Dr. Kerri-Ann Hart, OD

Dr. Kerri-Ann Hart, OD is a dedicated Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Fort Myers, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she's committed 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. Kerri-Ann OD prioritizes your eye health and overall well-being, recognizing that your optometrist is your primary partner in lifelong eye health.

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. Dr. Kerri-Ann OD serves all ages, from infants to seniors, with a patient-centered approach to care, emphasizing collaborative, evidence-based medicine and a supportive environment that empowers you to actively participate in your long-term health journey. Dr. Kerri-Ann Hart, OD is an optometrist in Fort Myers, FL, and patients should call (239) 247-1038 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Kerri-Ann OD provides consultations primarily in English, aiming to foster open communication and a strong doctor-patient relationship. Her commitment to a collaborative, evidence-based approach ensures that you receive the highest quality care, tailored to your specific needs. She believes in empowering you to take an active role in protecting your vision and overall health.

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

• Red-Green Color Blindness: Managing the challenges of red-green color blindness starts with early detection through routine eye exams, improving your quality of life and safety.
• Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: Protecting your vision from LHON, an inherited condition causing optic nerve damage, involves understanding your family history and seeking prompt eye exams if vision changes occur.
• Posterior Vitreous Detachment: Don't underestimate the significance of regular eye exams; they are crucial for identifying posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) early. Since PVD can sometimes cause retinal problems, early diagnosis and monitoring is key for preventing significant vision issues.
• Toxic Optic Neuropathy: Toxic optic neuropathy is a serious condition damaging the optic nerve, often preventable with early detection and management of risk factors like certain medications or toxins.
• Retinal Artery Occlusion: Managing underlying health conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol can help prevent retinal artery occlusion, a condition causing reduced blood flow to the retina, emphasizing the importance of proactive healthcare.
• Blepharoptosis: Droopy eyelids, known as blepharoptosis, may affect your vision and even lead to other complications, making regular eye check-ups essential for early detection and appropriate care.
• 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.

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

• Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery: Protecting your sight starts with early detection. Minimally invasive valve surgery is a procedure that can help detect and address underlying eye issues before they significantly impact your vision.
• Electrophysiological Study: This painless test measures the electrical activity in your eyes, providing valuable insights for detecting and managing glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases.
• Maze Procedure: Protecting your sight begins with proactive eye care; comprehensive exams aid in early detection of diseases and preserve your vision for years to come.
• Eyeglass Fitting: Getting your eyeglasses properly fitted helps your eyes work efficiently, potentially delaying age-related vision problems.
• Retinal Laser Photocoagulation (Co-management): Retinal laser photocoagulation helps prevent vision loss by treating eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration before they significantly damage your sight.
• Irregular Cornea Treatment With Scleral Contact Lenses: Improve your vision and reduce eye strain by exploring scleral contact lenses as a treatment option for irregular corneas—a proactive approach to better eye health.
• 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. Kerri-Ann 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 routine eye exams, a patient proactively managed the potential challenges of red-green color blindness, gaining confidence in their daily activities and safety.
• Knowing their family history of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a family proactively scheduled regular eye exams. This vigilance allowed for early detection of any potential vision changes, providing peace of mind and empowering them to proactively manage their health.

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. Kerri-Ann 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 is also an eye surgeon.

How often should I get a comprehensive eye exam, even if I see well?

Even if you have excellent vision, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial. These exams aren't just about checking your sight; they're also a vital preventive measure to detect vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, often before any symptoms appear.

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

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam can detect other health problems. The eye is unique in that its blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing for early detection of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. A dilated eye exam can also reveal signs of 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 glaucoma early and prevent blindness.

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

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

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

Dry eye is very common. Dr. Kerri-Ann can diagnose the cause and recommend a personalized treatment plan, which may include prescription eye drops or in-office procedures, to improve comfort and prevent damage, beyond simply using artificial tears.

What is an OCT scan?

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

I have diabetes. Why do I need a special dilated eye exam every year?

Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, 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. Kerri-Ann to detect any changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

4957 S Cleveland Ave
Fort Myers FL 33907
Phone: (239) 247-1038

Dr. Kerri-Ann Hart, 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): 1447402722

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. Kerri-Ann 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.