Christopher R. Fortenbach, MD, PhD

Undergraduate Education: BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UC Davis, 2008; BS, Food Science and Technology, UC Davis, 2008

Medical School: MD, UC Davis, 2017

Post Graduate Education: PhD, Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, UC Davis, 2015

Internship: Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 2018

Residency:  Ophthalmology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 2021

Fellowship: Vitreoretinal Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 2023

Board Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology, 2023

Memberships: American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (WAEPS)
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)

Dr. Fortenbach grew up in Northern California, where he attended the University of California, Davis for his undergraduate education. He stayed on for the MD/PhD program, where he earned his PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, studying how retinal neurons convey the presence of light.

He completed his ophthalmology residency and vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Throughout his training, Dr. Fortenbach has published numerous papers and presented at national meetings on topics including retinal signaling, metabolomics/proteomics, inherited retinal disease, and global disparities in vision loss.

Dr. Fortenbach joined the faculty at the University of Washington in 2023. He is an active clinician scientist with a laboratory studying how the retina encodes light and therapies to restore vision loss. In his spare time, Dr. Fortenbach enjoys spending time with his family, backpacking, cycling, tennis, and cooking.

Location:

Harborview Medical Center
908 Jefferson St., 7^th Floor
Seattle, WA
Clinic Phone: 206-744-2020

Mailing Address:

Box 359608
325 Ninth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
Academic office phone:  206-543-7250

“As a vitreoretinal surgeon, I have the privilege to deliver patient-centered clinical care and to develop new treatments for vision loss in order to help my patients maintain their quality of life.”

2023     Addressing Health Disparities Grant Recipient. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
2022     Fellow Teaching Award, Department of Ophthalmology University of Iowa 
2021     Stacy L. Thompson Resident Leadership Award
2021     Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
2020-21 P.J. Leinfelder Award Resident Research Award, University of Iowa
2017     Loren D. Carlson Research Award, UC Davis 
2012-14 National Eye Institute Vision Science Training Program Grant, UC Davis
2008     UC Davis Community Service Award
2008     Charles Hess Community Service Award, UC Davis

Dr. Fortenbach’s clinical interests include vitreoretinal and macular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments and tears, macular holes, epiretinal membranes/puckers, retinal vascular diseases, hereditary retinal dystrophies (e.g. retinitis pigmentosa), and inflammatory conditions (i.e., uveitis).

Dr. Fortenbach’s laboratory is interested in how retinal neurons encode the presence of light and how treatments such as photochemical ligands can be used to generate these signals and restore sight.

Location: Karalis Johnson Retina Center, South Lake Union

Mailing Address: 750 Republican St., Bldg. E Seattle, WA 98108