Vance Thompson, MD

A Gregory, South Dakota native, Vance Thompson, MD, has been doing Refractive, Corneal, and Cataract surgery in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the state he grew up in, since 1991.  After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Doctor of Medicine degrees at the University of South Dakota, Thompson completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Missouri/Columbia, followed by a Refractive, Corneal, and Cataract Surgery Fellowship at Hunkeler Eye Clinic in Kansas City, Missouri. His fellowship directors were Dan Durrie, MD in Refractive and Corneal Surgery and John Hunkeler, MD in Advanced Cataract Surgery. 

He is an internationally recognized specialist in refractive corneal laser, phakic IOL, and lens replacement surgery. He is the Founder of Vance Thompson Vision Sioux Falls, SD which has grown to serve the mid and mountain west with nine locations.  Dr. Thompson also serves as a Professor of Ophthalmology at the Sanford USD School of Medicine. As a leading international researcher, he has played a key role in the development of the most advanced technologies and techniques for both laser and implant vision correction. He has served as the medical monitor or principal investigator in over 130 FDA monitored research trials studying laser and implant surgery.  

Dr. Thompson is Past President of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and is also on the Executive Committee and President Elect of the International Intraocular Implant Club (IIIC) that was founded in 1966 by Sir Harold Ridley.  In addition, Dr. Thompson has published numerous papers and book chapters and is co-author of the textbook Refractive Surgery. He has lectured and taught advanced laser and implant surgery to thousands of surgeons all around the world.