Last updated: April 7th, 2026
Meet Dr. Nicholas J. Bruns
Nicholas Bruns, OD, FAAO, specializes in surgical co-management of cataract and refractive procedures, premium intraocular lens (IOL) technology, dry eye treatment, and glaucoma care. He serves as Senior Optometrist and Director of Practice Development at Summit Eye Care in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa.
Experience: 11 Years
Specialty: Advanced Surgical Co-Management, Premium Intraocular Lenses, Dry Eye Management & Glaucoma
He earned his Doctor of Optometry with High Academic Honors from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University, where he received the MCO Senior Project Award. Dr. Bruns is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is actively involved in education, research, and clinical innovation within optometric practice.
Dr. Bruns discusses his passion for vision health and what sets Summit Eye Care apart from the competition.
Education and Professional Credentials
Optometric Education
Dr. Bruns earned his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Central Michigan University in 2011, graduating Cum Laude. He went on to earn his Doctor of Optometry from Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University in 2015, graduating with High Academic Honors after being granted early admission—a distinction reflecting his academic excellence.
Clinical Training and Rotations
Following his academic training, Dr. Bruns completed clinical rotations at the Great Lakes Eye Institute, Kresge Eye Institute, and the Grand Rapids VA Hospital. During this time, he gained experience in primary care, pediatric optometry, contact lens fitting, and ocular disease management—building a strong foundation for his work in surgical co-management.
Dr. Nicholas Bruns was fantastic to work with. His examination skills were excellent, which translated to accurate diagnoses and great care of his patients. He is an asset to any organization and patients will benefit from his dedication and experience.
– My Le Shaw, MD ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
Dr. Bruns maintains active membership and leadership roles in leading professional organizations dedicated to advancing optometry:
- American Academy of Optometry (AAO): Fellow (completed October 2022), reflecting his commitment to the highest standards of optometric practice and continuing education.
- Intrepid Eye Society: Active member focused on advancing anterior segment and refractive surgery innovation.
- Wisconsin Optometric Association: Education Committee member, contributing to professional development initiatives in the state.
- Milwaukee Optometric Society: Treasurer, providing leadership in local optometric advocacy and education.
- American Optometric Association: Active member since 2015.
- National Glaucoma Society: Member since 2018, reflecting his specialized clinical interest in glaucoma management.
These memberships reflect Dr. Bruns’ dedication to staying current with the latest advances in optometry and maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice.
Clinical Experience and Expertise
11 Years of Optometric Practice
Dr. Bruns has spent over a decade providing comprehensive eye care. His clinical experience encompasses:
- Cataract Surgery Co-Management: Specialized expertise in premium intraocular lens (IOL) selection, including light adjustable lenses, accommodative IOLs, and toric designs.
- Refractive Surgery Co-Management: Comprehensive care for LASIK, PRK, and EVO ICL™ procedures.
- Glaucoma Management: Advanced knowledge of both medical and surgical glaucoma treatment options, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), laser-based treatments, and traditional filtration procedures.
- Ocular Surface Disease: Comprehensive management of dry eye and other anterior segment conditions, with particular attention to perioperative optimization for surgical patients.
Innovation Leadership in Optometric Practice Development
Dr. Bruns’ reputation as an innovator is well-established. He played a pivotal role in establishing Summit Eye Care’s Milwaukee location and developing an integrated co-management program that has become a regional model. Dr. Bruns was a co-investigator on a landmark clinical study published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (June 2025) comparing outcomes of two light-adjustable lenses. He has also served as a consultant to leading ophthalmic companies, including STAAR Surgical, Glaukos, RxSight, Bausch & Lomb, LENSAR, Alcon, and others, providing clinical insights that inform product development and educational initiatives.
Equally committed to advancing the profession through education, Dr. Bruns actively works with multiple institutions to help train optometry students and supports the development of future physicians through hands-on clinical mentorship and collaborative teaching. His dedication to education reflects a broader commitment to strengthening the next generation of eye care providers and improving patient outcomes across the field.
Practice Philosophy and Patient Approach
Patient-Centered Surgical Co-Management
Dr. Bruns believes that optimal outcomes in surgical co-management require meticulous attention to detail and clear communication. He takes time to understand each patient’s lifestyle, visual goals, and concerns. “My role is to ensure that patients are thoroughly prepared for surgery and receive the highest quality of post-operative care,” Dr. Bruns explains.
Commitment to Advanced Technology
Summit Eye Care is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic technology. Dr. Bruns’ commitment to using the most advanced tools ensures accurate assessment, optimal surgical planning, and superior clinical outcomes for his patients.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Bruns
- Patient-Centered Care: He prioritizes personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique vision goals.
- Surgical Co-Management Expertise: With over 11 years of experience managing complex surgical cases, Dr. Bruns brings specialized knowledge to every patient interaction.
- Advanced Technology Knowledge: His deep understanding of premium IOL options, refractive surgery techniques, and glaucoma management ensures patients receive personalized recommendations aligned with their unique vision goals.
- Educator and Thought Leader: Dr. Bruns has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed publications and has delivered lectures at national conferences, establishing himself as a trusted voice in optometric education.
- Commitment to Patient Outcomes: His meticulous approach to pre- and post-operative care, combined with his collaborative relationship with surgeons, consistently delivers excellent refractive and functional outcomes.
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What are Dr. Bruns' credentials?
Dr. Bruns is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. He earned his O.D. with High Academic Honors from Michigan College of Optometry and completed his clinical training at leading eye care institutions. He is licensed to practice optometry in Wisconsin and Michigan.
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Is Dr. Bruns involved in research?
Yes. Dr. Bruns is an active researcher who has served as a co-investigator for multiple clinical trials, including studies evaluating advanced IOL technologies. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed optometric journals.
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What procedures does Dr. Bruns manage?
He specializes in surgical co-management for cataract surgery (with emphasis on premium IOLs), LASIK/PRK/ICL procedures, dry eye treatment, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), and in-office procedures. He also manages glaucoma and ocular disease.
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How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule a consultation, contact Summit Eye Care at (414) 877-6414 or visit our website to request an appointment.
Selected CV Highlights
Recent Publications (Selected)
- Doane J, Newsom TH, Slade S, Thompson V, Bruns N, Vukich J. “Clinical data registry comparing outcomes of two light adjustable lenses.” Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery 51(11):948-954, November 2025.
- Bruns N. “Navigating the New Age of IOL Designs.” Review of Optometry, December 2025.
- Bruns N. “Turning Dry Eye Evidence into Action.” Modern Optometry, December 2025 (Co-author).
- Bruns N. “When 20/Happy Falls Short.” Modern Optometry, August 2025.
- Bruns N. “Bridging the Gap: OD-MD Collaboration.” Modern Optometry, January 2025.
- Bruns N. “The Changing Paradigm in Interventional Glaucoma.” Modern Optometry, January 2025.
- Bruns N. “Cataract vs Refractive Surgery: What’s the Difference?” Modern Optometry, August 2024.
- Bruns N. “Adjustability Reimagined.” Presbyopia Physician, June 2024.
- Bruns N. “What’s New in Dry Eye Management?” Modern Optometry, March 2024.
- Bruns N. “Using the IC-8 Aphthera IOL.” Presbyopia Physician, March 2024.
- Bruns N. “EVO ICL: A Game Changer in Refractive Surgery.” Presbyopia Physician, December 2023.
- Bruns N. “Break the Barriers to Corneal Collagen Crosslinking.” Optometric Management, May 2023.
- Bruns N. “The Light Adjustable Lens: Reshaping the Premium IOL Landscape.” Presbyopia Physician, March 2023.
- Bloomenstein M, Bruns N, Ondhia A. “Advancing Refractive Surgery.” Review of Optometry, January 2023.
- Bruns N, Vukich J. “Correcting High Myopia at the Nodal Point.” Modern Optometry, October 2022.
- Vukich J, Bruns N. “EVO ICL: Long-Lasting Quality of Vision.” The Ophthalmologist, August 2022.
Recent Invited Lectures (Selected)
- “How to Develop a Refractive OD,” Ophthalmology Outliers, Palm Springs, CA (March 2026)
- “OSD in Cataract Surgery” and “Glaucoma Grand Rounds,” Summit Eye Care Clinical Challenges Day (November 2025)
- “Surgery Update” and “Retina Grand Rounds,” New Treatments and Technologies in Eye Care, Nashville, TN (November 2025)
- “The Search for the IOL Holy Grail,” Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting (October 2025)
- “MD/OD Collaboration,” Real World Ophthalmology (September 2025)
- “Enhancing Surgical Workflows with the LAL,” Eyes on Cataract and Refractive (August 2025)
- “Surgical Update: Adjustable IOLs,” ODs on Finance Innovation and Tech Summit (August 2025)
- “IOL Technology,” New Treatments and Technologies in Eye Care, La Jolla, CA (May 2025)
- “Migs: Lasers and Blebs and Stents, Oh My!” Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting (November 2024)
- “Modern Cataract Surgery With a Side of Glaucoma,” Wisconsin Optometric Association Northwoods Retreat (October 2024)
Awards & Recognition (Selected)
- MCO Senior Project Award (2015)
- Beta Kappa Sigma Honor Society (2014-2015)
- Fellow, American Academy of Optometry (2022)
- Senior Editor, Optometry Section, Ophthalmology Business Minute (2025-Present)
- Editorial Advisory Board, Optometry360 (2025-Present)