Our Doctors
Our Promise to You
St. Cloud Eye Clinic is proud to feature a team of doctors who provide exceptional eye care while going above and beyond for our patients. Each of our physicians brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise as well as a gentle, compassionate approach. We believe that outstanding medical care begins with an outstanding team, and our doctors illustrate this philosophy in each and every patient interaction.
Our approach to care is simple: it’s centered around understanding and addressing the needs of each of our patients. We utilize a combination of the latest in medical technology and curated treatment plans to provide the best outcome when it comes to your eye health.
The team at St. Cloud Eye Clinic doesn’t just treat eyes—we treat people. Our doctors are skilled in the latest medical techniques and are also deeply committed to making your experience as comfortable and reassuring as possible. They take the time to explain your condition, discuss all of the treatment options available, and happily answer any questions you might have. This is our promise to you: when you leave our clinic, you will feel confident, cared for, and optimistic about what comes next.
Richard Lucius, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Bradley Anderson, M.D.
Joel Nelson, D.O.
Mitchell Harstad, O.D.
Derek Bonacci, O.D.
Dr. Richard Lucius
Dr. Richard Lucius is a board certified ophthalmologist who has been practicing ophthalmology in St. Cloud since 1998. Dr. Lucius is a graduate of the University of North Dakota where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry. Dr. Lucius is one of a select few doctors providing the iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent as a treatment option to reduce eye pressure for patients with both cataracts and glaucoma.
He received his medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and his residency in ophthalmology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He has performed thousands of surgical procedures with an emphasis on cataracts, LASIK and refractive lens exchange.
Dr. Bradley Anderson
Dr. Bradley Anderson is a Minnesota native, born and raised in the Red River Valley. He graduated magna cum laude from Saint John’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed a residency program in ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery at Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Anderson is a board certified ophthalmologist who has been practicing ophthalmology in St. Cloud since 2004, where he has performed thousands of surgical procedures with a special interest in cataract, refractive, and oculoplastic surgery as well as glaucoma and diabetic eye management. Dr. Anderson is one of a select few doctors providing the iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent as a treatment option to reduce eye pressure for patients with both cataracts and glaucoma.
Dr. Joel Nelson
Dr. Joel Nelson is a Minnesota native who received his bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Gustavus Adolphus College before moving on to his medical training in Des Moines, Iowa. He then spent 4 years completing his ophthalmology training in Miami, FL at Nova Southeastern University. The last stop of his training was at the University of MN to specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of corneal disease. He is one of the only surgeons in Central Minnesota performing a variety of corneal transplant techniques, including PKP, DSEK, DMEK, and DALK. He has also been specially prepared to surgically manage intraocular lens dislocations using the intrascleral haptic fixation technique. In addition to corneal surgery, Dr. Nelson also has emphasis in his practice on the surgical treatment of cataracts and LASIK surgery. He is one of the few surgeons in the state certified to implant the new iStent Inject Micro-Bypass device for the management of glaucoma at the time of cataract surgery.
Beyond work, Joel enjoys spending time camping, hiking, and gardening with his young family.
Dr. Mitchell Harstad
Dr. Mitchell Harstad attended St. Cloud State University and Pacific University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He continued at Pacific University College of Optometry where he received his Doctor of Optometry in 1984. Dr. Mitchell Harstad completed a preceptorship in geriatric-based optometry at the Vancouver V.A. Hospital in Vancouver, Washington. In 1991, he finished course work at Pennsylvania College of Optometry and received board certification in the treatment and management of ocular disease.
Dr. Mitchell Harstad specializes in comprehensive family eyecare, contact lenses, vision rehabilitation, and refractive/laser surgery consultation. He has practiced in the St. Cloud area since 1985 and has been affiliated with the St. Cloud Eye Clinic since 1986.
Dr. Derek Bonacci
Dr. Derek Bonacci attended the University of Central Florida where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He received his optometric doctorate at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in 2009. He completed his externship rotations at Indian Health Clinics in Oklahoma and Wyoming. He has been practicing in the central Minnesota area since 2009. He joined the Saint Cloud Eye Clinic in 2017.
Dr. Derek Bonacci specializes in comprehensive family eye care, soft and specialty contact lenses, diabetic eye exams, glaucoma management, and refractive/laser surgery consultation.
Our Mission
The knowledgeable and compassionate surgeons and staff at St. Cloud Eye Clinic, St. Cloud LASIK, and the St. Cloud Center for Ophthalmic Surgery strive to provide unsurpassed medical and surgical care in an ethical manner to the local and regional community, 24 hours a day.