During cataract surgery, the physician replaces the cloudy natural lens in the eye with an artificial one. Cataract surgery is very common and has a high success rate. And new lens technologies are helping to make outcomes better for many cataract patients.
Initially, replacement lenses, or intraocular implants (IOLs) were monofocal–they were only capable of focusing at either near or far distance. Patients would use corrective lenses to compensate. [Read more…]
Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States, and it has one of the highest success rates of any surgery. However, there are cases after cataract surgery where the patient is still experiencing cloudy vision. This may develop weeks or even months after successful surgery.
This cloudiness is not uncommon, and it can be corrected using a procedure called Posterior Capsulotomy.
The lens of your eye has a cellophane-like outer lining called the capsule. During cataract surgery, the natural lens in the eye is removed, but great care is taken to keep the capsule in place to hold the replacement artificial (intraocular) lens.
Sometimes after surgery, the posterior capsule (located behind the implanted intraocular lens) can become cloudy, causing some loss of vision. When this happens, your ophthalmologist performs a Posterior Capsulotomy to reduce the obstruction.
The procedure is often called a YAG Laser Treatment, after the name of the instrument used to perform it. In the YAG treatment, a carefully aimed beam of light creates a tiny opening in the capsule, allowing light to enter the eye. This treatment usually results in an immediate and dramatic change in vision.
If you have cataract surgery, your physician will ask you to report any cloudiness or changes in vision that may occur afterwards. This is done because if a Posterior Capsulotomy becomes necessary later, the earlier you determine if the treatment will benefit you, the better your chances of restoring vision clarity.
And keep in mind that Posterior Capsulotomies are not uncommon; the cloudiness can be part of the body’s normal healing process.
Need to know more about cataracts and cataract surgery? Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun have performed thousands of cataract procedures, and offer the latest in premium cataract intraocular replacement lenses. To schedule an appointment, call 865-584-0905 or contact us here.
What if your vision were to suddenly decrease? Or you suddenly noticed burriness in one eye?
You may be suffering from a Retinal Vein Occlusion. This is a blockage in one of the small vessels that transports blood away from the retina. If one of the veins gets blocked, the blockage can create an immediate change in vision. [Read more…]
Uveitis is a type of eye inflammation. It is an irritation of the uvea, or center part of the eye, which includes the iris and surrounding tissue. Uveitis can be a serious condition which can lead to permanent vision loss if not identified and properly treated. [Read more…]
East Tennessee in the Spring and Fall is beautiful—unless you suffer from allergies. Then it can be torture. Pollen from scores of different plants can trigger allergic reactions that lead to sneezing, itching, burning eyes, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
And if you suffer from allergies—you’re not alone. It’s estimated that between one quarter and one third of all Americans are affected by allergic conjunctivitis, or allergy-inflamed eyes. [Read more…]
Everyone’s eyes itch from time to time. But if you find that your eyes are frequently itchy and irritated, especially if you notice any crusting around your eyelids or lashes, you might have a condition called blepharitis.
Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids, which can cause irritation, itching, crusting of the eyelashes and, occasionally, a red eye. Blepharitis can occur any time during your life, and it may happen once or many times.
Blepharitis is sometimes called “granulated eyelids.”
Symptoms include redness of the eyelid margin and crusty scales, along with itching, burning, and flaking. Loss or eyelashes or distortion of the margins of the eyelids may also occur. Blepharitis takes two forms. The first, an immune reaction to the overgrowth of bacteria, is the more common form of blepharitis. Seborrheic blepharitis, a less common form, is characterized by oily or greasy flakes or crust. It may also be in conjunction with dandruff or other skin reactions.
If left untreated, blepharitis can become severe and even lead to the ulceration or erosion of the eyelid or cornea, which can cause great discomfort.
Hygiene is the key to combatting blepharitis, and patients need to be consistent to get blepharitis under control. When the patient wakes up, he/she should use eye scrub pads to clean the eyelid margins to remove any crusting or scales. If scrub pads aren’t available or are too expensive, another approach is to use a cotton swab and a solution of 50/50 water/baby shampoo, cleaning along the eyelid margin for at least a minute. Your eyecare professional may also prescribe an ointment to use while sleeping, and hot compresses can be useful, too.
Strict lid hygiene is very important when it comes to the treatment of blepharitis. The following regimen may be useful:
For seborrheic blepharitis, oily scalp treatments or dandruff shampoos may be used. And once blepharitis is under control, antibiotics may be used occasionally to keep it that way. For severe cases, antibiotics and steroid preparations may be prescribed.
Learn more about blepharitis here.
Cataract surgery is one of the most common—and most successful—procedures performed in the U.S. And new technology has made cataract surgery “smart,” meaning patients have new options in lens implant performance.
The ORA System for cataract surgery available at Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor and Haun in East Tennessee gives physicians unprecedented information before, during, and after the surgical procedure. [Read more…]
LASIK vision correction is an important part of the technological advances offered by Drs. Campbell and Cunningham—so much so, in fact, that the doctors established a facility just for laser surgery.
The Campbell Cunningham Laser Center features the latest in technology for LASIK vision correction, including iLASIK, the most advanced form of laser vision correction available from Abbot Medical Optics. [Read more…]
Dr. Taylor reviewing cataract surgery with a patient.
By age 65, more than 90% of people have some form of cataract, a clouding of the eye’s lens that typically comes with aging. For many, cataracts can be debilitating—their vision becomes so obscured that they must cut back on activitives.
But fortunately, problems from cataracts can be corrected. In fact, cataract microsurgery is a procedure with one of the highest success rates of any surgeries—more than 98%. And new advancements in replacement lens technology mean that for many people, cataract surgery can be truly life-changing. [Read more…]
A Great Way To Manage Your Health Records (And Healthcare) Online
Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun were one of the first physician practices in East Tennessee to establish an online portal to help patients manage their records and care. Called EyeLink, it provides secure access to the new Follow My Health™ patient portal for Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun.
Through Eyelink, you can get secure, confidential access to your health records anytime you want. The service is free, and it gives you unprecedented control over your healthcare management.
Through Eyelink, you can:
• Access from your computer, tablet, or mobile phone 24/7.
• Request appointments without waiting on hold.
• View ophthalmic and other test results.
• Request prescription refills.
• Update information and pay bills online.
• Send secure messages to the practice.
Signing up for EyeLink is simple. During your next office visit, show us a valid photo ID and give us the e-mail address you’d prefer to use. Our staff will set up your confidential account. All you’ll need to do is confirm it via e-mail the next time you log in.
If you’d prefer to set up your account yourself, call (865) 584-0905 and ask for your login information for EyeLink. You’ll then receive an e-mail with step-by-step instructions on how to begin.
It’s that easy.
You can then, as you like, make changes to your passcode, update personal information, and have easy healthcare record access. Having this information at your fingertips can eliminate wasted time, cut your costs, and possibly even help you improve your overall health.
Click here for more details, and sign up today!
Local marketing representative, mom and former radio personality Gina Haas decided years of wearing glasses and contacts were enough. Gina had an extremely near-sighted vision condition and had worn glasses since kindergarten.She began researching LASIK® immediately after it became available. “…
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