Dr. Keri Pomella, OD

Dr. Keri Pomella, OD is a dedicated Optometrist practicing at her Hialeah, FL clinic, committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive eye care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a trusted partner in preventive health, recognizing that your optometrist is your primary partner in lifelong eye health. This involves 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 dedicated to tailoring care to individual needs. To confirm new patient appointments, please call (786) 558-9043.

Dr. Keri OD's commitment to comprehensive eye care stems from her extensive experience and advanced training. She graduated from Nova Southeastern College of Optometry in 1996 with a Doctorate in Optometry and completed a hospital-based Ocular Disease Residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Her career spans over two decades, encompassing roles as a Primary Care Optometrist, Extern Director, Clinic Director, Managing Partner, and Staff Optometrist at various clinics throughout South Florida. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, Board Certified in Optometry, and has been actively involved in the Florida Optometric Association for over 20 years, holding leadership positions within Dade County. She is fluent in Creole and offers consultations in Spanish. Special testing will be performed to fit you with the most appropriate prescription. She will work with you as an individual with specific visual requirements and will prescribe glasses or contact lenses appropriate for you. We strive to give the best care possible to all of our patients.

Dr. Keri OD's practice is focused on the comprehensive medical care of all ages, from infants to seniors, emphasizing prevention and early detection. Her approach is tailored to individual needs, ensuring optimal vision and overall wellness. Her dedication to proactive care, coupled with her extensive experience and advanced training, makes her an invaluable partner in your eye health journey. She is passionate about providing personalized care and is committed to working collaboratively with patients to achieve their best possible eye health outcomes.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Keri 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. Keri 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. Keri 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.
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Catching bacterial conjunctivitis early is crucial; prompt treatment with antibiotics can shorten the duration of the infection and minimize the risk of spreading it to others.
• 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 Retinopathy: Protecting your eyesight from the damaging effects of diabetes requires proactive care, including regular dilated eye exams to detect diabetic retinopathy early.
• Foreign Body in Eye: Protecting your eyes from foreign bodies is crucial preventive care; immediate removal prevents potential scratches, infections, and lasting vision problems.
• Herpetic Keratitis: Protecting your eyes from herpes simplex virus infection, a common cause of herpetic keratitis, involves practicing good hygiene and seeking prompt medical attention if you experience any eye symptoms.
• 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.
• Refractive Error: Regular comprehensive eye exams help detect refractive errors early, allowing for timely correction and minimizing the risk of future vision complications.
• Severe Myopia: Severe myopia, or high nearsightedness, needs careful monitoring to prevent serious eye problems later in life, making regular eye exams crucial for proactive care.

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. Keri 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.
• Diabetes Eye Care: Early detection is key: diabetic eye exams screen for eye diseases linked to diabetes, enabling prompt treatment and preserving your vision.
• Diabetic Eye Exam: Regular diabetic eye exams are crucial for people with diabetes, as they help detect and treat diabetic retinopathy, preventing vision loss and improving long-term eye health.
• 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.
• Eyeglasses: Getting the right eyeglasses ensures clear vision, reducing the risk of accidents and improving your quality of life by enabling better participation in work and leisure activities.
• 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.
• Glaucoma Treatment: Take charge of your eye health: glaucoma treatment involves careful monitoring and intervention to detect and manage this serious condition early.
• Punctal Plug Insertion: Proactive dry eye treatment involves punctal plug insertion, a simple procedure that helps maintain moisture and prevent long-term eye damage.
• Soft Contact Lenses: By opting for soft contact lenses and attending regular eye exams, you proactively take steps to safeguard your vision and detect any emerging eye health concerns.
• Vision Screening: A vision screening is a quick check-up that helps detect potential eye problems early, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing vision loss.

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. Keri 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:

• Recognizing and avoiding allergy triggers, with the guidance of an optometrist, enabled a patient to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of allergic conjunctivitis, leading to a more comfortable and less disruptive daily life.
• Recognizing the early symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis, a family quickly sought professional advice. This proactive approach minimized the infection's spread and ensured a swift recovery.

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. Keri 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. Ophthalmologists (MDs) are medical doctors specializing in eye surgery.

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 for early detection of silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. These exams go beyond simple vision testing, allowing us to monitor your overall eye health.

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

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam, including dilation, can reveal early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases. The eye is the only place where blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery.

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

What are the signs of a cataract?

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

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

What is an OCT scan?

An OCT scan is an advanced imaging technology, similar to ultrasound, that uses light to create incredibly detailed, cross-sectional pictures of your retina and optic nerve. Dr. Keri OD uses this to precisely detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.

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 trip to the emergency room.

1550 W 84th St Ste 15
Hialeah FL 33014
Phone: (786) 558-9043

Dr. Keri Pomella, 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): 1316978364

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. Keri 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.