Dr. Kirsten Firestone, OD

Dr. Kirsten Firestone, OD is a highly-trained optometrist dedicated 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 practices at her clinic in Miami, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, Dr. Kirsten OD is committed to helping you maintain optimal vision and overall wellness through personalized care plans, early disease detection, and coordinated screenings. Your optometrist is your primary partner in lifelong eye health, providing preventive care, vision correction, and ensuring your best possible vision and overall wellness.

Dr. Kirsten OD's approach is rooted in evidence-based medicine and a strong collaborative spirit. She works closely with patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, to create personalized health plans that support their unique needs and lifestyle. She understands that proactive health is best achieved through a partnership between patient and provider, empowering patients to take an active role in their long-term eye care. Dr. Kirsten Firestone, OD is an optometrist in Miami, FL. She is accepting new patients. Please call (305) 603-1216 to schedule your appointment and begin your proactive health journey. Dr. Kirsten OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Visual Field Loss: Early detection of visual field loss is critical, as managing this condition can help prevent further vision impairment and even blindness; regular eye exams are crucial for prevention.
• Vitreous Diseases: Protecting your vision from vitreous diseases involves regular eye checkups to catch any changes early, minimizing the risk of serious complications like retinal tears or detachments.
• 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.
• Hollenhorst Plaque: A Hollenhorst plaque in your eye is a tiny cholesterol embolus that can signal a bigger health problem, making regular eye exams crucial for early detection and prevention of further complications.
• Juvenile Glaucoma: Juvenile glaucoma, a rare but potentially devastating condition, emphasizes the need for preventive eye care in children to preserve their vision throughout life.
• Chalazion: Preventing a chalazion from becoming infected or causing vision problems starts with recognizing the symptoms—a small, firm lump on your eyelid—and seeking timely treatment.
• Diplopia: Protecting your vision involves recognizing symptoms like diplopia. Early detection through routine eye care can lead to effective management and reduce the risk of permanent vision impairment.

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

• Monovision: Monovision contact lenses or surgery can proactively improve your vision by correcting near and farsightedness simultaneously, enhancing your independence and quality of life.
• ICD Monitoring: Regular ICD monitoring helps your eye doctor detect early signs of glaucoma and other eye diseases, allowing for timely treatment and preserving your vision.
• Extraocular Muscle Surgery (Co-management): Taking a proactive approach to your eye muscle surgery with co-management means early detection of any issues and improved surgical outcomes.
• Orthokeratology: Protect your eyes and improve your vision long-term with orthokeratology; this method can help manage myopia progression and reduce your reliance on corrective eyewear.
• Astigmatism Correction Surgery (Co-management): Invest in your future vision: this co-managed surgical approach corrects astigmatism, reducing eye strain and improving visual acuity.
• Glaucoma Treatment: Early intervention is crucial for glaucoma; treatment helps slow or halt vision loss and maintain your quality of life.
• Iridotomy (Co-management/some states): Protecting your eyesight is key, and an iridotomy procedure, often performed in partnership with other healthcare providers, can effectively reduce the risk of angle-closure glaucoma.

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. Kirsten 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 regular eye exams, a patient proactively identified early signs of visual field loss, significantly reducing the risk of further vision impairment and gaining peace of mind.
• By scheduling routine eye exams, a patient proactively identified early signs of potential vitreous issues, significantly reducing the risk of vision-threatening complications and ensuring peace of mind.

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. Kirsten OD:

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

An optometrist (OD) is the primary eye care provider, performing comprehensive exams, prescribing glasses and contacts, and managing 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?

Even if you have excellent 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, providing crucial preventative care.

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

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam can detect 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, allowing for important health screenings.

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

No, 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. Kirsten OD is essential to ensure the lenses fit correctly and are not damaging your eye. This helps prevent serious infections and vision loss.

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

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

Dry eye is very common. Dr. Kirsten OD 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 just artificial tears.

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

Dr. Kirsten OD will diagnose your cataract, determine if surgery is needed, and refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist. She will then provide all necessary post-operative care and follow-up vision correction.

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.

900 S Miami Ave Ste 172
Miami FL 33130
Phone: (305) 603-1216

Dr. Kirsten Firestone, 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): 1821403973

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. Kirsten 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.