I have had glaucoma for more than 30 years, and until recently, it had been treated with drops given by my physician in another town. I also had a laser procedure done to help my right eye drain a little better, and after several weeks, I noticed my eye was red, which had never happened before. I called my physician and couldn’t get in to see him, so I thought to call my friend, Judy, who works for the UAB Department of Ophthalmology. I told her I was losing sight in my right eye, and I asked her if she would be able to help get me an appointment with one of the eye doctors who worked there. She called me back and said Dr. Knox would be able to see me that day.

The first time I met Dr. Knox, the pressure in my right eye was higher than 40, and I couldn’t see anything on the eye chart other than the top letter. Dr. Knox was concerned, and rightfully so. While helping to get the pressure down, he explained how the eye worked and how the fluid was produced, and he gave me some drops and an oral medication and asked to see me the next day. I live in McCalla, and Dr. Knox said he would be in Trussville, which is not exactly close. When he realized where I live, Dr. Knox mentioned he knew it was out of the way for me. He took the opportunity to present to me that there may be another option where he could see me in a more convenient manner. That spoke volumes. I didn’t care that it was a little out of the way; I just wanted my eye to be fixed, and I wanted Dr. Knox to be the one to do it.

I met Dr. Knox in Trussville the next day, and he told me the only option to hopefully gain some sight back is to have surgery. He was so informative throughout the process, making sure I knew exactly what was going to happen, managing my expectations and being very clear in my prognosis. He told me what he thought he could do and that I would need to see him every week for a month following surgery.

Today, my vision is back to between 20/40 and 20/50, depending on the day, and the redness is completely gone. I see Dr. Knox every four months to check my pressure, manage my glaucoma, and monitor my optic nerve so any further damage can be caught in a timely manner. I could not be happier with the results, with the care, and with the compassion I was shown throughout my experience. Dr. Knox answered every question, and I never felt rushed, even after my eye got better.

I’ve learned a lot about Callahan throughout this journey, as well, and the thing I appreciate most is the number of eye specialties Callahan offers. Whether you have glaucoma like me or another eye condition such as macular degeneration or corneal disease, there are physicians who specialize in specific issues related to the eye. As a retired critical care nurse, I know you wouldn’t want to see an open-heart surgeon if you were having brain surgery. You want to see someone who specializes in neurology. I feel the same way about eye care now. When it comes to eye conditions, Callahan is the best because of the expertise in so many eye care areas.

Glaucoma is hereditary, and while my dad also has it, his case is not nearly as severe as mine. I am so grateful that I met Dr. Knox that day. His concern for my eyesight was as strong as mine, and his compassion made me feel like I was his only patient from the moment he walked into the room. And I know he doesn’t treat just me that way; I’ve seen him treat others with the same compassionate care. There are not enough words to describe how great of an experience I had and how blessed I am to have found Callahan, and specifically Dr. Knox.