Services provided at our office include:
	Comprehensive Eye Examinations		Insurance
	Optical Dispensing		Contact Lenses
	Laser Vision Correction		Optovue Retinal Imaging
	Eye Infections & Eye Injuries		Dry Eyes
	Eye Diseases; Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes		Pediatric Eye Exams
	Consultative Staff at BHCC		Preventative Vision Care

When we do eye exams, we refuse to cut corners. We always schedule ample time so you will never feel rushed. We provide complete eye care for both adults and children. Our comprehensive eye examinations check your eyes inside and out for glaucoma, cataracts and all other eye diseases as well as high blood pressure, diabetes and other systemic diseases. Your visual skills and abilities are carefully evaluated and we pride ourselves on the accuracy of our eyeglass prescriptions. In spite of our track record for highly accurate prescriptions, there are eyes that can be unstable for reasons ranging from medications to illness. In these rare cases, we will gladly re-examine the patient and remake the glasses.

Technology is rapidly changing the eye care industry. We utilize the latest in diagnostic equipment and are committed to keeping up with whatever advances will come next.

We are participating providers with the following vision and medical insurance plans (please call to verify coverage and participation

    in your particular plan):

Our optical laboratory has the latest in equipment to not only fabricate your glasses, but to maintain and repair them should they become broken or damaged. We are able to tint, coat, harden and edge spectacle lenses. We are able to provide you with any frame or lens design available. Our highly qualified optician and staff are able to adjust and fit your glasses to you for extended comfort and vision.

Contact lenses have never been more exciting and easy to wear. With recent advances, most people can now wear them successfully. Whether you are looking for the latest in fashion tints or contacts that give you an extra edge in sports, the Vision Source has a lens for your special needs. Our Doctors are highly experienced in fitting all types of lenses including:

Disposable Lenses - Daily & Monthly

Colored Contacts - Fresh Look, Expressions, Wild Eyes

Sports Lenses - NIKE Maxsight

Bifocal Lenses - Disposable, Soft, Gas Permeable & Monovision

Toric Lenses for Astigmatism - Including bifocal and colored contacts

Gas Permeable - Standard, Toric & Bifocal Specialty Lenses - Keratoconus, Color Deficiency, Masking Lenses (for disfigured eyes)

Everyone is talking about LASIK. Here is a brief description of the procedure.

A flap is cut in the cornea and then the flap is gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea, much like a contact lens forms a new shape on the cornea, only the laser is permanent. The flap is then put back in place, acting like a natural bandage.

The "Wow!" effect of Lasik is the very rapid recovery of vision and the decreased level of discomfort post-operatively. You hear from people that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day. Most people have functional vision in 24-48 hours, although this is true in some cases, it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate. Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, continues to improve for some weeks, even months.

Everyones eyes are different. Even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it does not mean it is right for you. If you are interested in laser vision correction, we will be happy to guide you in picking the right surgeon, procedure and laser appropriate for you. For many of you who are long-term contact lens wearers my pre-operative input can make the difference between an excellent result and a mediocre one.

Post-operatively we can monitor your eyes, and taper medications to arrive at the best possible result. After all, no one knows your eyes better than your optometrist.

Drs. Foster & Steele are the first doctors to introduce patients to this technology in East TN. The Optovue OCT has emerged from a new imaging modality to a standard ocular diseases diagnostic tool. The OCT technology and clinical evolution will prevail in ophthalmic imaging like MRI in brain imaging and CT in heart imaging.

Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries. Please call our office at 423-623-3875 during office hours or our emergency number; 1-888-915-7275 (toll free) after hours or on weekends. Our staff will work with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. State of the art microscopes allow us to examine the front surface of the eye and facial areas around the eye for infection or injury. After assessing the extent of the injury or infection a treatment plan will be formulated and explained to you. Treatment may include medications and supportive care. Follow-up visits to monitor your recovery will be scheduled as needed.

Dry Eyes: Symptoms include scratchy eyes, burning, mild redness and gritty feeling eyes. Oral medications, reading, computer tasks and dry environments may aggravate marginally dry eyes. Dry eyes can be diagnosed by using dyes to observe tear patterns, evaluation of the amount of tears on the front of the eye and from review of your symptoms. Treatment may include artificial tears; medicated eye drops for treating allergies or increasing natural tear production (RESTASIS®); and/or punctal plugs inserted in the tear drainage canals.

Cataracts: The natural lens in the eye gradually becomes less clear as we get older. When opacities develop in the lens and the lens gets too hazy, vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. When the cataract affects the vision to the extent that you cannot read or see distant objects comfortably, we will recommend cataract surgery. Our office co-manages with cataract specialists that are proven experts in cataract surgery. Cataract surgery can provide you with a bright new world of vision.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we typically prescribe medications that lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. Laser treatments and eye surgery are secondary treatments that offer alternative ways to treat more advanced glaucoma.

Diabetes: Diabetic patients should have a dilated retinal examination each year. Laser treatments have proven to slow the progression of retinal eye disease for many patients. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the retina. If this condition is discovered early, laser treatment can destroy these vessels. We have the latest instruments used to detect changes in the back of the eye. If we discover advancing diabetic eye disease that can be treated or needs further evaluation, we will refer you for consultation and further testing to a board certified retinal specialist.

The American Optometric Association recommends that a child have their first eye examination between the ages of six to twelve months. At this exam, we will test for proper visual functioning and ocular development. A pediatric eye examination includes evaluation of eye teaming, focusing abilities, eye tracking, vision capabilities, and overall ocular health. All children need a comprehensive eye evaluation beyond the distance vision check performed at your pediatrican's office. For children, adequate vision, eye teaming, and focusing is essential for good school performance, sports performance and much more.