Dr. Kristie Garcia, OD

Dr. Kristie Garcia, OD is a dedicated Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Hollywood, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Optometric care. Her practice prioritizes early disease detection, personalized health plans, and coordinating screenings to ensure optimal vision and overall wellness. 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. Kristie OD serves all ages, from infants to seniors, with a focus on collaborative, evidence-based medicine. She strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. As an optometrist in Hollywood, FL, Dr. Kristie Garcia, OD is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive eye care. Patients should call (954) 925-2740 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Kristie OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Cystoid Macular Edema: Maintaining healthy vision requires vigilance against conditions like cystoid macular edema, a swelling that affects the central vision and may necessitate treatment to prevent irreversible vision damage; schedule regular eye exams to stay informed.
• 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.
• Hordeolum: Regular eye exams and proper hygiene help prevent and detect conditions like hordeola (styes), minimizing their impact on your eye health.
• Aniridia: Preventing vision loss from Aniridia starts with early detection; regular checkups with an eye doctor can help monitor the condition and potentially slow the progression of related problems.
• Macular Hole: Regular eye exams are essential for detecting macular holes early, since timely intervention can help prevent blindness or significant vision loss caused by this condition.
• Pars Planitis: Pars planitis is an eye inflammation that, if caught early through regular eye exams, can prevent vision loss and other serious complications.
• Meibomitis: Meibomitis is a common eye condition causing inflammation of the oil glands in your eyelids, which, if left untreated, can lead to dry eye and other vision problems, highlighting the importance of regular eye exams for early detection and prevention.

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

• BlephEx™ for Blepharitis: Protect your vision by addressing blepharitis with BlephEx™. This innovative procedure helps prevent potential vision-threatening complications associated with chronic eyelid inflammation.
• Keratoconus Treatment With Contact Lenses: Invest in your vision health: contact lenses can effectively manage keratoconus, slowing its progression and preventing further vision loss.
• Macular Degeneration Treatment: Don't wait until you experience vision changes. Macular degeneration treatment focuses on early diagnosis and management to help you maintain healthy vision for years to come.
• Eyeglasses: Eyeglasses correct refractive errors, improving your vision and preventing eye strain and headaches, crucial for daily activities and overall well-being.
• Argon Laser Treatment (Co-management/some states): Argon laser treatment, sometimes managed in collaboration with other specialists, helps prevent vision loss by precisely targeting and treating specific eye conditions.
• Clear Lens Extraction (Co-management): Proactively maintain optimal eye health with co-management for Clear Lens Extraction, ensuring careful monitoring and addressing any complications early on.
• Laser Eye Surgery (Co-management): Prioritize your eye health and the success of your laser eye surgery by utilizing co-management services, helping detect and manage potential problems early.

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. Kristie 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 managed potential vision issues, including cystoid macular edema, and maintained clear vision for years to come. This proactive approach brought peace of mind and a focus on long-term eye health.
• By scheduling routine eye exams, a patient proactively identified early signs of visual field loss, enabling timely intervention and significantly reducing the risk of further vision impairment. This proactive approach provided the patient with peace of mind and a plan for maintaining optimal vision.

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. Kristie 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 contacts, 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 see well, 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 aren't just about your vision; they're about protecting your eye health.

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, and high cholesterol. The eye is the only place where blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing our doctors to identify potential health concerns. A dilated eye exam may reveal early signs of certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

What is an OCT scan?

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

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

Dry eye is a very common condition. Dr. Kristie OD can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend a personalized treatment plan, which may include prescription eye drops or in-office procedures, to improve your comfort and prevent damage.

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

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 two main forms: "dry" and "wet." Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management to help preserve your sight.

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. Kristie OD is essential to ensure they fit correctly and are not damaging your eye, which can prevent serious infections and vision loss.

300 S Park Rd Ste 300
Hollywood FL 33021
Phone: (954) 925-2740

Dr. Kristie Garcia, 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): 1467189746

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. Kristie 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.