Dr. Ivey Thornton, Dunes LASIK Center's visiting board-certified ophthalmologist and surgeon, brings exceptional expertise in cataract and refractive surgery to patients throughout the region. With comprehensive training from some of the nation's most prestigious medical institutions and a passion for global eye care, Dr. Thornton exemplifies excellence in vision correction. She currently practices at the Nebraska Medicine Truhlsen Eye Institute and performs cataract surgeries in multiple locations across rural Iowa, including Harlan, Onawa and Rock Rapids.
Raised in Hong Kong as an expatriate, Dr. Thornton developed an early appreciation for diverse perspectives on health care and patient needs, fostering her lifelong commitment to making quality vision care accessible to all.
Dr. Thornton earned her medical degree at the University of Alabama before completing her ophthalmology residency at the University of Louisville. Driven by a commitment to advanced expertise, she pursued specialized fellowship training in neuro-ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of Harvard School of Medicine. Dr. Thornton then underwent further surgical training in cataract and refractive surgery at the Cincinnati Eye Institute, where she honed her skills in the latest vision correction techniques.
Following residency and fellowship, Dr. Thornton established a successful practice in Ohio, where she served patients from 2011 until relocating to Omaha with her husband, who is also an ophthalmologist, and their four young children. Her commitment to leadership in healthcare led her to complete a one-year certificate program with the PHYSICIAN CEO course at Northwestern Kellogg School of Management in Chicago in 2023.
A leader in ophthalmological research, Dr. Thornton has received grants from both the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmology (CLAO) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). She has published in peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals and presented her work at national and international eye meetings, contributing to advancements in cataract refractive surgery.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Dr. Thornton serves with her husband in charitable eye surgery ministries in China and Peru, reflecting her passion for global eye care. She is active in her local Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) and enjoys growing vegetables in her backyard, jogging and traveling with her family.