Dr. Mary Schinderle, OD

Dr. Mary Schinderle, OD is a Sarasota, FL-based optometrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive eye care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a committed partner in preventive health, recognizing that your optometrist is your primary partner in lifelong eye health. This includes providing preventive care, vision correction, early disease detection, personalized health plans, and coordinating screenings to ensure your best possible vision and overall wellness. She serves all ages, from infants to seniors, with a focus on collaborative, evidence-based medicine and a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their long-term health. Please call (941) 923-4111 to confirm if Dr. Mary OD is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Mary Schinderle, OD is an optometrist in Sarasota, FL, committed to the proactive approach of preventive care. As a key partner in your eye health journey, her practice emphasizes early detection and personalized health plans to safeguard your vision and overall wellbeing. She understands that optimal eye health is essential to a fulfilling life and works closely with patients of all ages to achieve this. 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:

• Astigmatism: Preventing vision impairment from astigmatism involves regular comprehensive eye exams, enabling early diagnosis and correction via glasses or contact lenses, thus improving visual acuity and quality of life.
• Eye Muscle Disorders: Addressing eye muscle disorders promptly, often through vision therapy or surgery if needed, prevents further complications like amblyopia (lazy eye) and permanent vision loss.
• Cytomegaloviral Retinitis: Cytomegalovirus retinitis is a serious eye infection, especially for people with weakened immune systems, and regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment to prevent vision loss.
• Toxic Optic Neuropathy: Toxic optic neuropathy is a serious condition damaging the optic nerve, often preventable with early detection and management of risk factors like certain medications or toxins.
• Primary Congenital Glaucoma: Primary congenital glaucoma, a condition affecting newborns, can cause irreversible vision loss if left untreated; regular eye exams in infancy are vital for early diagnosis and treatment, safeguarding your child's future sight.
• Macular Corneal Dystrophy, Type I: Don't let macular corneal dystrophy type I, an inherited condition affecting the cornea, steal your sight. Preventative care, including routine eye exams, is key to early diagnosis and slowing its advancement.
• Nystagmus, Hereditary Vertical: Regular check-ups are crucial for children with a family history of nystagmus as early diagnosis of hereditary vertical nystagmus can allow for timely interventions to improve 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. Mary OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Eye Movement Recording: Protecting your vision starts with eye movement recording; this assessment helps identify problems early on, potentially preventing future vision difficulties.
• Visian Impantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (Co-management): Take a proactive step towards clearer vision by exploring Visian Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs), a procedure that can reduce your reliance on glasses or contacts.
• Doppler Test: This simple Doppler test allows your eye doctor to check the blood flow in your eyes, helping prevent vision loss from conditions like glaucoma or other vascular diseases.
• LipiFlow® Procedure: Protect your vision by addressing the root cause of dry eye disease with the LipiFlow® procedure; this innovative treatment can significantly reduce discomfort and improve your quality of life.
• Relaxing Corneal Incisions (Co-management): Take a proactive step in protecting your vision by participating in co-management of relaxing corneal incisions, ensuring your surgery is carefully monitored for optimal outcomes.
• Orbit Evisceration (Co-management): Orbit evisceration co-management ensures your eye surgeon and eye doctor work together to monitor your eye health after a serious eye injury or surgery, optimizing your recovery and minimizing complications.
• Eye Print Prosthetic Contact Lens Treatment: Enhance your vision and prevent future complications by utilizing an eye print prosthetic contact lens, a method that enables precise evaluation and customized care.

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 scheduling regular eye exams, a young student proactively managed potential vision issues related to astigmatism, ensuring clear vision and continued academic success.
• Recognizing the early signs of potential eye muscle problems, a family proactively sought optometric guidance, leading to a personalized vision therapy plan and preventing further complications like amblyopia.

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 contacts, and diagnoses and manages many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who specialize in eye surgery.

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

Even if your vision is good, 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 are about more than just your eyesight; they're a vital preventive measure.

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

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

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 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.

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, causing irreversible peripheral vision loss. Regular eye exams are the only way to detect glaucoma early and prevent blindness.

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

Dr. Mary 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.

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. Mary OD to detect any changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

8201 S Tamiami Trl Unit 51
Sarasota FL 34238
Phone: (941) 923-4111

Dr. Mary Schinderle, 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): 1235296658

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.