Black Hills Regional Eye Institute

What Black Hills Regional Eye Institute does

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute (BHREI) is a privately held, physician-owned ophthalmology and optometry practice founded in 1983 and headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. The practice delivers a full continuum of eye care, from routine optometric exams and optical dispensing to subspecialty surgical services, including LASIK/PRK refractive surgery, cataract surgery with five intraocular lens options (Monofocal, Toric, EDOF, Multifocal, and the RxSight Light Adjustable Lens), as well as retina, glaucoma, cornea, dry eye, and oculoplastics care. It employs five ophthalmologists (MDs) and four optometrists (ODs) including fellowship-trained subspecialists in vitreoretinal surgery, glaucoma, and cornea/external disease, anchored by Medical Director Dr. Prema Abraham.

BHREI operates a Rapid City-based ambulatory surgery center plus a network of nine satellite clinics extending across South Dakota (Pierre, Hot Springs, Spearfish, Sturgis) and Wyoming (Casper, Gillette), capturing patient referrals from regional optometrists across a two-state catchment. Technology stack includes IntraLase blade-free LASIK, the ORA System intraoperative aberrometer, LipiFlow and IPL for dry eye, Spectral Domain OCT, and recently introduced advanced platforms: the RxSight Light Adjustable Lens (2024) and the LumiThera Valeda photobiomodulation system for dry AMD (2025). BHREI performs over 3,500 eye surgeries per year and reports >98% of LASIK patients achieving 20/40 or better vision.

Revenue is generated primarily through professional services (surgical procedures and clinical office visits) reimbursed via insurance, Medicare, and self-pay, with a secondary hardware stream from an online optical store (lasikrapidcity.myeyestore.com). GTM is sales-led via optometrist referral relationships, community educational seminars, live surgery events, and direct patient self-referrals supported by a multi-channel digital presence (website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok). The practice is privately held with no disclosed parent company, private equity sponsorship, or institutional investors.

Name

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute

Legal name

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute

Website

https://blackhillseyes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute is a physician-owned ophthalmology and optometry practice in Rapid City, South Dakota, delivering surgical and medical eye care — including LASIK, cataract surgery, retina, glaucoma, and dry eye services — to patients across South Dakota and Wyoming via a main ambulatory surgery center and nine satellite clinics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmology and Eye Care Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132), Ambulatory Health Care Services (621), Diagnostic Imaging Centers (621512)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Ophthalmology Clinics (Medical & Surgical Eye Care) (HLAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (Ophthalmic/Outpatient Eye Surgery) (HLAKAKAO), Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK) (HLAKAKAF), Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN), Glaucoma Specialists (HLAKAKAG), Ophthalmology Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAF)

Keywords

• Ophthalmology services
• Cataract surgery
• LASIK vision correction
• Retina care
• Eye care clinic

Headquarters

HQ city

Rapid City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Surgical Procedures: Revenue from performing eye surgeries including cataract surgery, LASIK, PRK, glaucoma surgery, retina procedures, and cornea transplants. Major revenue driver.
2. Clinical Office Visits: Revenue from comprehensive eye exams, consultations, diagnostic testing, and ongoing management of eye conditions.
3. Optical/Eyewear: Online store for eyewear products, contact lenses, and related optical supplies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute is a comprehensive ophthalmology and optometry practice providing medical and surgical eye care, including LASIK/PRK refractive surgery, cataract surgery with multiple IOL options, and subspecialty treatment for retina, glaucoma, cornea, dry eye, and oculoplastic conditions. Services are delivered through a main ambulatory surgery center in Rapid City, SD and satellite clinics across South Dakota and Wyoming, supported by an online patient portal and direct-to-consumer eyewear store.

Product overview

Black Hills Regional Eye Institute is a comprehensive ophthalmology and optometry practice offering a broad portfolio of eye care services centered around surgical vision correction and medical eye disease management. The core offering spans diagnostic, laser surgical, and implant-based treatments. Key product lines include: iLASIK/bladeless LASIK for refractive vision correction; PRK as an alternative laser procedure; cataract surgery with five IOL options (Monofocal, Toric, EDOF, Multifocal, and RxSight Light Adjustable Lens); and retina, glaucoma, cornea, dry eye, and oculoplastics subspecialty services. Advanced treatment offerings include Valeda photobiomodulation for dry AMD (FDA-approved), Visian ICL for high myopia, KAMRA Inlay for presbyopia, LipiFlow and IPL for dry eye, and ORA System intraoperative guidance for cataract surgery. The practice also operates satellite clinic locations across South Dakota and Wyoming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Valeda Light Therapy (LumiThera Valeda) FDA-approved photobiomodulation therapy for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that uses specific wavelengths of red and infrared light to stimulate mitochondrial activity, reduce inflammation, and slow disease progression. Treatment is administered to patients with dry AMD in 9 sessions over 3–5 weeks, with repeat cycles every 4 months.
• RxSight Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) Intraocular lens (IOL) implant for cataract surgery that can be customized post-surgery via UV light treatments using the Light Delivery Device (LDD). The first and only FDA-approved adjustable IOL, enabling superior refractive outcomes for cataract patients seeking reduced dependence on glasses.
• iLASIK (Blade-Free LASIK) All-laser, blade-free LASIK vision correction using the IntraLase FS laser for corneal flap creation and wavefront mapping for customized corneal reshaping. BHREI has performed LASIK for over two decades, with over 98% of patients achieving 20/40 or better vision.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) Laser vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea by removing the outer epithelial layer to correct refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism). Offered as an alternative to LASIK for patients with thinner corneas or other contraindications to LASIK flap creation.
• Cataract Surgery Outpatient cataract removal procedure (15–30 minutes) with replacement of the natural lens with an artificial IOL. Performed over 3,500 times per year, including bladeless laser-assisted surgery, ORA System intraoperative guidance, and five IOL options to match patient needs.
• Intraocular Lens (IOL) Options Suite Suite of five IOL options for cataract surgery patients: Monofocal Lens (insurance/Medicare-covered, clear distance vision), Astigmatism-Correcting Toric Lens, Extended Depth-of-Focus (EDOF) Lens, Multifocal Lens (distance, near, and/or intermediate), and RxSight Light Adjustable Lens (post-surgery adjustable via UV light).
• Glaucoma Management Diagnosis and ongoing management of glaucoma, including medical therapy and surgical treatment by fellowship-trained glaucoma surgeons, aimed at preventing optic nerve damage from elevated intraocular pressure.
• Retina Services Diagnosis and treatment of retinal conditions including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and vein occlusions. Includes Spectral Domain OCT, high-resolution fundus photography, and angiography imaging for diagnosis and monitoring.
• Cornea Services Treatment for damaged or diseased corneas including corneal transplantation, keratoconus management, and corneal collagen crosslinking (offered as a clinical research trial by Dr. Khachikian).
• Dry Eye Center Specialized clinic for diagnosing and treating dry eye syndrome, offering LipiView tear film imaging, LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy for evaporative dry eye.
• Oculoplastics Oculofacial plastic surgery including blepharospasm treatment (BOTOX injections, myectomy surgery), eyelid reconstruction, and cosmetic procedures around the eye area.
• Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) Phakic intraocular lens implanted behind the iris for patients with high myopia (-3 to -20 diopters) who are not ideal LASIK/PRK candidates. Made of biocompatible Collamer polymer providing 100% UVA & UVB protection; FDA approved for ages 21–45 with stable refractive error.
• KAMRA Inlay Corneal inlay procedure for presbyopia (age-related near vision loss) in which a thin inlay smaller than a contact lens is placed in one non-dominant eye to improve close-up vision while maintaining distance vision in the other eye. Procedure takes approximately 15 minutes.
• LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System Thermal pulsation treatment for evaporative dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) that applies directed heat and pulsatile pressure to clear blocked Meibomian glands. Approximately 79% of patients report improvement after a single treatment.
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy Light-based therapy for dry eye and ocular rosacea that targets abnormal vessels causing eyelid inflammation. Typically 4 sessions spaced 3–4 weeks apart are needed for optimal results.
• Online Eyewear Store Direct-to-consumer online store (lasikrapidcity.myeyestore.com) offering eyewear products, contact lenses, and related optical supplies to patients and consumers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 98% of LASIK patients achieve 20/40 or better vision
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• KAT Country 98.7minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2013Local radio station partnership for live LASIK surgery broadcast event featuring Mark Houston, with free LASIK giveaway promotion.
• RxSightcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Light Adjustable Lens technology - first and only IOL customizable after cataract surgery. BHREI offers this as their premium cataract lens option.
• LumiTheracoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Valeda photobiomodulation system for FDA-approved treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration. BHREI is early adopter of this breakthrough therapy.
• STAAR Surgical CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) for high myopia correction. Dr. Spencer has utilized ICL technology for eight years.
• Northern Plains Eye FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Ryan Scarborough serves on board of directors. Dr. Paul L. Zimmerman was a board member and memorial scholarship established in his honor.
• Humane Society of the Black HillsminorOthersCommunity partnership providing eye care sponsorship for injured animals. Demonstrates community involvement beyond human healthcare.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EyeCare Partners: PE-backed national ophthalmology and optometry platform backed by Olympus Partners. Provides direct competition through affiliated practices and could enter BHREI's SD/WY market; relevant as a scale competitor with capital advantages.
• US Eye: PE-backed (TPG) network of patient-centric, vertically-integrated ophthalmology practices across the Southeastern US. Comparable multi-subspecialty services and could represent a competitive platform entrant in BHREI's region.

Direct peers

• Cincinnati Eye Institute: Large multi-subspecialty ophthalmology group in the Cincinnati/Ohio region offering cataract, refractive, glaucoma, retina, and cornea services. Comparable in subspecialty breadth and surgical volume.
• Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center: Multi-location ophthalmology group covering cataract, LASIK, glaucoma, retina, and cornea services across Arizona. Comparable in multi-subspecialty breadth, surgical volume, and use of premium IOL technology.
• Wolfe Eye Clinic: Iowa-based multi-subspecialty ophthalmology practice offering cataract, LASIK, glaucoma, retina, and cornea services across central Iowa. Comparable regional group with similar subspecialty model and satellite distribution.
• Pepose Vision Institute: St. Louis-area ophthalmology practice specializing in premium cataract surgery, LASIK, and corneal disease. Comparable multi-subspecialty model with emphasis on premium lens adoption and physician-led research.
• Minnesota Eye Consultants: Minneapolis-area multi-subspecialty ophthalmology practice with strong premium IOL, refractive, and cornea service lines. Comparable on multi-subspecialty coverage and early adoption of premium surgical technology.
• Vance Thompson Vision: Multi-subspecialty ophthalmology and refractive surgery practice headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD with satellite locations across SD, ND, MT, and MN. Most directly comparable regional peer given similar multi-subspecialty stack, bladeless LASIK, premium IOL offerings, and overlapping referral network.

Regional players

• Pacific Eye Institute: Southern California-based multi-subspecialty ophthalmology practice with fellowship-trained physicians. Comparable service portfolio and subspecialty structure, though operating in a different geography.

Others

• Northern Plains Eye Foundation: Regional non-profit focused on eye-care access in the Northern Plains. BHREI physicians (e.g., Dr. Scarborough) sit on its board, making it an ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@blackhillseyes/shorts
• Facebookfacebook.com/rapidcitylasik
• Instagraminstagram.com/blackhillseyeinstitute
• TikToktiktok.com/@blackhillseyes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-hills-regional-eye-institute-llp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Hills Regional Eye Institute