Dr. James Witherington, OD

Dr. James Witherington, OD is a licensed Optometrist practicing at his clinic in Cape Coral, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, he is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. James OD is committed to ensuring your best possible vision and overall wellness. 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 Witherington, OD is an optometrist in Cape Coral, FL, serving all ages, from infants to seniors. He is deeply committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. His approach emphasizes preventative care, ensuring optimal vision and well-being. Dr. James OD provides consultations primarily in English. Please call (239) 985-0006 to confirm if he is currently accepting new 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:

• 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.
• Herpes Stomatitis: Because the herpes virus can sometimes spread to the eyes, proactive management of oral herpes, including minimizing outbreaks through medication, can be a key step in preventing more serious eye health concerns.
• Red-Green Color Blindness: Regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for detecting red-green color blindness, enabling early intervention and minimizing difficulties with activities requiring color differentiation.
• Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: Managing health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes is crucial to preventing ischemic optic neuropathy, a serious condition affecting blood flow to your optic nerve and potentially causing blindness.
• Posterior Uveitis: Managing posterior uveitis effectively requires regular monitoring and treatment to safeguard your eyesight and prevent the progression of this inflammatory eye disease.
• Allergic Conjunctivitis: Managing allergic conjunctivitis through preventative measures like eye drops and allergen avoidance can prevent further complications such as eye infections.
• Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome: Preventative eye care, including regular checkups, is key to managing Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome. Early diagnosis allows for prompt treatment, potentially preventing vision-threatening complications.

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:

• Contact Lens Exams: Take a proactive step towards healthy eyes with contact lens exams – they assess your vision and eye health while wearing contacts.
• Diabetes Eye Care: Early detection is key: diabetic eye exams screen for eye diseases linked to diabetes, enabling prompt treatment and preserving your vision.
• YAG Iridotomy (Co-management/some states): For certain conditions, a YAG Iridotomy might be recommended to lower the risk of angle-closure glaucoma, ensuring the health and well-being of your eyes.
• Iridotomy (Co-management/some states): An iridotomy, sometimes done in collaboration with other specialists, helps prevent serious eye problems by creating a small opening in the iris to reduce pressure buildup and improve drainage.
• Visual Evoked Potential (VEP): Take charge of your eye health: a VEP test helps identify hidden neurological issues that might cause vision problems, allowing for prompt intervention.
• Ocular Inflammation (Uveitis) Treatment: Uveitis treatment is a crucial step in safeguarding your eyes; early intervention reduces complications from inflammation and promotes healthy vision.
• Lucentis® Injection (Co-management): For the best chance at preserving your eyesight, Lucentis® injection co-management is a vital part of proactive eye health, offering targeted treatment for specific conditions.

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:

• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively monitored their eye health after cataract surgery, reducing the risk of posterior capsule clouding and maintaining clear vision. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and empowered them to confidently manage their post-surgical vision.
• By proactively managing oral herpes outbreaks with prescribed medication, a patient minimized the risk of the virus affecting their eyes, ensuring a clear path to good vision 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. 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 specializing in eye surgery.

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're a vital preventive measure.

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 see early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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

Dr. James OD will diagnose your cataract, determine when surgery is needed, and refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist. Following surgery, we will provide all necessary post-operative care and follow-up vision correction.

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 blindness.

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

What is an OCT scan?

An OCT scan is an advanced imaging technology, like an ultrasound that uses light, to take incredibly detailed, cross-sectional pictures of the retina and optic nerve. This allows Dr. James to detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration with amazing precision.

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. James to detect any changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

513 Cape Coral Pkwy W
Cape Coral FL 33914
Phone: (239) 985-0006

Dr. James Witherington, 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): 1396759247

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.