They’re Back!

East Tennessee Binocular Vision Center Opens New Location

By Jamie Schnell

schnellj@knoxfocus.com

The East Tennessee Binocular Vision Center father-son duo is excited to return to Callahan Drive in Knoxville. The new office, located at 715 Callahan Drive in Powell, opened in March of this year and the original office will continue to serve clients at 9051 Executive Park Drive, Suite 401.
ETBVC is a family-owned optometry practice specializing in binocular vision therapy and vision rehabilitation, especially for pediatric patients. Dr. M. W. Rhyne Jr., a native of the area, has been practicing for over 50 years. From the late 1970s to 2016, the senior optometrist worked out of Rhyne and Patton on Callahan before leaving to open the Executive Park Drive location.
“God has gotten me through those 50 years,” M. W. told The Focus.
M. W.’s son, Dr. Seth Rhyne officially joined the team in May. Seth earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. While assisting in the Executive Park office, he developed a passion for optometry and “fell in love with” the practice. This inspired him to pursue a Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Pikeville in Kentucky.
Seth grew up in the Powell community and shared that serving his hometown is deeply meaningful to him, stating, “I feel much more at home.”
Seth works in both offices and will eventually transition to spending most of his time at the new office. After initially working in temporary facilities while construction was ongoing from January until March, he feels proud of the completed office, stating, “God has the final say.”
M. W. added, “They’re back!”
In his free time, M. W. enjoys farming and often has homemade jelly, canned peaches and green beans and fresh eggs available for purchase in his office. He recalled the early years of his practice when he would sell his items at the farmer’s market to help sustain the business. He may have been resourceful but he also acknowledged that he had a little help: “It’s not me who does it, it’s God who does it.”
M. W. pointed out a handmade quilt displayed in his office and spoke lovingly of his wife, Susan, with whom he has been married for 35 years.
Seth lives on the Heiskell family farm with his wife, Caitlin, who is also an employee of the practice. He enjoys tabletop games, playing guitar, and spending time with his wife and horses.
ETBVC has received many returning patients and is expanding its clientele by offering Zoom consultations. The center specializes in myopia treatment, developmental vision, traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, and ocular therapy.
ETBVC combines a rich history with state-of-the-art testing equipment, including wide-field retina imaging and a therapy room at their new location. This advanced setup allows them to screen for eye diseases and monitor existing conditions, even in pediatric patients as young as a few weeks old.
Seth emphasizes, “What makes us different is our focus on developmental vision and vision rehabilitation.”
For more information about the services offered or to schedule an appointment, please call (865)437-3166. No referral is necessary.