Vanderbilt Eye Institute

Another reason I was so excited to move back to Nashville was to get back to some quality health care. After almost 2.5 years of sub-​par care in Miami, I was eager to get back to a health care hub and some world-​renowned medical institutions. Vandy, I’m all in.
While living in Miami, ran afoul of all manner of swamp bugs and disasters not meant for human consumption. Whilst walking home one day, some game of thrones beast flew into my eye. I did my best to get it out but was convinced some manner of ‘monsters inside’ would be coming for me. I went to my GP as well as an eye doctor. Despite blurriness and seeing something in my eye, ‘nothing’ was there. Two doctors. Same outcome. I, sadly, accepted my fate.
Once I moved back to Nashville, I started exploring different eye doctors. Not only had it been since the last time I lived in Nashville that I’d had an eye exam, I had to know that I wasn’t crazy. I had to know that I wasn’t seeing things. I was scheduled to see Dr. Johns and I am so grateful my doctor karma was good. Dr. Johns is thorough, patient, smart, conversational, and no-​nonsense. She got all the background about what led me to see her, my eye health history, concerns, family history, and habits (computer screen, good light, past eye problems, etc.). Not only did her complete eye exam reveal that I had ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision (as opposed to what the DMV claimed I had; really? The DMV makes diagnoses now?), she verified that I had a small cyst under my right eye. Yes. The same cyst that two Miami physicians (one being an eye doctor) couldn’t see, was clear as day to Dr. Johns. [Point of order: the incompetence of medical care I received in Miami is terrifying. And, pervasive.] Dr. Johns was able to give me knowledge about my situation as well as how to monitor it. Thankfully, it’s benign and can be removed if I so choose. I know what I’m looking for and how to take charge of my health. Knowledge, when it comes to your health, is powerful. I’m appreciative of skilled physicians who can give it to me. I’ll come to to the VEI as long as I live in Middle Tennessee.