Southwest Missouri’s Leading Ophthalmologists, Eye Doctors and Surgeons
Missouri Eye Institute’s board-certified eye surgeons and optometrists serve the vision correction and eye care needs of Springfield, Branson and Joplin. Five highly recognized ophthalmologists – Drs. Jansen, Osborn, Meyer, Bhend and Benedett – combine their years of medical experience to provide Southwest Missouri’s highest quality laser vision correction procedures, glaucoma treatment, corneal transplants, cataract removal and cosmetic eye procedures.
Chuck Jansen, M.D. Springfield
Dan Osborn, M.D. Springfield
Larry Meyer, M.D. Branson
Ernie Bhend, M.D. Joplin
Robert Benedett, M.D. Springfield
Jim Bureman, O.D. Springfield, Branson and Joplin
Kristin Ham, O.D. Springfield
Francis “Chuck” Jansen, M.D.
Having performed more than 25,000 procedures, Dr. Jansen is recognized by “Who’s Who” as one of the most experienced eye surgeons in America. He came to Springfield in 1990 from the prestigious National Eye Center in Washington, D.C., where he has returned many times to lecture on his surgical innovations. In Springfield, he is recognized by his peers as a “Top Doc” in eye surgery.
Dr. Jansen is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Medical Association, Missouri Medical Association, and Greene County Medical Society. He has served on the board of Southwest Baptist University as well as local medical advisory boards and is a member of the clinical faculty of Cox family practice residency and area medical and optometry schools.
Dr. Jansen has a passion for International Missions. Working with the ministry of health of Tanzania East Africa, he developed eye specialty clinics and an eye surgical hospital in Maswa, Tanzania. Its eye surgery training program is actively teaching African and missionary doctors to perform modern cataract surgery.
Dr. Jansen specializes in cataract surgery, corneal transplants and eyelid plastic surgery.
Daniel R. Osborn, M.D.
Dr. Osborn, one of the most experienced cataract and refractive surgeons in the region, has practiced full time in Springfield since 1996. He has been recognized as introducing IntraLase Bladeless LASIK surgery, a no-needle topical anesthesia for cataract surgery and the most modern corneal transplant surgery in the Ozarks. His specialty areas include refractive and cataract surgery and corneal transplants. Additionally, he has been appointed by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.test
Dr. Osborn attended Indiana University School of Medicine where he distinguished himself as one of the top 10 percent of medical students, became a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and served as Chief Resident during his training at the Indiana University Department of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Osborn is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. In addition to regularly providing educational seminars for regional optometrists, he serves as adjunct faculty and preceptor for University of Missouri-St. Louis’ Optometry School.
Larry W. Meyer, M.D.
Dr. Meyer is Missouri Eye Institute’s ophthalmologist serving the Branson area. Originally from Southwest Missouri, Dr. Meyer is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Louisiana State University’s Shreveport School of Medicine as Chief Resident. Dr. Meyer practiced ophthalmology in Carbondale, Illinois, until returning to Southwest Missouri in 2005.
Dr. Meyer is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Meyer’s specialty areas include cataract, retinal laser, glaucoma, oculoplastic and other general ocular surgery as well as Botox treatments.
Ernest M. Bhend, M.D.
Dr. Bhend, a native of Joplin, Missouri, is a full-time ophthalmologist in Missouri Eye Institute’s Joplin clinic. He earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine and completed his residency at the prestigious Mason Eye Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Bhend returned to Joplin in 2005 and within one year was named as one of the top ophthalmologists in the Joplin area by 417 Magazine.
Dr. Bhend is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and the American Medical Association.
His specialty areas include cataract and anterior segment surgery, oculoplastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, retinal disease, glaucoma management, Botox, dry eye disease, and general ophthalmology.
Robert E. Benedett, M.D.
One of the most experienced retina doctors in the Ozarks, Dr. Benedett’s addition to the team brings even more specialized care to Missouri Eye Institute patients. Originally from Minnesota, he has lived in the Ozarks for more than 20 years.
Dr. Benedett received an academic scholarship to attend Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated with Alpha Omega Alpha honors. He then went on to additional fellowship training in vitreo-retinal disease at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to become specialized in the care and surgery of the retina.
Dr. Benedett is a diplomat of and certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
James E. Bureman, O.D.
Dr. Bureman, Missouri Eye Institute’s optometrist serving Springfield, Branson and Joplin, has practiced in Southwest Missouri since 1985. Certified by the Missouri State Board of Optometry for therapeutic optometry, he is highly trained in the diagnosis and management of eye diseases and injuries.
Dr. Bureman graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1980. Since 1992, Dr. Bureman has served as an appointed member on the Missouri State Board of Optometry and recently was elected President of the State Board. In addition to serving as an adjunct faculty member for various optometry schools, he is also a member of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. In 2000, Dr. Bureman was named “Optometrist of the Year” by the Missouri Optometric Association. Dr. Bureman holds the rank of Lt. Colonel in the Missouri Army National Guard Medical Services Corps.
By consulting with area optometrists, Dr. Bureman helps coordinate care for Missouri Eye Institute patients, helping to ensure quality, cost-effective and convenient primary eye care. Dr. Bureman is the administrative partner for Missouri Eye Institute.
Kristin Ham, O.D.
Dr. Kristin Ham is Missouri Eye Institute’s optometrist assisting part-time with post-operative care in Springfield. Dr. Ham has practiced optometry since 2001 and is certified by the Missouri State Board of Optometry for therapeutic optometry.
Dr. Ham graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis Optometry School in 2001. She earned her bachelor’s of science degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Missouri Western State College. Prior to joining Missouri Eye Institute, Dr. Ham worked in both private practice and corporate optometry, during which time she received the Clinical Excellence Award from Cole Vision. She currently serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Southern College of Optometry in Memphis.
For those patients requiring follow-up care at Missouri Eye Institute following a procedure, Dr. Ham provides quality care and treatment.