Welcome to The History of Eyecare, a podcast series that is dedicated to exploring the past so that we can better shape the future. Our first guest is Dr. Vance Thompson, an esteemed figure in the field of eye care. He is a global pioneer in laser vision correction and advanced cataract surgery. As a renowned specialist in refractive surgery, cataract surgery and laser vision correction, and the founder of Vance Thompson Vision, he has dedicated his career to excellence in both eye care and the patient experience. He is also well known for his teaching and leadership, having trained numerous other physicians and surgeons from all over the world. His insights, experiences and personal journey will offer listeners a unique perspective on the modern history of eyecare.

To begin, Dr. Thompson introduces himself and shares his upbringing in South Dakota. His father was a small-town family physician, and his mother was a homemaker and dancer. Dr. Thompson initially thought he followed in his father’s career footsteps, until an eye care fellowship in Kansas City shifted his trajectory and set the tone for a research heavy career. He began his own practice in his home state in 1991. The field of ophthalmology, specifically with delicate surgeries like cataract surgery, offered the same patient relationships which Dr. Thompson had observed in his father’s practice. To this day, patient education is still a great source of joy for Dr. Thompson. Highlighting the fascinating evolution of implants and cataract surgery over the course of his career, he explains that corneal adjustments have been the biggest gamechanger.

Next, Dr. Thompson shares about his path to refractive surgery and how his research journey ultimately began. He found himself involved in the first LASIK surgeries in the U.S. and was invited to conduct further research. Today, Dr. Thompson has been heavily involved in refractive surgery and device trials and now has partners who do it alongside him. When Dr. Thompson finished his fellowship in 1991, RK was the most common form of refractive surgery. When he began his first practice, he offered patients the choice between RK and PRK in clinical trials. When the LASIK trials were started in 1994, they thought it would be just for high corrections. Just so listeners can get a better sense of the evolution of refractive surgery, Dr. Thompson offers an insightful timeline from his own perspective.

Shifting gears, Dr. Thompson shares the story of his winery business and the unexpected overlap between the wine business and his ophthalmology practice. He never set out to own a wine business, but when a friend expressed the need for help to maintain his own business, an amazing journey began. The biggest key to the business’ growth mirrors the key for success in ophthalmology: it takes a great team to create a great experience. When a team feels loved and cared for, they are much more able to make the patients feel loved and cared for, too. Before wrapping up, Dr. Thompson shares about the opportunity he gives his employees to help brighten patients’ or staff member’s day without any special permission. In closing, Dr. Thompson touches on his most important mentors over his career journey, the career accomplishments he is most proud of and the foundational role of research in his career. Finally, hear what he is most excited about for the future of the industry.