- Family PracticeDr. Bolton attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in 2003, graduating with Suma Cum Laude academic honors. While at UAB, Dr. Bolton was a member of both Alpha Epsilon Delta and Psi Chi Honor societies. She went on to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry where she earned her doctorate degree. She also completed a Residency in Family Practice Optometry at UABSO, focusing on ocular disease management and pediatric vision development/Vision Therapy.
- GlaucomaGlaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the optic nerve in the eye. The optic nerve carries information from the eye to the brain, and significant damage to the optic nerve by glaucoma can cause severe vision loss or blindness. In fact, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, and more than 2.5 million Americans are estimated to have this disease.
- OphthalmologyThe scope of neuro-ophthalmology practice also includes optic nerve sheath fenestration surgery for the treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri–pressure in the head). Patients who have tumors of the pituitary gland or other tumors that may compress the vision pathways in the brain may be referred to a neuro-ophthalmologist to make sure there is no loss of vision. Neuro-ophthalmologists also treat patients who have problems controlling eye movements, resulting in difficulty looking in certain directions or double vision due to misalignment.
- Macular DegenerationEylea is an FDA-approved treatment for the Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD is a slowly progressing condition where new blood vessels grow on the macula, which is the central part of the retina. These new blood vessels are weak and often leak blood, causing damage to the light-sensitive tissue of the macula. As a result, a patient’s vision gradually deteriorates, which might lead to complete vision loss. AMD mostly affects older people, and it is the leading cause of blindness for people over 65.
- Laser Eye SurgeryThe cornea is the clear front part of the eye. It lets light into the eye and plays a major role in focusing light rays on the retina. To ensure good vision, it is vital to have correctly shaped, healthy corneas. Many vision impediments occur because of faulty shaped corneas. The more common types of vision impediments, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, are caused by irregularities in the overall shape of the eye. Since the cornea contains approximately two-thirds of the focusing power of the eye, procedures such as LASIK and PRK, can be used to change the shape of the cornea and overcome the defocus caused by the overall shape of the eye.
- CataractsA cataract is the clouding of the clear lens of the eye. The lens is an integral part of the eye, working like a camera lens to focus light rays on the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. When the lens becomes clouded, proper focusing of light is disrupted. As a result, images appear dull, colors look less bright and light from the sun or a lamp begins to appear unusually intense. As the lens becomes more clouded, vision gradually worsens. If left untreated, cataract(s) can lead to complete vision loss in the affected eye(s).
- Cataract SurgerySince the introduction of refractive laser-assisted cataract surgery, or ReLACS, in 2012, more and more patients are opting for this procedure over traditional cataract surgery. This is primarily because patients can experience the added benefit of refractive laser precision for improved vision after surgery.
- Eye ExamPerhaps the most important step parents can take to help their children develop good vision is to ensure that they receive regular eye exams. Your child should undergo a complete eye checkup at 6 months of age, at age 3 and again at the start of school. After that, the eye exam should be repeated every two years.
- Internal MedicineDr. Judge received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tenn. Upon obtaining his degree, he completed an internal medicine internship at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Dr. Judge then fulfilled a residency at the Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, La., and completed a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City, Okla. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Medical Association and the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology.
- NeurologyNeuro-Ophthalmology is the specialty of both neurology and ophthalmology concerning visual symptoms that relate to the nervous system. Some of these problems may include injury to the brain and/or optic nerves, which transmit visual signals from the eyes to the brain. This specialty includes treatment for loss of vision that may be caused by trauma, inflammation, strokes, tumors, toxicity and infections.
- Diabetes Care
- Thyroid
- Diabetic RetinopathyDiabetic retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels in the back of the eye, the area known as the retina, are damaged and begin to leak blood. This leakage causes the retina to swell and form deposits. This is an early form of diabetic retinopathy as is known as background or non-proliferative retinopathy. Statistics show that most diabetic patients do not develop retinopathy until they have had diabetes for at least ten years.
- General SurgeryIrene H. Ludwig earned her M.D. degree from the Cornell University Medical College in 1979. She performed her internship in general surgery at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. She then served as a resident in ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinical Foundation in Cleveland. Following two years of research at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, she then took a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
- Reconstructive SurgeryDr. Ehrlich is the former Director of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Lansing Ophthalmology Regional Eye Center. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and National Board of Medical Examiners, a Life Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Ehrlich was awarded one of “America’s Top Ophthalmologists for Cosmetic Surgery” 3 times. He was one of the first surgeons in Michigan to perform cosmetic Botox injections, laser facial resurfacing, facial fat grafting, minimal incision facelifts, and true tumescent liposuction. He was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at Michigan State College of Human Medicine in East Lansing for 22 years.
- BotoxBotox (botulinum toxin A) is a popular non-surgical injectable product that temporarily reduces or eliminates wrinkles. It was originally introduced for ophthalmological purposes: to treat blepharospasm (uncontrolled blinking) and strabismus (misaligned eyes). Doctors later started using it for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of glabellar lines (frown lines), crow’s feet, forehead creases and horizontal neck bands. Botox is now the most commonly performed non-surgical cosmetic procedure in the country, and has helped millions of people enjoy a more relaxed and youthful-looking expression.
- Brow LiftBrow lift is usually performed under local anesthesia, which means that you are sedated but awake during the procedure. Depending on your needs and facial structure, the complete treatment takes between one and two hours. First, our surgeons make an incision in an inconspicuous area, such as along your hairline or within the scalp. Then they carefully lift the forehead skin, tighten the underlying muscle tissue and remove any excess skin. After the procedure is completed, a special bandage is wrapped around your head and you can go home within a couple of hours.
- Eyelid SurgeryThe most common treatment for ptosis is eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty. This procedure is used to remove excess skin, fat and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. When performed as a ptosis treatment, blepharoplasty also tightens the muscles of the upper eyelid. The removal of the excess tissue and muscle rearrangement can improve the function of the eyelid, which in turn promotes unobstructed vision.
- LiposuctionThe News Press Media Group has consistently named him one of Southwest Florida’s Best Cosmetic, Eyelid, and Plastics Surgeons in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. He has taught fat grafting nationally and internationally, is an expert in true tumescent liposuction of the face and body, and is an active clinician-scientist.
- Plastic SurgeryDr. Nguyen was born and raised in Southern California and attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology and earned her medical degree at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. As a medical student, she was drawn to the field of ophthalmology for its focus on improving vision. During ophthalmology residency, her mentors noted that she had a keen eye for aesthetics and encouraged her to pursue fellowship training in ophthalmic plastic surgery. Through ophthalmic plastic surgery, she has been able to combine her passion for helping patients improve their vision while also helping them look and feel their best. Dr. Nguyen’s surgical talent is led by her soft and gentle approach, communicating with each patient to help create a customized aesthetic goal. She believes that the key to a successful surgical result is through improving and enhancing each patient’s individual beauty rather than changing it. Dr. Nguyen’s meticulous attention to detail combined with her patient-centered approach allows her to provide each patient the opportunity to be the best version of themselves.
- Face LiftIn addition to enhancing vision, blepharoplasty surgery can also make your face appear more youthful and refreshed. Perhaps this is why blepharoplasty has become one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in the United States. To enhance the results of eyelid surgery, our surgeons often perform it in conjunction with other facial cosmetic treatments, such as facelift and brow lift.
- BlepharoplastyVisit our contact page to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced eye surgeons if you suspect that you might have ptosis and/or would like to undergo blepharoplasty to enhance your facial beauty. Dr. Darrell Wolfley treats patients out of the Birmingham, Huntsville, Gadsden, Montgomery and Oxford-Anniston AL facilities, while Dr. Kristin Madonia also treats patients at our Birmingham location. Dr. Michelle Nguyen treats patients at the Nashville, Columbia, Franklin and Murfreesboro locations in TN.
- Cosmetic SurgeryDr. Michelle Nguyen, M.D. (pronounced “Win”) is a board-certified ophthalmologist who is fellowship-trained in ophthalmic plastic surgery and specializes in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, brows, forehead, and tear drainage system.
- Forehead LiftBrow lift (also known as forehead lift) is a popular oculoplastics surgical procedure that can smooth deep forehead lines and unwanted furrows while making your whole face look refreshed. Our skilled surgeons typically perform brow lift for people in their 40s, 50s and 60s. However, sometimes younger patients with pronounced forehead lines undergo brow lift to obtain a more rejuvenated appearance.
- Skin CancerDr. Nguyen specializes in upper and lower lid blepharoplasty (removing excess skin and fat from the upper and lower lids), ptosis repair (lifting droopy eyelids), brow lifts, and Mohs eyelid surgical reconstruction (eyelid reconstruction after skin cancer removal). She performs minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox and Xeomin injections (for improvement and prevention of wrinkles and to treat hemifacial spasm, blepharospasm, and migraines) and filler injections (Restylane). Dr. Nguyen also treats common eyelid conditions such as dry eyes/blepharitis and removal of chalazion/stye, skin tags, cysts, and bumps on the eyelids.
- Cyst
- FungusKeratitis is an inflammation of the cornea. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including bacteria, fungus, virus, overexposure to ultraviolet light, allergic reaction to contact lenses and sensitivity to eye cosmetics. Treatment of keratitis depends on the source of the problem. While viral keratitis is usually harmless and improves on its own, bacterial keratitis typically requires special antibiotic drops. The more serious form of the disease, fungal keratitis, is treated with antifungal medications. However, sometimes fungal keratitis does not respond to medications and requires surgical intervention and/or a cornea transplant.