“I enjoy being able to perform cataract surgery and give my patients the wonderful vision they may not have enjoyed in years. The gratitude they show me, even years later, is very humbling.”
Brad Stuckenschneider, MD, FACS moved to the Poplar Bluff, MO area in 1998 after five years of practice in St. Louis. In May of 2003, he joined Eye Care Specialists as the director of our Poplar Bluff facility, helping expand the multiple services offered by our practice in the Poplar Bluff area. As a general ophthalmologist, Dr. Brad Stuckenschneider performs comprehensive eye exams, treats a wide range of eye diseases and conditions, and performs eyelid, glaucoma, and refractive cataract surgery, including premium IOL options to correct for astigmatism and near vision.
Dr. Brad Stuckenschneider sees patients for regular appointments at our Poplar Bluff location on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Every Tuesday and Thursday, he performs surgery at the Black River Medical Surgery Center.
In his spare time, you can find Dr. Brad Stuckenschneider watching his daughter ride horses and barrel race, or simply enjoying time with his wife and daughter.
Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists in their level of training and in what they can diagnose and treat.
After an undergraduate degree, an ophthalmologist pursues a medical degree (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy degree (DO). After four years of medical school and a year of internship in general medicine, ophthalmologists spend a minimum of three years in a university and hospital-based residency specializing in ophthalmology.
Having completed medical school, ophthalmologists are often more aware of how different diseases may affect the eye and how different findings from an eye examination may indicate serious disease elsewhere in the body. They are licensed to practice medicine and perform surgery. General ophthalmologists, such as Dr. Brad Stuckenschneider, diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions and diseases, prescribe glasses and contacts, and perform surgery.
After an undergraduate degree, an optometrist spends four years in a college of optometry to pursue a doctor of optometry degree (OD) (not to be confused with DO, an osteopathic physician). A college of optometry educates students primarily about the eyes and does not provide a comprehensive education regarding the rest of the body and systemic diseases that an MD or DO is required to learn.
An optometrist can perform eye exams, diagnose eye disease and conditions, and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. They can treat some eye conditions by prescribing eye drops, but optometrists are not licensed to perform surgery. If extensive treatment or surgery of an eye disease or complex eye condition is needed, an optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.
Here is an interesting article from Reader’s Digest detailing medical diseases an eye doctor may diagnose in a routine eye exam: Shocking Diseases That Eye Doctors Find First.
Board certification indicates that, beyond his or her basic medical license, an entity recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties has certified the surgeon to practice within his or her specialty. For ophthalmology, this entity is the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). The ABO certifies that the surgeon has completed specific training and continuing education related to the specialty. Click here for an informative video explaining ABO certification.
The suffix FACS indicates that a surgeon is a "fellow" of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The ACS was established in 1913 with the mission to improve the quality of care for surgical patients. The organization sets high standards for surgical education and practice. A fellow of the ACS has passed rigorous evaluation, and his or her education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct meet the high standards required by the College.
The following affiliations help Dr. Brad stay abreast of technological advancements in ophthalmology and cataract surgery.
The mission of the AAO is to advance the lifelong learning and professional interests of ophthalmologists (Eye M.D.s) to ensure that the public can obtain the best possible eye care. The AAO provides information and tools that we utilize to educate our patients.
The mission of MoSEPS is to represent Missouri ophthalmology by providing educational opportunities, legislative advocacy, and practice enhancement to members such that quality medical and surgical eye care is promoted for the citizens of Missouri.
Rosalie Tilles Scholar, St. Louis University
Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement in Neuroscience, University of Missouri
Recipient of the Retina Award at the Medical College of Wisconsin Eye Institute
Recipient of the Jack Copeland Memorial Award for Outstanding Presentation of Research Project at the Medical College of Wisconsin Eye Institute
Presenter at the American Academy of Ophthalmology: Ocular Findings Following Bone Marrow Transplantation
Member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Graduated Cum Laude at the University of Missouri, Columbia Medical School
Graduated Magna Cum Laude at St. Louis University
University of Missouri, Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Doctor of Medicine
St. Louis University School of Medicine
St. Louis, Missouri
Department of Physiology
St. Louis University
St. Louis, Missouri
Bachelor of Science – Biology
St. Mary’s Health Center
St. Louis, Missouri
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
