Dr. Melissa Plana, OD

Dr. Melissa Plana, OD is a dedicated Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Hialeah, FL. As a valued partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). She is committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Optometric care, recognizing that 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. She serves all ages, from infants to seniors, recognizing the importance of eye health across the lifespan.

Dr. Melissa Plana, OD's practice in Hialeah, FL, focuses on collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her approach emphasizes the prevention of eye disease and vision problems through regular checkups, personalized care plans, and proactive screenings. She understands the importance of early detection and intervention, and she's dedicated to providing the best possible care for her patients. Please call (786) 590-4225 to confirm if Dr. Melissa OD is currently accepting new patients. While Dr. Melissa OD provides consultations primarily in English, she strives to ensure excellent communication and care for all her patients.

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

• Convergence Insufficiency: Convergence insufficiency is a common eye condition where your eyes struggle to work together properly when looking at nearby objects, and early detection through regular eye exams can prevent future vision problems.
• Conjunctival Disorders: Conjunctivitis, a common conjunctival disorder, often responds well to treatment, but delaying care may lead to more severe symptoms and even vision complications; prevention and early intervention are key.
• Microcornea - Corectopia - Macular Hypoplasia: Protecting your vision starts with regular eye checkups, especially for detecting conditions like microcornea, corectopia, and macular hypoplasia, which can impact visual development and require early intervention.
• Tear Duct Disorders: Tear duct disorders, if left untreated, can lead to serious eye infections and vision problems, highlighting the importance of early detection and prompt medical attention.
• Autoimmune Eye Diseases: Don't let an autoimmune disease steal your sight. Regular eye exams are your best defense; they enable early identification of eye-related autoimmune issues, allowing for timely treatment and better vision outcomes.
• Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: Don't underestimate the value of preventive eye care; early detection of ischemic optic neuropathy, characterized by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve, can significantly improve the chances of managing and preserving vision.
• Pigment Dispersion Syndrome: Early detection of Pigment Dispersion Syndrome is key to preventing serious vision complications like glaucoma, emphasizing the value of routine comprehensive eye examinations.

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

• Maze Procedure: Taking charge of your eye health involves regular check-ups to screen for conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration, allowing for timely treatment.
• Oculoplastics (Co-management): Oculoplastics co-management helps maintain healthy vision by coordinating specialist care for eye conditions like drooping eyelids or blocked tear ducts, improving outcomes and preventing complications.
• Photo Therapeutic Keratectomy (Co-management): By co-managing your PTK procedure, your eye doctor ensures the best possible outcome, helping prevent vision loss and improving your overall eye health.
• Iridotomy (Co-management/some states): As part of your comprehensive eye care plan, an iridotomy, in conjunction with other medical expertise, can be a beneficial preventative measure to relieve pressure in your eye and protect your vision.
• Electrophysiological Study: Safeguarding your vision is key, and an electrophysiological study plays a critical role in the early diagnosis of retinal and optic nerve issues, allowing for timely intervention.
• Intraocular Lens Implant Surgery (Co-management): For the best possible surgical experience and vision outcome, our co-management service for IOL implantation helps you get the clearest vision after surgery.
• Device Implantation and Extraction: Regular eye care includes evaluating the need for device implantation and extraction, minimizing risks and maximizing the benefits of vision correction.

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. Melissa 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 patient proactively addressed potential convergence insufficiency, reducing the risk of future vision difficulties and maintaining clear vision for everyday activities.
• By scheduling regular eye exams and following preventative measures, a family was relieved to avoid developing conjunctival disorders, ensuring continued eye health and comfort.

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. Melissa OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Melissa OD, is a primary eye care provider. They perform comprehensive eye exams, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and diagnose and manage many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors and eye surgeons.

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

Even if you have good vision, 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 look beyond your vision clarity, helping to protect your sight.

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 see potential issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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 it early and prevent blindness.

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 your eye, and a proper fitting and annual exam with Dr. Melissa OD is essential to ensure the lenses fit correctly and are not damaging your eye, which can prevent serious infections and vision loss.

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

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

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Melissa 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 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. Melissa OD uses this to precisely detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.

440 W 49th St
Hialeah FL 33012
Phone: (786) 590-4225

Dr. Melissa Plana, 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): 1790066900

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. Melissa 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.