Dr. Lance Kugler, MD
Why did you choose refractive surgery as a specialty?
“Refractive surgery is much more than a job to me – it’s a passion. It is a tremendous privilege to spend my days combining skills, expertise, and incredible technology in order to make lives better for people. At Kugler Vision, we believe that a life without the barriers of glasses or contact lenses is a better life, and we are dedicated to helping our patients reach their maximum human potential.”
Why Omaha?
“My ancestors have been in Nebraska since the mid-1800s, and I had the good fortune of growing up in Omaha. Many people may not realize how strong the medical community is in Omaha. We have incredible support, in terms of both economics and expertise, and a diverse economy that benefits from a specialized and customized approach to each patient’s needs. As a destination practice for patients all over the U.S., the centralized location is also convenient for patients traveling from outside the area.
I feel a strong sense of obligation to give back to the state and community that has given me so much. My wife and her family are also deeply involved in the community, so we feel fortunate to have the opportunity to raise our family here as well. These factors combined made Omaha the obvious choice.”
Have you had refractive surgery yourself?
“Yes. I had fairly bad nearsightedness for most of my life. I had LASIK in both eyes and it was an absolutely transformational experience. My wife also had laser surgery and agrees it is one of the best things she has ever done.”
Professional Life
Dr. Kugler serves on several national boards, and Kugler Vision is recognized internationally as a center of excellence. Alongside co-founders Dr. Jason P. Brinton and Dr. Greg Parkhurst as well as fellow Dr. Luke Rebenitsch, Dr. Kugler is a founding member of the Refractive Surgery Alliance (RSA). He was the first president and continues to serve on the executive board. As a world-wide organization made up of 300 of the leading LASIK surgeons from around the globe, the RSA espouses a positive agenda of ethical refractive physicianship, state-of-the-art equipment and post-treatment longevity. Dr. Kugler strives to ensure that these values carry through to both his staff and his entire practice for each and every patient in the Omaha area. He also serves as the RSA’s liaison to the American Refractive Surgery Council.
Additionally, Dr. Kugler served as the director of refractive surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he was in charge of resident education and research programs to advance the field of refractive surgery.
Personal Interests
Dr. Kugler and his wife have five children, which take up the majority of his time. When he does find a free moment, he enjoys skiing, tennis, golf, traveling, fine coffee, and craft beer.
Education
Dr. Kugler is an Omaha native and earned his undergraduate degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in computer science.
He then went on to earn his MD from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduation, he returned to Omaha for residency training in ophthalmology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Following residency training, Dr. Kugler entered private practice.
After practicing ophthalmology in the Omaha area for four years, Dr. Kugler decided to embrace his passion for refractive surgery and began the process of forming Kugler Vision. Read more about the practice history here.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Lance J. Kugler, MD, PCEO
CURRENT POSITION
Surgeon and CEO: Kugler Vision, PC, Omaha, Nebraska (9/2010 – present)
Refractive and Cataract Surgeon
Director of Refractive Surgery (9/2010 – present)
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
EMPLOYMENT
Partner: First Eye Associates, PC, Omaha, Nebraska (7/2005 – 7/2009)
EDUCATION
Executive: Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (January 2015 – December 2015)
Physician-CEO Executive Education Program
Fellowship: Wang Vision Institute/University of Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee (August 2009 – July 2010)
Cornea/Refractive Surgery
Residency: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, (2002 – 2005)
Ophthalmology
Internship: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, (2001 – 2002)
PGY-1, Internal Medicine
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, (1997 – 2001)
Doctor of Medicine
Class Representative, Alumni Board of Trustees, (1997 – lifetime)
Class Representative, Committee of Student Representatives, (1999 – 2001)
Crile Summer Research Fellowship, (1998)
Irwin Lepow Student Research Day, (1999)
Undergraduate: DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, (1993 – 1997)
B.A., Computer Science
Magna Cum Laude
Phi Beta Kappa, (1997)
Dean’s List all semesters
The Outstanding Senior in Computer Science, (1997)
Mortar Board, (1996 – 1997)
Phi Eta Sigma (Academic Honor Society), (1997)
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity president
LICENSURE
State of Nebraska Medical License
State of Tennessee Medical License
DEA
CERTIFICATION
American Board of Ophthalmology, 2006, 2016
Board Certified Fellow, World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences, 2023
SKILL CERTIFICATION
Zeiss MEL-80, 2017
ReLEX SMILE, Zeiss VisuMax Femtosecond Laser, (2016, 2017)
Revision Optics Raindrop Corneal Inlay, 2016
AcuFocus KAMRA Inlay, 2015
Wavetec ORA, 2013
B&L Crystalens Trulign Toric IOL, 2013
OptiMedica Catalys Cataract Femtosecond Laser, 2013
Alcon LenSx Cataract Femtosecond Laser, 2013
TearScience LipiFlow System, 2013
Alcon Wavelight FS200 Femtosecond Laser, 2013
Avedro Corneal Crosslinking System, 2012
Staar Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), Staar Surgical, 2010
Intacs Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments, Addition Technology, 2010
Refocus Presview Scleral Implants/Scleral Spacing Procedure
FDA Clinical Trial Sub-Investigator, 2009-2014
Study Coordinator, 2009-2014
VISX Star S4 Excimer Laser, AMO, 2009
Intralase Femtosecond Laser, AMO, 2009
Alegretto Wavelight Excimer Laser, Alcon, 2008
Refractec Conductive Keratoplasty, Refractec, 2006
Alcon LadarWave Excimer Laser, Alcon, 2006
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Director of Refractive Surgery (2010-2020)
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Omaha Veterans Administration Hospital, Clinical Adjunct Professor, Ophthalmology, 2005-2009
MEMBERSHIP IN SOCIETIES
Refractive Surgery Alliance, Founder (2013), President (2013 – 2016). Executive board (2016-present)
Strathspey Crown, Principal
American-European College of Ophthalmic Surgeons
Cornea Society
American Academy of Ophthalmology, Fellow
Selected for Leadership Development Program, class of 2007-2008
Young Ophthalmologist (YO) subcommittee member, YO Info Board, 2008-2010
Ophthalmic News and Education (ONE) network Young Ophthalmologist Advisory Committee, 2008-2010
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Young Eye Surgeon (YES) Social Media Subcommittee Member 2013 – present
International Society of Refractive Surgery
Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons
Pearls in Ophthalmology
Senior Editor, Cataract/Anterior Segment, 2008-2012
MEETINGS ATTENDED
Private Equity Boot Camp, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, October 13-15, 2017
Refractive Surgery Alliance Premium Practice Showcase,
Sioux Falls, SD, June 2015
Salt Lake City, UT, June 2016
Refractive Surgery Alliance Symposium, 2013-2017
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Annual Meeting, 2010-2017
American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, 2004-2008, 2010-2016
American-European College of Ophthalmic Surgeons, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017
American Academy of Ophthalmology Advocacy Day and Midyear Forum, Washington, DC, 2008
American Academy of Ophthalmology Leadership Development Program (LDP) San Francisco, 2008
Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, 2002-2016
American Academy of Ophthalmology Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day, 2004-2016
Gifford-Truhlsen Research Day, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2002-2017
Midwest Academic Refractive Surgery Consortium, 2002-2006
Wills Eye Hospital Annual Ophthalmology Review Course, Philadelphia, 2004, 2006
Osler Institute Ophthalmology Board Review Course, 2006
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 1999, 2001, 2005
AWARDS AND HONORS
Best Paper of Session
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Boston, April 11, 2010
Howard Dinsdale Award for Outstanding Resident Presentation
Gifford-Truhlsen Research Day, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, June 10, 2005
EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES
TEDx Omaha, Speaker: Myopia: A Treatable Epidemic
EyeWorld, Refractive Surgery Editorial Board Member, 2017-present
ASCRS YES Advisory Board Member, 2015-present
TearScience, Advisory Board Member, 2013-present
OptiCall, Advisory Board Member, 2013-2014
Journal of Refractive Surgery, Reviewer, 2013-present
Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Reviewer, 2009-present
The Optical Society, Reviewer, 2010-present
CLINICAL RESEARCH ACTIVITY
AcuFocus KAMRA Inlay post-approval study
FDA-monitored post-approval study
Principal Investigator 2017-present
ACOS-KXL-001 Crosslinking Trial in Patients with Keratoconus or Corneal Ectasia
FDA-monitored phase III trial
Principal Investigator 2012-2015
PresView Scleral Implants (Scleral Spacing Procedure), ReFocus Group, Ft. Worth, TX
FDA-monitored surgical device trial
Principal Investigator, Kugler Vision, 2010-2015
Sub-investigator, Wang Vision Institute, 2009-2010
Psychometric Validation of the Visual Symptoms Associated with Refractive Correction
(VSARC) Questionnaire, Alcon Research, Ltd.
IRB-Approved Clinical Trial
Principal Investigator 2012
EVO ICL
The EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) is a safe and effective treatment option to enable patients to see clearly without glasses and contacts. Originally, ICL was seen as a solution for people with high myopia (high lens prescription) and for people whose corneal thickness was not sufficient to have LASIK. EVO ICL is still a great option for these types of patients. Lance Kugler, MD will determine which procedure is right for your eyes.
IC-8
Lance Kugler, M.D. at Kugler Vision in Omaha, Neb., is participating in the AcuFocus clinical study for the IC-8 intraocular lens (IOL) designed for patients with cataracts.
“We work with cataract patients each day and many ask if their surgery will help them regain not only their distance vision, but also their intermediate and near vision,” Dr. Kugler said. “We look forward to evaluating the IC-8 lens and its ability to provide cataract patients with an uninterrupted range of vision.”
PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
- Kugler, L. Expanding your refractive practice with lens-based options. Insert to Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today. June, 2019
- Kugler L, Stuntz M. Enhancements after SMILE: Encouraging evidence for considering primary small-incision lenticule extraction. Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today, May, 2019
- Kugler, Lance. The RLE Decision Tree. Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today, May 2018.
- Machat J, Bafna S, Kugler L. Techniques for Optimizing Femtosecond and Excimer Laser Performance in Corneal Inlay Implantation. ASCRS Course Instructor, ASCRS Annual Meeting, Washington D.C., April 17, 2018
- Panelist. Tips, Pearls and Take-home Messages. ASCRS Refractive Day, ASCRS Annual Meeting, Washington D.C., April 13, 2018
- Kugler L. Visual Recovery after Implantation of a Small-Aperture Corneal Inlay into a Femtosecond Laser-Created Lamellar Pocket. ASCRS Annual Meeting, Washington D.C., April 16, 2018
- Kugler, Lance. A 30,000-Foot View of Refractive’s Future. Ophthalmology Management, March 2018, pp. 34-36.
- Kugler, Lance. Three Reasons Why the VisuMax Femtosecond Laser is Worth the Investment. Supplement to Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today, 2017, pp. 3-4.
- Brown C, Myers M, Kugler L. A Method to Measure Objective Refraction in Small-Aperture Corneal Inlay Patients. ARVO Annual Meeting, Global connections in vision research, May 7-11, 2017
- Kugler L. Medico-legal issues in refractive surgery. Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day, American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL October 14, 2016
- Kugler, Lance. Important Financial Concepts For The Physician-CEO. Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today Europe, May 2016, pp.66-68.
- Thompson V, Durrie D, Waring IV G, Rocha C, Kugler L, Trattler B. Adaption of the diagnosis of presbyopia to the modern refractive cataract patient: Dysfunctional lens syndrome. ASCRS Paper, 2016
- Kugler, Lance, et al. “New Technologies in Anterior Segment Diagnostic Assessment for Refractive Lens Exchange.” Refractive Lens Exchange A Surgical Treatment for Presbyopia, SLACK Incorporated, 2016, pp. 37-49.
- Kugler L, Crews J, Morgan L. Ocular residual astigmatism. CRSToday August, 2014:1-3
- Crews J, Kugler L. Epidemiology of the predominance of non corneal ocular residual astigmatism (ORA) compared to anterior corneal astigmatism. ARVO 2014, Abstract
- Moore, Stojanovic, Kugler, and Wang. Corneal scarring after refractive surgery. CRSToday April, 2014:35-37.
- Ming Wang, and Lance Kugler. Atlas and Clinical Reference Guide for Corneal Topography. Thorofare: Slack, 2014. Print.
- Bracha P, Kugler LJ, Schlichtemeier W, Morgan L. Photorefractive Keratectomy and Laser in situ keratomileusis following conductive keratoplasty: a case series. ASCRS 2014, Poster
- Kugler LJ, Morgan LA, Boerman H, Wang M. Topography Atlas. SLACK. In press 2013
- Kugler LJ, Hill S, Sztipanovits D, Boerman H, Swartz TS, Wang MX. Corneal melt of incisions overlying corneal ring segments: case series and literature review. Cornea. 2011 Sep. 30(9):968-971
- Jackson K, Kugler L, Wang M. Presbyopia-correcting IOLs in patients with Fuchs Dystrophy: indications and contraindications. Refractive Eyecare 15(7):1,27-28
- Kugler L, Sztipanovitz D, Wang M. Contraindications to implantation of toric IOLs. Presentation to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), San Diego, CA, April 29, 2011
- Hamilton R, Horn J, Kugler L, Nichols B. Panelist, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) Paper session 4-0: Intraocular Surgery, Phakic IOLs. San Diego, CA, April 29, 2011
- Wang M, Kugler L. Advanced Corneal Topography in Premium IOL Implantation and Keratorefractive Surgery. Instructional course presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), San Diego, CA, April 29, 2011
- Alpins N, Stametelatos G, Page R, Kugler L. Managing Astigmatism with Toric IOLs and LRIs in Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Instructional course presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), San Diego, CA, April 27, 2011
- Kugler LJ, Sztipanovits D, Wang M. Contraindications to toric IOLs. Refractive Eyecare 15(3):1,27-28.
- Kugler LJ, Wang M. “Pseudo” forme fruste keratoconus. Refractive Eyecare 14(12):1,14
- K. C. Baker, Y.-L. Chen, L. Shi, J. W. L. Lewis, L. Kugler, and M. Wang, Does the Posterior Corneal Elevation Provide the First Indication of Keratoconus, Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2010 51: E-Abstract 4963.
- Kugler LJ, Charters L. Risk of corneal melt reviewed. Ophthalmology Times. Oct 2010:45
- Kugler LJ, Cohen I, Haddad W, Wang MX. Efficacy of LASIK in correcting anterior versus non-anterior corneal astigmatism. J Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2010 Oct;36(10) 1745-1752
- Kugler L, Wang M. Lasers in refractive surgery: history, present, and future. Applied Optics. 2010;49(25) F1-F9 Also published in: Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics. 2010;5(13)
- Wang MX, Kugler L. When it is not the IOL. Asia-Pacific academy of ophthalmology congress, Beijing, China, September 2010
- Wang MX, Kugler L. Scleral spacing procedure — US FDA clinical trial phase III result. Asia-Pacific academy of ophthalmology congress, Beijing, China, September 2010
- Wang MX, Kugler L. Asphericity — hype or truth? Asia-Pacific academy of ophthalmology congress, Beijing, China, September 2010
- Wang MX, Kugler L. Topography and corneal imaging — state of the art. Asia-Pacific academy of ophthalmology congress, Beijing, China, September 2010
- Wang MX, Kugler L. Pseudo FFKC. Asia-Pacific academy of ophthalmology congress, Beijing, China, September 2010
- Kugler LJ, Melendez R. Incorporating premium IOLs into your practice, part 1: laying the groundwork. American Academy of Ophthalmology, YO-Info newsletter, June 2010.
- Kugler LJ, Melendez R. Incorporating premium IOLs into your practice, part 2: laying the groundwork. American Academy of Ophthalmology, YO-Info newsletter, July 2010.
- Kugler L, Wang M. Scleral spacing procedure for the correction of presbyopia. Gifford-Truhlsen Research Day, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, June 4, 2010
- Baker YL, Chen LS, Lewis JWL, Kugler L, Wang M. Does the posterior corneal elevation provide the first indication of keratoconus? Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, May, 2010 (Poster)
- Wang MX, Kugler L. Pseudo FFKC. Italian ophthalmological society annual meeting/OSN, Rome, Italy, May 2010
- Wang MX, Kugler L. Corneal factors responsible for performance of premium IOLs. Italian ophthalmological society annual meeting/OSN, Rome, Italy, May 2010
- Kugler L, Sztipanovitz D, Hill S, Boerman H, Wang M. Corneal Melt of Incisions Overlying Corneal Ring Segments: Case Series and Literature Review. Presentation to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), Boston, MA, April 10, 2010
- Wang M, Kugler L, Boerman H, Hill S, Sztipanovits D. Non-IOL and non-refractive factors contributing to poor performance of presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses. Presentation to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), Boston, MA, April 11, 2010
- Wang M, Kugler L, Boerman H, Sztipanovitz D. Non-IOL and non-refraction factors contributing to poor performance of presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses. Presentation to 15th Annual Joint Meeting of OSN, SOI, AICCER, Rome, Italy, May 2010
- Kugler L, Wang M. Intrastromal Laser Refractive Surgery. Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today, 2010;March;10(3):68-70
- Kugler L. Let’s talk about money. Pearls in ophthalmology. 2009;June;4(3)
- Kugler L. Transitioning from Supervised Cataract Surgery to Independent Cataract Surgeon: 12 Clinical Pearls. American Academy of Ophthalmology, YO-Info Newsletter, April 2009.
- Kugler L. Marketing Pearls: Is the Market ready for the promotion of presbyopia-correcting IOLs? Pearls in ophthalmology. 2009;June;4(2)
- Margalit, E, Kugler LJ, Brumm MV, Meza JL, Kompella UB, Escobar ER, Christensen GR. The safety of intraocular ketorolac in rabbits. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 May;47(5):2093-9
- Kugler L.J, Brumm M.V., Christensen G.R., Meza J.L., Margalit E. Safety of intraocular ketorolac. Gifford-Truhlsen Research Day, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, June 2005 (Presentation)
- Kugler L.J, Brumm M.V., Christensen G.R., Meza J.L., Margalit E. Safety of intraocular ketorolac. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, May, 2005 (Poster)
- Kugler L, Margalit E. Safety of intraocular ketorolac. Gifford-Truhlsen Research Day, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, June 2004 (Presentation)
- Kugler L, Dibernardo C, Margalit E. Identification of visually significant operculum with no macular hole by optical coherence tomography. Can J Ophthalmol. 2006 Feb;41(1):41-3
- Foster JA, Perry JD, Cahill KV, Holck DE, Kugler L. Processed human pericardium barrier for gold weight implantation. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004 Mar;20(2):107-9.
- Kugler L, Foster JA, Perry JD, Sputh E. Processed human pericardium barrier for gold weight implantation. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, May, 2001 (Poster)
- Kugler L, Eshbaugh C, Krueger R. Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis in association with epithelial defects after LASIK, Cleveland Clinic Research Day, Cleveland, Ohio, July 2000
- Kugler L, Foster JA, Bardenstein D, Hofer L, Ambekar A. Computer generated periocular measurements and the Rule of Threes in children. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, May, 1999 (Poster)
- Ambekar A, Riemann C, Kugler L, Castro, Foster JA. Kinetic and static Goldmann perimetry to evaluate similar amounts of ptosis related visual field loss. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, May 1999 (Poster)
- Godfrey M, Kugler L, Cisler J, et. al., . Fibrillin Immunofluorescence in “Rule Out” Marfan Syndrome. Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on the Marfan Syndrome, Geneva, Switzerland, 1996 (Abstract)
- Godfrey M, Cisler J, DeBie S, Kugler L, Anderson K, DePaepe A. Fibrillin immunofluorescence in “Rule Out” Marfan syndrome. American Journal of Human Genetics 57:1995 A321
- Godfrey M, Cisler J, Kugler L, Anderson K, Patil K. Fibrillin Immunofluorescence in “Rule Out” Marfan Syndrome. Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on the Marfan Syndrome, International Marfan Symposium, Berlin, Germany, 1994 (Abstract)
- A premium experience for patients can translate to premium procedures
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Omaha Child Vision Collaborative, Building Healthy Futures, Board Member, 2015-present
Aksarben Ball Men’s Floor Committee, 2015-2016
American Heart Association, Omaha Chapter, Board Member 2012-2013
Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children (NFVIC)
Executive Board Member, 2005-2009
Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration
Board Member, 2009-2010