A number of people have asked if it’s possible to finance eye surgery and other procedures. Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun provide our East Tennessee patients with a number of payment options for surgical and non-surgical treatments. [Read more…]
Ways To Avoid Eye Strain And Fatigue
Our digital world has created all sorts of new situations that create eye strain and fatigue. Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun remind patients about this each day and we think it’s important for East Tennesseans to be aware of the stresses you place on your vision. There are a number of ways to reduce eye fatigue and make your day more comfortable. Taking care of your eyes can also improve your productivity, your safety and even your outlook. [Read more…]
Macular Degeneration: New Treatments For A Serious Disease
Macular degeneration is a disease that causes reduction in central vision. The patient still has peripheral or side vision, but central vision—where we see the clearest, sharpest images—slowly diminishes.
The macula is a small nerve layer on the retina. It’s located in the back of the eye, and is only about the size of a pinhead. But this nerve layer is essential to our seeing fine detail. As macular degeneration progresses, it slowly causes the ability to see details to disappear. Images may appear distorted, or parts of them may be missing. The disease may slowly continue to progress, robbing the patient of critical visual ability.
The cause of macular degeneration is uncertain though heredity, age and general health may be factors. Exposure to ultraviolet light, smoking or other environmental factors may also contribute. Currently, there is no cure. But, there are new treatments for the disease that are showing promise. Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun offer comprehensive care for patients with macular degeneration.
Among the most recent advances, intravitreal injections of specialized medications are used to target macular degeneration specifically. Many patients who have undergone injections have reported cessation of visual loss and in many cases, significant improvement in visual acuity. For people who have lost vision, telescopic lenses and behavioral therapies can be used to allow reading and let people maintain daily routines.
Vitamins and supplements may also slow down the progression of the disease. Laser surgery has been used with some success, and research is going on to see if tissue transplants may be an effective treatment.
In the early stages, patients may improve their vision by enhancing light and contrast—similar to enhancing a digital image on a computer. Special high-energy lights or amber-tinted glasses can provide macular degeneration patients with visual relief.
The best ways to avoid macular degeneration? Stop smoking, first and foremost, because there is a strong link between smoking and the disease. Early detection is also critical. Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun recommend regular eye examinations. People over 50 should have an eye exam at least every two years.
If you are experiencing vision problems, it is very important to see an eye care specialist immediately, as some macular conditions can be treated if detected early. Call (865) 584-0905 to schedule an appointment. Or click here, fill out the form and we will contact you to schedule an appointment.
If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration or other retina disease, it is important to see a Retina Specialist regularly. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Matt Cole, Retina Specialist with Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun, call (865) 584-0905.
To learn more about Macular Degeneration, click here and watch a video describing the condition.
Dry Eyes And What You Can Do About It
Dry eyes is a relatively common condition. It’s typically uncomfortable and can be challenging to manage. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options for dry eyes that can help those affected feel better and lead normal lives. [Read more…]
What Is A Floater?
Have you ever noticed small specs or dots in your vision? Often, these specs move, and may be visible at some times but not others.
They’re called floaters. Floaters are bits of matter that are left over when your eye was created. Flashes of light sometimes appear with floaters and floaters are more noticeable in the dark. Most often, floaters are not an annoyance; you may not even be aware of them during a routine day. [Read more…]
Glaucoma: How We Can Help You Manage Your Condition
There is no cure for glaucoma. And glaucoma can rob you of your vision without warning. So we know that if you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, we are going to be working closely with you to monitor—and manage—the disease.
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that causes vision loss through damage to the optic nerve. Doctors used to think that glaucoma created high pressure within the eye, and that was the source of the damage. However, we now know that other factors are involved, and that even patients that don’t suffer from high intraocular pressure can still suffer sight loss from glaucoma.
Are You At Increased Risk For Glaucoma?
Anyone can get glaucoma. But you may be at greater risk if you are African-American or Hispanic. You may also have greater risk if you have a relative with glaucoma, are over 35, have diabetes or high blood pressure, or if you have vascular disease. You may also be at higher risk if you are very nearsighted.
How Do You Know If You Have Glaucoma?
You may not—that’s the problem. Glaucoma is often known as a silent thief of vision because many forms of the disease don’t have symptoms. The only real way to tell if you have glaucoma is to be tested. Routine vision examinations include a simple, painless glaucoma test. Finding out if you have glaucoma could be the first step toward saving your vision. If this test indicates there may be a problem, additional tests may help determine the severity.
It’s important to have regular vision checkups. Click here to see how often you should have your vision checked.
How is Glaucoma Treated?
As we said, there is no cure for glaucoma, but there are numerous ways to treat the condition and manage it. Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun will work closely with each glaucoma patient to determine the best treatment course and make sure that it’s implemented properly.
Treatment options include:
Medications. Eye drops and pills are often prescribed as treatment. Medications must be taken as prescribed to be effective. Your doctor will explain any side effects, and you should stay in communication with your eye doctor if you have any trouble.
Laser surgery. This is a new technique that is being used more and more. The eye is numbed with drops, and the laser applied to the trabecular meshwork, the area of the eye responsible for draining fluid. The procedure can improve drainage and eliminate or reduce the need for medication.
Filtration surgery. During this procedure, a new drainage channel is formed to allow fluid to drain from the eye.
Before any procedure is implemented, your Ophthalmologist at Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun will discuss it in detail with you.
Have more questions about glaucoma for yourself or a loved one? Or want to schedule an eye examination? Contact us here.
Click Here to watch an informative GLAUCOMA VIDEO and read more about the condition.
How Often Should You Get An Eye Exam?
Many people schedule eye exams out of necessity—when they notice their vision changing or when they run out of contact lenses and need to renew a prescription. One husband and wife that we heard about, who each had roughly the same vision, would take turns getting exams when their contact prescriptions expired, then buy enough lenses to supply them both until the next go-around.
Needless to say, that’s not ideal. And certainly not healthy. [Read more…]
Diabetes And Your Sight
If you’re diabetic, you have to pay much closer attention to many aspects of your health. This is especially true of your vision: Diabetics have a 25 times greater risk of going blind than people not afflicted by the disease. Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun have been helping East Tennesseans with diabetes manage their health for more than four decades. [Read more…]
New Breakthroughs In Cataract Lens Options
Cataracts are very common—in fact, by age 65, more than half of Americans have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. The good news, however, is that cataract surgery is a procedure with a very high success rate. And new developments in replacement lens technology mean that cataract patients can have dramatic improvement in their eyesight after surgery—plus much more flexibility in how their replacement lenses perform. [Read more…]
Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun Unveil Updated Website.
Enhanced Site (www.ccteyes.com) Offers Better Patient Experience and Comprehensive Information Resource for the Health and Treatment of Eyes.
KNOXVILLE (September 29, 2014)—Newly-launched website for Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun demonstrates that the area’s oldest Ophthalmology practice is leading the area with the latest in technology.
The practice has redesigned its website to add more patient engagement functionality and to give viewers more information about eye conditions and treatments. The new site found at www.ccteyes.com will be dynamic—continually adding more content and functionality as the practice continues to expand its capabilities, technology, locations and more. [Read more…]
Frequently Asked Questions about Cataracts
Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun want to ensure that patients understand their condition and subsequent treatment options. Following are common questions patients ask when faced with a cataract condition. It is important that you ask your doctor every question you might have before and after your surgery.
Q: What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye, making images appear frosted or foggy. Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, participate in favorite activities like golf and tennis, watch television, work on a computer or drive a car, especially at night. [Read more…]
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