Dr. Marianne Banales, OD

Dr. Marianne Banales, OD is a board-certified Optometrist practicing at her Clearwater, FL clinic, 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 (Medical Practice), she is a trusted partner in preventive health, committed to providing personalized care for all ages. 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. Marianne OD's approach to care is rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine. She firmly believes in creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. This includes providing detailed explanations of eye health concerns, actively involving patients in their treatment plans, and fostering open communication. She serves all ages, from infants to seniors, recognizing the unique eye health needs of each stage of life.

Dr. Marianne Banales, OD is an optometrist in Clearwater, FL, offering comprehensive eye care. To confirm if she is currently accepting new patients, please call (727) 266-2393. While Dr. Marianne OD provides consultations primarily in English, she strives to create a welcoming and informative experience for all patients.

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

• Periorbital Cellulitis: Catching periorbital cellulitis early through regular eye exams is crucial, as timely treatment can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications like vision loss or even life-threatening infections.
• Aphakia: Aphakia is the absence of your eye's natural lens, often resulting from cataract surgery complications, and regular eye exams can help detect and manage potential problems early to prevent further vision loss.
• Autosomal Dominat Congenital Nystagmus: Early detection of autosomal dominant congenital nystagmus, a condition causing involuntary eye shaking since birth due to inherited genes, is crucial for implementing strategies that minimize its impact on vision.
• Congenital Nystagmus: Identifying congenital nystagmus early is crucial to implement strategies like vision therapy and special glasses, preventing further complications and maximizing visual potential.
• Cataract Surgery Complications: Understanding the potential complications of cataract surgery helps you make informed decisions about your eye health and choose the best course of action for preventing further vision problems.
• Microcornea - Corectopia - Macular Hypoplasia: Don't underestimate the importance of regular eye exams—they're key to catching eye conditions like microcornea, corectopia, and macular hypoplasia early on, so you can get the right care to maintain your vision.
• Microcornea - Cataract - Coloboma Syndrome: Microcornea-cataract-coloboma syndrome highlights the importance of preventative eye care. Early detection through regular comprehensive eye exams can significantly improve the effectiveness of treatment and preserve vision.

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

• Removal of Foreign Body from External Eye: Foreign body removal prevents further damage and complications, ensuring your eyes stay healthy and comfortable.
• YAG Laser Capsulotomy (Co-management/some states): Improve your post-cataract surgery results: YAG laser capsulotomy is a quick procedure to help restore clear vision after cataract surgery, preventing further vision loss.
• Lucentis® Injection (Co-management): Protecting your sight is key; Lucentis® injection co-management allows for early intervention and treatment of conditions that can lead to blindness.
• Orthokeratology: Discover orthokeratology, a vision correction technique that can lessen the need for glasses or daily contact lenses while potentially slowing the advancement of nearsightedness in children and adults.
• Wet Macular Degeneration Laser Treatment (Co-management): Safeguard your vision with this co-managed laser treatment for wet macular degeneration, a crucial step in preserving your sight and quality of life.
• Scleral Contact Lens Treatment: Improve your vision and eye health by discussing scleral lenses with your eye doctor – they may be the answer for conditions affecting your cornea's shape or surface.
• Adult Eye and Vision Examination: An adult eye and vision examination is your proactive approach to maintaining clear vision, identifying refractive errors, and addressing any underlying eye issues.

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. Marianne 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 identified and treated early signs of periorbital cellulitis, significantly reducing the risk of vision-threatening complications. This proactive approach ensured peace of mind and a healthier future.
• By diligently scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively managed potential cataract surgery complications, ensuring continued optimal vision and 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. Marianne 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. Ophthalmologists (MDs) are medical doctors specializing in eye surgery.

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

A comprehensive eye exam, even if you see well, is crucial for early detection of silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. We recommend a comprehensive exam every one to two years for most adults as a preventative measure. This helps ensure your eye health is optimal and any potential issues are caught early.

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

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam can detect early signs of systemic diseases. The eye is the only place where blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing our doctors to spot potential issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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. Marianne 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 eye exam allows Dr. Marianne OD to detect changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

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.

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

Dr. Marianne OD will diagnose your cataract, determine if surgery is necessary, and refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist. Following surgery, she will provide all essential post-operative care and vision correction follow-up.

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. Marianne OD can diagnose and monitor cataracts for you.

601 S Belcher Rd
Clearwater FL 33764
Phone: (727) 266-2393

Dr. Marianne Banales, 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): 1053808097

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. Marianne 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.