The recent wildfires that besieged Sevier County have taken an immeasurable toll in terms of lives lost, property damaged or destroyed and people displaced from their homes. Fortunately, the people of East Tennessee are coming together in impressive numbers to assist locals and visitors who were impacted by the fire’s destruction with their contributions of essential goods and services, finances and volunteer hours.
CCLC Voted Best LASIK In Readers’ Poll
Campbell Cunningham Laser Center, Knoxville’s first on-site laser center dedicated to LASIK vision correction, was recently voted the winner of the LASIK Surgery category by readers of the Knoxville News Sentinel as part of the newspaper’s annual Best of Knoxville readers’ choice awards. In addition, the practice of Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor and Haun was voted a favorite in the Optometrist category.
Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun Expands Regional Retina Center
KNOXVILLE (March 2, 2015)—The Ophthalmology practice of Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun has expanded its Regional Retina Center.
Regional Retina Center at Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun was created to focus specifically on treatment of retina-related eye diseases, including Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinal Vein and Artery Occlusions, Floaters and Flashes, Uveitis and Retinal Tears/Retinal Detachment. Treatments are advancing for many of these conditions, and Regional Retina Center offers a fellowship-trained, board-certified specialist along with specialized facilities for treatment.
Technology Drives Premium Cataract Lens Options
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…]
Cloudy Vision Developing After Cataract Surgery? You May Need a Posterior Capsulotomy.
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.
Vision Changes and Retinal Vein Occlusion
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: Affecting More Americans
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…]
Seasonal Allergies And Your Eyes
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…]
Itchy, Crusty Eyes? It Could Be Blepharitis
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
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.
Treatment
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.
“Smart” Cataract Surgery Lets Physicians Fine Tune Lens Implants
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…]
The Campbell Cunningham Laser Center
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…]
Cosmetic Eye Procedures Can Make You Look Better, Feel Better.
As a comprehensive eye care resource, Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun offers a wide range of cosmetic eye procedures. In some cases, these are done to repair damage from injury or disease, or to improve a patient’s vision. But we also perform a number of cosmetic eye surgery procedures to enhance our patients’ appearances and self-confidence. [Read more…]
Can You Finance Eye Care?
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.
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…]
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