Dr. Cynthia Hardy, OD

Dr. Cynthia Hardy, OD is a Board-Certified Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Fort Lauderdale, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is dedicated 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), Dr. Cynthia OD is committed to ensuring the best possible vision and overall wellness for all her patients. 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.

Dr. Cynthia Hardy, OD serves all ages, from infants to seniors, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment in her care. She is deeply committed to evidence-based medicine and creating a space where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Cynthia OD is an optometrist in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and is Board Certified in Optometry by the American Board of Optometry. To confirm if she is currently accepting new patients, please call (954) 771-9120. She offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Midline Field Defects: Protecting your sight starts with knowing your risks: midline field defects can signal serious eye diseases; routine eye checkups help spot these defects early, enabling timely intervention and preserving your vision.
• Congenital Nystagmus: Congenital nystagmus is an involuntary eye movement present from birth, and early detection by an eye doctor helps manage its impact on vision development.
• Meibomitis: Preventing serious vision complications starts with managing meibomitis, an eyelid inflammation that disrupts tear production. Early diagnosis and treatment can help maintain healthy eyes and vision.
• Optic Atrophy - Ophthalmoplegia - Ptosis - Deafness - Myopathy: Protecting your vision involves proactive eye health checks. These can help detect optic atrophy and associated issues like myopathy (muscle weakness) early, potentially minimizing long-term effects.
• Endophthalmitis: Protecting your eyes from infection starts with preventive care; endophthalmitis, a severe infection inside the eye, emphasizes the need for routine eye exams and prompt treatment of any eye injury.
• Corneal Diseases: Maintaining good eye hygiene and scheduling regular checkups are key preventive measures to identify and manage corneal diseases before they worsen.
• Cataract: Managing your risk for cataracts involves understanding your family history and making healthy lifestyle choices, complemented by regular eye exams for early detection and treatment.

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

• Vitrectomy (Co-management): Co-managing your vitrectomy helps ensure your eye heals properly and prevents complications after surgery.
• Interpretation of Pharmacologic Stress Tests: Taking proactive steps towards better vision, this test helps your eye doctor assess your eye health and identify potential problems early on.
• Ptosis (Eyelids) Surgery (Co-management): Take control of your eye health by co-managing your ptosis surgery with us, allowing for early detection and treatment of any complications.
• Diabetes Eye Care: Take proactive steps to safeguard your eyesight – diabetic eye care helps identify and treat potential eye complications from diabetes.
• Argon Laser Treatment (Co-management/some states): Protecting your sight starts with proactive care: argon laser treatment is a valuable tool in the early detection and management of certain eye diseases, often used in conjunction with your ophthalmologist.
• Peripheral Angiograms: Take a proactive step towards preserving your eyesight with a peripheral angiogram—a valuable tool for detecting subtle changes in the blood vessels of your eyes, allowing for prompt management of potential vision-threatening conditions.
• Astigmatic Keratotomy (Co-management): Astigmatic keratotomy co-management helps ensure your vision correction surgery is successful and your eyes heal properly, preventing potential complications.

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. Cynthia 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 scheduling routine eye exams, a patient identified potential risks for midline field defects early, allowing for prompt intervention and preserving their vision. This proactive approach provided the family with peace of mind and confidence in their eye health management.
• A family was relieved to learn that early detection of congenital nystagmus, through regular eye exams, allowed for proactive management strategies, minimizing its impact on their child's vision development. This early intervention provided peace of mind and empowered the family to focus on supporting their child's visual health.

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. Cynthia OD:

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

An optometrist (OD) is a primary eye care provider who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and diagnoses and manages many eye diseases. An ophthalmologist (MD) is a medical doctor who is also an eye surgeon.

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

Dr. Cynthia OD recommends a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, even if you see well. These exams are crucial for detecting silent vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, often before symptoms appear. Early detection allows for timely intervention and preserves your vision.

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 unique in that blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing for the potential identification of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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. Cynthia OD focuses on maximizing your remaining vision through tools like magnifiers, special lighting, and other adaptive devices to help you maintain independence.

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. Cynthia OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts for you.

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

Dry eye is a very common condition. Dr. Cynthia 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.

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.

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. Cynthia OD is essential to ensure a safe and correct fit to prevent serious eye infections and vision loss.

2419 E Commercial Blvd Ste 100
Fort Lauderdale FL 33308
Phone: (954) 771-9120

Dr. Cynthia Hardy, 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): 1184611337

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. Cynthia 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.