Vance Thompson Vision

We are proud to share that Dr. John Berdahl, MD, of Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls has been named the 2026 recipient of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) Innovator Award. The award was presented at the AGS Annual Meeting held February 19–22, 2026, in Rancho Mirage, California. The Innovator Award is given annually to a glaucoma specialist whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity and meaningful advancement in glaucoma diagnosis, treatment, research, or surgical practice. This national recognition reflects Dr. Berdahl’s ongoing commitment to advancing clinical care and pioneering innovative procedures and approaches that continue to shape how glaucoma is understood and treated. His work aligns directly with the purpose of the Innovator Award: celebrating specialists whose ideas and leadership move the field forward in measurable and lasting ways. “It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the American Glaucoma Society,” said Dr. Berdahl. “Glaucoma care continues to ...

We are proud to share that Dr. John Berdahl, MD, of Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls has been named the 2026 recipient of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) Innovator Award. The award was presented at the AGS Annual Meeting held February 19–22, 2026, in Rancho Mirage, California. The Innovator Award is given annually to a glaucoma specialist whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity and meaningful advancement in glaucoma diagnosis, treatment, research, or surgical practice. This national recognition reflects Dr. Berdahl’s ongoing commitment to advancing clinical care and pioneering innovative procedures and approaches that continue to shape how glaucoma is understood and treated. His work aligns directly with the purpose of the Innovator Award: celebrating specialists whose ideas and leadership move the field forward in measurable and lasting ways. “It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the American Glaucoma Society,” said Dr. Berdahl. “Glaucoma care continues to ...

Before going into any surgery, it’s common to wonder about what will happen  after . “How long will it take before I can live my life normally again?” One of the biggest benefits of LASIK and other vision correction procedures is that recovery is typically quick. In this blog, we’ll break down the average recovery time of patients, as well as things to be mindful of during this short journey on the way to clearer vision. The LASIK Procedure For the vision correction procedure, the surgeon uses a precise laser to gently reshape the cornea. This allows light rays to focus more directly on the  retina, ultimately reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses. The procedure is performed in-office and typically lasts only a few minutes per eye. For a LASIK procedure, the surgeon creates a thin protective flap in the cornea with a femtosecond laser. They fold the flap back and then gently reshape the cornea with an excimer laser. The flap is positioned back in place, where i...

Before going into any surgery, it’s common to wonder about what will happen  after . “How long will it take before I can live my life normally again?” One of the biggest benefits of LASIK and other vision correction procedures is that recovery is typically quick. In this blog, we’ll break down the average recovery time of patients, as well as things to be mindful of during this short journey on the way to clearer vision. The LASIK Procedure For the vision correction procedure, the surgeon uses a precise laser to gently reshape the cornea. This allows light rays to focus more directly on the  retina, ultimately reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses. The procedure is performed in-office and typically lasts only a few minutes per eye. For a LASIK procedure, the surgeon creates a thin protective flap in the cornea with a femtosecond laser. They fold the flap back and then gently reshape the cornea with an excimer laser. The flap is positioned back in place, where i...

The New Year is all about fresh starts. Setting new goals, exploring new challenges, and discovering new solutions for treating glaucoma—which is especially exciting for our team. January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and we’re calling attention to the advancements that have been made in glaucoma care and how they’re revolutionizing treatment for patients. Understanding Glaucoma Before we dive into treatments, it’s important to know what exactly glaucoma is and how it affects vision.  Glaucoma occurs when pressure inside the eye causes damage to the optic nerve, resulting in the loss of peripheral vision, which eventually progresses to central vision and leads to blindness. When it reaches this point, glaucoma cannot be reversed and the damage to the optic nerve is permanent. Though not curable, glaucoma is treatable through management of the pressure in the eye to prevent further damage. What’s considered “normal” eye pressure varies from person to person. If eye pressure reach...

The New Year is all about fresh starts. Setting new goals, exploring new challenges, and discovering new solutions for treating glaucoma—which is especially exciting for our team. January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and we’re calling attention to the advancements that have been made in glaucoma care and how they’re revolutionizing treatment for patients. Understanding Glaucoma Before we dive into treatments, it’s important to know what exactly glaucoma is and how it affects vision.  Glaucoma occurs when pressure inside the eye causes damage to the optic nerve, resulting in the loss of peripheral vision, which eventually progresses to central vision and leads to blindness. When it reaches this point, glaucoma cannot be reversed and the damage to the optic nerve is permanent. Though not curable, glaucoma is treatable through management of the pressure in the eye to prevent further damage. What’s considered “normal” eye pressure varies from person to person. If eye pressure reach...