Dr. Kaitlin Brown, OD

Dr. Kaitlin Brown, OD is a Optometry practicing at EyeCare Specialties of Florida in Jacksonville, FL. As a dedicated partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her practice is focused on empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Optometric care. 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. Call (904) 441-6959 to schedule.

Dr. Kaitlin OD, with Honors, earned her Doctor of Optometry from Nova Southeastern University's College of Optometry in 2020, alongside a Bachelor of Science in Vision Science. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University. An inducted member of Beta Sigma Kappa and the Gold Key International Optometric Societies, Dr. Brown's special interests include pediatric optometry and vision therapy. She is committed to providing primary eye care services while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Dr. Brown's belief in the importance of eyesight guides her dedication to improving the vision of her patients. We are dedicated to improving the health of our community by helping our neighbors look and feel their best, one patient at a time. Our local doctors and associates are here to care for your family's vision, providing high-quality eyewear and a personalized patient-first approach. Dr. Kaitlin OD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Kaitlin 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. Kaitlin 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. Kaitlin 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: Allergic conjunctivitis, or pink eye from allergies, is a common eye irritation you can prevent or manage by identifying and avoiding your allergy triggers.
• Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a common vision problem that causes blurry vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea, and early detection through regular eye exams can help ensure you receive the appropriate correction to prevent eye strain and headaches.
• Cataract: While cataracts are a natural part of aging, proactive eye care through regular exams helps us catch them early, potentially slowing progression and preserving your eyesight.
• Corneal Abrasion: Minor eye injuries can easily cause corneal abrasions, emphasizing the need for preventive measures such as wearing safety glasses and seeking professional care for any eye irritation or pain to avoid vision-threatening complications.
• Diabetic Eye Disease: Diabetic eye disease is a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness, but regular eye exams can help detect and manage it early, preventing vision loss.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: Early detection of diabetic retinopathy through routine eye exams allows for timely intervention, potentially preventing severe vision impairment or blindness.
• Dry Eyes: Early detection of dry eye symptoms, like burning or itching, allows for timely intervention, preventing more serious problems such as corneal damage.
• Eye Injuries: Early detection and treatment of eye injuries are vital to minimizing lasting damage and preserving your eyesight.
• Eyelid Inflammation: Preventing vision impairment starts with addressing eyelid inflammation early; timely treatment can help manage discomfort and reduce the risk of more serious eye issues.
• Foreign Body in Eye: Preventing vision loss begins with proactive eye care; promptly addressing a foreign body in your eye minimizes the risk of infection and vision-threatening complications.
• Glaucoma: Early detection of glaucoma through regular comprehensive eye exams is key to preventing vision impairment and preserving your eyesight.
• Presbyopia: Don't let blurry near vision sneak up on you – presbyopia, a natural aging process, often requires reading glasses; schedule yearly eye exams to manage its impact and avoid unnecessary eye strain.

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. Kaitlin 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: Protect your vision by scheduling contact lens exams; they help detect early signs of eye diseases like dry eye or corneal issues.
• Contact Lens Fitting Services: Prevent future vision problems by getting a comprehensive contact lens fitting that checks for proper lens fit, detects early signs of eye disease, and ensures clear, comfortable vision.
• Diabetes Eye Care: Take proactive steps to safeguard your eyesight – diabetic eye care helps identify and treat potential eye complications from diabetes.
• Diabetic Eye Exam: Protecting your sight is key, and a diabetic eye exam proactively screens for eye damage related to diabetes, enabling early intervention and preserving your vision.
• Eye Test: Protect your eyesight with a comprehensive eye test; it's a simple way to screen for common eye conditions and maintain optimal visual health.
• Eyeglasses: Regular eye exams and appropriate eyeglasses help protect your vision by detecting problems like astigmatism or nearsightedness early, facilitating timely intervention and preventing potential complications.
• Foreign Body Removal from Eye: Protecting your vision starts with swift removal of any foreign objects in your eye, preventing potential scratches, infections, or lasting damage.
• Ocular Inflammation (Uveitis) Treatment: Uveitis treatment is a crucial step in safeguarding your eyes; early intervention reduces complications from inflammation and promotes healthy vision.
• Soft Contact Lenses: Choosing soft contact lenses allows for personalized vision correction, enhancing your quality of life and potentially reducing the risk of eye-related accidents.
• Vision Screening: Protecting your vision starts with a vision screening. This simple test can identify refractive errors, eye diseases, and other conditions that may require treatment.

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. Kaitlin 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 identifying and avoiding pollen triggers, a patient significantly reduced the frequency and severity of their allergic conjunctivitis, enjoying clearer vision and a more comfortable daily life.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively managed their astigmatism, ensuring clear vision and preventing potential eye strain and headaches. This proactive approach allowed them to maintain a comfortable and healthy lifestyle.

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. Kaitlin OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Kaitlin 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, 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?

Even if your vision is good, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial. These exams look beyond your vision, helping detect silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, when treatment is most effective.

Can an eye exam detect other health problems in my body?

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Kaitlin OD 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.

Is it safe to buy contact lenses online without an exam?

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

What are the signs of a cataract?

Common signs of a cataract include blurry or dim vision, increased glare from lights, fading or yellowing of colors, and frequent changes in glasses prescription. Dr. Kaitlin OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts.

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 noticeable 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. Kaitlin OD to detect any changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

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

Dr. Kaitlin OD will diagnose your cataract, determine if surgery is needed, and refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist. Following surgery, she will provide essential post-operative care and vision correction follow-up.

EyeCare Specialties of Florida
4788 Hodges Blvd Ste 205
Jacksonville FL 32224
Phone: (904) 441-6959

Dr. Kaitlin Brown, 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): 1154945814

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. Kaitlin 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.