Dr. Ericka Lopez, OD

Dr. Ericka Lopez, OD is a licensed Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Melbourne, 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. Ericka OD is committed to providing the highest quality of care, emphasizing early disease detection and personalized health plans. 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. Ericka OD serves all ages, from infants to seniors, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. She is deeply committed to evidence-based medicine, and her approach to care prioritizes empowering patients to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Ericka Lopez, OD is an optometrist in Melbourne, FL, dedicated to optimizing vision and overall well-being. Please call (321) 701-6072 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Ericka OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Brown Syndrome: Preventing vision impairment from Brown syndrome starts with regular comprehensive eye exams, allowing for early diagnosis and management of this uncommon eye muscle condition.
• Iris Hypoplasia - Glaucoma: Protecting your eyesight requires understanding that conditions like iris hypoplasia can raise your chances of developing glaucoma; proactive eye check-ups are key to prevention.
• Foreign Body in Eye: A foreign object in your eye, if left untreated, can lead to serious infections or vision impairment, highlighting the importance of prompt medical attention for preventive eye care.
• Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Acanthamoeba keratitis is a devastating eye infection; proactive measures like proper contact lens use and avoiding contaminated water are essential for prevention.
• Macular Dystrophy, Atypical Vitelliform: While there's no cure for atypical vitelliform macular dystrophy, regular eye exams can help detect changes early, allowing for timely management to minimize further vision problems.
• Myopia, Infantile Severe: Infantile severe myopia, a condition characterized by extreme nearsightedness in young children, highlights the importance of proactive eye care to minimize the risk of future vision complications.
• Visual Field Defects: Protecting your sight involves being aware of visual field defects, which can indicate underlying health issues; early detection through routine eye exams allows for timely intervention and reduces the risk of permanent damage.

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

• Dacryocystorhinostomy (Co-management): A dacryocystorhinostomy can be a beneficial step in resolving persistent tearing or watery eyes, improving your overall eye health.
• Corrective Lens Services: Corrective lenses are a crucial part of preventative eye care, helping us to detect potential underlying eye conditions early.
• Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lens Treatment: Take proactive steps towards lifelong eye health with rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses, a treatment option that may improve vision clarity and reduce the risk of certain eye conditions.
• Eye Movement Recording: Early detection is key to preserving your sight! Eye movement recording helps identify potential eye muscle imbalances and neurological conditions affecting eye movement.
• Eyeglass Fitting: Eyeglass fitting is a crucial step in managing your vision, allowing for early detection of changes needing further examination.
• Glaucoma Surgery (Co-management): Empowering better vision: By co-managing your glaucoma surgery, you ensure a smooth treatment journey, improving the chances of a positive outcome and preserving your vision for years to come.
• Diagnostic Angiography: This advanced imaging technique helps your ophthalmologist assess the health of the blood vessels in your eyes, enabling early identification and treatment of potentially blinding conditions, protecting your vision for years to come.

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. Ericka 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 regular eye exams, a patient proactively monitored their eye health, ensuring early detection and management of potential Brown Syndrome, reducing the risk of vision impairment. This proactive approach provided the patient with peace of mind and confidence in their eye health future.
• By scheduling routine eye exams, a patient proactively managed the potential for glaucoma development, ensuring continued clear vision and peace of mind.

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. Ericka 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. Ophthalmologists (MDs) are medical doctors who are also eye surgeons.

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

Even if you see well, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial for early detection of silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. These exams are about more than just your vision; they help protect your sight by identifying potential problems before they cause noticeable symptoms.

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 for the early detection of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

I have something in my eye. Should I come here first?

Yes, absolutely. For issues like eye infections, corneal scratches, or foreign bodies, 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.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Ericka OD recommends a comprehensive eye exam for children between 6 and 12 months old. This early exam is essential for detecting potential vision problems like lazy eye or misaligned eyes, which can impact a child's vision development.

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. Ericka OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts for you.

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

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

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. Ericka OD focuses on maximizing remaining vision through tools like magnifiers, special lighting, and adaptive devices to help patients maintain independence.

4100 N Wickham Rd Ste 120
Melbourne FL 32935
Phone: (321) 701-6072

Dr. Ericka Lopez, 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): 1043920499

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. Ericka 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.