Ivey Thornton M.D.
Aviva
to restore and renew
A practice created with intention; built to feel different.
The Practice
More than an eye practice.
A place to feel restored.
Aviva is the realization of Ivey Thornton M.D.’s vision to reimagine what an eye practice can feel like. Inspired by the Hebrew meaning of “Aviva”, to restore and renew, the practice is built around one simple idea: expert medical care can also be deeply calming, beautiful, and nurturing.
Instead of a typical medical office, patients step into a space that feels calm, restorative, and welcoming. Every detail is intentional, reflecting Dr. Thornton’s belief that how you feel before and after surgery is just as important as what happens in the operating room.
Aviva was born from years of seeing how much fear and tension surround eye surgery and vision problems. Dr. Thornton wanted to create a place where patients feel heard, unhurried, and truly cared for; where questions are welcomed, options are explained clearly, and decisions are made together.
Aviva brings medicine, empathy, and aesthetics under one roof. Here, clearer vision is only the beginning. The goal is for every person to leave feeling more confident, empowered to pursue their dreams, and free to live fully with clarity.
About Dr. Thornton
Precision in surgery.
Empathy in care.
Ivey Thornton M.D. is a board-certified ophthalmologist in Omaha who specializes in cataract and refractive surgery, including LASIK, PRK, and Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs). She is known for both her surgical precision and her attentive approach to patient care, taking the time to understand each patient’s specific goals and visual needs.
With extensive fellowship training and experience in treating complex eye conditions, she focuses on safe, customized solutions. Her philosophy centers on combining modern surgical techniques with genuine empathy to help patients achieve clearer vision and greater confidence.
Training
- MD, University of Alabama School of Medicine (2006)
- Ophthalmology residency, University of Louisville (2010)
- Neuro-ophthalmology fellowship, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School (2011)
- Anterior segment / cataract-refractive fellowship, Cincinnati Eye Institute (2016)
- Physician CEO Program, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University (2023)
Affiliations & recognition
- Board-Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO)
- Member, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- Member, Refractive Surgery Alliance Society (RSA)
- Member, World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences
- Research grants from CLAO and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)
- Extensive publications in peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals
Beyond the Practice
Outside the operating room,
Ivey Thornton values living with purpose, balance, and gratitude.
Raised in American Samoa and Hong Kong, she grew up between cultures, and that early perspective still shapes how she listens to and cares for each person who walks through Aviva’s doors. She has called Omaha home since 2019, where she lives with her husband and their four children.
Together the family takes part in charitable eye-surgery mission trips to China and Peru. Closer to home, she tends her vegetable garden beds, spends as much time as she can in nature, and experiments with gut-friendly recipes in the kitchen.
She ran the Boston Marathon during her fellowship, and still finds her balance in movement and time outdoors. Above all, she loves exploring new countries and cultures with her family.
In Their Words
Patients on
their experience.
Nebraska Medicine
“Dr Thornton is wonderful with people. It is so easy to talk with her. She explains everything. One of the best Doctors I've ever had.”
Verified Patient
Nebraska Medicine
“Dr Thornton is always thorough and professional and has a delightful manner”
Verified Patient
Nebraska Medicine
“Always a pleasant experience. Dr Thornton is really a great listener and comes up with my next plan.”
Verified Patient