Dr. Kenneth Murphy, OD

Dr. Kenneth Murphy, OD is an Optometrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive eye care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, he practices at his clinic in Port Richey, FL, and is committed to helping patients maintain optimal eye health through personalized care plans. He is registered with the Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring patients receive the highest quality and legally compliant 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. He serves all ages, from infants to seniors.

Dr. Kenneth Murphy, OD is an optometrist in Port Richey, FL, currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. He graduated from Southern College of Optometry in 1969 and is committed to providing exceptional care. He is a skilled clinician who listens attentively to patient concerns and takes the time needed to ensure appropriate medical care is rendered to resolve eye problems or refer to other specialists as necessary. He is proficient in providing consultations primarily in English. Call (727) 848-2977 to schedule your appointment.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Kenneth 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. Kenneth 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. Kenneth 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: Regular eye exams help detect and manage allergic conjunctivitis, reducing the risk of long-term eye problems like corneal damage.
• Cataract: Early detection of cataracts is key to preventing significant vision impairment. Regular comprehensive eye exams are vital for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
• Corneal Abrasion: Early detection of corneal abrasions is key to rapid healing and preventing serious complications like corneal ulcers; regular comprehensive eye exams are essential.
• Diabetic Eye Disease: Early detection of diabetic eye disease through routine eye exams is crucial for preserving your sight and preventing severe vision impairment associated with diabetes.
• Dry Eyes: Preventing dry eye disease through proactive hydration and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce discomfort and long-term eye health complications.
• Eye Injuries: Preventing eye injuries through safety measures at work and play is a key step in proactive eye care.
• Eyelid Inflammation: Managing eyelid inflammation is crucial for preventing potential vision loss and chronic eye problems; schedule an eye exam if you experience symptoms.
• Foreign Body in Eye: Even small foreign bodies in your eye can cause significant discomfort and potential long-term damage if not addressed promptly, emphasizing the value of proactive eye health management.
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a gradual eye disease, often without early symptoms, highlighting the importance of preventative eye exams to detect and manage it before irreversible damage occurs.

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

• Diabetic Eye Exam: A diabetic eye exam helps detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy, a serious eye complication that can lead to vision loss, allowing for timely treatment and preventing blindness.
• Eye Examination: An eye exam is more than just checking your vision; it's a vital health assessment that can detect underlying medical issues impacting your eyes.
• Glaucoma Treatment: Don't let glaucoma steal your sight; treatment options help reduce eye pressure and preserve your vision for years to come.
• Orbit Evisceration (Co-management): Orbit evisceration co-management ensures your eye surgeon and eye doctor work together to monitor your eye health after a serious eye injury or surgery, optimizing your recovery and minimizing complications.
• YAG Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): As part of your eye health journey, YAG laser trabeculoplasty may be recommended to help control glaucoma and prevent further damage to your optic nerve.
• Wet Macular Degeneration Laser Treatment (Co-management): Early detection and treatment of wet macular degeneration is key to preserving sight. This co-managed laser treatment helps slow the advancement of this condition.
• Laser Eye Surgery (Co-management): Enhance your vision correction journey with co-management of laser eye surgery, receiving comprehensive care to address complications and achieve lasting visual acuity.

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. Kenneth 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:

• Regular eye exams helped a patient identify and manage their allergic conjunctivitis, significantly reducing the risk of future eye complications and ensuring comfortable vision.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively identified early signs of cataracts, allowing for timely intervention and preserving their vision for years to come. This proactive approach ensured they could continue enjoying their favorite activities without vision impairment.

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. Kenneth 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 conditions. They differ from ophthalmologists (MDs), who are medical doctors and eye surgeons.

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, as it's not just about your vision. These exams help detect silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, often before any symptoms appear. Early detection allows for timely intervention and preserves your sight.

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 for the detection of conditions 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, yet causes irreversible peripheral vision loss. Regular eye exams are the only way to detect glaucoma early and prevent blindness.

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

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

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 long and costly visit to the emergency room.

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. Kenneth OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts.

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

8605 US Highway 19
Port Richey FL 34668
Phone: (727) 848-2977

Dr. Kenneth Murphy, 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): 1700870854

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. Kenneth 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.