General Practitioners

• Arthritis
  Dry eyes may occur with aging as the tear glands do not produce as many tears as you get older. Or, dryness may be a side effect of medications, like antihistamines or blood pressure medications like diuretics. Hormonal changes that occur as we get older can affect the moisture levels in the entire body, including your eyes. Inflammation of the oil glands, or meibomitis, occurs when the oil glands, called meibomian glands, become inflamed and can no longer produce oils to stabilize the tear film. This can occur in association with a common skin condition called Acne Rosacea. Eyelid anatomy changes from injury, tumors or age can expose the eyes and cause the moisture to evaporate too quickly. Finally, autoimmune conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis can alter your tear glands’ ability to produce tears adequately. Frequently, it is a combination of these causes that work together to create enough symptoms for you to call for an appointment.
• Medical Weight Loss
  Controlling your blood sugar to achieve a Hemoglobin A1C level of less than 6.9 definitely reduces your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. This can be done with weight loss, exercise, and improved nutrition. Blood sugar reducing medication is necessary for many diabetic patients. Also, avoiding smoking, controlling other medical conditions, and improving your nutrition with foods high in antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables, will help reduce your risk. It is important to work closely with your primary physician and/or endocrinologist to be certain all of these are being addressed and your treatment is working.
• High Cholesterol

Ophthalmologists

• Glaucoma
  Our physicians welcome patients for routine eye exams.  At this visit, our experienced team of ophthalmic assistants and physicians will work together to check your vision, determine whether your vision could be improved with glasses or contact lenses and examine your eyes carefully with specialized technology for the presence of any eye conditions or diseases that might threaten your eyesight.  Many people do not realize that some conditions like glaucoma and retinal disease may create few or no symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease.  Early detection of conditions like these allows for more effective treatment and a better prognosis.
• Ophthalmology
  The doctors at Charlotte Ophthalmology Center for Sight have helped thousands of people enjoy better vision. When you have a problem with your eyes, you know you can turn to us for help. Leading the way with new medications and surgical procedures, Charlotte Ophthalmology Center for Sight can diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. Advances in technology have impacted all aspects of vision care. Surgical procedures that once required a hospital stay and lengthy recovery are now performed by our doctors on an outpatient basis, with most patients returning to their normal activities within hours.
• Macular Degeneration
  Macular degeneration (Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD) is a serious degenerative problem of the portion of the retina responsible for central vision. It can affect your vision at any age but it is primarily age-related, reducing vision permanently in patients age 50 and older. It is the most common cause of irreversible and untreatable blindness in Caucasians over the age of 55. There are 2 types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Macular degeneration starts off in everyone as the dry type. Over time, as the dry macular degeneration worsens, about 15% of these patients will develop into the wet form of macular degeneration. The wet form of macular degeneration can damage vision quickly if not treated in a timely manner.
• Laser Eye Surgery
  Our doctors provide the very best in eye care; from complete eye exams, eye disease diagnosis and management, to the latest advancements in eye surgery. We have outstanding Optical and Contact Lens Departments where you can find the latest styles in a variety of price ranges.
• Cataracts
  Dr. Brandon Whiteside utilizes the Tecnis and AcrySof® IQ family of lenses, which are designed to reduce spherical aberrations, increase contrast sensitivity, and improve functional vision. These lenses offer advantages over traditional spherical cataract lenses...
• Cataract Surgery
  Following cataract surgery, our patients typically report crisper, more vivid vision almost immediately. They are satisfied not only with their newfound visual clarity, but with the ease of the procedure and the manner in which our surgeons have personally cared for them. If you think you may have a cataract, please visit with Dr. Brandon Whiteside for a comprehensive and informative consultation about your eyes.
• Eye Exam
  We welcome patients for routine eye exams. For over forty years, people in the Charlotte community have been trusting our physicians to evaluate the health of their eyes. Many of our patients return to our office each year for their annual eye examination. At this visit, our experienced ophthalmic assistants and physicians will work together to check your vision, determine whether your vision could be improved with glasses or contact lenses, and examine your eyes carefully with specialized technology for the presence of any eye conditions or diseases that might threaten your eyesight.

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care
• Diabetic Retinopathy
  Diabetes is a major cause of loss of vision. Some studies report that 20% of diabetic patients have changes in their retina, called diabetic retinopathy, that could lead to a permanent and untreatable loss of vision if not detected early.

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  We perform a stitch-free, pain-free surgery by using numbing eye drops for anesthesia. The procedure is performed using an ultrasound-driven instrument that “sonically” breaks up the cataract (phacoemulsification) as it is suctioned (aspirated) out of the eye. Our surgeons utilize a microscopic incision that allows for a quicker recovery and eliminates the need for stitches, as the very small incision seals on its own. After your surgery, you will use eye drops a few times a day as prescribed by your surgeon.

Plastic Surgeons

• Botox
  BOTOX, or botulinum toxin, is the most popular way to reduce wrinkles on the face other than undergoing a facelift. This noninvasive procedure can smooth out frown lines, crow’s feet, furrows along the forehead, and skin bands on the neck to help you look more refreshed and less tired. Performed in a simple, quick, in-office procedure, injections of BOTOX Cosmetic block the nerve signals that make your muscles contract. This temporarily relaxes the muscles and thereby smooths out your unwanted facial wrinkles. Botox can also be medically indicated for certain conditions such eyelid twitching or spasm as well as frequent headaches. See Dr. Brandon Whiteside to see if insurance would potentially cover Botox injections for these conditions.
• Eyelid Surgery
• Face Lift

Dermatologists

• Acne Treatment
• Cyst
• Ulcer
  A corneal ulcer is an inflammatory or infectious condition of the cornea involving disruption of the epithelial layer (surface cells) with involvement of the underlying corneal stroma.  Most corneal ulcers are infectious and are caused by microorganisms such as bacteria than gain access to the cornea usually from an opening in the superficial layer or epithelium. Corneal ulcers are a serious sight-threatening condition and require urgent attention by an ophthalmologist. The eye doctor can diagnose a corneal ulcer by examining the eye with a microscope.  Symptoms of a corneal ulcer include pain, redness, tearing, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and foreign body sensation. Common risk factors for developing corneal ulcers include trauma and wearing contact lenses (especially sleeping in them). If neglected or not treated, ulcers may result in perforation or hole in the eye resulting in loss of vision and potentially loss of the eye.  Infectious corneal ulcers are usually treated with antibiotic drops that may have to be specially made by a compounding pharmacy. Treatment with antibiotic drops may take 1-2 weeks or longer depending on the type of microorganism. It is not uncommon after having a corneal ulcer to have a scar at the site of the infection. Your vision will be affected if the scar is significant or in the middle of the cornea.  A corneal transplant may be need if the loss of vision is severe.