Ivey Thornton MD
Dr. Ivey L. Thornton, MD
Board-Certified. Fellowship-trained twice. Five locations across three states.
Cataract surgery, LASIK, neuro-ophthalmology, glaucoma, and advanced dry eye care — provided across Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota with fellowship training from Harvard / Mass Eye and Ear and Cincinnati Eye Institute.
The eye works like an old-fashioned camera. In the front is the lens, and behind it is the film, which in the eye is the retina. My job is to make sure both are working beautifully.
Where clinical precision meets genuine care.
Fellowship-trained across six core disciplines — from the everyday (cataract surgery) to the rarely-understood (neuro-ophthalmology).
When the world starts to soften
Cataract Surgery
Cloudy, hazy, or washed-out vision doesn’t have to stay that way. One of the safest surgeries in all of medicine — tailored to your eyes, your life, and the vision you actually want after.
Cataract surgery in Omaha →Waking up to a clear morning
LASIK & Refractive Surgery
LASIK, PRK, SMILE, Contoura Vision, EVO ICL — performed at the Dunes LASIK Center and Truhlsen Eye Institute. A candid screening first, because not everyone is a candidate.
LASIK and refractive surgery →When other doctors haven’t found the answer
Neuro-Ophthalmology
Harvard-fellowship trained. Optic neuritis, diplopia, unexplained visual field changes, vision problems rooted in the nervous system itself — diagnosed methodically.
Neuro-ophthalmology →The silent thief — caught early
Glaucoma Management
Glaucoma doesn’t announce itself. Advanced imaging plus attentive, long-term partnership so you never wonder where things stand. Drops, laser, or minimally invasive surgery.
Glaucoma treatment →Relief that goes beyond drops
Advanced Dry Eye
If over-the-counter drops aren’t cutting it, there’s a reason. A thorough evaluation of tear film, lids, and surface — then a targeted plan, not a guess.
Advanced dry eye care →Your eye health, properly watched
Comprehensive Eye Care
Far more than an updated glasses prescription. Exams that screen for what can develop silently — glaucoma, macular changes, diabetic eye disease — explained in plain terms.
Comprehensive eye care →Looking for a specific specialty?
Direct links to each of Dr. Thornton’s four clinical specialty pages.
Words from the people she’s cared for.
Every testimonial below is a verified patient review. Not curated, not cherry-picked.
Excellent as always. Dr. Thornton has excellent communication skills!
Doctor was exceptional in explaining the upcoming surgery and seeking my input in decisions.
A+ Dr Thornton’s care and treatment went beyond my expectations.
Five thoughts in plain language.
Verbatim excerpts from Dr. Thornton’s Nebraska Medicine columns — how she actually explains the eye to patients.
“As we get older, some of the vitreous liquefies, and our body reabsorbs it. The leftover gel is unstable and can clump together, casting shadows on your retina.”
“I’ve had young patients think they have a floater, but they’re seeing the entopic phenomenon. It means your retina is so healthy you’re able to see it — so it’s a good thing.”
“It’s like a curtain coming down. You’ll generally start by losing your peripheral vision, which becomes gray or black, and as your retina falls, you start losing your central vision.”
“The best choice is a name brand, preservative-free artificial tear that comes in individual vials. The coolness from refrigerating the drops has an antihistamine effect and can help with the itchiness.”
“If you want LASIK, it’s good to speak to a refractive surgeon directly to see if you’re a candidate. There is specific testing required to help determine if you are a LASIK candidate.”
Ivey L. Thornton, MD