Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic

Cataracts are one of the most prevalent eye diseases worldwide and will affect most people in their later years. While cataracts can lead to blindness, cataract surgery can successfully restore clear vision and can even improve eyesight with intraocular lens implants that correct common vision problems. At Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic in Tuscaloosa, our board-certified ophthalmologist offers cataract surgery and premium IOLs to give you excellent eyesight. What is a Cataract? One of the many components of the eye’s anatomy is the natural lens that sits behind the iris or pigmented center. The human lens is clear, but natural aging causes the proteins inside to break down and clump together, forming a cloudy appearance and affecting vision. Cataracts may take many years to progress, and symptoms include: Hazy vision Lower contrast sensitivity Muted colors or colors with a yellowish tint Double or ghosted images Blurred vision Halos Increased light sensitivity Difficulty driving or seeing at night Cataracts are part of the aging process but may develop earlier in people with certain lifestyle habits, medical conditions or previous eye injury or surgery. Smoking, diabetes, corticosteroids and excessive sun exposure may cause early cataract formation. Untreated cataracts will eventually cause blindness, but the early signs are easily identified during a comprehensive eye exam at Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic. Our eye doctors can monitor the cataract and discuss treatment options. Some people may choose to have cataract surgery before they experience vision loss to avoid worsening symptoms and enjoy improved eyesight with IOLs. How is Cataract Surgery Performed? At Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic, our eye surgeons offer cataract surgery and perform procedures at an accredited outpatient surgical facility for optimal patient safety and successful outcomes. Which starts with two small incisions in the cornea and lens capsule to access the clouded lens. Ultrasound waves break apart the natural lens, making it easier to remove. The chosen intraocular lens implant is folded through the capsule opening and expertly placed to restore clear eyesight and improve refractive errors. What to Expect After Cataract Surgery? Cataract surgery Tuscaloosa The tiny incisions from cataract surgery heal on their own without stitches. Dr. Davis or Dr. Wilhite, Jr., will prescribe eyedrops to improve healing and avoid infection or other complications. You may experience blurry vision, a gritty sensation in the eye and a watering or bloodshot eye for a few weeks. These side effects are temporary and typically a normal part of recovering after cataract surgery. Many patients report improved vision shortly after cataract surgery, depending on the density of their cataract and chosen IOL. Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic provides detailed recovery instructions to help you follow our eye doctors’ instructions and ensure you heal without issue. Contact our office in Tuscaloosa if you have concerns in the days and weeks after cataract surgery. If you’re experiencing vision changes or have been diagnosed with a cataract, contact Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Call our office at (205) 556-9400 or fill out our online contact form.

LASIK is a type of laser vision correction that addresses refractive errors. Good vision relies on a properly shaped cornea to direct light through the lens onto the retina that lines the back of the eye. Light signals are sent to the brain through the optic nerve and translated into crisp images. Refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism are caused by an abnormally shaped cornea, causing blurry eyesight at various focal points. Refractive surgery with LASIK reshapes the cornea for near-perfect vision. LASIK Tuscaloosa Our eye surgeon at Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has helped countless patients correct refractive errors with LASIK laser vision correction. Dr. Thomas M. Davis, Jr., has provided high-quality eye care for over 32 years in Western Alabama. Candidates for LASIK LASIK candidates must meet a set of criteria to ensure a safe and effective procedure, including: At least 18 years old, though most patients do not qualify until their 20s; A stable prescription, meaning vision has not changed for at least one year; Sufficient corneal tissue for the LASIK procedure without compromising eye health; Healthy eyes free from disease, infection and other conditions; Realistic expectations for LASIK results; and Refractive errors due to abnormally shaped cornea. LASIK candidates must wait until they’ve reached visual maturity to prevent vision changes after the procedure. High myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism may disqualify some patients, as may existing dry eye disease or uncontrolled diabetes. Pregnant or nursing women should wait to have LASIK until their body has returned to a normal state after childbirth and weaning. Our eye doctors can determine LASIK candidacy during a comprehensive eye exam and will measure the cornea and check pupil size, refractive errors and ocular health. The LASIK Procedure Laser Eye Surgery Tuscaloosa LASIK eye surgery is a quick procedure, taking 30 minutes or less for both eyes. An excimer laser corrects the cornea’s curvature while the patient looks at a target light. The cornea is reshaped based on the precise measurements from pre-operative visits that map the ocular surface and determine exact refractive errors. Patients typically hear a clicking sound while the laser contours the corneal surface, then the LASIK flap is folded back into position and its edges smoothened. The epithelial flap begins to re-adhere and the eye begins to heal and within minutes. LASIK Recovery After LASIK laser vision correction, a protective eye shield is used to shield the eyes for several hours after the procedure and when you sleep, for at least the first week. This eye shield prevents you from rubbing the eyes and disrupting healing. You may experience burning or scratchy sensations for a few hours. Our eye surgeon will prescribe special eye drops during LASIK recovery. Some over-the-counter artificial tears may be used to ease discomfort. The Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic provides detailed post-op instructions for LASIK patients, but we encourage you to contact our office with questions or concerns while you heal. You will have several follow-up visits for the first year after LASIK to check your vision and recovery. Contact the Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic in Tuscaloosa About Laser Vision Correction If you’re tired of contact lenses and prescription eyeglasses, contact the Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic to see if you qualify for LASIK. Call our Tuscaloosa, Alabama, office to schedule an appointment at (205) 556-9400 or fill out our online contact form.

Glaucoma is the medical diagnosis for a group of eye diseases characterized by increased intraocular eye pressure and optic nerve damage that leads to vision loss and blindness. When it comes to glaucoma treatment, early diagnosis and management are critical. Once vision is lost to glaucoma, no treatments can restore it. However, medicines and procedures can manage glaucoma and prevent further vision loss. Our eye doctors at Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic specialize in disease management for glaucoma. Dr. Thomas M. Davis, Jr., is a board-certified ophthalmologist, past president of the Alabama Academy of Ophthalmology and a clinical faculty member of the University of Alabama. Dr. James B. Wilhite, Jr., graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama and earned his AOA honors from the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine. Our skilled and experienced team focuses on diagnosing and managing glaucoma and other conditions. What Causes Glaucoma? Proper eye pressure inside the eyeball relies on the ebb and flow of the aqueous humor, the clear liquid found in the front portion of the eye that inflates and nourishes the eye. The aqueous is supposed to drain out from the eye as new fluid enters through the drainage angle between the iris and cornea in front of the eye to maintain consistent intraocular pressure (IOP). When aqueous humor doesn’t drain correctly, fluid builds up inside the eye, increasing IOP and damaging the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for sending light signals to the brain to form images, and it works like an electric cable with tiny wires. Increased IOP damages the nerve fibers in the optic nerve, causing blind spots in your field of vision and may affect side or peripheral eyesight first. Many glaucoma patients don’t notice these blind spots until significant optical nerve damage has occurred. Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form, causing gradual vision loss with no symptoms. Angle-closure glaucoma occurs rapidly when the drainage angle in the eye is blocked, causing a dangerous rise in IOP, and is a medical emergency. Annual eye exams are imperative to diagnose glaucoma early. Our eye doctors can detect increased eye pressure during comprehensive eye exams and determine the extent of vision loss and damage. Timely treatment can prevent further vision loss or slow disease progression. Treatment Options for Glaucoma Glaucoma Treatment Tuscaloosa Glaucoma is a lifelong eye disease that requires consistent treatment and regular eye exams to monitor and manage increased eye pressure. Our eye doctors will develop a treatment plan and appointment schedule to help you maintain your vision. Medicines and various surgical options can prevent further vision loss but will not restore the damage already caused by glaucoma. Eye drops are typically the first-line treatment to manage IOP and work by reducing aqueous fluid in the eye or improving outflow through the drainage angle. However, some patients struggle with side effects from these medicines, and their effectiveness may decrease with time. MIGS, or minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries, are procedures that improve IOP with fewer risks than traditional surgery. MIGS have high safety profiles and offer meaningful results in IOP management. These approaches may focus on enhancing outflow in the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal, where fluid flow meets the greatest resistance. Schlemm’s canal is a circular structure that helps maintain IOP by draining fluid from the eye. The trabecular meshwork is a spongy tissue covering the inner wall of this canal in the drainage angle. MIGS procedures improve blockages in these structures for better aqueous outflow. A bypass stent, dilation of Schlemm’s canal and surgical incision or excision of the meshwork can improve the outflow system. Laser surgery is another treatment method for glaucoma. Our eye surgeon may perform trabeculoplasty for open-angle glaucoma patients to improve the drainage angle. Laser iridotomy for angle-closure glaucoma creates a small hole in the iris to improve fluid outflow in the drainage angle. A trabeculectomy may be needed for some patients who don’t respond to other treatment methods. This surgical procedure involves the creation of a flap in the sclera (the white portion of the eye) and a bubble in the conjunctiva (clear tissue coating the sclera). This filtration bleb collects and absorbs the aqueous humor to lower eye pressure. Another procedure may create a reservoir with a tiny, implanted drainage tube called a glaucoma drainage device. Schedule an Eye Exam at Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma, contact our eye doctors at the Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, today to schedule an eye exam. Contact our office at (205) 556-9400 or fill out our online contact form.

Diabetes affects many areas of the body, from major organs such as the heart and kidneys to blood vessels in the eyes. Diabetic eye disease is a common concern for people with this medical condition and regular eye exams are critical to maintaining good vision and eye health. While diabetes can lead to vision loss, timely diagnosis and regular eye exams can prevent much of the damage. At the Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic, our eye doctors specialize in diagnosing and managing eye diseases, including diabetic eye disease. Dr. Thomas M. Davis, Jr., and Dr. James B. Wilhite, Jr., have helped countless patients preserve their eyesight and improve ocular health in Tuscaloosa. Types of Diabetic Eye Disease Diabetes can cause several eye problems and increase the risk of other eye diseases, such as cataracts and glaucoma. Uncontrolled diabetes greatly increases the risk of diabetic eye disease, and treatment often starts with better diabetes management. An estimated one in three people living with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy after age 40, and this variation is the most common cause of vision impairment in people with the condition. Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Tuscaloosa Diabetic retinopathy damages the retina (the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye). Retinal blood vessels swell, bleed or leak fluid and close off due to high blood sugar. As the disease progresses, new, abnormal blood vessels form on the retinal surface and start to bleed and form scar tissue. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is the advanced stage that causes central and peripheral (side) vision loss. The longer someone lives with diabetes, the more likely they are to develop diabetic retinopathy, especially with poor management. Diabetic macular edema is another type of eye damage that can happen in patients with diabetes. Macular edema causes blurred vision and occurs when fluid accumulates on the retina, leading to swelling. The condition may cause permanent vision loss. People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at an earlier age and are twice as likely to have glaucoma. Risk Factors for Diabetic Eye Disease Untreated high blood glucose (sugar) or high blood pressure increases the risk for these diabetic eye diseases. Smoking and high blood cholesterol are additional risk factors. Pregnant women with diabetic retinopathy need careful monitoring because eye problems can progress quickly during pregnancy. Some ethnic groups have a higher likelihood of diabetic eye disease, including African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders and Alaska Natives. Age is another factor; the longer you have diabetes, the more likely your vision will be affected. Symptoms of Diabetic Eye Disease If you have diabetes, proper disease management and regular eye exams are the best ways to prevent vision loss and blindness from diabetic eye disease. Symptoms may include: Frequent vision changes Dark areas in your field of vision Wavy lines Blurred vision Decreased color perception Spots, strings or “floaters” Light flashes Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam at Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic If you have diabetes, you need regular eye care. Schedule an eye exam with one of our eye doctors in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Call the Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic at (205) 556-9400 or fill out our online contact form.

People with refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia, need corrective eyewear to enjoy sharp vision. Precision Optical opened when Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic moved our office to Helen Keller Blvd. Our in-house optician, Shea, has the expertise and training to fit you with the glasses you need. We are proud to offer an extensive line of glasses from our value packages up to the newest frames in name-brand fashion, including prescription sunglasses by Costa Del Mar. Our optician uses only the best optical materials from reputable companies, including Hoya, Essilor, Zeiss and Nikon. The goal at Precision Optical is to have you seeing and looking your best. Choosing the Right Frame for Your Face Some patients find it easy to pick out their frames from a wall of options, while others struggle to narrow down their choices. Our optician can help you identify frames that complement your facial features and align with your lifestyle. Facial shape plays an essential role in choosing glasses frames. Someone with a round face may look best in rectangular or square glasses frames that give the impression of a longer, slimmer facial appearance. Whereas round, small or rimless frames may accentuate a round facial shape. An oval face often benefits from frames with a wider bridge and geometric shape, while a square facial shape looks best with round or oval frames that bring balance to the features. Someone with a narrow chin and forehead (or diamond face) may want oval frames or “cat eye” glasses that accentuate delicate features and cheekbones. A heart-shaped facial shape may benefit from low-sitting glasses and bottom-heavy frames with a round or square lens shape. While these tips can help you narrow down the type of frame that will accentuate your best facial features, they’re simply a guide. Take your time to browse our wide selection of frames and have fun choosing the pair you’ll likely wear for a year or longer. How Does Your Lifestyle Affect Your Choice of Frames? Prescription Glasses & Frames Tuscaloosa Discuss your regular activities and hobbies with our optician to help identify the brands and types of frames that fit your lifestyle. Someone who enjoys gaming and spends a lot of time on the computer will want a different kind of glasses than a business professional wanting to look chic at their next meeting. If you are someone who enjoys rigorous exercise, you may need frames that can handle twisting and bending. Shea can help identify the type of frame that will work best for your situation. If you spend a significant amount of time outdoors or driving, you may want to add prescription sunglasses to your corrective eyewear collection to see clearly without squinting in harsh sunlight. Once you’ve found the right pair for your face and lifestyle, our optician ensures they fit you correctly, making adjustments where needed. Shea can repair glasses and address concerns with your frames. If you’re interested in new glasses or prescription sunglasses, contact Precision Optical at Davis Wilhite Eye Clinic in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Call (205) 556-6115 to schedule an appointment or walk into our Helen Keller Blvd. location.