Dr. Todd Purkiss
Ophthalmology
Louisville, KY
19 years experience male
Locations
Retina Associates of Kentucky
Louisville, KY
About
Bio
Private Practice physician specializing in retinal disease. Fellowship trained at the Duke Eye Center.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Ophthalmology
Doctor Q&A
181 Answers
76 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
No: Once laser retinopexy has scarred in, which takes about a week, it is essentially permanent. You would have to develop new tears or holes, at that po... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
See a doctor: This is an unusual constellation of symptoms, but a concerning one. You could have had a complex migraine, but see a doctor to rule out something more... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Not really: To my knowledge, there is no diet proven to slow cataract development. It is simply the clouding of the lens with age. We know that people who are dia... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Yes: A flash from an explosion could temporarily bleach out the light sensing cells in the retina, causing temporary blindness. If bright enough, however, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Nystagmus: What you describe sounds like a condition called nystagmus. There are multiple types of nystagmus with multiple causes. If you think you are developin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old male asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Allergies?: This time of year, allergies are a big source of eye irritation. In someone young, it's a likely cause. An visit to the ophthalmologist is recommend... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Depends: Most people will notice changes in vision with age. All of us will eventually develop cataracts, which can fortunately be removed. Some will develop a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Depends: There are many causes of red eyes, only some of which are diseases. Likewise, prevention and treatment varies. I recommend you see an ophthalmologist,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Depends: There are many causes of red eyes, only some of which are diseases. Likewise, prevention and treatment varies. I recommend you see an ophthalmologist,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Could you tell me what are some bizarre side effects of the eyedrop medicine, xalatan (latanoprost)?
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Bizarre?: I don't know about bizarre, but medicines like Xalatan (prostaglandin analogues) can cause thickening and lengthening of eyelashes, as well as darkeni... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Depends: Most "pinkeye" or conjunctivitis is actually viral, so antibiotic eye drops are usually not effective. Viral conjunctivitis tends to run it's course i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Depends: There are multiple possibilities. Some forms of migraine headache can present that way; however, i would recommend you be seen by an ophthalmologist t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Could be: Your description could very well be "pink eye, " a.K.A. Viral conjunctivitis. It could also be a bacterial infection or even a contact allergy. I woul... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Allergy?: While you may have had a sensitivity to the mascara, the "stringy goo" you're now having could simply be seasonal allergies. I would recommend seeing... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
See your doctor: A spontaneous bruise now and again is usually nothing to worry about; however, if you're having a lot of spontaneous bruising, you may have a conditio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Unclear question: Not sure what you're asking here. Don't know what you mean by "grade, " and refractive index is a property of all glasses. Please clarify and resubmit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Hard to say: Without more information, it's hard to say. What you describe could be a primary herpetic infection. I would recommend having your child seen by a ped... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Not really: These are what i call "garden variety" floaters. Floaters are condensations within the vitreous gel in the center of the eye. They can be annoying, bu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
See eye doc: Without knowing the specifics of the eye condition, i cannot recommend any intervention; however, if your mother is feeling ill as a result of prescri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
See a doctor: What you describe is likely allergy related, but you should see an ophthalmologist to be sure. There are eye drops that can be used to treat the symp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Could be: Your symptoms do sound consistent with seasonal allergies, which are starting to ramp up this time of year. I would recommend seeing your primary car... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Muscle spasm: What you describe sounds like a common condition called orbicularis oculi myokymia. It's a type of spasm in muscles around the eye. It tends to presen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Warm compresses: A "stye, " a.K.A. Hordeolum, is a plugged oil gland in the eyelid, sort of like a pimple. Most of the time, it can be effectively treated with warm co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Options: If allowed, you can get tinted eye shields for your helmet. Otherwise, you can get tinted sports goggles to wear underneath the helmet.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Heart issue?: What you describe concerns me. Dizziness and blurred vision with exertion combined with cyanosis (blue color) of the extremities could indicate a pote... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Testing: The most common type of "color blindness" is red-green color deficiency. Blue-yellow deficiency or true color blindness (achromatopsia) are rare. Colo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Lots of options: There is no one best option. What you want to use is an artificial tear drop or, if the condition is more severe, gel. The types with "get the red out... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Depends: The most common type of "color blindness" is red-green color deficiency. Blue-yellow deficiency or true color blindness (achromatopsia) are rare. Colo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Wait: Honestly, if you are battling a bad sinus infection, you probably don't need to go exerting yourself in any way, including swimming. I would take it e... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Lens swelling: Elevated blood sugar can result in swelling of the intraocular lens. Typically, this increases the power of the lens, making you more nearsighted. Nor... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Lots of options: There is no one best option. What you want to use is an artificial tear drop or, if the condition is more severe, gel. The types with "get the red out... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Probably keratitis: People who wear contacts are at higher risk of inflammatory and infectious keratitis. Your description sounds typical of patients i've seen with kerat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old male asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Possibly viral: Most "pinkeye" or conjunctivitis is actually viral, so antibiotic eye drops/ointment are usually not effective. Viral conjunctivitis tends to run it's... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Not necessarily: Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, usually in relation to increased eye pressure. Early diagnosis can allow the disease to be controlled, usually ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Warm compresses: A "stye, " a.K.A. Hordeolum, is a plugged oil gland in the eyelid, sort of like a pimple. Most of the time, it can be effectively treated with warm co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Not necessary: It is commonly believed that radiation from a computer monitor can damage the eyes. This is false. You may develop eye strain from prolonged computer ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Give it time: Most "pinkeye" or conjunctivitis is actually viral, so antibiotic eye drops are usually not effective. Viral conjunctivitis tends to run it's course i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Depends: Most "pinkeye" or conjunctivitis is actually viral, so antibiotic eye drops are usually not effective. Viral conjunctivitis tends to run it's course i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Number of factors: Macular degeneration (amd) is primarily an age-related disease (age 50+), but there are genetic and environmental factors that contribute to age of on... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Seek help: Your symptoms could, at the very least, indicate a concussion, but could be even more severe. I would seek medical attention asap.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Depends: The most common type of "color blindness" is red-green color deficiency. Blue-yellow deficiency or true color blindness (achromatopsia) are rare. Colo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Yes: Tension headaches usually affect the muscles in the neck and head. This can sometimes result in a pressure-type pain seemingly in the eye on the affec... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Is it possible that something os wrong with me if in pictures one eye is red and the other is white?
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Possibly: I assume you're talking about the appearance of the pupil (e.g., camera red eye). The difference may just be the angle of your eyes in relation to th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Good health: Good general health is good for eye health. Exercise and eating a balanced diet, perhaps supplementing with a multivitamin, along with uv protection s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
See a doctor: Your symptoms could indicate a number of things, some of which are severe. I would recommend seeing a doctor asap.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Depends: Smaller abrasions can heal within a day or two, but larger abrasions can take up to a week. Once the abrasion heals, the redness should resolve. It'... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
See a doctor: Hard to say what this could be from what you describe, but i would recommend seeing a doctor for a thorough evaluation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
None really: Most "pinkeye" or conjunctivitis is actually viral, so eye drops, including antibiotics, are usually not effective. Viral conjunctivitis tends to run ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Depends: A primary eye tumor is unlikely to metastasize to the spine, but some cancers, such as breast, can metastasis to the spine, as well as the eye. Witho... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Todd Purkissanswered
Ophthalmology 19 years experience
Possibly sinus: Waking with a headache centered on the forehead could indicate a sinus issue. When asleep, you are laying flat, and the sinuses do not drain as well ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
202
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Purkiss is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Purkiss is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I appreciate your attention to this matter, I am worried as I just read neurontin causing pinkeye in some people, 2x now since I've been on
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thank you so much, been in so much pain that the pain meds not working
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I took a cloth and washed it wid. Hot water and put on eye is it right
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY
Graduated 2004MD
Residency
University of Louisville
Awards
Top Ophthalmologist , Second Place, Kentucky - Summer
2013
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
American Society of Retina Specialists
American Academy of Ophthalmology
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