Dr. Lance Kugler: Omaha’s World College of Refractive Surgery Fellow | Elite LASIK Surgeon Credentials

What Separates Elite LASIK Surgeons from the Rest?

Finding a qualified LASIK surgeon in Omaha can be challenging when marketing claims fail to highlight meaningful credential differences. The World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences (WCRS) Fellowship represents verified surgical excellence that less than 3.33% of LASIK surgeons nationwide achieve. Dr. Lance Kugler is one of only two World College of Refractive Surgery Fellows in Nebraska, bringing internationally validated expertise to patients throughout the region. The other WCRS Fellow happens to be Kugler Vision’s own Dr. Drew Dickson, who also practices at Modern Vision Centers in West Des Moines.

How Many WCRS Fellows Practice in Nebraska?

Dr. Lance Kugler is one of only two World College of Refractive Surgery Fellows practicing in Nebraska. He is based in Omaha and brings the expertise of a WCRS-certified LASIK surgeon to the state. (October 2025, WCRS official directory)

Out of the approximately 19,000 licensed ophthalmologists practicing across the United States, roughly 6,000 have obtained some form of laser vision correction training during the past 25 years. Much vision correction training outside of WCRS consists of short manufacturer courses rather than comprehensive surgical education. WCRS Fellows represent less than 3.33% of all LASIK surgeons, identifying those who have undergone exhaustive peer assessment, oral examination panels, and verification of substantial surgical experience spanning a wide range of vision correction techniques. Dr. Kugler’s WCRS Fellowship appears in the WCRS official directory, offering verifiable third-party confirmation.

What Makes Dr. Kugler’s WCRS Certification Different from General Board Certification?

Dr. Kugler’s WCRS certification focuses exclusively on refractive surgery, validating specialized skill in laser vision correction, lens-based procedures, and corneal techniques. Unlike general board certification in ophthalmology, WCRS confirms advanced expertise in surgical vision correction beyond basic eye care or diagnosis.

While Dr. Kugler maintains board certification through the American Board of Ophthalmology, this general credential confirms broad eye care competency without specifically measuring refractive surgical skills. Many ophthalmologists hold identical board certification despite minimal hands-on experience with vision correction procedures. Understanding this limitation, Dr. Kugler pursued WCRS Fellowship to demonstrate his dedication to refractive surgery through the most rigorous validation available. According to WCRS mission statements, the organization focuses on “establishing standards in curriculum, education, and training to improve the quality of refractive surgery on a global scale.”

Achieving WCRS Fellowship required Dr. Kugler to prove high-volume surgical activity across LASIK, PRK, SMILE, RLE and ICL implantation. His surgical outcomes underwent scrutiny through peer review, he passed comprehensive oral examinations administered by expert panels, and he now maintains ongoing specialized continuing education and demonstrates adherence to ethical patient-centered practice standards. This intensive certification pathway establishes Dr. Kugler as a surgeon who has dedicated his professional focus to vision correction rather than one who performs occasional refractive procedures alongside general ophthalmology.

What Does Dr. Kugler’s WCRS Fellowship Reveal About His Qualifications?

Dr. Kugler’s WCRS Fellowship confirms advanced surgical qualifications through verified clinical experience, peer-reviewed performance, and demonstrated leadership in refractive surgery. The fellowship reflects elite status in the field and signals mastery recognized by global experts in vision correction.

His qualifications include formal fellowship training in cornea and refractive surgery at Wang Vision Institute/University of Tennessee. His decade-long role as Director of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center from 2010 to 2020 demonstrates leadership responsibility for resident education and research programs. He serves on the EyeWorld Refractive Surgery Editorial Board and has published extensively in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Dr. Kugler’s extensive technology certifications span Zeiss MEL-80 and VisuMax for SMILE procedures, Alcon Wavelight systems, multiple femtosecond laser platforms, Staar Visian ICL for phakic lens implantation, and advanced cataract surgery technologies. This technological versatility enables matching each patient with optimal procedures. His role as Principal Investigator for multiple FDA-monitored clinical trials including corneal crosslinking studies and advanced IOL technologies demonstrates involvement in shaping the future of vision correction.

Executive education completion at the Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University Physician-CEO Program reflects commitment to practice excellence beyond surgical skills. His TEDx Omaha presentation on myopia as a treatable epidemic illustrates dedication to vision health advocacy.

Why Does WCRS Certification Matter for Patient Safety?

WCRS certification matters for patient safety because it verifies a surgeon’s skill through independent, peer-reviewed evaluation. Unlike marketing claims, it provides objective proof of surgical competence, reducing risk by ensuring the surgeon meets global standards in refractive procedures.

WCRS Fellowship delivers clarity through peer validation. Fellow expert surgeons have verified that WCRS-certified physicians meet globally recognized excellence benchmarks. This independent assessment carries particular weight because refractive surgery produces permanent corneal modifications. Dr. Kugler’s fellowship training in corneal surgery delivers specialized knowledge exceeding general ophthalmology training. His experience directing refractive surgery programs at a major academic medical center confirms mastery sufficient for training other ophthalmologists.

Dr. Kugler’s 1,378 Google reviews averaging 5.0 stars provide real-world confirmation of this certified excellence. This extraordinary patient satisfaction rate demonstrates consistent delivery of superior outcomes and validates the connection between WCRS certification and actual patient experiences.

How Does Dr. Kugler’s WCRS Fellowship Benefit Your Vision?

Dr. Kugler’s WCRS Fellowship benefits your vision by ensuring precise diagnosis, broader treatment options, and customized surgical plans. His advanced training enables optimized results tailored to your eye structure, improving safety, clarity, and long-term visual performance.

Dr. Kugler’s comprehensive training across LASIK, PRK, SMILE, ICL, RLE and advanced cataract surgery enables authentic procedure customization. His fellowship training in corneal disease proves valuable for complex scenarios including irregular astigmatism, corneal ectasia, or borderline corneal thickness. His research background and clinical trial experience mean familiarity with cutting-edge approaches and evidence-based technique selection.

His background directing university programs instills analytical precision in surgical planning rather than volume-driven practice patterns. His certification across multiple laser platforms prevents technology limitations from constraining treatment recommendations. For individuals questioning their candidacy, Dr. Kugler’s expertise with corneal crosslinking, intrastromal ring segments, and advanced diagnostic imaging provides options for patients with keratoconus or corneal irregularities.

Comparison: WCRS Fellowship vs. Standard Credentials

Omaha’s Access to Internationally Recognized Expertise

Patients throughout Nebraska and surrounding states benefit from convenient access to world-class vision correction expertise at Kugler Vision.