Dr. Heather Sorensen, OD

Dr. Heather Sorensen, OD is a board-certified Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Palm Bay, Florida. As a valued partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her dedication is to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care, understanding 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. She serves all ages, from infants to seniors, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey.

Dr. Heather OD 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. Recognizing the importance of comprehensive eye care, she focuses on preventing potential vision problems and promoting overall well-being. Her practice prioritizes preventive care, ensuring patients receive the best possible vision and overall wellness. Dr. Heather Sorensen, OD is an optometrist in Palm Bay, FL. She is accepting new patients. Please call (321) 724-2020 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Heather OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a common vision problem that causes blurry vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea, and early detection through regular eye exams can help ensure you receive the appropriate correction to prevent eye strain and headaches.
• Retrobulbar Neuritis: Retrobulbar neuritis, an inflammation behind the eye, emphasizes the need for proactive eye health management. Regular eye exams help detect this condition early, enabling timely intervention to minimize vision impairment.
• Retinal Scarring: Regular eye exams are vital for detecting retinal scarring early, which can help your eye doctor develop a treatment plan to minimize its impact on your vision.
• Dry Eyes: Managing dry eyes effectively minimizes irritation and protects your eyes from potential infections and vision impairment associated with chronic dryness.
• Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Age-related macular degeneration's dry form affects central vision; proactive eye exams are crucial for detecting it early, allowing for prompt interventions to reduce vision loss and improve your quality of life.
• Retinal Artery Occlusion: Protecting your vision involves understanding the risks of retinal artery occlusion, a condition that cuts off blood supply to the retina, and managing those risks with regular eye checkups.
• Midline Field Defects: Early detection of midline field defects is vital; these vision problems often indicate a more serious underlying health issue, and prompt treatment can significantly reduce the chance of permanent vision 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. Heather OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Device Implantation and Extraction: Regular eye care includes evaluating the need for device implantation and extraction, minimizing risks and maximizing the benefits of vision correction.
• Eye Exams for Glasses: Invest in your eye health with comprehensive eye exams for glasses, which can reveal underlying conditions affecting your vision and overall well-being.
• 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.
• Tear Duct Probing: Tear duct probing is a minimally invasive procedure used to detect and clear blockages, promoting healthy tear flow and eye comfort.
• Removal of Foreign Body from External Eye: Don't let a speck of dust or debris cause lasting eye issues; removing foreign bodies promptly is key to preserving your vision.
• YAG Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): This laser treatment, called YAG laser trabeculoplasty, helps lower the pressure inside your eyes, a crucial step in preventing glaucoma-related vision loss.
• Eyeglass Fitting: Getting your eyeglasses properly fitted helps your eyes work efficiently, potentially delaying age-related vision problems.

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. Heather 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 managed potential astigmatism, ensuring clear vision and preventing future eye strain and headaches. This proactive approach allowed them to confidently maintain their visual health.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively managed their eye health, significantly reducing the risk of retrobulbar neuritis and ensuring continued clear vision. This proactive approach provided the patient with peace of mind and a healthier future.

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. Heather OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Heather OD, is a primary eye care provider. They perform comprehensive eye exams, prescribe eyewear, and diagnose and manage many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who specialize in 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 aren't just about your vision; they're vital for detecting silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, before symptoms develop.

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 its blood vessels can be viewed directly, allowing for the detection of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. A dilated eye exam can reveal important clues about your overall health.

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 in its early stages. An annual dilated exam allows Dr. Heather OD to detect changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

Is it safe to buy contact lenses online without an exam?

No, 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. Heather OD is essential to ensure proper lens fit and prevent potential eye damage, infections, and vision loss.

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

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

When should my child have their first eye exam?

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

2186 Harris Ave NE Ste 1
Palm Bay FL 32905
Phone: (321) 724-2020

Dr. Heather Sorensen, 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): 1063563054

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. Heather 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.