About Us
Live your life with the clarity and visual freedom you desire with ART Vision.
Dr. Alison R. Tendler strives to help patients see their best and feel confident inside and out. Between ART Vision and ARTisan Skin & Laser Center, her Medical Aesthetics Clinic, Dr. Tendler is achieving this goal. Meet Dr. Tendler and her staff or learn about our state-of-the-art facility.
Meet Dr. Alison R. Tendler
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Dr. Alison R. Tendler, a board-certified ophthalmologist, is the owner and creator of ART Vision and ARTisan Skin and Laser Center in Sioux Falls, SD. A skilled eye surgeon, Dr. Tendler specializes in cataract and vision correction procedures including lens implants and refractive surgeries, along with oculoplastic treatments. Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Tendler is devoted to helping her patients see with clarity while feeling confident about their image. Having grown up in Clear Lake and Sioux Falls, Dr. Tendler is proud to call South Dakota home and takes great pride in providing superior eye care and aesthetic services to the greater Midwest.
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A South Dakota native, Dr. Tendler attended medical school at the University of South Dakota where she graduated with honors in medical physiology. Dr. Tendler then completed a three-year ophthalmology residency at the University of Minnesota. Upon the completion of her residency, Dr. Tendler went on to complete a rigorous corneal and anterior fellowship with Dr. Michael Belin of the Cornea Consultants of Albany at Albany Medical College in New York. Dr. Belin was instrumental in the development of laser vision correction and served as a core investigator for the VISX laser. She worked for 13 years as a partner at Vance Thompson Vision before pursuing her own artistic vision of helping people see the world and themselves better. Her extensive experience over the past years led her to become expertly skilled in the surgical management of cataracts, refractive surgery, eyelid procedures, and aesthetics.
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Specializing in the focusing elements of the eye, Dr. Tendler uses her knowledge to surgically address eye conditions that inhibit a patient’s ability to focus properly. By addressing nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, Dr. Tendler is able to help her patients see life with more clarity and often with freedom from the struggles of contacts and glasses. In addition, Dr. Tendler is devoted to helping patients look and feel their best at ARTisan Skin and Laser Center, her privately owned medical aesthetic clinic. Dr. Tendler currently utilizes outpatient noninvasive and invasive procedures for improved confidence, functionality, and appeal. These include surgical eyelid correction, Sciton® Halo and BBL (Broadband Light), BOTOX®, Juvéderm®, and medical-grade skin care.
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Dr. Tendler has served as the advertising spokeswoman for the eye medication known as Restasis®, one of the first medications used to treat ocular surface disease or dry eye. Having used the medication herself and recommending it to her patients, she feels proud to have represented the product for over 8 years.
Other activities and organizations Dr. Tendler is honored to help represent are: board membership at Dakota Wesleyan University; Associate Professor for Sanford School of Medicine; SME (Sales and Marketing Executives), The City Blossom, and the Sioux Falls Chamber.
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In her spare time, Dr. Tendler loves to travel. After her first international trip to India for a 3-month service-learning project while in college, she developed a love for the hobby that has stuck with her through her years of medical school, residency, and practice. Now married, Dr. Tendler loves to travel to nontraditional vacation destinations with her husband, Paul. Dr. Tendler likes to say that while she does not have a favorite destination, she cannot help but to compare each spot to Fiji, which she describes to be one of the most beautiful places she has ever experienced. In addition to traveling, Dr. Tendler and Paul enjoy many outdoor activities with each other and their daughter, including long walks, cycling, hiking, and time at the lake. Her goal is to continue to tackle one bucket list location at a time, recently crossing off Patagonia, Egypt, and Ireland.
Make sure to follow Dr. Tendler’s podcast
“The Art of Seeing Clearly.”
Be awed as leaders share their personal stories of perseverance in life, business and more!
Our Dedicated Staff
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Sarah Shay
Clinical Director of Ophthalmology
Sarah Shay is a certified ophthalmic assistant who works closely with Dr. Tendler at ART Vision to help diagnose patients by obtaining medical records, performing preliminary eye function testing, educating patients about medication and/or potential procedures, and running our office-based surgery clinic. Sarah also assists Dr. Tendler during all surgeries.
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Emma Nykamp
Physician Assistant
Emma is a physician assistant who focuses on result-based care in our medical aesthetics, and helps treat dry eye patients with our laser treatments.
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Whitney Werner
Ophthalmic Assistant
With over a decade of vision care experience, Whitney has a diverse career background. She has worked with patients in both optometry and ophthalmology, and continues to enjoy learning about the complexity of the human eye. Whitney is passionate about helping patients feel their best. Education and quality care is her principal focus when working with patients, whether in evaluations, telehealth calls, or scheduling surgeries.
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Martina Hyde
Ophthalmic Assistant
Martina serves as an ophthalmic assistant for Dr. Tendler at ART Vision. From helping diagnose patients by obtaining medical records, performing preliminary eye function diagnostics to educating patients about medication and/or potential procedures and assisting in surgery, she has a passion for helping people in any sort of way, big or small, which you will see shine when serving patients.
State-Of-The-Art Vision Facility
Located in Sioux Falls, SD
ART Vision is a state-of-the-art vision facility that was personally designed by Dr. Alison R. Tendler to meet the unique needs of each of our patients. Conveniently located in Sioux Falls, SD, our boutique-style facility is well-appointed and professionally decorated in warm and inviting colors and tones that reflect sophistication and warmth. Expansive in size, our facility features several testing rooms, four exam rooms, and two in-office procedure suites.
Throughout your visit to our facility, note the use of top-of-the-line technologies, which we utilize to ensure your care is the highest of quality. Schedule your evaluation today to learn more about your options.