Dr. Rachel Bruinsma, OD

Dr. Rachel Bruinsma, OD is an Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Orlando, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she 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. She serves all ages, from infants to seniors, recognizing the unique eye health needs of each stage of life.

Dr. Rachel OD's approach to care is collaborative and evidence-based, emphasizing a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She understands that proactive eye health translates to overall well-being, and she's committed to working with you to create a personalized vision care plan tailored to your specific needs. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she's committed to promoting healthy vision habits and early disease detection.

Dr. Rachel Bruinsma, OD is an optometrist in Orlando, FL, committed to providing exceptional, patient-centered care. To confirm if she is currently accepting new patients, please call (407) 650-7715. Dr. Rachel OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Hordeolum: Regular eye exams and proper hygiene help prevent and detect conditions like hordeola (styes), minimizing their impact on your eye health.
• Foreign Body in Eye: Preventing vision loss begins with proactive eye care; promptly addressing a foreign body in your eye minimizes the risk of infection and vision-threatening complications.
• Retinal Detachment: Early diagnosis of retinal detachment through preventative eye care significantly improves treatment outcomes and the chances of preserving your sight, emphasizing the value of proactive health measures.
• Eyelid Eczema: Protecting your eyelids from eczema starts with recognizing its symptoms early. Prompt treatment helps prevent chronic inflammation and potential long-term vision problems.
• Eye Palsy: Eye palsy can significantly impact vision; proactive eye care, including regular checkups, enables early diagnosis and prompt treatment, potentially avoiding permanent vision problems.
• Neonatal Conjunctivitis: Preventing vision loss in newborns requires awareness of neonatal conjunctivitis. Careful monitoring and immediate treatment when necessary is key to safeguarding their sight.
• Vitreous Diseases: Don't ignore floaters or flashes of light – these could be signs of a vitreous disease; proactive eye care and early diagnosis are key to preventing blindness.

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

• Scleral Contact Lens Treatment: Scleral contact lenses offer a comfortable and effective solution for managing complex corneal conditions and protecting your eyes from further damage.
• Eyeglasses: Eyeglasses correct refractive errors, improving your vision and preventing eye strain and headaches, crucial for daily activities and overall well-being.
• Orthokeratology: Orthokeratology uses specially designed contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape your cornea, reducing your need for glasses or daytime contact lenses and potentially slowing myopia progression in children.
• Extraocular Muscle Surgery (Co-management): This service proactively supports your eye muscle surgery, helping you achieve optimal vision and minimizing potential complications.
• Implantable Contact Lens (Co-management): Improve your vision and potentially prevent future eye problems by opting for implantable contact lenses, with our co-management services providing continuous monitoring and support.
• YAG Laser Therapy for the Anterior Segment (Co-management/some states): Protecting your sight starts with proactive care: YAG laser therapy can address specific anterior segment issues, helping you maintain clear vision and avoid future complications.
• Contact Lens Exams: Take a proactive step towards healthy eyes with contact lens exams – they assess your vision and eye health while wearing contacts.

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. Rachel 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 and practicing meticulous hygiene, a patient proactively minimized the risk of developing painful hordeola, ensuring continued comfort and clear vision.
• By promptly addressing a suspected foreign object in their eye, a patient avoided potential infection and serious vision problems, ensuring clear sight for years to come.

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. Rachel OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Rachel OD, is a primary eye care provider who performs comprehensive eye exams, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and manages many eye conditions. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes 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. These exams are not just about your eyesight; they also screen for silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Early detection is key to preventing serious problems.

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

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam can detect early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases. The eye is unique in that its blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing for the detection of these early warning signs.

What is an OCT scan?

An OCT scan is an advanced imaging technology, similar to an ultrasound but using light, that creates incredibly detailed cross-sectional pictures of the retina and optic nerve. This allows Dr. Rachel OD to detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration with great precision.

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

Low vision is vision impairment that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. A low vision evaluation with Dr. Rachel OD focuses on maximizing your remaining vision through tools like magnifiers, special lighting, and adaptive devices to help you maintain independence.

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 vision loss.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Rachel OD recommends a comprehensive eye exam for children between 6 and 12 months of age. This early exam is essential for detecting potential vision problems like lazy eye or misaligned eyes, which can impact a child's vision development.

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

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

6535 Nemours Pkwy
Orlando FL 32827
Phone: (407) 650-7715

Dr. Rachel Bruinsma, 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): 1326617945

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. Rachel 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.