Dr. Monica Brown, OD

Dr. Monica OD is an Optometrist with a focus on low vision rehabilitation, practicing at Baymeadows Vision Center in Jacksonville, FL. She is a registered member of The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in preventive health, Dr. Monica OD is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care. 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. This area of practice is key to prevention, focusing on the early detection and management of low vision rehabilitation to help patients maintain long-term health. She serves all ages, from infants to seniors, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (904) 739-2050 to schedule. Dr. Monica OD earned her medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2007, and her practice reflects a commitment to providing the highest quality care. She believes in a holistic approach, prioritizing the patient's vision needs and overall health, and is dedicated to offering the most advanced technology and continuing education in her field. Dr. Monica OD offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Allergic Conjunctivitis: Regular eye exams help detect and manage allergic conjunctivitis, reducing the risk of long-term eye problems like corneal damage.
• 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.
• Cataract: While cataracts are a natural part of aging, proactive eye care through regular exams helps us catch them early, potentially slowing progression and preserving your eyesight.
• Corneal Abrasion: Corneal abrasions, often caused by minor injuries, can lead to significant eye problems if left untreated; proactive eye safety and immediate medical attention are vital for prevention and quick recovery.
• Diabetic Eye Disease: Managing your diabetes effectively, including regular eye exams, is key to preventing or delaying the onset of diabetic eye disease and protecting your vision.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: Early detection of diabetic retinopathy through routine eye exams allows for timely intervention, potentially preventing severe vision impairment or blindness.
• Dry Eyes: By addressing dry eye symptoms early and following your eye doctor's recommendations, you can preserve the health of your ocular surface and prevent vision loss.
• Eyelid Inflammation: Managing eyelid inflammation is crucial for preventing potential vision loss and chronic eye problems; schedule an eye exam if you experience symptoms.
• Foreign Body in Eye: A foreign object in your eye, if left untreated, can lead to serious infections or vision impairment, highlighting the importance of prompt medical attention for preventive eye care.
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a gradual eye disease, often without early symptoms, highlighting the importance of preventative eye exams to detect and manage it before irreversible damage occurs.
• Presbyopia: As you age, you may develop presbyopia, which blurs near vision; proactive eye check-ups are key to ensuring you receive appropriate corrective lenses and prevent eye strain.

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. Monica 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 Exams: Regular contact lens exams ensure your lenses fit comfortably and safely, preventing potential eye infections and complications.
• Diabetic Eye Exam: Protecting your sight is key, and a diabetic eye exam proactively screens for eye damage related to diabetes, enabling early intervention and preserving your vision.
• Eye Examination: An eye exam is more than just checking your vision; it's a vital health assessment that can detect underlying medical issues impacting your eyes.
• Eyeglasses: Eyeglass prescriptions are an essential part of regular eye exams, allowing for early detection of underlying eye conditions that, if left untreated, could lead to vision loss.
• Foreign Body Removal from Eye: Protecting your vision starts with swift removal of any foreign objects in your eye, preventing potential scratches, infections, or lasting damage.
• Glaucoma Treatment: Take charge of your eye health: glaucoma treatment involves careful monitoring and intervention to detect and manage this serious condition early.
• Punctal Plug Insertion: Punctal plugs are tiny inserts that help your eyes retain more natural tears, relieving dryness and preventing further damage.
• Scleral Contact Lens Treatment: Scleral lenses can provide clear vision and comfort for individuals with conditions that standard contact lenses cannot manage, helping to prevent vision impairment.
• Soft Contact Lenses: Soft contact lenses offer a comfortable and convenient way to correct your vision, improving your daily life and reducing eye strain.
• Vision Screening: A vision screening is a preventative measure to safeguard your vision. It helps identify eye conditions in their early stages, often before you experience any symptoms.

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. Monica 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 managed their allergic conjunctivitis, significantly reducing the risk of future eye complications and ensuring comfortable vision.
• By scheduling regular eye exams, a patient proactively managed potential astigmatism, ensuring clear vision and a comfortable lifestyle. Early detection allowed for timely intervention, preventing vision impairment and improving overall well-being.

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. Monica 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. An Ophthalmologist (MD) is a medical doctor and eye surgeon.

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. These exams aren't just for checking your sight; they also detect silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, often before you notice any symptoms.

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

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

When should my child have their first eye exam?

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

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

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.

I have something in my eye. Should I come here first?

Yes, absolutely. For issues like eye infections, corneal scratches, or foreign objects in the eye, 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 central vision. There are "dry" and "wet" forms, and regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management to preserve vision.

Baymeadows Vision Center
5150 Belfort Rd Bldg 600
Jacksonville FL 32256
Phone: (904) 739-2050

Dr. Monica Brown, 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): 1740479500

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. Monica 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.