Dr. Leslie Alonzo III, OD

Dr. Leslie Alonzo III, OD is an Optometrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458, he is a valued partner in preventive health at Florida Eye Specialist & Cataract Institute in Sun City Center, FL. His practice emphasizes the crucial role of early detection and personalized health plans, recognizing that your optometrist is your primary partner in lifelong eye health, providing preventive care, vision correction, and coordinating screenings to ensure your best possible vision and overall wellness. He serves all ages, from infants to seniors, and is currently welcoming new patients to embark on this proactive health journey.

Dr. Alonzo's commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine ensures a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their long-term health. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Science from the University of Florida, and his medical degree from Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. Having been a staff member at Florida Eye Specialists and Cataract Institute since 1987, Dr. Alonzo is a board-certified Optometrist and a member of the Florida Optometric Association. His comprehensive approach, rooted in his extensive training and experience, is designed to deliver optimal eye care and promote overall well-being. To schedule an appointment, please call (813) 922-2119. Dr. Leslie OD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Leslie 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. Leslie 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. Leslie 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: Protecting your eyes from allergic conjunctivitis involves early identification of allergens like pollen or pet dander to minimize inflammation and discomfort.
• Astigmatism: Don't let blurry vision caused by astigmatism affect your daily life. Regular eye exams are critical for early diagnosis so you can get the right correction and prevent future complications like eye strain or headaches.
• Blepharitis: Don't let blepharitis impact your vision; proactive eyelid care and routine eye exams can help catch and treat this condition before it causes further issues.
• Cataract: Managing your risk for cataracts involves understanding your family history and making healthy lifestyle choices, complemented by regular eye exams for early detection and treatment.
• Corneal Abrasion: Minor eye injuries can easily cause corneal abrasions, emphasizing the need for preventive measures such as wearing safety glasses and seeking professional care for any eye irritation or pain to avoid vision-threatening complications.
• Diabetic Eye Disease: Protecting your vision from the damaging effects of diabetes starts with regular eye check-ups to detect diabetic eye disease early and minimize long-term complications.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: Early detection of diabetic retinopathy through routine eye exams allows for timely intervention, potentially preventing severe vision impairment or blindness.
• Dry Eyes: Managing dry eyes effectively minimizes irritation and protects your eyes from potential infections and vision impairment associated with chronic dryness.
• Eye Injuries: Early detection and treatment of eye injuries are vital to minimizing lasting damage and preserving your eyesight.
• Foreign Body in Eye: Preventing vision loss begins with proactive eye care; promptly addressing a foreign body in your eye minimizes the risk of infection and vision-threatening complications.
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a gradual eye disease, often without early symptoms, highlighting the importance of preventative eye exams to detect and manage it before irreversible damage occurs.
• Presbyopia: Presbyopia is a common age-related change that makes it harder to focus on nearby objects, and regular eye exams help detect it early so you can get glasses or other vision correction to maintain your quality of life.

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

• Epi-LASIK Eye Surgery (Co-management): Take a proactive step toward clearer vision: Epi-LASIK co-management supports your surgeon, optimizing your eye health throughout your LASIK journey.
• Doppler Test: Protecting your vision starts with a Doppler test, which helps identify potential problems with blood vessels in your eyes that could impact your sight.
• Eye Surgery (General term for co-management): Co-managing your eye surgery means a team approach to ensure your recovery is swift, successful, and safe.
• Strabismus Surgery (Co-management): Strabismus surgery co-management helps ensure your child's eye alignment is properly corrected and monitored for optimal vision development.
• Optical Coherence Tomography: An OCT scan is a non-invasive test that provides your eye doctor with high-resolution images of your retina and optic nerve, enabling early detection of serious eye conditions and preventing vision loss.
• YAG Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): To proactively manage glaucoma, a minimally invasive procedure called YAG laser trabeculoplasty can improve fluid drainage in your eyes, preserving your sight.
• Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty is a procedure that can help lower eye pressure and prevent vision loss from 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. Leslie 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 recognizing pollen triggers and implementing preventative measures, a patient experienced significantly reduced allergy symptoms and maintained comfortable vision.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively managed potential astigmatism, ensuring clear vision and preventing future eye strain. This proactive approach allowed the patient to maintain a comfortable lifestyle without vision-related discomfort.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He 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. Leslie 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 eyewear, and manages 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 see well, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial for early detection of vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which often have no noticeable symptoms. These exams are important for overall eye health and preventative care.

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

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam, including dilation, can detect early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases. The eye is unique in that it's the only place blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing for important health screenings.

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

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 exam allows Dr. Leslie to detect any changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Leslie OD recommends a comprehensive eye exam for children between 6 and 12 months of age. This early exam is crucial for detecting potential vision problems like lazy eye or misaligned eyes, ensuring proper vision development.

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

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

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

Florida Eye Specialist & Cataract Institute
4040 Upper Creek Dr Ste 105
Sun City Center FL 33573
Phone: (813) 922-2119

Dr. Leslie Alonzo III, 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): 1598762395

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. Leslie 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.