Dr. Christen Russell, OD

Dr. Christen Russell, OD is a dedicated Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Jacksonville, FL, and committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Optometric care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a valued partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org. 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. Christen OD understands the importance of collaborative, evidence-based medicine in achieving optimal patient outcomes. She fosters a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is dedicated to providing exceptional care, ensuring that each visit is informative and empowering. As an optometrist in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Christen Russell, OD is committed to helping you maintain excellent vision and overall well-being. Please call (904) 398-2720 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Christen OD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Christen 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. Christen 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. Christen 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:

• Macular Degeneration, Polymorphic: Polymorphic macular degeneration is a type of age-related macular degeneration that affects central vision, and regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management to prevent vision loss.
• Posterior Uveitis: Protecting your vision involves regular eye exams to detect posterior uveitis early, as prompt treatment helps minimize lasting eye damage.
• Internuclear Opthalmoplegia: Prevent vision complications associated with internuclear ophthalmoplegia by prioritizing regular comprehensive eye examinations. Early diagnosis is key to successful management of this eye movement disorder.
• Retinal Tear: A retinal tear, a tear in the back of your eye, can be a precursor to more serious conditions such as retinal detachment, emphasizing the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment to protect your eyesight.
• Retinoblastoma: Protecting your child's sight involves proactive eye health; retinoblastoma, a childhood eye cancer, is treatable if identified early.
• Retinal Artery Occlusion: Managing underlying health conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol can help prevent retinal artery occlusion, a condition causing reduced blood flow to the retina, emphasizing the importance of proactive healthcare.
• Optic Nerve Disorder: Protecting your optic nerve through regular eye exams is crucial for early detection of disorders that can lead to vision loss or blindness.

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. Christen OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Color Vision Testing: Take a proactive step towards better eye health with a color vision test – it's a quick and easy way to detect potential issues that may need correction or further evaluation.
• Argon Laser Treatment (Co-management/some states): Argon laser treatment, sometimes managed in collaboration with other specialists, helps prevent vision loss by precisely targeting and treating specific eye conditions.
• Optomap® Retinal Exam: An Optomap® retinal exam is a simple yet powerful tool for proactive eye care, helping your eye doctor screen for various conditions and recommend treatment if needed, preserving your vision for years to come.
• Device Implantation and Extraction: For optimal eye health, proactive measures like device implantation and extraction can significantly improve vision quality and aid in early diagnosis of diseases.
• Optical Coherence Tomography: An OCT scan is a non-invasive test that provides your eye doctor with high-resolution images of your retina and optic nerve, enabling early detection of serious eye conditions and preventing vision loss.
• Eye Exams for Glasses: Schedule regular eye exams to ensure your glasses prescription is accurate and up-to-date, helping you maintain clear vision and prevent eye strain.
• Contact Lens Exams: Take a proactive step towards healthy eyes with contact lens exams – they assess your vision and eye health while wearing contacts.

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. Christen 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:

• By adhering to a proactive eye exam schedule, a patient successfully reduced their risk of vision loss from polymorphic macular degeneration, allowing them to confidently enjoy their hobbies and activities.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively identified and managed potential posterior uveitis risk factors, ensuring their vision remained healthy and protected. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and allowed them to confidently plan for the future.

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. Christen OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Christen OD, is a primary eye care provider who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes glasses and contacts, and manages many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who can also perform 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 for early detection of silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. These exams go beyond simple vision testing, helping to identify potential problems before they cause noticeable symptoms.

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 spot potential problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases during a dilated eye exam.

What is 'low vision' and how can you help?

Low vision is vision impairment that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. A low vision evaluation with Dr. Christen OD focuses on maximizing remaining vision through tools like magnifiers, special lighting, and other adaptive devices to help maintain independence.

I have something in my eye. Should I come here first?

Yes, absolutely. For issues like eye infections, corneal scratches, or foreign objects, an optometrist is the ideal first point of contact. We are equipped to diagnose and treat these urgent issues, often preventing a long and costly visit to the emergency room.

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

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

What are the signs of a cataract?

Common signs of cataracts include blurry or dim vision, increased glare from lights, fading or yellowing of colors, and frequent changes in glasses prescription. Dr. Christen OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts.

What is an OCT scan?

An OCT scan is an advanced imaging technology, similar to ultrasound but using light, to create incredibly detailed cross-sectional pictures of your retina and optic nerve. This allows Dr. Christen to detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration with exceptional precision.

7051 Southpoint Pkwy S Ste 300
Jacksonville FL 32216
Phone: (904) 398-2720

Dr. Christen Russell, 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): 1538391032

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. Christen 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.