Dr. Dakota Lewis, OD

Dr. Dakota Lewis, OD is a Board-certified Optometrist practicing at his clinic in Bradenton, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, Dr. Dakota OD understands that 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, recognizing the importance of eye health at every stage of life.

Dr. Dakota Lewis, OD's approach to care emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based medicine. He creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He is committed to providing personalized care plans, tailored to each patient's unique needs and vision goals. Dr. Dakota OD is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (941) 753-2323 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Dakota OD is an optometrist in Bradenton, FL. He is accepting new patients and offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Nevus of Ota: Early detection of Nevus of Ota during comprehensive eye exams can help manage any related risks and ensure healthy vision.
• Macular Degeneration, Polymorphic: Early diagnosis of polymorphic macular degeneration is key to slowing its progression and preserving your vision. Regular comprehensive eye exams are your best defense against this potentially blinding condition.
• Hypertensive Retinopathy: Protecting your vision involves managing high blood pressure, as it can cause hypertensive retinopathy, a condition easily detected and managed with regular eye exams.
• Scleritis: Regular comprehensive eye exams are vital for early detection of scleritis, an eye condition causing severe inflammation that can lead to vision impairment if left untreated.
• Marcus-Gunn Pupillary Sign: Regular eye exams help detect the Marcus-Gunn pupil sign, a subtle indicator of neurological issues that could affect your vision, emphasizing proactive eye health for preventing potential complications.
• Retinal Detachment: Early diagnosis of retinal detachment through preventative eye care significantly improves treatment outcomes and the chances of preserving your sight, emphasizing the value of proactive health measures.
• Demodex Blepharitis: Demodex blepharitis, a condition involving eyelid mites, can be effectively managed with early intervention and proper treatment, reducing the risk of long-term eye health issues.

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

• Eye Print Prosthetic Contact Lens Treatment: Enhance your vision and prevent future complications by utilizing an eye print prosthetic contact lens, a method that enables precise evaluation and customized care.
• Orbit Evisceration (Co-management): To ensure optimal healing and minimize risks after an orbit evisceration procedure, co-management coordinates specialist care to detect and address any complications quickly and effectively.
• Lucentis® Injection (Co-management): Take a proactive step towards maintaining healthy vision by considering Lucentis® injections under the care of your eye doctor. This helps manage certain eye diseases.
• Ultrasound, Eye: Don't wait for symptoms; an eye ultrasound can detect issues like retinal tears or swelling even before you notice any vision changes, preventing severe complications.
• Electrophysiology: Ensure your eyes' electrical signals are healthy with electrophysiology; this test is crucial for early detection of conditions impacting your vision, allowing for timely intervention.
• Punctal Plug Removal: Removing punctal plugs is a proactive step in managing dry eye disease, a common condition that can lead to serious eye problems if left untreated.
• Conjunctivoplasty (Co-management): Protecting your eye health after surgery is key; conjunctivoplasty co-management helps ensure proper healing and reduces the risk of 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. Dakota 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 comprehensive eye exams, a patient proactively identified potential Nevus of Ota concerns, enabling them to discuss preventative strategies with their eye care provider and maintain healthy vision. Early detection allowed the patient to feel more confident about their overall well-being.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively monitored their eye health, reducing the risk of vision loss from polymorphic macular degeneration and gaining peace of mind about their future vision.

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. Dakota OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Dakota OD, is a primary eye care provider who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and diagnoses and manages many eye conditions. An ophthalmologist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor who can also perform 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 are not just about your vision; they help detect silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, when treatment is most effective.

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

What are the signs of a cataract?

Common signs of a cataract include blurry or dim vision, increased glare from lights, fading or yellowing of colors, and frequent changes in glasses prescription. Dr. Dakota OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts to ensure your eye health.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

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

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

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

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

Dr. Dakota OD will diagnose your cataracts, determine if surgery is necessary, and refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist. Following surgery, Dr. Dakota OD will provide essential post-operative care and vision correction follow-up.

4907 14th St W
Bradenton FL 34207
Phone: (941) 753-2323

Dr. Dakota 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): 1124597307

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. Dakota 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.