Contact Lenses

There have been numerous advancements in contact lenses over the past many years and we are now able to correct most vision disorders with contact lenses. These conditions include nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and even presbyopia (needing reading glasses to see up close).

Our experienced optometrists fit the newest in contact lens materials and technology. After a comprehensive eye examination, our doctors will discuss the different options with you and help you select the type of contact lens that best fits your vision needs and lifestyle. Whether you need contact lenses for work, school, sports, occasional or full-time wear, there are a variety of options from which to choose. If you are new to contact lenses, struggle with your current contact lenses, or have an eye problem that you believe might be better managed with contact lenses, contact us today to schedule an appointment and discuss your options.

What should I expect from a Contact Lens Fitting? 

The fitting will start by discussing your needs and goals with your optometrist. You will have a comprehensive eye exam at which time measurements are then taken to determine your vision at distance and near, as well as the curvature of your cornea. The health of your cornea and your ocular history is thoroughly evaluated before a lens selection is made. 

Typically, a contact lens exam/fitting is done in combination with one’s comprehensive vision exam. However, some patients may choose to return within 1-2 months of their vision exam for the contact lens fitting.

As part of the fitting process, you will be given a trial pair of lenses to wear home. You will be instructed on the proper care and replacement of the lenses. If needed a follow-up appointment will be scheduled. Remember that our goal is for our patients to be happy and comfortable in their contact lenses so if you are having trouble, always call to follow up.

At the conclusion of the contact lens fitting, the prescription will be finalized and a supply of lenses can be ordered.

Types of Contacts

• Multifocal soft contact lenses: “bifocal” contact lenses
• Color and Costume contact lenses
• RGP (rigid gas permeable contact lenses): commonly referred to as “hard contacts”

Cataracts

As your eye ages, the natural lens within your eye becomes cloudy, through a process known as cataract formation. Cataracts occur as a normal part of the aging process. Studies show that virtually everyone over the age of 65 has some cataract formation in their eyes. In most cases, cataracts progress slowly and gradually impair vision over time. When they are mature they can severely reduce vision. The only way to “fix” a cataract is through surgery. There are no drops, pills, or lasers that make cataracts go away or stop their development.

How do you check for cataracts?

Cataracts are best examined with a dilated eye exam. The eye is dilated using eye drops. These drops take about 15-20 minutes to work. 

Your doctor will then shine several lights into your eyes, using both an eye microscope and ophthalmoscope. These instruments allow for a thorough examination of the various parts that make up both the outside and inside of your eyes.

Glare testing may also be performed to see if your cataracts are affecting your night vision.

At the completion of your visit, your doctor will review the results of your evaluation and discuss if surgical intervention is needed.

How often should my cataracts be evaluated?

As long as there are no other concerns, a yearly dilated exam is recommended.

Cataract Symptoms

• Difficulty distinguishing colors
• Poor depth perception
• Frequent prescription changes for glasses
• Difficulty reading, especially in poor lighting

Cataract causes

• UV radiation
• Smoking
• Some medications including long-term use of oral, inhaled, or injectable steroids.
• Certain metabolic conditions

Dry Eye

The eye has a tear film that coats the outer layer of the eye. This tear film is very important for the lubrication and comfort of the eye as well as for the clarity of vision. As we age, this protective tear film diminishes, and leaves the eye more exposed to the drying effects of the air, wind and dust. With the increase in computer, phone, and tablet usage, dry eye disease is becoming more prevalent. There are many treatment options available in the management of dry eye disease. Call to schedule an appointment for a thorough assessment and to discuss treatment options.

Dry eye symptoms

• Frequent sandy or gritty feeling
• Itching of the lids or eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Redness

Diabetic Eye Exam

Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy is essential for maintaining or improving vision. For this reason, all individuals with diabetes need a yearly dilated eye exam. Patients with retinal findings or individuals at high risk for retinal changes may be seen more frequently.

Our doctors are well trained in diabetic eye disease. Call to schedule your appointment today.

Pediatric Eye Exams

Routine eye exams are important in detecting early vision problems in children. Our doctors are well trained in examining the eyes of even the smallest of patients. The American Optometric Academy recommends a child’s first eye exam to be between 6 months and 1 year of age. This evaluation confirms proper health and development of your child’s eyes and looks for any anomalies that could impair normal eye development and cause visual problems later in life. After the initial evaluation, exams are recommended again at age 3 and then annually starting at age 5.

What to expect during my child’s visit?

Your child’s entire medical, ocular, family, and social history will be reviewed as well as any current medications. The examination will start with a measurement of your child’s vision. The pupils, eye muscles, side vision, color vision and stereoacuity will also be tested.

Your child will then be given eye drops that will dilate their pupils. These drops take about 20-30 minutes to work. They may make the eyes light sensitive and difficult to focus, especially up close, for several hours.

The doctor will examine your child’s eyes using several lights. These instruments allow for a thorough examination of the various parts that make up both the outside and inside the eye, as well as check for any problems that may require prescription glasses.

The results will then be reviewed at the completion of the visit.

Can my child wear contact lenses?

In general we try to wait until around age 8 to 12 before fitting contact lenses as this is around the time when most children are responsible enough to care for the lenses and insert/remove them without assistance. There are some ocular findings that are best treated with a contact lens which would require fitting at an even younger age. This is considered on a case by case basis and parent/guardian involvement is very important.

Macular Degeneration

The macula is the tiny central part of the retina that is responsible for fine detail vision and color perception. Macular degeneration is a disease that causes deterioration of this very important portion of the retina.

There are two types of macular degeneration. 

• The ‘dry’ form of macular degeneration begins with small, yellowish deposits known as drusen that develop in the macula. As the disease progresses, there is thinning of the macula, which can lead to gradual vision loss. 
• The ‘wet’ form stems from abnormal blood vessels growing beneath the macula which cause the development of blood or fluid accumulation within and beneath the retina. The resulting vision loss from these changes can be much more rapid in onset than those seen in the ‘dry’ form of the disease.

How do you diagnose macular degeneration?

During examination, you will be given eye drops that will dilate your pupils. These drops take about 15-20 minutes to work. They may make your eyes light sensitive and difficult to focus, especially up close, for several hours.

Your doctor will then shine several lights into your eyes, using both an eye microscope and ophthalmoscope. These instruments allow for a thorough examination of the various parts that make up both the outside and inside of your eyes.

Specialized imaging of your retina called optical coherence tomography (OCT) will be performed.

At the completion of your visit, your doctor will review the results of your evaluation and discuss treatment options and the recommended follow up schedule.

If you have experienced symptoms similar to those listed above, and in particular if you have a family history of macular degeneration or vision loss, call to schedule your appointment.

Floaters

Our eyes are filled with a jelly-like material called the vitreous. Throughout much of our life, the vitreous remains attached to the retina, which is the nerve tissue that lines the back wall of our eye. As we age, the vitreous can start to pull away from the retina. This is a normal occurrence called a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). 

Floaters are caused by clumps of gel that start to form in the eye as the gel condenses during a posterior vitreous detachment. You may perceive them as ‘spots’ or ‘strands’ in your vision. Flashes of light are caused by the vitreous tugging on the retina as the gel continues to peel away.

Besides aging of the vitreous, flashes and floaters are also associated with a more concerning condition known as a retinal tear or retinal detachment. These types of retinal events can lead to permanent vision loss. Risk factors for retinal tears and retinal detachments include nearsightedness, diabetes, and previous injuries to the eye. Unfortunately, about 10% of symptomatic posterior vitreous detachments also have an associated retinal tear or retinal detachment.

Since retinal tears or retinal detachments are a serious, sight-threatening condition, they require prompt diagnosis and treatment. For this reason, a dilated eye exam is indicated when there is a new onset of flashes or floaters in one’s vision.

glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment in the United States. It is a disease which involves irreversible damage to the optic nerve usually caused by painless increase in eye pressure.  It often has no symptoms and slowly reduces peripheral vision and can eventually diminish the central vision.  A simple eye exam can detect the disease.  With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can usually be controlled and total blindness prevented.

Patients with glaucoma should be seen regularly by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to monitor their condition.  Glaucoma can often be treated with medical therapy or eye drops.  There are several drug classes of eye drops that lower intraocular pressure. Other options for glaucoma management include laser procedures and incisional surgical procedures.

If my eye pressure is high, do I have glaucoma?

Not necessarily. High intraocular eye pressure increases the risk for glaucoma but does not mean you have or will develop glaucoma.  Clinicians often refer to elevated eye pressure without optic nerve damage as ocular hypertension and recommend continued evaluation for this condition as well.

How often should I have my eyes examined?

Annual eye exams are recommended to detect conditions such as glaucoma in an otherwise asymptomatic eye.

Routine Eye Exam

Knoxville Eye Care offers complete eye evaluations for people of all ages. Our eye doctors check for refractive errors as well as diseases and any other problems that may exist.

A comprehensive eye exam typically includes a thorough medical history and eye chart test. We will also perform a tonometry test to check the eye pressure for signs of glaucoma and will examine your eyes under a “slit lamp microscope” in order to check for cataracts, corneal disorders, and retinal pathology.

Routine eye exams are important in detecting problems with your sight or ocular health. Many diseases can be present in your eyes before you are aware they exist. There are a number of eye diseases that have no symptoms in their early stages, including:

• Glaucoma
• Macular Degeneration
• Diabetic Retinopathy (Diabetic Eye Disease)

Call to Schedule an appointment today.