Dr. Jeffery Laplume, OD

Dr. Jeffery Laplume, OD is a board-certified optometrist practicing at The Eye Institute of West Florida in Largo, Florida. 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 Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458, Dr. Laplume understands the critical role of early intervention in maintaining optimal eye health 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. He serves all ages, from infants to seniors, and welcomes new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (727) 581-8706 to schedule.

Dr. Laplume, a board-certified optometric physician practicing locally for over 30 years, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to The Eye Institute of West Florida. Born in Worcester, MA, and raised in Largo, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and pre-medical studies from the University of South Florida and his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry. Dr. Laplume's commitment to patient care is evident in his extensive training, which includes externships at Fort Carson Army Hospital and The Eye Foundation. The Eye Institute of West Florida, where he practices, delivers clinical excellence in every ophthalmology subspecialty, utilizing advanced medicines and techniques to achieve quality patient outcomes in a warm and friendly environment. He is committed to providing comprehensive care and offers consultations in Spanish.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Jeffery 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. Jeffery 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. Jeffery 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: Managing astigmatism is crucial to prevent potential complications, such as eye strain, headaches, and amblyopia (lazy eye) in children; early detection through routine eye exams allows for timely intervention.
• Binocular Vision Disorder: Managing binocular vision disorder, often through vision therapy, is crucial to prevent further complications such as amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eyes) in children and adults.
• Cataract: Protecting your vision from cataracts involves regular eye check-ups, allowing for early detection and treatment options that can help maintain clear sight.
• Convergence Insufficiency: Don't let blurry vision from convergence insufficiency impact your daily life. Early detection and treatment, usually involving vision therapy, ensure you maintain optimal vision and prevent further complications.
• Diabetic Eye Disease: Protecting your vision from the damaging effects of diabetes starts with regular eye check-ups to detect diabetic eye disease early and minimize long-term complications.
• Dry Eyes: Early detection of dry eye symptoms, like burning or itching, allows for timely intervention, preventing more serious problems such as corneal damage.
• Glaucoma: Managing glaucoma effectively requires consistent monitoring and treatment, slowing its progression and potentially preventing significant vision loss.
• Presbyopia: Preventive eye care is essential for managing presbyopia, a gradual decline in near vision that occurs with age; early detection through regular exams allows for timely correction and reduces eye fatigue.

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. Jeffery 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: Ensure your contact lenses are the right fit and aren't harming your eyes by getting regular contact lens exams, allowing for early detection of problems.
• Eye Examination: A comprehensive eye examination is a proactive step to detect potential vision problems and eye diseases early, allowing for timely treatment and preventing vision loss.
• ACE Inhibitor or Beta-Blocker Therapy: Regularly monitoring your blood pressure and using medications like ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers, as prescribed by your doctor, can reduce your risk of developing glaucoma or other eye conditions.
• Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lens Treatment: Ensure sharp, clear vision and potentially prevent corneal issues by considering RGP contact lenses as a vision correction method—a personalized approach to managing your eye health.
• Diabetes Eye Care: Safeguarding your sight starts with proactive care: diabetes eye exams allow for early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes-related eye conditions.
• Punctal Plug Insertion: Proactive dry eye treatment involves punctal plug insertion, a simple procedure that helps maintain moisture and prevent long-term eye damage.
• Extraocular Muscle Surgery (Co-management): By co-managing your extraocular muscle surgery, we help ensure a smooth recovery and the best possible long-term eye health.

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. Jeffery 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 family proactively managed potential astigmatism, reducing the risk of eye strain and headaches for everyone. Early detection allowed for personalized strategies, ensuring optimal vision and long-term eye health.
• By proactively addressing potential binocular vision concerns, a family gained peace of mind, knowing they were taking steps to protect their child's vision and overall well-being. Early intervention helped prevent further complications, ensuring a brighter future for the family.

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. Jeffery OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Jeffery OD, is a primary eye care provider who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and manages many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who are also eye surgeons.

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

Even if you have good vision, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial. These exams go beyond checking your sight, identifying silent diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which can threaten your vision. Early detection is key to preserving your eye health.

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, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases during a dilated exam.

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

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

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 sharp, central vision. There are "dry" and "wet" forms, and regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management to preserve sight.

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 something in my eye. Should I come here first?

Yes, absolutely. For eye issues like infections, 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.

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

148 13th St SW
Largo FL 33770
Phone: (727) 581-8706

Dr. Jeffery Laplume, 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): 1093745887

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. Jeffery 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.