Dr. Michael Imler was about 10 years old when he first heard about cataract surgery. Doctors from an organization called Christian Blind Mission International provided medical and surgical care to impoverished people in third world countries. The improvement in vision that their patients experienced after cataract surgery inspired him to become an ophthalmologist.

In July 2002, Dr. Imler completed his ophthalmology residency training at the University of Florida. In order to be closer to their family, Dr. and Mrs. Imler moved to Northern Illinois. Doctor Imler began working in Dixon. After five years of success in Dixon, Dr. Imler learned that Dr. Nelson Gurney would soon be retiring. The two doctors had known of each other but had never met. Dr. Imler contacted Dr. Gurney and began discussions about acquiring his practice. It was essential to Dr. Gurney that the new doctor provides the same high quality care that he had delivered for nearly 40 years. After seeing Dr. Imler in clinic and his surgical results, Dr. Gurney was convinced that Dr. Imler should take over.

Dr. Imler quickly recruited Dr. Sylvia Rimbergas to help with the expanding clinical responsibilities. Thus, the Imler Eye Clinic of Rockford was born.

The Clinic provides an extensive range of eye care services including:

♦   Annual eye exams