Dr. Mary Lilly, OD

Dr. Mary Lilly, OD is a board-certified optometrist practicing at her clinic in Valrico, Florida. As a valued partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care. Registered with the Florida Board of Medicine, her practice adheres to the rigorous standards outlined in 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.

Dr. Mary OD serves all ages, from infants to seniors, recognizing the importance of comprehensive eye care across the lifespan. She employs a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Mary Lilly, OD is an optometrist in Valrico, FL, committed to providing exceptional care and promoting proactive strategies for maintaining optimal eye health. Patients should call (813) 820-6150 to confirm if the doctor is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Mary OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis: Prevent complications from giant papillary conjunctivitis by being aware of its symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, and seeking prompt treatment from an eye care professional.
• Macular Dystrophy, Vitelliform, Early-Onset: Early-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy is a rare inherited eye condition that can affect vision, highlighting the importance of regular comprehensive eye exams to detect and manage it early, preventing further vision loss.
• Cone Rod Dystrophy: Although there's no cure for cone-rod dystrophy, early detection through preventative eye care is critical. Regular checkups allow your doctor to monitor the disease and help you manage any related symptoms to preserve your sight as long as possible.
• Coats' Disease: Coats' disease, if left untreated, can lead to serious vision problems, emphasizing the importance of preventative eye care for children.
• Strabismus: Regular comprehensive eye exams, especially for young children, are important for early detection of strabismus, enabling timely treatment to ensure proper eye alignment and prevent future vision difficulties.
• Peripheral Uveitis: Managing peripheral uveitis effectively relies on proactive eye care and prompt treatment to minimize the risk of long-term vision problems.
• Congenital Nystagmus: Identifying congenital nystagmus early is crucial to implement strategies like vision therapy and special glasses, preventing further complications and maximizing visual potential.

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

• Contact Lens Treatment: Regular contact lens assessments are key to ensuring optimal comfort and vision while detecting potential eye health issues early.
• Enucleation of Eye (Co-management): Protecting your well-being: This service involves collaborative care to manage the surgical removal of an eye, ensuring a smooth recovery and minimizing potential risks.
• Strabismus Treatment: Strabismus treatment corrects misaligned eyes, reducing double vision and improving your quality of life.
• Foreign Body Removal from Eye: Foreign body removal helps safeguard your eye health by promptly addressing irritants and minimizing the chance of infection or vision loss.
• Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery (Co-management): Co-managing cosmetic eyelid surgery helps ensure your eyelids' health and function are optimized after the procedure, promoting long-term eye health.
• Glaucoma Medical Therapy: Ensure your eye health journey includes glaucoma medical therapy, a key strategy for managing glaucoma and slowing its progression, preserving precious eyesight.
• B-Scan Ultrasound: For comprehensive eye care, a B-Scan ultrasound helps create a detailed map of your eye's structures, assisting in the early detection and treatment of potentially blinding conditions.

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. Mary 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 the early symptoms of itchy, watery eyes, a patient proactively sought treatment, preventing further complications from giant papillary conjunctivitis and maintaining comfortable vision.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively managed their risk of early-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy, ensuring peace of mind and preserving their 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. Mary OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Mary 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, on the other hand, are medical doctors who are also 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 silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. These exams go beyond simple vision testing, providing vital preventive care.

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 look for signs of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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

Dr. Mary OD plays a crucial role in managing your cataract journey. We diagnose the cataract, determine the need for surgery, and refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist. Following surgery, we provide all necessary post-operative care and vision correction follow-up.

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

No, it is unsafe and illegal to purchase contact lenses online without an eye exam. Contact lenses are medical devices that sit directly on your eye, and a proper fitting and annual exam with Dr. Mary OD is essential to ensure the lenses fit correctly and are not damaging your eye, preventing serious infections and vision loss.

What is an OCT scan?

An OCT scan is an advanced imaging technology, similar to an ultrasound but using light, to create incredibly detailed cross-sectional pictures of your retina and optic nerve. Dr. Mary OD uses this to precisely detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.

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

Dry eye is very common. Dr. Mary OD can diagnose the cause and recommend a personalized treatment plan, which may include prescription eye drops or in-office procedures, beyond just artificial tears, to improve comfort and prevent damage.

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.

2054 Bloomingdale Ave
Valrico FL 33596
Phone: (813) 820-6150

Dr. Mary Lilly, 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): 1003907650

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. Mary 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.