Last updated: January 18th, 2026
Meet Dr. John A. Vukich
John Vukich, M.D., specializes in presbyopia correction, refractive cataract surgery and the use of implantable collamer lenses (ICL). Doctor Vukich is a Wisconsin native and the founding member of Summit Eye Care with offices in Wauwatosa and Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. He attended Emory University and was granted early admission to Emory Medical School in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating with highest honors. Dr. Vukich is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Vukich completed his surgical residency in ophthalmology at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago. He is an active teacher of surgical techniques and has taught, lectured to, and certified eye surgeons on five different continents.
Experience: 30 Years
Specialty: Cataract & Refractive Surgery
John Vukich, M.D. has remained at the forefront of innovation in eye care. He was a principal investigator in the original US clinical trials for the implantable collamer lens (ICL) and has presented the data to the FDA for panel approval for both the implantable contact lens and AcuFocus presbyopia implant. Dr. Vukich is an active researcher having participated in more than 20 clinical trials and he has served as the U.S. medical monitor for several new technologies.
His excellence and skill have been recognized with numerous awards including the prestigious Dulaney named lecture given at the American European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery. Dr. Vukich has authored many articles and book chapters on cataract and refractive surgery. He has served on several Editorial Boards of both professional and trade publications including the Journal of Refractive Surgery and Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today. He has also served as a judge at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Film Festival.
Dr. Vukich is well known regionally, nationally, and internationally as a leader, innovator, and educator in the field of cataract and refractive surgery.
Dr. Vukich is the Founder and Medical Director of Summit Eye Care. He is a skilled ophthalmic surgeon, and prides himself in connecting with his patients and helping them optimize their vision potential.
Education and Professional Credentials
Medical Education
Dr. Vukich earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Emory University in 1981. He went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine from Emory University School of Medicine in 1985, graduating with highest honors after being granted early admission—a distinction reflecting his academic excellence.
Residency Training
Following medical school, Dr. Vukich completed a Transitional Residency at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee (1985-1986), followed by a comprehensive Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago (1986-1989). During his residency, he received the Senior Resident Award for Outstanding Teaching, highlighting his early dedication to education in the field.
Board Certification
Dr. Vukich is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, having achieved certification in 1990. Board certification demonstrates that Dr. Vukich has met rigorous standards of knowledge, clinical competency, and ethical practice—and maintains an ongoing commitment to professional excellence.
“I have known and worked with Dr John Vukich for over 10 years on some of the most demanding clinical research projects in the world of ophthalmology. I know him to be one of the best eye surgeons in the world. His peers have voted Dr. Vukich into the most prestigious cataract surgery societies in the world based on his stellar performance over many years. He will take care of you.”
— Kevin L. Waltz, OD, MD
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
Dr. Vukich maintains active membership and leadership roles in leading professional organizations dedicated to advancing ophthalmology:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): Fellow and recipient of the Senior Honor Award and Achievement Award.
- American European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery (AECOS): Founding Member, Past President (2015-2017), and Board Chairman (2017-2019).
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS): Served as Chairman of the Refractive Surgery Clinical Committee and member of the Governance Committee.
- International Intraocular Implant Club (IIIC): Founding Member of this prestigious global society.
- International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS): Active member dedicated to advancing refractive surgical techniques.
These memberships reflect Dr. Vukich’s dedication to staying current with the latest advances in ophthalmology and maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice.
“Dr. Vukich is the consummate professional. He was easy to talk to and answered all of my questions and more. I later discovered he ranks among the world’s experts in his area of expertise. Aside from his technical expertise my consultation with him revealed the deep level of satisfaction he experiences for helping his patients. He was genuinely excited for me about the anticipated outcome of my surgery. I have every confidence that my vision is in very, very capable hands.”
– R.F. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practice Philosophy and Patient Approach
Patient-Centered Decision Making
Dr. Vukich believes that optimal eye care requires a personalized approach. He takes time to understand each patient’s lifestyle, visual goals, and concerns. “My approach is to listen carefully to each patient, perform a thorough clinical assessment, and develop a treatment plan that aligns with their unique needs,” Dr. Vukich explains.
Commitment to Advanced Technology
Summit Eye Care is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical technology. Dr. Vukich’s commitment to using the most advanced tools—many of which he helped evaluate in clinical trials—ensures accurate diagnosis, optimal surgical planning, and superior clinical outcomes for his patients.
“Dr Vukich removed the cataracts in both my eyes and replaced them with Light Adjustable lens. This was the best decision I’ve made. I see 20/15 out of both eyes and it’s the best I’ve seen in my entire life. I would highly recommend Dr. Vukich and this procedure.”
– V.W. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why Patients Choose Dr. Vukich
Patient-Centered Care: He prioritizes personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique vision goals.
Innovation Leadership: As the first surgeon in Wisconsin to perform LASIK and implant the ICL, Dr. Vukich brings pioneering expertise to his patients.
Extensive Experience: With over 30 years of clinical practice and participation in 40+ clinical trials, he offers unmatched depth of knowledge.
Global Recognition: Dr. Vukich has taught and certified surgeons on five continents and is a sought-after speaker at international conferences.
Board Certification: His certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology demonstrates his commitment to the highest standards of care.
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What are Dr. Vukich's credentials?
Dr. Vukich is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He earned his MD with highest honors from Emory University and completed his residency at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a past president of the American European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery.
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Is Dr. Vukich involved in research?
Yes. Dr. Vukich is an active researcher who has served as a principal investigator for over 40 clinical trials, including FDA trials for the ICL, corneal inlays, and laser vision correction technologies.
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What procedures does Dr. Vukich perform?
He specializes in refractive cataract surgery, presbyopia correction, ICL implantation, and laser vision correction (LASIK/PRK).
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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.
- Vukich JA. “Using an International Medical Advisory Board to guide clinical governance in a corporate refractive surgery model.” J Refract Surg 2009 Jul;25(7 Suppl):S647-50.
- Sanders DR, Schneider D, Martin R, Brown D, Dulaney D, Vukich J, et al. “Toric Implantable Collamer Lens for moderate to high myopic astigmatism.” Ophthalmology 2007 Jan;114(1):54-61.
- Sanders D, Vukich JA. “Comparison of implantable collamer lens (ICL) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for low myopia.” Cornea 2006 Dec;25(10):1139-46.
- Sarver EJ, Sanders DR, Vukich JA. “Image quality in myopic eyes corrected with laser in situ keratomileusis and phakic intraocular lens.” J Refract Surg 2003 Jul-Aug;19(4):397-404.
Recent Clinical Trials (Selected)
- Horizon Robotics Cataract Surgical System: First-in-Man Cataract Surgery, El Salvador (2025)
- Jellisee Accommodative IOL: Quest Study, First-in-Human trial (December 2022)
- Zeiss Hecate A Study: Innovative IOL trial, San Salvador, El Salvador (February 2022)
- Johnson & Johnson Vision: Innovative IOL Trial, San Salvador, El Salvador (Q2 2022)
- ViaLase: Innovative Glaucoma Trial, Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras (November 2021)
Recent Invited Lectures (Selected)
- “Accommodative IOL’s: What Can We Hope For and What We Can Expect?”, Jules Stein ASCRS Joint Symposium (February 2009)
- “Are Phakic IOL’s Safe?”, Jules Stein ASCRS Joint Symposium (February 2009)
- “Next Generation Wavefront Imaging: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications”, Jules Stein ASCRS Joint Symposium (February 2009)
- “Femtosecond Follies: Lessons Learned Converting to all Laser LASIK”, Hawaiian Eye Maui (January 2009)
- “What You Need to Know, What You Need to Look for”, Pentacam Grand Rounds Hawaiian Eye Maui (January 2009)
Awards & Recognition (Selected)
- Dulaney Award and Named Lecture, American European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery (2019)
- Best Doctors in America (2003-2019)
- Senior Honor Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2011)
- Leading Ophthalmologist in America, Becker’s ASC Review
- STAAR Surgical Innovators Award (2007)