Dr. Melanie Crandall, OD

Dr. Melanie Crandall, OD is a licensed Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Davie, FL. As a 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 and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Melanie OD is committed to providing personalized eye health plans, coordinating screenings, and ensuring the best possible vision and overall wellness for all patients. 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. Melanie Crandall, OD is an optometrist in Davie, FL, serving all ages, from infants to seniors. She utilizes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her commitment to preventive care extends beyond the examination room, emphasizing proactive strategies to maintain optimal eye health throughout life. Please call (954) 262-1402 to confirm if Dr. Melanie OD is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Melanie OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Posterior Vitreous Detachment: Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is a natural aging process that can sometimes lead to retinal tears; preventative care through regular comprehensive eye exams enables early detection and timely intervention, reducing the risk of severe vision loss.
• Malignant Glaucoma: Early detection of malignant glaucoma is crucial for preventing irreversible vision damage; regular eye exams are vital for early intervention.
• Iris Ciliary Degeneration: Iris ciliary degeneration is a gradual deterioration of the iris and ciliary body, highlighting the importance of regular eye exams for early detection and preventing vision loss.
• Choroidal Dystrophy: Regular comprehensive eye exams are key to detecting choroidal dystrophy early, a hereditary eye disease affecting the choroid layer, minimizing potential vision impairment and allowing for timely intervention.
• Blurred Vision: Blurred vision can be a sign of developing eye problems, so scheduling regular eye exams is crucial for early detection and preventing vision loss.
• 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.
• North Carolina Macular Dystrophy: Protecting your eyesight requires understanding inherited conditions like North Carolina Macular Dystrophy; early diagnosis through routine eye checkups can help slow progression 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. Melanie OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Relaxing Corneal Incisions (Co-management): Invest in your long-term eye health with co-management for relaxing corneal incisions, helping to prevent complications and maintain clear vision.
• Lucentis® Injection (Co-management): Lucentis® injections, co-managed with your ophthalmologist, help proactively treat certain eye conditions, preserving your vision and preventing further vision loss.
• 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.
• Conjunctivoplasty (Co-management): Taking a proactive approach to your eye surgery recovery, conjunctivoplasty co-management helps optimize your vision and overall eye health.
• Hemodynamic Monitoring: By monitoring the blood flow within your eyes, we can identify potential problems early on, potentially preventing vision loss and maintaining your eye health.
• Orbit Evisceration (Co-management): Protecting your vision after complex eye surgery is crucial; co-management with your eye surgeon helps provide comprehensive care, facilitating a smoother recovery and preventing potential issues.
• Mechanical Circulatory Support System: Ensure healthy eyes for years to come by scheduling routine eye exams; these screenings can catch diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration in their early stages.

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. Melanie 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 comprehensive eye exams, a patient proactively managed their eye health, reducing the risk of potential vision loss associated with posterior vitreous detachment. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and empowered them to confidently navigate their eye care journey.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively managed their risk factors for malignant glaucoma, achieving peace of mind knowing they were taking the best steps to preserve 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. Melanie 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 contacts, and diagnoses and manages many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists (MDs) are medical doctors specializing in eye surgery.

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 critical preventative 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 identify potential issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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

Dry eye is very common. Dr. Melanie 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.

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

It is unsafe and illegal to purchase contact lenses online without a comprehensive eye exam. Contact lenses are medical devices that sit directly on the eye, and a proper fitting and annual exam with Dr. Melanie OD is essential to ensure proper lens fit and prevent eye damage, serious infections, and vision loss.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

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

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.

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. Melanie OD to detect these changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

3200 S University Dr
Davie FL 33328
Phone: (954) 262-1402

Dr. Melanie Crandall, 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): 1578637419

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. Melanie 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.