Dr. Amalfi Blanco, OD

Dr. Amalfi Blanco, OD is an Optometrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Optometric care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Miami, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your optometrist is your primary partner in lifelong eye health, providing preventive care, vision correction, early disease detection, personalized health plans, and coordinating screenings to ensure your best possible vision and overall wellness. She serves all ages, from infants to seniors.

Dr. Amalfi OD is an optometrist in Miami, FL, currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. She earned her medical degree from Nova Southeastern College Of Optometry and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Amalfi OD offers consultations in Spanish. Call (305) 264-6991 to schedule your appointment.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Amalfi OD is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Amalfi OD can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Amalfi OD provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Best's Disease: Best's disease, a genetic disorder affecting the retina, emphasizes the importance of family history review during eye examinations for proactive management and minimizing long-term complications.
• Midline Field Defects: Don't wait for vision changes to worsen: midline field defects, which affect the central area of your vision, can be managed with proactive eye exams and early treatment to prevent irreversible vision loss.
• Herpetic Keratitis: Regular comprehensive eye exams are key to catching herpetic keratitis early, enabling quicker treatment and a higher chance of preserving your vision.
• Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis: Protecting your eyes from giant papillary conjunctivitis involves proper contact lens hygiene and regular checkups to catch it early and avoid potential vision-threatening complications.
• Cone Dystrophy: Because cone dystrophy is a hereditary condition that worsens over time, preventative care through consistent eye examinations is crucial for early identification and potential interventions to improve quality of life.
• Vitreous Hemorrhage: Vitreous hemorrhage, bleeding in the back of your eye, is often treatable if caught early through regular eye check-ups.
• Peripheral Uveitis: Don't underestimate the importance of routine eye checkups; they're essential for detecting peripheral uveitis and preventing irreversible damage.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Amalfi OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Glaucoma Treatment: Early intervention is crucial for glaucoma; treatment helps slow or halt vision loss and maintain your quality of life.
• Maze Procedure: Taking charge of your eye health involves regular check-ups to screen for conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration, allowing for timely treatment.
• Strabismus Examination: Protecting your child's vision starts with a strabismus exam, which screens for eye misalignment to ensure healthy eye development and avoid potential vision impairment.
• Dry Macular Degeneration Management: Invest in your vision health by actively participating in dry macular degeneration management, which can help preserve your ability to see clearly and enjoy life to the fullest.
• Peripheral Angiograms: A peripheral angiogram is a specialized test that helps your eye doctor visualize the blood vessels in your eyes, enabling early detection of conditions like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
• Soft Contact Lenses: Soft contact lenses can be a part of managing certain eye conditions, allowing for clearer vision and contributing to the early detection of potential problems.
• Relaxing Corneal Incisions (Co-management): Co-managing relaxing corneal incisions allows for close monitoring and early detection of any potential complications, helping to preserve your sight.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Optometry Services in Florida.

Dr. Amalfi OD is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• A family was relieved to learn that regular eye exams, including a thorough review of family history, allowed for early detection of Best's disease risk factors, empowering them to proactively manage their health and minimize potential long-term complications.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively identified potential issues with their midline vision, allowing for timely intervention and preserving their central vision. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and empowered them to maintain their visual acuity.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Optometric care with Dr. Amalfi OD:

What is an Optometrist, and how are they different from an Ophthalmologist?

An optometrist, like Dr. Amalfi OD, is a primary eye care provider who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes eyeglasses and contact lenses, and diagnoses and manages many eye conditions. An ophthalmologist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor who specializes in eye surgery.

How often should I get a comprehensive eye exam, even if I see well?

Even if you have good vision, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial. These exams are vital for detecting silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, often before any symptoms appear. Dr. Amalfi OD and our team are dedicated to providing preventive care to ensure your eye health.

Can an eye exam detect other health problems in my body?

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam can detect early signs of systemic diseases. The eye is the only place where blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing our doctors to identify potential issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Amalfi OD recommends a comprehensive eye exam for children between 6 and 12 months of age. This early exam is essential to identify potential vision problems like lazy eye or misaligned eyes, ensuring proper vision development.

What is glaucoma and why is it called the 'silent thief of sight'?

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, often due to high pressure inside the eye. It's called the "silent thief" because it typically has no symptoms in its early stages, causing irreversible peripheral vision loss. Regular eye exams are the only way to detect glaucoma early and prevent blindness.

I have diabetes. Why do I need a special dilated eye exam every year?

Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, a condition called diabetic retinopathy. This is a leading cause of blindness, but often has no symptoms in its early stages. An annual dilated eye exam allows Dr. Amalfi OD to detect changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

My eyes often feel dry and gritty. What can I do?

Dry eye is a very common condition. Dr. Amalfi OD can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend a personalized treatment plan, which may include prescription eye drops or in-office procedures, to improve your comfort and prevent damage, beyond just artificial tears.

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults, affecting the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. There are "dry" and "wet" forms of AMD. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management to help preserve vision.

920 SW 67th Ave
Miami FL 33144
Phone: (305) 264-6991

Dr. Amalfi Blanco, OD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1710171095

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Optometry Services like Dr. Amalfi OD are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your optometry about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.