WHAT IS OPHTHALMOLOGY?

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine dealing with the functions and diseases of the eye and its related structures.

An ophthalmologist is a physician, or M.D., who has had three or four year residency in specialty training after completing his or her medical degree and internship. The ophthalmologist can prescribe eyeglasses, medication, and perform eye surgery as necessary for total eye care.

IS IT TIME FOR AN EYE EXAM?

Some common symptoms suggesting the need for an ophthalmologic exam are: blurred vision, distorted or double vision, dizziness, decreased eye vision, redness, pain or swelling in or around the eyes, or excessive tearing from the eyes.

THE EYE EXAMINATION

The routine eye examination is the most important part of your treatment. It is essential even if your eyes are healthy and asymptomatic, because early detection is a significant factor in successfully treating the disorders and diseases of the eye.

A complete exam will include:

• patient history
•  vision testing
•  refraction for glasses
•  ophthalmologic neurological evaluation
•  evaluation of the eye muscle action
•  external examination of the eyes and eyelids
•  glaucoma evaluation
•  examination of the retina and optic nerve.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EYE CARE

Periodic eye examinations are important safeguard since symptoms of eye disease may be slight or even nonexistent. Undiagnosed diabetes and glaucoma are leading causes of blindness in adults. Early detection of these and other diseases through regular eye exams may help preserve good vision.
An initial evaluation of children at three to four years of age can allow for early treatment of potentially damaging problems.
Since the incidence of eye disease increases with age, after age 40 exams are suggested every two to three years and then generally every year after age 60. The American Diabetic Association recommends annual eye exams for all diabetic patients.

APPOINTMENTS

When an appointment is made, from one to two hours will be set aside for you. Your appointment constitutes a reservation of the doctor's time. Please be on time. Let the office secretary know as far in advance as possible if you must change or cancel your appointment. A fee of $25 is charged for all appointments canceled without 24 hours notice.

INSURANCE

Be sure to bring your insurance card with you. The co-payment will be specified by your particular insurance policy. If you receive a check from your insurance company for our services, is your responsibility to forward the endorsed checks or your payment to us.

DR. BRISCOE'S BACKGROUND

S. Trevor Briscoe, M.D. is a Corbin native and graduate of Corbin high school. A summa cum laude graduate of Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, he graduated with High Distinction from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He spent the next year as a medical intern at Greenville Memorial Hospital. After his internship, Dr. Briscoe completed a three-year Residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Florida. The following year Dr. Briscoe served as Chief Resident and Clinical Instructor in charge of teaching eye surgery and medical ophthalmology.

Dr. Briscoe is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He holds membership in the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Medical Association, and the Kentucky Medical Association. He has published research in professional journals.

In February 2003, Dr. Briscoe spent time as a volunteer eye surgeon for S.E.E. International in El Salvador.

Dr. Briscoe has had several years of private practice experience. He has performed thousands of successful eye procedures. His surgical skills include: cataract surgery without stitches or shots, Lasik surgery to reduce dependence on glasses and contacts, pediatric and strabismus surgery, eyelid surgery including cosmetic procedures like blepharoplasty, corneal transplantation, and several other types of eye surgery.