Dr. Katherine Flynn, OD

Dr. Katherine Flynn, OD is a board-certified optometrist practicing at St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute Tampa in Tampa, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she 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 (Medical Practice), Dr. Flynn 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. Call (850) 328-3109 to schedule.

Dr. Katherine Flynn, OD's expertise stems from her extensive training and experience in primary medical eye care. She is certified in the treatment and management of ocular diseases at St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute, conducting comprehensive eye examinations for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of the visual system. Her areas of focus include glaucoma, dry eye, and diabetic eye conditions, and she also co-manages cataract and refractive surgery patients. Dr. Flynn earned her medical degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2002 and consistently prioritizes a patient-centered approach, ensuring personalized care tailored to each individual's needs. She believes in proactive health management and empowers patients to take an active role in their eye health journey. Dr. Katherine OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Microcornea - Cataract - Coloboma Syndrome: Protecting your vision starts with understanding conditions like microcornea-cataract-coloboma syndrome; routine eye checkups are crucial for early diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe vision impairment.
• Chemical Burn - Eyes: Protecting your eyes from chemical exposure is crucial for preventing vision impairment; prompt treatment of a chemical burn is key to minimizing lasting damage.
• 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.
• Inflammatory Glaucoma: Regular eye exams are crucial for managing inflammatory glaucoma, as early intervention with medication and other treatments helps prevent further complications and preserve your vision.
• Third Nerve Palsy: Don't underestimate the value of preventative eye care: Early detection of conditions like third nerve palsy, through routine checkups, allows for timely treatment and minimizes long-term vision problems.
• Infantile Glaucoma: Don't underestimate the importance of early eye exams for infants; these can identify infantile glaucoma, allowing prompt treatment to preserve your child's vision for life.
• Visual Deprivation Nystagmus: Regular vision checkups, especially for newborns and infants, can detect visual deprivation nystagmus early; prompt treatment reduces the risk of long-term eye 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. Katherine OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Eye Exams for Glasses: Regular eye exams to obtain or update your glasses prescription are crucial for clear vision and early detection of potential eye diseases, allowing for timely intervention and treatment.
• Eye Injection (Prescribing/Co-management in some states): Eye injections, when appropriate, can be part of your comprehensive eye exam, helping your doctor detect and treat serious eye conditions early.
• Argon Laser Treatment (Co-management/some states): For certain eye conditions, argon laser treatment offers a targeted approach, preserving your vision and preventing more extensive procedures by acting early.
• Ptosis (Eyelids) Surgery (Co-management): Protect your vision and ensure the best possible results from your ptosis surgery with our comprehensive co-management care.
• Eye Surgery (General term for co-management): For best outcomes, co-management ensures post-surgical care is tailored to your needs and addresses complications efficiently.
• Soft Contact Lenses: Soft contact lenses can be a part of managing certain eye conditions, allowing for clearer vision and contributing to the early detection of potential problems.
• 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.

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. Katherine 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 prioritizing routine eye exams, a family proactively managed potential vision challenges associated with microcornea-cataract-coloboma syndrome, ensuring a brighter future for their child. This proactive approach fostered peace of mind and empowered them to make informed decisions about their child's overall well-being.
• A family proactively implemented safety measures at home, minimizing the risk of chemical exposure to their eyes, ensuring a worry-free environment for everyone. This proactive approach provided peace of mind, knowing their vision was protected.

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. Katherine OD:

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

An Optometrist, like Dr. Katherine OD, is a primary eye care provider. They perform comprehensive eye exams, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and diagnose and manage many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who also specialize in eye care, but can also perform 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 aren't just about vision; they detect silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, when treatment is most effective. Early detection is key to preserving your vision.

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

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 it early and prevent blindness.

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. Katherine OD is essential to ensure correct fit and prevent potential eye damage, serious infections, and vision loss.

What is 'low vision' and how can you help?

Low vision is vision impairment not fully correctable with glasses, contacts, or surgery. A low vision evaluation with Dr. Katherine OD focuses on maximizing remaining vision through tools like magnifiers and adaptive devices to help maintain independence.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Katherine OD recommends a comprehensive eye exam for children between 6 and 12 months old. This early exam is essential to identify potential vision problems like lazy eye or misaligned eyes, which can impact a child's vision development.

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

St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute Tampa
13303 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa FL 33618
Phone: (850) 328-3109

Dr. Katherine Flynn, 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): 1396794715

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. Katherine 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.