Dr. Hunter Vittone, OD

Dr. Hunter Vittone, OD is a dedicated optometrist practicing at his clinic in Naples, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, he's committed 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. Hunter OD understands the vital role of preventive care in maintaining optimal eye health and overall well-being. He is committed to providing the best possible vision care, and 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.

Your eye health is a cornerstone of your overall well-being, and Dr. Hunter OD is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way. He serves all ages, from infants to seniors, recognizing the unique eye health needs across the lifespan. Dr. Hunter Vittone, OD is an optometrist in Naples, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care, encouraging a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their long-term eye health. He prioritizes a thorough understanding of each patient's individual needs and goals to create personalized care plans. Please call (239) 544-3272 to confirm if Dr. Hunter OD is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Hunter OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Nystagmus, Myoclonic: Protecting your vision involves regular eye checkups to identify conditions like myoclonic nystagmus early on; prompt diagnosis allows for potential interventions and prevents severe vision loss.
• Juvenile Cataract: While less common, juvenile cataracts can significantly impact a child's development; preventive care includes regular eye exams to catch this condition early and minimize its effects on vision.
• Corneal Diseases: Regular comprehensive eye exams are vital for the early detection and management of corneal diseases, ensuring effective treatment and preserving your vision.
• Optic Atrophy - Ophthalmoplegia - Ptosis - Deafness - Myopathy: Don't ignore subtle vision changes or new muscle weakness. These may be warning signs of optic atrophy or related conditions, emphasizing the need for preventive eye care and prompt medical attention to prevent further 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.
• Lens Disorders: Regular eye exams are key to catching lens disorders early, enabling treatment to minimize vision impairment and improve quality of life.
• 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.

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

• Relaxing Corneal Incisions (Co-management): Take a proactive step in protecting your vision by participating in co-management of relaxing corneal incisions, ensuring your surgery is carefully monitored for optimal outcomes.
• Iridotomy (Co-management/some states): As part of your comprehensive eye care plan, an iridotomy, in conjunction with other medical expertise, can be a beneficial preventative measure to relieve pressure in your eye and protect your vision.
• Dacryocystorhinostomy (Co-management): To help ensure proper tear drainage and prevent future eye infections, your doctor may recommend a dacryocystorhinostomy procedure.
• YAG Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): As part of your eye health journey, YAG laser trabeculoplasty may be recommended to help control glaucoma and prevent further damage to your optic nerve.
• Oculoplastics (Co-management): Oculoplastics co-management helps maintain healthy vision by coordinating specialist care for eye conditions like drooping eyelids or blocked tear ducts, improving outcomes and preventing complications.
• Eye Examination: Early detection is key to managing eye diseases; a routine eye examination helps identify potential problems before they significantly affect your vision.
• Eyeglass Fitting: Proper eyeglass fitting ensures your glasses comfortably correct your vision, preventing eye strain and headaches.

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. Hunter 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 routine eye exams, a patient proactively identified potential nystagmus, allowing for early intervention and preserving vision quality. This proactive approach provided the peace of mind to enjoy a future with clear sight.
• A family was relieved to learn that regular eye exams, recommended by their optometrist, allowed for early detection of potential juvenile cataract issues, minimizing any future impact on their child's vision development. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and a clear path to ensure optimal eye 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. Hunter OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Hunter OD, is a primary eye care provider who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and diagnoses and manages many eye conditions. An ophthalmologist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor and eye surgeon.

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

Dr. Hunter OD recommends a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, even if you see well. These exams are crucial for detecting silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, often before any symptoms appear. Early detection allows for timely intervention and treatment.

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 spot potential problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. A dilated eye exam can reveal early indicators of these conditions.

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 vision loss.

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 eye exam allows Dr. Hunter 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. Hunter OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts to ensure your eye health.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Hunter 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, ensuring proper vision development.

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

700 Neapolitan Way
Naples FL 34103
Phone: (239) 544-3272

Dr. Hunter Vittone, 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): 1821778671

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. Hunter 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.