Dr. Laura Vizzari, OD

Dr. Laura Vizzari, OD is a board-certified Optometrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive eye care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Brandon, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). 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. She is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health.

Dr. Laura OD serves all ages, from infants to seniors, and is dedicated to providing exceptional care that meets the unique needs of each patient. She completed rigorous medical training from recognized institutions, ensuring her expertise and commitment to the highest standards of optometric care. Dr. Laura Vizzari, OD is an optometrist in Brandon, FL, and patients should call (813) 651-1400 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Laura OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Cataract Surgery Complications: Regular comprehensive eye exams help detect cataracts early, allowing for timely intervention and minimizing the risk of complications during surgery.
• Congenital Sensory Neuropathy With Neurotrophic Keratitis: CSNNK is a birth defect affecting corneal sensitivity and health; routine pediatric eye exams are vital for early detection and treatment, significantly improving outcomes and reducing long-term vision issues.
• Map-Dot-Fingerprint Dystrophy: Map-Dot-Fingerprint dystrophy is a rare inherited eye disease that can cause vision loss if not detected early, highlighting the importance of regular comprehensive eye exams.
• Refractive Eye Disorders: Untreated refractive errors can lead to eye strain and headaches, so preventive care with regular eye exams and appropriate correction is key.
• Scleritis: Protecting your eye health means being aware of scleritis, a painful inflammation of the sclera, which, if caught early, can be managed effectively to avoid permanent damage.
• Tear Duct Disorders: Don't ignore persistent eye watering or discomfort—these could signal a tear duct disorder, and prompt attention from an eye doctor can help prevent long-term eye health issues.
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Pink eye, or bacterial conjunctivitis, is a highly contagious eye infection that can be prevented through good hygiene practices, like frequent handwashing, and early treatment helps prevent vision complications.

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

• Adult Eye and Vision Examination: Invest in your vision's future – an adult eye and vision examination allows for early detection and treatment of eye conditions, preserving your eyesight for years to come.
• Orthokeratology: Orthokeratology uses specially designed contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape your cornea, reducing your need for glasses or daytime contact lenses and potentially slowing myopia progression in children.
• Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): For individuals with glaucoma or at risk for developing glaucoma, argon laser trabeculoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to help prevent vision loss by lowering intraocular pressure.
• Phakic Refractive Lens Implantation (Co-management): Take a proactive step towards clear vision by exploring phakic IOLs, a procedure we co-manage to improve your eyesight without removing your natural lens.
• Irregular Cornea Treatment With Scleral Contact Lenses: Take proactive steps to improve your vision and comfort by exploring scleral contact lenses, a specialized treatment option for irregular corneas.
• Eye Injection (Prescribing/Co-management in some states): Take charge of your eye health: sometimes, an injection is used to diagnose, treat, or monitor eye problems, leading to better long-term vision.
• 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. Laura 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 detected early signs of cataracts, minimizing potential complications during surgery and ensuring a smoother recovery. This proactive approach allowed the patient to maintain clear vision and enjoy a high quality of life.
• A family was relieved to learn that regular pediatric eye exams allowed for early detection of CSNNK, enabling proactive management and significantly reducing the risk of long-term vision problems. By staying on top of their preventative care, they experienced peace of mind knowing their child's eye health was being closely monitored.

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. Laura 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. Ophthalmologists (MDs) are medical doctors who are also 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. These exams aren't just about your vision; they're about detecting silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, before symptoms arise. Early detection allows for prompt treatment and helps maintain optimal 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, 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 a unique opportunity to identify potential health issues.

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. Laura OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts.

I have something in my eye. Should I come here first?

Yes, absolutely. For eye issues like 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 trip to the emergency room.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Laura OD recommends a comprehensive eye exam for children between 6 and 12 months of age. This early exam is essential to identify potential vision problems like lazy eye or misaligned eyes, which can affect a child's vision development.

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

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.

1180 Nikki View Dr
Brandon FL 33511
Phone: (813) 651-1400

Dr. Laura Vizzari, 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): 1013907914

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. Laura 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.