Your Vision. Our Team.

Get to know Dr. Robyn Epley, Dr. Katie West,

Dr. Lexye Bruegman and the Vision Specialists

of Council Bluffs

Dr. Robyn Epley optometrist at Vision Specialists in Omaha Nebraska

Dr. Robyn Epley

Dr. (Christenson) Epley is an honors graduate of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She earned her doctorate of optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude (top-5 in her class).

She received clinical and didactic awards all four years, including the Excellence in Ocular Disease Award, and was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa optometric honors fraternity. She currently belongs to the House of Delegates for the Iowa Optometric Association, is a member of the American Optometric Association, and provides no-cost InfantSEE exams for infants between 6-12 months of age.

Dr. Epley offers a wide range of services, including routine eye exams for adults and children, contact lens evaluations, glaucoma exams, and testing, LASIK and cataract evaluations and post-operative care, diabetic exams, and emergency eye care.

Dr. Epley enjoys being involved with the Council Bluffs community. She is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Council Bluffs and has served on the Southwest Iowa Advisory Committee for Heartland Family Service. Currently, she is an ambassador for Pottawattamie Arts, Culture and Entertainment, and the youth program director for the Council Bluffs Optimist Club and is always looking for more opportunities to serve. She and her husband Cole live in Council Bluffs with their two cats and enjoy being outdoors (especially biking), seeing live concerts, completing home improvement projects, and cheering on the Huskers!

Dr. Katie West

Dr. Katie West received her Bachelors of Science in Biology from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. She went on to earn a Doctorate of Optometry from Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry and graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Dr. West also completed an Ocular Disease and Low Vision Rehabilitation residency at the Kansas City VA Medical Center where she gained experience with geriatric vision care and supervised rotating optometry students.

During her optometry training, Dr. West received the Award of Clinical Excellence as a fourth year student and was an active member of the Beta Sigma Kamma optometric honors fraternity. As a student, she loved all opportunities to bring eye care to underserved populations and attended multiple optometry service trips to Roatan, Honduras and Ghana, Africa.

Dr. West provides comprehensive eye care, including routine eye exams with contact lens evaluations. She has a special interest in glaucoma management, diabetic exams, emergency eye care, dry eye, and cataract pre/post-operative care. She is an active member of the American Optometric Association and is an InfantSEE provider for no-cost exams for 6-12 month old infants. Dr. West strives to go above and beyond in building relationships with her patients and educating them about their eyes, providing excellent care to those who have been entrusted to her.

Dr. West enjoys the smaller community feel of Council Bluffs, having grown up in the small town of McCook, Nebraska. She is an active member of her church and is excited to get more involved in  serving the Council Bluffs area. Her free time is spent watching Husker Volleyball, cooking, doing yoga, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Lexye Bruegman

Dr. Lexye Bruegman, a born and raised Nebraskan, originally from Lincoln attended Concordia University Nebraska earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. She earned her doctorate of optometry degree from Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, IL where she graduated with both didactic and clinical honors. Dr. Bruegman was bestowed a member of Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society for her efforts of leadership, scholarship, and value to her class and to her profession.

Dr. Bruegman focused on servant leadership throughout her education by being an ambassador to the admissions team for the Illinois College of Optometry. She helped others through tutoring, assisting in clinically-based education, and volunteered to do vision screenings in underserved communities. Dr. Bruegman was president of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society, and an active member of Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, American Student Optometric Association, and College of Vision and Development Societies. While in school Dr. Bruegman worked closely with STAPLE, a program to helps students fit, and evaluate soft and specialty contact lenses as well as worked with Johnson and Johnson and their Student Online Clinical Case Education Program.

Dr. Bruegman offers a wide range of services including routine eye exams for infants, children, and adults. She also offers soft and specialty contact lens fittings and evaluations, dry eye exams, glaucoma exams and testing, diabetic eye exams, LASIK and cataract evaluations, pre and post-operative care, and emergency eye care.

Dr. Bruegman also offers myopia control, a new and emerging topic of concern in pediatric optometric care.

Dr. Bruegman is a member of the American Optometric Association, Nebraska Optometric Association, and the College of Vision and Development and provides no cost InfantSEE exams to infants between the ages of 6-12 months.

Dr. Bruegman loves southwest Omaha, and all it has to offer. She is an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Gretna, as well as a member of the Gretna Area Chamber of Commerce. She is always looking for ways to become involved and give back to her community. Dr. Bruegman currently resides in Gretna with her husband, Brandon and daughter, Brexlyn. While not working she likes to spend time with her family, attend country music concerts, and cheer on the Huskers- Go Big Red!

Julie Williamson

Vision Consultant | Vision Team Lead

Julie knows every patient wants a state-of-the-art quality exam with great selections of glasses and contacts by people who genuinely are happy to be with you.  Which is why we are proud to be able to confidently bring Council Bluffs and the surrounding areas care that is above and beyond the normal.

“My favorite part of working at Vision Specialists is not only helping our patients look AMAZING, but being part of a team that truly cares for each person who comes to our office with such a high level of respect and care.”

Julie has been wearing glasses since she was 4 months old. She loves her Christian LaCroix® frames with progressive lenses. Her favorite frames are More and More®, Sir Oliver®, and Ray Ban®. She enjoys camping, ATVing, and family movie nights. Julie loves Grand China Buffet for the shrimp. The one thing Julie can’t go without is COFFEE!!!!

Julie is from a small rural town in central Illinois. She volunteers at a local food pantry. Julie has 5 children of her own and has raised over 20 foster children of all ages.

Terri Steyer

Vision Consultant

Terri knows every patient wants great care and knowledge. Which is why we are proud to offer extensive training for our vision team. Terri Steyer joined Vision Specialists in 2014. Terri has worked in eye care for over 11 years.

“My favorite part of working at Vision Specialists is helping patients find their perfect pair of glasses and working with awesome co-workers.”

Terri is from Fremont, Nebraska. She has been wearing glasses and contact lenses since the age of 9. Terri loves her Jimmy Choo® frames, especially with her anti-reflective lenses. Her favorite frames are the Ray Ban® classic look line.

She is a fan of the Huskers, KC Chiefs and KC Royals. Terri loves El Bee’s because they have great Mexican food. The one thing Terri can’t go without is her morning cup of coffee!

She enjoys working in her yard, spending time with family, working with Kid’s Clubs at church, and spoiling her 5 grandchildren.

Deb VanWey

Vision Consultant

Deb knows every patient wants honesty and great care. Which is why we are proud to have a highly qualified vision team. Deb VanWey joined Vision Specialists in 2020. Deb has worked in eye care for over 29 years.

“My favorite part of working at Vision Specialists is the teamwork and excellent leadership.”

Deb is from Council Bluffs, Iowa. She has been wearing glasses since she was 20 years old. She is a fan of the Green Bay Packers. Deb loves Olive Garden and Texas Road House. The one thing Deb can’t go without is Lay’s Potato Chips. She enjoys reading and spending time with her family. Deb volunteers to help the elderly and enjoys baking and cooking.

Alisa Schlegelmich

Vision Tech

Alisa knows every patient wants a thorough and efficient eye exam. Which is why we are proud to offer Optomap®. This provides a quick, detailed photo of the back of the eye and helps us educate patients on their ocular health.

Alisa Schlegelmilch joined Vision Specialists in 2018. Alisa has worked in eye care for six years. Alisa graduated from Des Moines Area Community College in 2014. Alisa received her Paraoptometric Technician certificate in 2017.

“My favorite part of working at Vision Specialists is the technology that allows us to care for our patients. Whether it’s glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, or dry eye; I’m proud that we have the means to diagnose and treat each ocular concern.”

Alisa is from Benedict, Nebraska. She is a fan of Husker football and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. She loves to eat at Blue Sushi Sake Grill because their Thriller Roll is amazing! The one thing Alisa can’t go without is listening to podcasts.

Sydney Barton

Vision Tech

Sydney knows every patient wants the best eye care from people who care. Which is why we are proud to give all our patients simple modern eye care. Sydney joined Vision Specialists in 2018.

“My favorite part of working at Vision Specialists is that they value their team members.”
 
Sydney is from Bellevue, Nebraska, and graduated from Bellevue East High School in 2015. She is a fan of the Huskers. Sydney loves Texas Roadhouse. The one thing Sydney can’t go without is coffee. She loves her Kendall and Kylie frames and enjoys being a mother, exploring the outdoors, and crafting.

Sarah Jefferis

Patient Experience Coordinator

Sarah knows every patient wants care and treatment tailored to what benefits them most. This is why we are thankful to get the opportunity to build a relationship with our patients that allows us to provide personalized care.

“My favorite part of working at Vision Specialists is working for a company that puts people first. Both patients and employees! It is a blessing to see the sheer joy that our doctors experience getting to help better the lives of our patients. I love getting to be a part of that!”

Sarah is from Council Bluffs and joined Vision Specialists in 2020. She has been wearing contacts for 6 years and loves her Precision 1 One-Day® contact lenses.

Her favorite local restaurant is Primo’s in Council Bluffs because they have the best salsa! The one thing Sarah can’t go without is interaction with people! She loves getting to know people. Life is an adventure and every person you encounter, even briefly, can make a huge impact! She enjoys being outdoors, exercising, and spending time with her family.