Southeastern Retina Associates physicians are dedicated to research and education. We publish our Fundus articles and newsletters to keep eye care professional abreast of advances in eye health.
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Press Release – Feb 2010
In 2016 SERA is measuring and consistently demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and quality outcomes of our patient management protocols. In this article we will highlight some of the proactive efforts we have implemented to improve the outcomes and cost-effectiveness of the care we provide on a daily basis. (Read more.)
Summer 2015
Dr. Richard I. Breazeale is featured on WTVC-TV in Chattanooga, TN to discuss age related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindess in patients over 50.
Southeastern Retina Associates is one of 100 sites across the country partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in a study of the use of the drug Eylea as an injectable eye treatment for diabetic patients with vision problems. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the new treatment compared to laser therapy, the current gold standard treatment for a complication of diabetic retinopathy in which patients suffer bleeding in the retina. The condition can result in blindness if not treated successfully. Patients taking part in the study will get either injections of Eylea, laser therapy, or simply be observed for changes. Steve Perkins, M.D., of Southeastern Retina Associates is recruiting diabetics whose vision remains relatively undamaged to participate in the study. Injections of Eylea are free, though patients or their insurance may be required to pay other costs involving regular eye care. Patients interested in participating in the study may call 865-588-0811 for more information.
Tracy Price, a resident of Sevier County, Tenn., suffered from diabetic macular edema (DME), a potentially blinding side effect of the diabetes. Blood vessels in the retina of Price’s retina were leaking into the macula, the part of the eye that provides detailed central vision. The bleeding would not stop. Luckily, Price’s ophthalmologist at Southeastern Retina Associates, John Hoskins, M.D., was involved in a nationwide clinical trial of the drug Lucentis. Only when Price joined the trial and received the treatment did she improve. Price has lived with diabetes for more than 40 years, and DME had progressively distorted her vision. Laser surgery, the standard treatment for the condition, had failed to provide lasting results. After a number of months, Price would suffer another leak in her retina. The Lucentis treatment involves injecting the drug into the eye. Price, who began routine injections in 2012 when the drug was approved by the FDA, has received 60 injections in both eyes. Price is pleased with the results. “It has kept me driving, it has kept my quality of life, it’s kept me working,” she told local TV station WATE. Dr. Hoskins rates her vision “excellent” in one eye and “reasonable” in […]
The physicians of Southeastern Retina Associates are pleased to announce that enrollment is completed for a clinical trial for patients with previously untreated wet age related macular degeneration (AMD). This trial is led by Chattanooga area investigators Dr. Francis Char DeCroos and Dr. Richard I. Breazeale with the goal of treating wet AMD in a more customized, patient centric fashion. The trial is designed to investigate an innovative method of treating wet AMD with fewer treatments and fewer clinical visits, while at the same time obtaining the best possible vision outcomes. This multi-center prospective clinical trial is available at only at a handful of sites across the United States including Chattanooga, Tennessee. The team of scientists responsible for this trial will be actively monitoring participating patients for the next two years. Southeastern Retina Associates maintain an active clinical research program from multiple locations across Eastern Tennessee. These retina specialists are committed to advancing the care of medical and surgical retinal diseases through participation in research. Our team firmly believes that research to improve the standard of care tomorrow allows us to provide the best patient outcomes today.
Southeastern Retina Associates recently received a prestigious industry award for its contributions to advancing medical research of diabetes-induced retinal disorders. Southeastern Retina Associates was awarded the Top Site for 2013 Award by the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research (DRCR) Network for demonstrating outstanding performance in the DRCR Network. “We are honored to be acknowledged at this level for our clinical excellence,” said Dr. Joseph M. Googe, Jr. of Southeastern Retina Associates. “Our entire staff has always been committed to providing the finest care possible and offering our patients the newest and best treatments of vision-threatening diseases.” The DRCR is a collaborative network funded by the National Eye Institute (NIH) and is dedicated to clinical research of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and associated conditions. The DRCR includes over 109 participating sites (offices) with over 320 physicians throughout the United States. “If you are diabetic and have vision issues, as a patient of Southeastern Retina Associates, you can be assured you have the most experienced medical team in the region working to preserve your eyesight,” said Googe. “We have been leading clinical trials for more than 15 years and continue to advance leading edge research to stay abreast of the latest refinements […]
Francis Char DeCroos, MD began seeing patients in September 2013 when he and his family moved to Chattanooga. Dr. DeCroos previously lived in Philadelphia where he completed his retina fellowship training at Wills Eye Hospital. At this hospital, he helped provide the bulk of retina care to the population of over 6 million people in the metropolitan Philadelphia area. When considering practice across the country, he connected with Nick Anderson, MD and R. Keith Shuler, MD of Southeastern Retina associates. Dr. DeCroos was thrilled to find that Southeastern Retina associates was a ideal blend of cutting edge clinical skill combined with a 30+ year tradition of compassionate care. Dr. DeCroos is joined by his wife Emily DeCroos. They are both pleased to be in the southeast near family after many years of training. Dr. DeCroos grew up in northwest Florida before completed his undergraduate studies in biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then graduated from Duke University Medical school before doing his residency training at Duke Eye Center. Afterwards, Dr. DeCroos assisted with several landmark clinical trials during a retina research fellowship at the Duke Reading Center. Finally, Dr. DeCroos completed his training in medical and surgical diseases […]
Southeastern Retina Associates announces the opening of a new, state-of-the-art location in Sevierville, TN. The medical and retina specialists of Southeastern Retina Associates are excited about this expansion, which will bring the compassion and expertise of 30+ years of complete retina care to our patients and referring doctors in the Sevierville Region. The Sevierville facility doors open to patients in November of 2013 for diabetes, macular degeneration, retinal vascular diseases, retinal detachments, retina surgery, and a wide range of macular and retina disorders. Our Knoxville area retina surgeons will evaluate patients at this new location and have committed to providing the highest standards of care consistent with being leaders in the treatment retinal diseases. Our 20 conveniently located facilities throughout Eastern Tennessee, Southern Virginia and Northern Georgia, house cutting edge diagnostic equipment, a nationally recognized clinical trials program, and the latest therapies to which only our patients have access. This new office is located at 1101 Fox Meadows Blvd., Suite 105 Sevierville, TN. To schedule an appointment or learn more, please call 865-579-3999.
Last August, SERA celebrated opening its first free standing office built from the ground up and dedicated to serving only SERA patients in Morristown. Pam Gerace is the building manager. She says the spotlight is on how much space is now available to accommodate a sizable number of SERA patients who live in the Morristown area. SERA’s seven Knoxville vitreoretinal surgeons come to the location at different times during the week, sharing patient responsibilities. The practice averages 50 to 60 patient appointments per doctor per day. Gerace says the new location is a real service to many SERA Morristown patients who are physically challenged and who are spared the trip all the way to Knoxville. “We are so proud to expand retinal care to so many patients. The need is so great,” she says. SERA’s physicians bring their own staffs with them to the new office, including their schedulers. State of the art computer communications technology connects all nineteen SERA offices throughout East Tennessee and in neighboring states. So, patient records, including photos and other diagnostic records, are immediately accessible in every location. The building is designed for easy access, including automatic doors. The 6000-squarefoot building is a contemporary design with emphasis on bringing the outdoors inside. Two spacious waiting areas feature red brick and aluminum, with floor to ceiling window walls. Natural light enhances patient and employee spaces. Many SERA staff members were instrumental in design, […]