Dr. Helen Palacios, OD

Dr. Helen Palacios, OD is a board-certified Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. Registered with the Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458, she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care. 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 is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health.

Dr. Helen OD serves all ages, from infants to seniors, fostering a trusting relationship built on open communication and personalized care. She understands that proactive health management is crucial for maintaining optimal well-being. Dr. Helen Palacios, OD is an optometrist in Sunny Isles Beach, FL, dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain the best possible eye health. Please call (305) 974-0018 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Helen OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Congenital Sensory Neuropathy With Neurotrophic Keratitis: Congenital sensory neuropathy with neurotrophic keratitis (CSNNK) is a rare condition affecting the cornea's sensation and health from birth, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and proactive care to prevent vision loss.
• Iris Ciliary Degeneration: Regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for detecting iris ciliary degeneration early, potentially mitigating its impact on vision and overall eye health.
• 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.
• Demodex Blepharitis: Don't let Demodex blepharitis, a condition involving tiny mites on your eyelids, impact your vision. Early diagnosis and treatment, facilitated by regular eye exams, are key to preventing complications.
• Stye: Early intervention is crucial for styes as it helps to resolve the infection quickly and prevent potential scarring or spread to the other eye; proactive eye health checks are essential.
• Cataract - Aberrant Oral Frenula - Growth Delay: Regular eye exams for children are crucial for early identification of cataracts, which, if left untreated, can affect vision development and overall growth.
• Watering Eyes: Preventative eye care includes addressing watering eyes, which could be a symptom of a more serious issue; early intervention through regular checkups can maintain your eye health.

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

• Monovision: Monovision contact lenses or surgery can proactively improve your vision by correcting near and farsightedness simultaneously, enhancing your independence and quality of life.
• Epi-LASIK Eye Surgery (Co-management): Protect your vision investment with Epi-LASIK co-management, ensuring the best possible outcome and addressing potential complications early.
• Blepharoplasty (Co-management): Protecting your vision after eyelid surgery is crucial; our co-management services provide the necessary post-operative care to help prevent vision problems and ensure successful healing.
• Eye Injection (Prescribing/Co-management in some states): Eye injections, when appropriate, can be part of your comprehensive eye exam, helping your doctor detect and treat serious eye conditions early.
• Visian Impantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (Co-management): Protect your long-term eye health with ICL co-management, ensuring seamless care and monitoring before, during, and after this vision correction procedure.
• Interpretation of Pharmacologic Stress Tests: This test helps your doctor detect medication-induced changes in your eye health, helping to prevent vision loss and maintain your eye's wellbeing.
• Extraocular Muscle Surgery (Co-management): Co-management of your extraocular muscle surgery provides comprehensive support throughout the process, contributing to a successful outcome and healthy vision.

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. Helen 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 adhering to a proactive eye care plan, a family ensured their child's vision remained healthy, fostering peace of mind and preventing potential complications associated with the condition. Early intervention, guided by a skilled eye care provider, allowed the child to maintain optimal vision and quality of life.
• By consistently scheduling comprehensive eye exams, a patient proactively monitored their eye health, reducing the risk of potential vision changes associated with iris ciliary degeneration and gaining 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. Helen 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 specializing 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 for most adults, even if your vision is excellent. These exams aren't just about checking your eyesight; they're about detecting 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 see potential problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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

Dry eye is very common. Dr. Helen OD 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.

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

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

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults, affecting the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. There are "dry" and "wet" forms, and regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management to preserve vision.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

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

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

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. Helen OD is essential to ensure the lenses fit correctly and are not damaging your eye, which can prevent serious infections and vision loss.

18090 Collins Ave Ste T13
Sunny Isles Beach FL 33160
Phone: (305) 974-0018

Dr. Helen Palacios, 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): 1295337244

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. Helen 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.