Dr. James Poloncak, OD

Dr. James Poloncak, 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 his clinic in Orlando, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). 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. James OD serves all ages, from infants to seniors, recognizing that proactive eye care is crucial at every stage of life. He 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. Dr. James Poloncak, OD is an optometrist in Orlando, FL, and provides consultations primarily in English. To confirm if he is currently accepting new patients, please call (407) 854-6969.

His approach prioritizes the well-being of each individual patient, recognizing that eye health is intrinsically linked to overall health and well-being. He emphasizes the importance of early detection and proactive management of eye conditions, promoting a healthier and more fulfilling life for his patients.

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

• Allergic Conjunctivitis: Regular eye exams help detect and manage allergic conjunctivitis, reducing the risk of long-term eye problems like corneal damage.
• Scleritis: Don't ignore eye pain or redness; these could be signs of scleritis, a serious inflammatory condition where early intervention through regular eye check-ups can greatly reduce the risk of vision loss.
• Posterior Capsule Clouding: Regular eye exams are crucial for detecting posterior capsule clouding, a post-cataract surgery condition, ensuring timely treatment and maintenance of clear vision.
• Coloboma of Lens: Protecting your vision involves regular comprehensive eye exams, especially for children, to detect conditions like coloboma of the lens early and prevent potential vision complications.
• Corneal Scar: Early diagnosis and treatment of eye injuries and diseases can prevent or limit the development of corneal scars, preserving your vision and quality of life.
• Keratoconus Posticus Circumscriptus: Keratoconus Posticus Circumscriptus is a less common corneal condition that can cause blurry vision if left untreated; routine eye exams are critical for early diagnosis and treatment to maintain good vision.
• Retinal Edema: Maintaining good overall health and having regular eye exams are vital preventive measures because retinal edema, a condition causing swelling in the retina, can often be treated successfully when detected early, avoiding severe vision problems.

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

• Orbit Evisceration (Co-management): Protecting your vision after complex eye surgery is crucial; co-management with your eye surgeon helps provide comprehensive care, facilitating a smoother recovery and preventing potential issues.
• Prism Lenses: As part of your comprehensive eye exam, prism lenses may be recommended to correct binocular vision problems, ensuring proper eye coordination and preventing future vision complications.
• Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): Laser trabeculoplasty offers a minimally invasive approach to glaucoma management, helping to reduce intraocular pressure and safeguarding your sight.
• Retinal Laser Photocoagulation (Co-management): Protecting your vision starts with early detection: retinal laser photocoagulation is a treatment that helps address retinal damage and can prevent blindness.
• Optical Coherence Tomography: Safeguarding your eyesight starts with an OCT scan, a quick and comfortable imaging test that helps your eye doctor identify subtle changes that could indicate eye disease, leading to prompt intervention.
• Optomap® Retinal Exam: Invest in your eye health with an Optomap® retinal exam; this advanced imaging technology allows for the early diagnosis of a wide range of retinal diseases, giving you the best chance for successful treatment.
• Diagnostic Angiography: To proactively safeguard your vision, diagnostic angiography provides detailed images of your eye's blood vessels, helping your doctor identify and manage conditions like age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.

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. James 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:

• Regular eye exams helped a patient identify and manage allergic conjunctivitis early, significantly reducing the risk of long-term eye complications and ensuring comfortable vision.
• By attending regular eye exams, a patient proactively managed potential scleritis risk, ensuring peace of mind and a reduced likelihood of vision loss.

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. James 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 contact lenses, and diagnoses and manages many eye diseases. An ophthalmologist (MD) is a medical doctor who specializes 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 are vital for detecting silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, often before any noticeable symptoms appear. Early detection allows for prompt treatment and helps maintain optimal eye health.

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 identify early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases during a dilated exam.

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

Yes, absolutely. For issues like eye infections, corneal scratches, or foreign objects, an optometrist is the ideal first point of contact. We are equipped to diagnose and treat these urgent issues, often preventing a trip to the emergency room.

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

Dry eye is a very common condition. Dr. James can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend a personalized treatment plan, which may include prescription eye drops or in-office procedures, to improve comfort and prevent damage, beyond simply using artificial tears.

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

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 early on. An annual dilated exam allows Dr. James to detect any 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 professional eye exam. Contact lenses are medical devices that sit directly on your eye, and a proper fitting and annual exam with Dr. James OD is essential to ensure a correct fit and prevent potential eye damage, serious infections, and vision loss.

8001 S Orange Blossom Trl Ste 552
Orlando FL 32809
Phone: (407) 854-6969

Dr. James Poloncak, 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): 1083771133

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. James 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.