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Dr. Phillips specializes in ophthalmology and his subspecialty is cornea and external disease. He performs medical and surgical treatment for eye disease and also performs routine eye exams. His practice includes adults and pediatric age range patients.

Dr. Phillips treats a variety of ocular problems, and the following is a short summary, although not all-inclusive:

 
Any visually significant corneal scar induced by an injury or by an infection. Some types of corneal inflammation may require a corneal transplant to restore vision.
 
Infections of the cornea that can be spontaneous or can be induced by injuries or contact lenses usually require medical treatment, including culture and appropriate antibiotics.
 
A clouding of the lens of the eye sometimes requiring only a change in glasses, but if vision decreases to a certain level meeting medical criteria, cataract and implant surgery may be required. This surgery is performed usually under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.
 
A progressive disease usually affecting adolescents and young adults which creates a warpage of the cornea, corneal scarring and thinning. Early treatment includes contact lens correction of vision, but as the disease progresses a corneal transplant becomes necessary.
 
A very common problem occurring in all age ranges, but one that tends to worsen with increasing years. The disease is characterized by burning, a gritty, sandy foreign body sensation, sometimes excessive tearing, and light sensitivity. There are many treatments available for dry eyes, including artificial tears as well as ointments and closure of the tear ducts that drain the tears from the eye to allow more tears to stay in the eye (punctal plug or punctal occlusion).
 
A disease that involves swelling of the cornea, producing clouding of vision that sometimes occurs after cataract surgery or other types of ocular surgery or injuries. The cornea loses its ability to pump water out, and epithelial blisters form, and when that occurs a corneal transplant is needed to restore vision.
 
These are ocular inflammatory diseases that sometimes can be associated with systemic diseases called connective tissue disorders. They are evaluated and treated individually, and treatment includes anti-inflammatory medication.
 
This is an abnormal wing- or wedge-shaped growth on the lining of the eye called the conjunctiva. It is sometimes related to sun exposure, and when these growths progress onto the corneal surface, vision may be threatened and surgical removal may be required.
 
A disease that usually causes increased pressure in the eye, requiring treatment with medication, but occasionally laser or glaucoma surgery.
 
Many types of injuries create abrasions on the cornea, or other types of ocular problems requiring either immediate and/or long-term treatment to preserve vision.
 
Contacts work well in many people, but these are a foreign body in the eye and, for that reason, occasionally contacts can create difficulties that need an ophthalmic evaluation and treatment and correction of some underlying problems.
 
Nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism can be corrected either with spectacles or with contact lenses.
Pediatric Corneal Transplants
  
Infant transplants are more difficult and challenging than adult transplants, yet are necessary in some situations. When infant transplants are performed, it is best that the physician team include a pediatric ophthalmologist, as well as a corneal surgeon, so that amblyopia or lazy eye can be well treated. Our physician group includes a pediatric ophthalmologist and a corneal surgeon to achieve the highest possible outcome.
Systemic Disease
  
Many diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and others can create ocular problems, and these need to be evaluated on a regular basis.
 
Lens implants are needed to correct vision after cataract surgery. At the current time, they are usually put in at the time of cataract surgery, but occasionally what are called "secondary implants" need to be inserted, which means the implants were not inserted at the time of the original surgery. Usually, these might be individuals that could not have implants some years ago but want to be re-evaluated for the use of implants.

 

©2006 Alabama Ophthalmology Associates, P. C.

Anything contained in this web page is not medical advice and is merely a discussion of possible treatments currently available. You should see your ophthalmologist about any concerns about these treatments or any problems you have.