Surgical Eye Care

Skilled in cataract, glaucoma, eye lid and other eye surgeries.
Often the need arises to surgically intervene in certain eye conditions.

We offer surgical services for a variety of problems listed below. Surgery may be an in-office procedure, or a larger operation might be conducted at the nearby local hospital, typically with no overnight stay.

Cataract

Most people will suffer from cataracts in their lifetime. A cataract is the cloudiness of the once clear natural lens of the eye. It usually occurs slowly over time, becoming visually interfering in later years of life. Symptoms may include blurring of vision, glare from bright light, and dulling of colors. Surgery can be undertaken to remove the cataract and replace it with a clear plastic lens implant to improve vision. There are a few options available for patients when considering the lens implant. These include monofocal, multifocal, and astigmatism correcting lenses. We will help you determine which lens is right for you.

Retinal Surgery

The retina is similar to the film of a camera; in that, it is the element which captures light to form an image. If the retina is not healthy, the vision will suffer. There are several problems that require surgical attention; commonly, these may include retinal tears and detachments, irregular retinal membranes, and chronic bleeding. At Knox Community Hospital, a retinal specialist is available to evaluate and treat patients with these conditions.

Lazy Eye (Strabismus)

Proper alignment of the eyes is needed for the brain to see one single image. When the eyes are misaligned, blurred, or double vision may result. There are several causes of this problem, and it is important to have an eye evaluation if you are experiencing such changes. In children, timely attention is required to prevent permanent vision loss. We are experienced in evaluating and diagnosing the causes as well as treating the misalignment if needed. Surgery is performed on the muscles that control eye movement in hopes to improve both visual function and appearance.

Eyelid problems

Proper eyelid function and position are critical in maintaining the health and vision of the eyes. Problems may include a lump on the eyelid (chalazion or stye) drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis), excessive skin, malposition of the eyelid, and benign skin tags or cancer. If you are experiencing any problems related to the eyelids, we may treat you with an in-office procedure or outpatient surgery.

Glaucoma

Similar to a tire on a car, the eye needs to be pressurized to work properly. Glaucoma is a disease in which the pressure inside the eye is too high and may result in damage and permanent vision loss. More often than not, patients do not realize they are having this problem because the vision loss may be subtle and silent early on, happening without the patient knowing it. For this reason, it is important to have a routine eye exam to detect glaucoma early. We are highly trained in detecting glaucoma utilizing clinical exam findings and high tech screening and monitoring tools. Timely treatment and observation is the key to success in stopping or slowing the loss of vision. Treatment may include eye drop medications, laser therapy, or surgical intervention.
If you have concerns about glaucoma or have a family member with glaucoma, you should come in for a thorough eye exam.