Dr. Eric Heaps, OD

Dr. Eric Heaps, OD is an Optometrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive eye care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, he practices at Dr. Lisa Amato & Associates in Riverview, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine. He practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), focusing on the crucial role your optometrist plays in lifelong eye health. 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.

Dr. Heaps is accepting new patients ages 3 and up, providing comprehensive care, including contact lens fittings (astigmatism, multifocal, RGP lenses) diabetic exams, LASIK/cataract co-management. He earned his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University-Doctor Of Optometry in 2013 and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, running, and spending time with his wife, two sons, two dogs, and a cat. Dr. Eric OD offers consultations in Spanish. Call (813) 620-4721 to schedule an appointment.

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

• Dry Eyes: Preventing dry eye disease through proactive hydration and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce discomfort and long-term eye health complications.
• Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): Protecting your premature baby's sight starts with understanding ROP; early screening helps doctors identify and treat this condition before it causes irreversible damage.
• Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: Protecting your sight from the damaging effects of primary open-angle glaucoma starts with regular eye exams to catch it early and begin treatment to slow its progression.
• Microcornea - Cataract - Coloboma Syndrome: Regular eye exams are vital for preventing serious vision problems from conditions such as microcornea-cataract-coloboma syndrome, as early intervention significantly impacts the management of its progression and complications.
• Macular Corneal Dystrophy, Type I: Regular comprehensive eye exams are vital for early detection of macular corneal dystrophy type I, a genetic eye disorder, allowing for timely intervention and reducing the risk of severe vision impairment.
• Corneal Diseases: Protecting your cornea through regular eye exams helps detect corneal diseases early, preventing vision loss and discomfort.
• Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment Epitheliopathy: Don't underestimate the power of preventative eye care: routine eye exams can detect conditions like APMPPE early on, allowing for timely intervention and preventing more severe vision 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. Eric OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Tear Duct Probing: Early detection of tear duct issues is crucial for preventing infections and vision complications; tear duct probing is a key diagnostic tool.
• Removal of Foreign Body from External Eye: Foreign body removal prevents further damage and complications, ensuring your eyes stay healthy and comfortable.
• Eye Injection (Prescribing/Co-management in some states): Take charge of your eye health: sometimes, an injection is used to diagnose, treat, or monitor eye problems, leading to better long-term vision.
• Eye Print Prosthetic Contact Lens Treatment: Take a proactive step towards protecting your vision with an eye print prosthetic contact lens, a specialized treatment that helps assess and manage various eye conditions.
• Scleral Contact Lens Treatment: Take proactive steps to improve your vision and comfort by exploring scleral lenses, a specialized option for addressing irregular corneas or dry eye disease.
• Doppler Test: A Doppler test helps your eye doctor assess blood flow in your eyes, contributing to the early detection of glaucoma and other circulatory eye diseases.
• Electrophysiological Study: Proactively monitor your eye health with an electrophysiological study; it helps your doctor identify conditions like retinitis pigmentosa or other vision-related problems early on.

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. Eric 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 incorporating eye-friendly habits and proactive hydration into their daily routine, a patient significantly reduced dry eye symptoms and improved their overall comfort level. This proactive approach allowed them to confidently engage in their favorite activities without discomfort.
• By scheduling regular eye screenings, a family ensured their premature baby received prompt care for potential ROP, allowing them to focus on their child's overall well-being and future vision health.

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. Eric 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 contacts, and manages many eye conditions. They differ from Ophthalmologists (MDs), who 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 you see well. These exams look beyond your vision, detecting silent diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy that can threaten your sight. Early detection is key to preventing vision loss.

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, allowing our doctors to spot early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases during a dilated eye exam.

I have diabetes. Why do I need a special dilated eye exam every year?

Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, a condition called diabetic retinopathy. This is a leading cause of blindness, but often has no symptoms initially. An annual dilated eye exam allows Dr. Eric OD to detect any changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

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. Eric OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts for you.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Eric OD recommends a comprehensive eye exam for children between 6 and 12 months of age. This early exam is vital for detecting potential vision problems such as lazy eye or misaligned eyes, ensuring proper vision development.

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, leading to irreversible peripheral vision loss. Regular eye exams are the only way to detect glaucoma early and prevent vision loss.

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

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

Dr. Lisa Amato & Associates
10150 Bloomingdale Ave
Riverview FL 33578
Phone: (813) 620-4721

Dr. Eric Heaps, 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): 1154751782

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. Eric 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.