Dr. Jennifer Williams-McDermed, OD

Dr. Jennifer Williams-McDermed, OD is a board-certified Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Orlando, FL. 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. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she recognizes that 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 serves all ages, from infants to seniors, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (407) 277-5729 to schedule.

Dr. Jennifer OD's approach to optometry extends beyond standard vision correction. She is a Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), specializing in developmental optometry and optometric vision therapy. Earning her medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2006, she brings extensive experience treating a wide range of visual needs. Her care philosophy emphasizes the importance of early intervention and individualized treatment plans, recognizing that vision therapy can be a powerful tool to address underlying visual challenges and improve overall well-being. Depending on the specific needs identified, she may recommend vision therapy to strengthen the visual system. This approach, similar to physical therapy for the body, focuses on enhancing the eyes' ability to work together, track, perceive, and focus properly, thereby improving the overall quality of life. Dr. Jennifer OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Binocular Vision Disorder: Don't underestimate the importance of regular eye check-ups for preventing binocular vision problems; early diagnosis allows for effective management, improving your quality of life and visual comfort.
• Convergence Insufficiency: Prevent long-term vision difficulties by recognizing convergence insufficiency, an eye condition affecting close-up focus. Regular checkups help your eye doctor manage the condition and prevent further problems.
• Diplopia: Regular eye exams are key to preventing vision problems. If you experience diplopia, or double vision, it's important to seek prompt medical attention to determine the underlying cause and start treatment to prevent future problems.
• Poor Ocular Motion: Experiencing jerky or limited eye movement? This could signal a problem needing prompt attention; regular comprehensive eye exams help prevent further complications.
• Strabismus: Early detection of strabismus is crucial for preventing the development of amblyopia, a condition where the brain favors one eye over the other, leading to permanent vision loss in the weaker eye if left untreated.
• Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma: Protecting your sight from the irreversible damage of primary angle closure glaucoma starts with understanding your risk factors and scheduling regular eye checkups for early detection and treatment.
• Primary Congenital Glaucoma: Protecting your baby's sight starts with understanding primary congenital glaucoma, a condition present at birth causing increased eye pressure; early diagnosis through newborn screenings can significantly reduce the risk of blindness.

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

• Pediatric Eye and Vision Examination: Safeguarding your child's eyesight starts with a pediatric eye and vision examination; it screens for common vision issues and eye diseases, allowing for timely intervention.
• Vision Therapy (Orthoptics Therapy): Vision therapy helps improve visual efficiency and clarity, identifying and treating conditions that may otherwise lead to vision impairment later in life.
• Refractive Lens Exchange (Co-management): Improve your vision and reduce the risk of future eye problems by choosing Refractive Lens Exchange co-management—it involves shared care between your eye doctor and surgeon, providing a comprehensive approach to your care.
• Visian Impantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (Co-management): Invest in your eyesight with ICL co-management, offering comprehensive care to achieve optimal vision correction and address any potential issues.
• Laser Eye Surgery (Co-management): Take a proactive step towards clear vision by partnering with your eye doctor for laser eye surgery co-management, ensuring the best possible outcome and addressing potential complications.
• Strabismus Surgery (Co-management): By co-managing your strabismus surgery, we help detect and address any complications early on, maximizing the chances of a successful outcome.
• Soft Contact Lenses: Regular soft contact lens check-ups with your optometrist help ensure proper fit and hygiene, preventing potential complications and infections.

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. Jennifer 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 consistent eye exams, a patient proactively managed potential binocular vision issues, ensuring ongoing visual comfort and preventing future complications.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively managed convergence insufficiency, preventing further vision challenges and maintaining clear, comfortable close-up vision.

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. Jennifer 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?

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 aren't just about your vision; they're about protecting 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, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases. The eye is unique because blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing for the detection of these early signs.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

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

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.

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

Dr. Jennifer OD will diagnose your cataract, determine when surgery is needed, and refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist. She will then provide all the essential post-operative care and follow-up vision correction.

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

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

Dry eye is a very common condition. Dr. Jennifer OD 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.

12301 Lake Underhill Rd Ste 236
Orlando FL 32828
Phone: (407) 277-5729

Dr. Jennifer Williams-McDermed, 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): 1104933258

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. Jennifer 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.