Independent Vision Group
‘Personalized, Advanced, Effective’
Dr. Thomas Harvey,
Anterior Segment Eye Surgeon
Dr. Thomas Harvey’s road to ophthalmology started in 1994 while studying in South America. He saw firsthand a large number of blind people living in the area and was curious about why. When he asked his local Chilean friend about it, he learned that the local healthcare system didn’t cover eye surgery for all of its people. This discovery really bothered Dr. Harvey. It led him to shift his educational focus from scientific research to becoming an eye surgeon, in the hopes that one day he could contribute to eliminating cataract blindness.
The next 10 years of his life were dedicated to becoming an eye surgery specialist, and he has been a leading eye surgeon in western Wisconsin and the Chippewa Valley for close to 20 years. Dr. Harvey is dedicated to helping improve vision for patients locally and internationally; every year he travels to places like Vietnam and Honduras to perform cataract surgery and work with the local doctors to improve their skills and to teach the latest eye surgery techniques.
If you have the chance to meet Dr. Harvey, it is immediately apparent that he is extremely passionate about providing high-quality eye care to anyone who needs it — which is why he founded Independent Vision Group (IVG) in 2020.
With the help of an incredibly dedicated and caring staff and one of the state’s most experienced optometrists, Dr. Chad Vieth, Dr. Harvey created a unique eye clinic model. IVG works in conjunction with family eye doctors around the region to identify patients needing surgical eye care. Patients can be seen in 8 different locations around the area so they don’t have to travel far from home to receive the highest level of care. Dr. Harvey brings his expert staff and diagnostic equipment to local optometrist offices; this makes seeing the doctor easier for patients living in more rural areas of Northwestern Wisconsin.
Since 2020, Independent Vision Group has strived to provide the latest eye surgery techniques and technology to its patients in a caring environment. IVG’s specialty is anterior segment eye surgery, with a focus on treating eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and different corneal diseases. IVG also offers the latest custom diagnostic technology for these surgeries.
IVG utilizes lasers, ultrasound, and heat delivery for various treatments. They are also the only clinic in the region that offers EVO ICL, an implantable contact lens, that is an incredible option for people with extreme nearsightedness.
Even with all the extensive technological bells and whistles, Dr. Harvey and Dr. Vieth know that eye care is not one-size-fits-all. “This is an evolving field with people that have very individualized needs,” Dr. Harvey said. “The person who’s an elite snowmobile racer may not have the luxury of wearing glasses or even contacts. We’re willing to go the distance for people to get them the vision they want; I think that makes us really unique.”
New patients receive a full evaluation, diagnosing issues in both the front and the back of the eye. At IVG, this typically includes a microscopic exam with one of the doctors themselves. “We have embraced more patient-centered care; we want the patient to be with the doctor, and that works really well,” Dr. Harvey said. “Very few things can be missed if you have trained eyes looking over everything.”
Whether you’re being referred to IVG by your optometrist or if you’re seeking help on your own, you can rest assured that you are getting the most effective eye care for you and your needs.
To learn more about Independent Vision Group, you can visit their website or give them a call at (715) 449-8400.
