December 8, 2025
This piece is sponsored by Vance Thompson Vision.
Everyone experiences life through their own unique lens. In the case of Anna Mahlberg, founder of Rickers Photography Studio, it helps preserve life’s special moments — and even create new ones.
“Every client that comes through my studio is new and different,” she said. “I’ve been able to photograph from birth to high school graduation and beyond.”
He said one advantage of the job is that if a photo isn’t right, it can be changed in publication. However, when it was time for her to step in front of the camera, she noticed a problem that no editing software could adjust: her upper eyelids had drooped too much.
“It had gotten to the point where it was hard for me to fix it. I couldn’t make my eyes look bigger or wider anymore.”
She said her droopy eyelids made her look more tired and failed to capture her youthful energy.
“I could see it getting worse,” he recalls. “I thought to myself, ‘OK, I’m 44 and it’s not going to get any better.’
She brought her concerns to her annual doctor’s appointment and was advised to schedule a consultation at Vance Thompson Vision.
As someone with a relatively healthy history of vision, the world of ophthalmology was unfamiliar to Mahlberg. But in the care of professional surgeons like Dr. Zac Keenum, she was given a world-class introduction.
“He sat down, we looked at the pictures and he said I was a candidate for upper blepharoplasty. He answered all my questions and I had no worries. My husband was there for the consultation and the surgery. Dr. Keenum also explained things to him and made him feel included. His bedside manner was fantastic.”
As for the process itself, he describes it as quick and easy.
After a short recovery process, it wasn’t long before she returned to her fast-paced lifestyle.
“Tuesday was my surgery, and when I got home, I followed their instructions for the whole next day, just staying in bed and closing my eyelids. By Thursday, I had a dermatologist appointment in Sioux Falls and our son had a baseball game in Sioux Falls, and I felt really good about going to it.”
In addition to her eyelids, her confidence was lifted – often in unexpected ways.
“My family and I were on vacation and we got a rental car. My husband and I were at the checkout, and the woman who was explaining things stopped midway, looked at me and said, ‘I have to tell you, your eyes are beautiful.’ I wanted to jump over the counter and hug her. I literally had never had a compliment on my eyes before the surgery. special feeling for me”.
It is a special feeling that has been captured in her photographs ever since.
“I just look so much more alert, happier and more awake — you name it. It’s made a huge difference.”
When asked if she would have done anything differently, Mahlberg said, “I wish I had done it sooner. I didn’t feel like I was treated like a number at all at Vance Thompson Vision. Obviously, their facility is busy and they see a lot of different people, but they made me feel like I was important and the only one there.”
If you’re wondering if your vision could be better or want to know if you or someone you know is a candidate for eye plastic surgery, call your eye doctor or learn more through a consultation at Vance Thompson Vision. Ready to schedule your consultation? Call us at 605-361-EYES (3997) or visit vancethompsonvision.com.
