Dr. Philip Desantis, OD

Dr. Philip DeSantis, OD is an Optometrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, he practices at Gatlin Vision, LLC in Port St. Lucie, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). His focus extends beyond simply correcting vision; 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. He serves all ages, from infants to seniors.

Dr. Philip OD is an Optometrist serving the Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce areas for more than 30 years. He is experienced in Adult & Pediatric Eye Care, Contact Lenses and Diabetic Eye Disease. He is a Professional Member of the American Optometric Association, the Florida Optometric Association and the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association. Dr. DeSantis's care philosophy emphasizes a collaborative approach, fostering a strong patient-doctor relationship built on trust and understanding. He is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey, and encourages you to call (772) 276-4948 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Philip OD offers consultations in several languages, including Italian, Russian, and Spanish.

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

• Diabetic Eye Disease: Early detection of diabetic eye disease through routine eye exams is crucial for preserving your sight and preventing severe vision impairment associated with diabetes.
• Glaucoma: Protecting your sight from glaucoma involves proactive steps like routine eye pressure checks and early diagnosis, helping manage this condition and avoid vision loss.
• Diplopia: Regular eye exams are key to preventing vision problems. If you experience diplopia, or double vision, it's important to seek prompt medical attention to determine the underlying cause and start treatment to prevent future problems.
• Serous Detachment Retina: Regular eye exams are vital for preventing serious eye problems like serous retinal detachment, where fluid buildup under the retina can cause vision impairment if left untreated.
• Posterior Capsule Clouding: Maintaining optimal vision after cataract surgery requires vigilance; early detection of posterior capsule clouding through preventive eye care helps preserve vision quality.
• Optic Atrophy - Ophthalmoplegia - Ptosis - Deafness - Myopathy: Don't ignore subtle vision changes or new muscle weakness. These may be warning signs of optic atrophy or related conditions, emphasizing the need for preventive eye care and prompt medical attention to prevent further complications.
• Gonococcal Conjunctivitis: Protecting your vision involves understanding preventable eye infections like gonococcal conjunctivitis; recognizing symptoms early and seeking care immediately is key to preventing lasting harm.

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. Philip 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: Ensure your contact lenses are the right fit and aren't harming your eyes by getting regular contact lens exams, allowing for early detection of problems.
• Punctal Plug Removal: Removing punctal plugs is a proactive step in managing dry eye disease, a common condition that can lead to serious eye problems if left untreated.
• Cataract Removal Surgery (Co-management): Protecting your sight after cataract surgery: We work closely with your surgeon to monitor your progress and address any potential complications.
• Epi-LASIK Eye Surgery (Co-management): Protect your vision investment with Epi-LASIK co-management, ensuring the best possible outcome and addressing potential complications early.
• Eye Exams for Glasses: Protect your eyesight by getting your eyes checked for glasses; this helps detect early signs of vision problems and eye diseases like glaucoma or macular degeneration.
• Ocular Inflammation (Uveitis) Treatment: Don't wait for vision problems to emerge: seeking uveitis treatment addresses inflammation promptly, helping to prevent sight-threatening complications.
• Vision Therapy (Orthoptics Therapy): Protect your eyesight and enhance your visual performance with vision therapy, which helps identify and address underlying causes of vision problems early on.

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. Philip 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 routine eye exams, a patient proactively managed their diabetic eye health, significantly reducing the risk of vision loss and enjoying peace of mind about their future.
• By adhering to a proactive eye care plan, including regular eye pressure checks, a patient significantly reduced their risk of glaucoma progression, ensuring their vision remained sharp and clear.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He 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. Philip 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 specializing in eye surgery.

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

A comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial for most adults, even if you see well. These exams are about more than just your vision; they help detect silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, when treatment is most effective.

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 uniquely positioned to allow direct visualization of blood vessels, revealing potential issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. A dilated eye exam can be a valuable tool in identifying these conditions.

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

Dry eye is a very common condition. Dr. Philip can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend a personalized treatment plan, which may include prescription eye drops or in-office procedures, to improve your comfort and prevent further damage.

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

What is 'low vision' and how can you help?

Low vision is vision impairment not fully correctable with glasses, contacts, or surgery. A low vision evaluation with Dr. Philip OD focuses on maximizing remaining vision through tools like magnifiers and special lighting, and other adaptive devices to maintain independence.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

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

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 directly touch your eyes, making a proper fitting and annual exam with Dr. Philip OD essential. This ensures the lenses fit correctly and are not damaging your eyes, preventing serious infections and vision loss.

Gatlin Vision, LLC
1850 SW Gatlin Blvd
Port St. Lucie FL 34953
Phone: (772) 276-4948

Dr. Philip Desantis, 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): 1386771749

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. Philip 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.