to make sure you know what to expect before you arrive.
My care philosophy
I believe in providing the highest quality eyecare to all my patients, including and especially my patients with special needs. I listen to my patients' and their families' concerns and value their input as we develop a treatment plan together as a team.
Get to know Michael Puente, MD
Departments and Programs
Conditions Treated
- Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus
- Eye and/or Orbital Surgery
- Eye Disease
Languages spoken
- English
- Spanish
Experience and background
My expertise includes the medical and surgical management of pediatric eye disease - including strabismus, childhood cataracts, keratoconus, pediatric glaucoma, amblyopia, and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. I also have extensive experience providing comprehensive eyecare to adults with intellectual and developmental disability, as the founder and director of UCHealth's Special Care Eye Clinic - a monthly eye clinic for adults who may need a more pediatric approach to their eye exam. I have a particular passion for taking care of children and adults with Down syndrome. I am also willing to fight for my patients outside of the clinic and hospital, as I am a frequent visitor to the Colorado state capitol and the United States Congress, testifying and lobbying for improved eyecare for children and adults with special needs.
Undergraduate 2010
Rice University (TX)
Graduate 2012
University of Santiago de Compostela
Medical Education 2015
Baylor College of Medicine
Internship 2016
Tulane University Program
Residency 2019
Tulane University Program
Fellowship 2020
University of Colorado
For Patients:
Eye care for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, and federal and state policies affecting eyecare for children and adults with special needs
Eye care for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, and federal and state policies affecting eyecare for children and adults with special needs
For Referring Providers:
Most Outstanding Resident Research Presentation 2019
Tulane University Department of Ophthalmology
Advocacy Ambassador 2020
American Academy of Pediatrics - Section on Ophthalmology
Children's Hospital Colorado Provider of the Month (August 2020) 2020
Children's Hospital Colorado
Leadership Development Program, Class of 2023 2023
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Secretariat Award 2023
American Academy of Ophthalmology, Communications Secretariat
Secretariat Award 2023
American Academy of Ophthalmology, Secretary for Federal Affairs
Achievement Award 2024
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Crystal Cornea Award 2025
Eye Bank Association of America
Artemis Award 2025
Awarded to one young ophthalmologist each year for demonstrating exceptional caring and service to their patients
American Academy of Ophthalmology
5280 Magazine: Denver's Top Doctors 2025
5280 Magazine
Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2026
Castle Connolly
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