General Practitioners

• Primary Care
  Kentucky Eye Institute is comprised of ophthalmologists, primary care optometrists, and a dedicated supporting staff of roughly 60 employees. As one of the region’s premier eye care providers, we take great pride in caring for our patients. Please take a moment to get to know our doctors below.

Ophthalmologists

• Glaucoma
  Glaucoma is an eye disease that slowly and painlessly steals away your sight. Glaucoma is called the “silent” or “sneak thief” of sight because it has no symptoms. However, it is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States, and half of the people who have glaucoma don’t know that they have the disease and are not aware that they are going blind.
• Ophthalmology
  Dr. Blandford, born in Kentucky, is married to Jeanette Kelly; they are the parents of Alexander, Ryan, and Kristen. Dr. Blandford received his B.S. degree with distinction from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in 1981. He received his M.D. degree with distinction from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1989. Dr. Blandford completed his Ophthalmic Residency at the University of Kentucky in 1994. Between medical school and residency, Dr. Blandford did a Research Fellowship year, which began his career in clinical research in Ophthalmology.
• Macular Degeneration
  His optometric studies included rotations at a variety of medical centers, clinics, and private practices throughout Eastern Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Indiana. His clinical interests include: pre and post-operative surgical care, dry eye disease, and using the latest technology to monitor retinal disease including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
• Laser Eye Surgery
  LASIK (Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) uses precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue to reshape the cornea, changing its’ focusing power.
• Cataracts
  A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. Vision through eyes with cataracts is like looking through a foggy window or piece of wax paper. Cataracts are very common, affecting roughly 60% of people over the age of 60.
• Cataract Surgery
  Modern cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes a half-hour or less and lets you get back to your normal activity level within a few days. During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens of your eye is removed and replaced with a clear lens implant.
• Eye Exam
  Refractive errors are diagnosed with a comprehensive dilated eye exam and are treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery.

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  Dr. Peter Blackburn graduated from the University of Colorado in Denver medical school in 1997. Subsequently, he completed a year internship in internal medicine at Kettering Medical Center in Dayton Ohio in 1998 and finished his ophthalmology residency at the Rocky Mountain Lion’s Eye Institute at the University of Colorado in 2001. He then went on to complete a retina and vitreous fellowship at the University of Kentucky in 2003. Dr. Blackburn is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Endocrinologist

• Diabetic Retinopathy
  Besides his patient responsibilities at UK and elsewhere, Dr. Blackburn also provides patient services as an independent contractor at Kentucky Eye Institute’s Corbin, Kentucky practice location and other KEI locations as needed. He has a special interest in patients with ocular tumors, retinopathy of prematurity, age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis.

Plastic Surgeons

• Plastic Surgery
  Dr. Evans specializes in cataract/implant and refractive (LASIK/PRK) surgeries, with special interest and training in the field of oculoplastics, or plastic surgery of the eyelids.
• Blepharoplasty
  Oculoplastic surgery includes a wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts, and the face. It also deals with the reconstruction of the eye and associated structures. A common procedure is that which repairs droopy eyelids (ptosis). The surgery is called blepharoplasty and can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids, or both.

Dermatologists

• Burns

Allergists

• Allergies