Dr. Cortez Lewis, OD

Dr. Cortez Lewis, OD is a board-certified optometrist practicing at his clinic in Melbourne, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, Dr. Cortez OD is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Optometric care. 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. He serves all ages, from infants to seniors, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (321) 220-0394 to schedule. Dr. Cortez OD, a graduate of Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in 2017, earned his medical degree from the same institution. His practice's mission is to serve the community through preventative eye care, prioritizing children's vision as key to future well-being. Their vision is to reshape the eye care experience for all ages, fostering a positive and preferred approach to eye health. Dr. Cortez OD offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Acanthamoeba keratitis is a serious eye infection caused by a microscopic amoeba, often preventable by practicing good contact lens hygiene and avoiding contaminated water.
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Catching bacterial conjunctivitis early is crucial; prompt treatment with antibiotics can shorten the duration of the infection and minimize the risk of spreading it to others.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: Managing your diabetes effectively is key to preventing or slowing the progression of diabetic retinopathy, a potentially blinding complication.
• Foreign Body in Eye: Protecting your eyes from foreign bodies is crucial preventive care; immediate removal prevents potential scratches, infections, and lasting vision problems.
• Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis: Prevent complications from giant papillary conjunctivitis by being aware of its symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, and seeking prompt treatment from an eye care professional.
• Herpetic Keratitis: Regular comprehensive eye exams are key to catching herpetic keratitis early, enabling quicker treatment and a higher chance of preserving your vision.
• Heterochromia Iridis: Heterochromia iridis, or two differently colored irises, is usually harmless but sometimes indicates an underlying condition, highlighting the importance of regular eye exams for early detection.

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

• Contact Lens Exams: Contact lens exams are crucial for maintaining clear vision and preventing damage to your eyes from improper lens fit or wear.
• Contact Lens Fitting Services: Take a proactive step towards clear vision and healthy eyes with a professional contact lens fitting, ensuring the right lenses for your lifestyle and vision needs.
• Diabetes Eye Care: Early detection is key: diabetic eye exams screen for eye diseases linked to diabetes, enabling prompt treatment and preserving your vision.
• Diabetic Eye Exam: Don't wait for vision problems to appear; schedule a diabetic eye exam to catch and treat potential eye complications associated with diabetes early, preserving your sight for years to come.
• Eye Examination: An eye exam is more than just checking your vision; it's a vital health assessment that can detect underlying medical issues impacting your eyes.
• Eyeglasses: Getting the right eyeglasses ensures clear vision, reducing the risk of accidents and improving your quality of life by enabling better participation in work and leisure activities.
• Foreign Body Removal from Eye: Protecting your vision starts with swift removal of any foreign objects in your eye, preventing potential scratches, infections, or lasting damage.
• Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination: A pediatric eye exam proactively checks your child's vision development, ensuring early detection of potential problems and preventing future vision impairment.
• Soft Contact Lenses: By opting for soft contact lenses and attending regular eye exams, you proactively take steps to safeguard your vision and detect any emerging eye health concerns.
• Vision Screening: Protecting your vision starts with a vision screening. This simple test can identify refractive errors, eye diseases, and other conditions that may require treatment.

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. Cortez 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 following the optometrist's guidance on meticulous contact lens hygiene, a patient avoided the threat of Acanthamoeba Keratitis and maintained clear vision, gaining peace of mind about their eye health.
• A family proactively addressed potential bacterial conjunctivitis concerns with regular eye exams, learning how to quickly identify and treat early signs, minimizing the risk of infection and spreading. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and allowed them to confidently enjoy their daily activities.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He 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. Cortez OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Cortez OD, is a primary eye care provider who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes eyewear, and manages many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors specializing in eye surgery.

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

A comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial, even if you see well. These exams aren't just about your vision; they're vital for detecting silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, often before symptoms appear.

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 problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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. Cortez OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts to help you see clearly again.

What is the role of an optometrist in managing cataract surgery?

Dr. Cortez OD will diagnose your cataract, determine the need for surgery, and refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist. Then, Dr. Cortez will provide all essential post-operative care and vision correction follow-up.

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 noticeable symptoms in its early stages, causing irreversible peripheral vision loss. Regular eye exams are the only way to detect glaucoma early and prevent vision loss.

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

Dry eye is a very common condition. Dr. Cortez can diagnose the underlying 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.

Is it safe to buy contact lenses online without an exam?

It is unsafe and illegal to purchase contact lenses online without a comprehensive eye exam. Contact lenses are medical devices that sit directly on your eye, and a proper fitting and annual exam with Dr. Cortez OD is essential to ensure a safe and correct fit, preventing potential eye damage and serious infections.

1573 S Wickham Rd
Melbourne FL 32904
Phone: (321) 220-0394

Dr. Cortez Lewis, 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): 1164950820

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. Cortez 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.