Frequently Asked Questions — Dr. Ivey L. Thornton, MD
A collection of honest answers to the questions patients ask during consultations — about LASIK, cataract surgery, glaucoma, dry eye, and what to expect when you come to see me.
Q.Am I a candidate for LASIK?
The only way to know for sure is a thorough screening. I look at your corneal thickness, corneal shape, dryness, and overall eye health. Not everyone is a candidate — and if LASIK is not ideal, I will always recommend the best alternative, whether that is PRK, SMILE, ICL, or refractive lens exchange.
Q.How do I know if I have cataracts?
Cataracts develop slowly. Things start to look cloudy, hazy, or washed out. Colors seem less vibrant. Headlights and sunlight create more glare than they used to. If you are over sixty and noticing any of this, it is worth getting checked. It is not urgent — but earlier evaluation lets us plan the right timing.
Q.Is cataract surgery safe?
Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures in all of medicine. Most patients experience it as remarkably easy. Each surgery takes under twenty minutes per eye, uses topical anesthesia (no needles, no stitches), and most people notice clearer vision within a day or two.
Q.What is the difference between LASIK, PRK, SMILE, and ICL?
LASIK creates a flap in the cornea and reshapes the underlying tissue. PRK skips the flap — slower initial healing, same long-term result. SMILE is a newer, minimally invasive option. ICL is an implantable lens that sits inside the eye — ideal for patients with high prescriptions or thin corneas who are not LASIK candidates.
Q.I have glaucoma in my family. Should I be worried?
Be aware, not worried. Glaucoma is called the silent thief of sight because it progresses without symptoms. Family history is a real risk factor. Regular screening with pressure checks and optic nerve imaging catches it early, and early treatment protects your vision long-term.
Q.My eyes are always dry and gritty. Are drops enough?
Often, no. Dry eye has real underlying causes — inflammation, meibomian gland dysfunction, environmental factors, medication side effects. I start with a comprehensive evaluation of your tear film, eyelid health, and ocular surface. Then we treat the cause, not just the symptom.
Q.How soon will I see clearly after surgery?
For cataract surgery: most people notice clearer vision within a day or two. For LASIK: most patients wake up the next morning seeing well, and your vision continues to improve for weeks. For PRK: expect slower improvement over the first week, with full stabilization at three to six months.
Q.Do you offer alternatives to surgery?
Always, when it is appropriate. Not every eye condition requires surgery. For glaucoma: eye drops or laser. For cataracts: we can wait until they truly bother your vision. For refractive errors: glasses and contacts remain excellent options. I explore the most conservative path first.
Q.What are floaters? Should I worry about them?
Floaters are small shadows cast on your retina by clumps in the vitreous gel. Most are harmless. The warning sign is a sudden shower of new floaters, especially with flashes of light — that can signal a retinal tear, which needs urgent attention. If that happens, come in the same day.
Q.How long does a consultation take?
Plan for an hour to ninety minutes. Longer if a surgical plan needs to be built. I devote substantial time to the preoperative evaluation because individualizing the plan to your eyes and your life is the single most important thing I do.
Q.What insurance do you accept?
Medical eye care is generally covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, and VSP. Vision correction surgeries like LASIK and SMILE are typically not covered. Scheduling is handled by the practice location nearest you.
Q.What makes your approach different?
“I let my patients choose what they want after giving them options, rather than giving them one recommendation. That’s my approach because it’s how I would want my doctor to treat me.” Two fellowships — in neuro-ophthalmology at Harvard / Mass Eye and Ear (2011) and anterior segment surgery at Cincinnati Eye Institute (2016) — provide a broad clinical lens for evaluating your eye health.
Q.Where do you see patients?
I see patients at five locations across Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota: Truhlsen Eye Institute in Omaha, Myrtue Medical in Harlan, Burgess Health Center in Onawa, Harlan Ophthalmology in Harlan, and Dunes LASIK & Vision Center in Dakota Dunes. Access to excellent eye care shouldn’t depend on geography.
Q.I am nervous about surgery. Is that normal?
Absolutely, and your feelings are completely valid. Modern eye surgery is profoundly safer than most people realize, but the anxiety is real. Part of my job is to walk you through exactly what will happen, answer every question, and make sure you feel steady before we ever schedule anything.
“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, and often this testing is not widely available in the community. We can also offer alternative surgeries to help correct a patient’s vision even if he or she is not a LASIK candidate.”