Dr. Diane Cates, OD

Dr. Diane Cates, OD is a licensed Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Jacksonville, FL. As a valued partner in preventive health on weprevent.org, she's dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and 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. Diane Cates, OD is an optometrist in Jacksonville, FL. She is accepting new patients and committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine. She creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Diane OD provides consultations primarily in English. Call (904) 330-0466 to schedule your appointment and begin your proactive health journey.

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

• Autosomal Dominat Congenital Nystagmus: Because autosomal dominant congenital nystagmus is an inherited condition causing involuntary eye movements from birth, proactive eye care and monitoring are vital to mitigating potential vision problems.
• Posterior Capsule Clouding: Protecting your vision after cataract surgery involves regular check-ups to catch posterior capsule clouding early, avoiding more significant vision loss down the line.
• Serous Conjunctivitis: Serous conjunctivitis is an eye infection that, if caught early, can be treated effectively to prevent discomfort and vision problems.
• Retinal Migraine: Experiencing visual disturbances like shimmering or blind spots during a migraine? These could be signs of retinal migraine, highlighting the importance of proactive eye health management.
• Myopia, Infantile Severe: Managing infantile severe myopia effectively involves regular checkups and potentially specialized treatments to slow its progression, safeguarding your child's eyesight into adulthood.
• Neonatal Conjunctivitis: Early detection and prompt treatment of neonatal conjunctivitis are crucial to prevent serious complications like vision impairment, emphasizing the importance of routine newborn eye exams.
• Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: Managing health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes is crucial to preventing ischemic optic neuropathy, a serious condition affecting blood flow to your optic nerve and potentially causing 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. Diane OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Orthokeratology: Orthokeratology is a safe and effective method to improve vision without surgery by reshaping your cornea, potentially offering a healthier alternative to constant glasses or contact lens wear.
• Phakic Refractive Lens Implantation (Co-management): Enhance your quality of life with clearer vision; our co-management of phakic IOL implantation offers a safe and effective way to address refractive errors.
• Eye Examination: Protect your sight by scheduling an eye examination – it's a simple yet powerful way to screen for glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye conditions.
• Mechanical Circulatory Support System: Take a proactive step towards lifelong clear vision with regular eye exams, which can identify and address vision problems before they worsen.
• Electrophysiological Study: Take a proactive step towards protecting your sight: an electrophysiological study helps identify subtle eye problems before they impact your vision.
• Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK) (Co-management): To enhance the success of your ALK procedure and prevent potential complications, co-management offers comprehensive monitoring and support from your eye care professional.
• Pharmacologic Stress Testing: To prevent vision problems later, pharmacologic stress testing is a valuable tool used by your optometrist to check how your eyes react to certain medications and pinpoint potential risks.

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. Diane 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 understanding the inherited nature of their condition and adhering to a proactive eye care plan, a family felt empowered to manage potential vision challenges associated with autosomal dominant congenital nystagmus and maintain a positive outlook for the future.
• By attending regular eye exams after cataract surgery, a patient proactively managed their vision health, reducing the risk of posterior capsule clouding and maintaining clear vision. This proactive approach ensured a comfortable and confident future for the patient.

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. Diane OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Diane OD, is a primary eye care provider. They perform comprehensive eye exams, prescribe glasses and contacts, and diagnose and manage many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors and eye surgeons.

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 for most adults, even if your vision is good. These exams aren't just about checking your eyesight; they're about detecting silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, before any symptoms appear. Early detection allows for timely intervention and helps maintain healthy vision.

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

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam can detect other health problems. The eye is the only place where blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, and a dilated exam can reveal early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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.

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. Diane OD focuses on maximizing remaining vision through tools like magnifiers, special lighting, and adaptive devices to help 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. Diane OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts for you.

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

Dry eye is very common. Dr. Diane 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 is an OCT scan?

An OCT scan is an advanced imaging technology, similar to an ultrasound, that uses light to create incredibly detailed, cross-sectional pictures of your retina and optic nerve. Dr. Diane OD uses this technology to detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration with precision.

2036 Forbes St
Jacksonville FL 32204
Phone: (904) 330-0466

Dr. Diane Cates, 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): 1154416246

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. Diane 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.