Dr. Sarah Westcarth, OD

Dr. Sarah Westcarth, OD is a dedicated Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Miami, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she understands 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.

Your eye health is integral to your overall well-being, and Dr. Sarah OD is committed to helping you achieve and maintain optimal vision across all stages of life. She serves all ages, from infants to seniors, emphasizing the importance of proactive eye health management. Dr. Sarah Westcarth, OD is an optometrist in Miami, FL, who approaches care with a collaborative, evidence-based philosophy, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She strives to provide accessible, high-quality care, and patients should call (305) 949-4221 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Sarah OD provides consultations primarily in English. Her commitment to preventive care extends beyond the examination room, encouraging patients to adopt healthy habits and make informed decisions about their vision and overall health. She recognizes the multifaceted nature of health and seeks to empower each patient to become a proactive partner in their journey toward optimal eye health and well-being.

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

• Nystagmus, Myoclonic: Myoclonic nystagmus is a type of involuntary eye movement that can be detected early through regular comprehensive eye exams, helping prevent vision impairment and potential complications.
• Lens Disorders: Protecting your vision starts with regular eye exams to detect lens disorders early, preventing potential vision loss and complications.
• Herpetic Keratitis: Managing underlying health conditions and practicing good hygiene can reduce your risk of developing herpetic keratitis, a painful and potentially blinding corneal infection.
• Congenital Motor Nystagmus: Preventive eye exams, especially in infants, are crucial for detecting congenital motor nystagmus, enabling early intervention strategies that can potentially improve visual function and quality of life.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: Protecting your eyesight from the damaging effects of diabetes requires proactive care, including regular dilated eye exams to detect diabetic retinopathy early.
• Squamous Blepharitis: Protecting your eye health involves proactive management of conditions like squamous blepharitis, which can cause discomfort and potential long-term vision problems if not addressed.
• Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome: Preventative eye care, including regular checkups, is key to managing Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome. Early diagnosis allows for prompt treatment, potentially preventing vision-threatening complications.

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

• Eye Test: Taking charge of your eye health starts with a routine eye test, which can identify and address developing conditions like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
• YAG Laser Capsulotomy (Co-management/some states): Protect your vision investment: This procedure helps clear up cloudy vision after cataract surgery, ensuring the best possible outcome from your operation.
• Diabetic Eye Exam: Regular diabetic eye exams are crucial for people with diabetes, as they help detect and treat diabetic retinopathy, preventing vision loss and improving long-term eye health.
• Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty is a procedure that can help lower eye pressure and prevent vision loss from glaucoma.
• Visian Impantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (Co-management): Protect your long-term eye health with ICL co-management, ensuring seamless care and monitoring before, during, and after this vision correction procedure.
• Maze Procedure: Prevent vision loss by scheduling comprehensive eye exams that include tests to spot early signs of eye diseases.
• Interpretation of Pharmacologic Stress Tests: For a thorough assessment of your eye health, particularly if you're on medication, this test helps your doctor identify potential complications and tailor your treatment plan.

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. Sarah 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 young patient successfully identified and managed potential nystagmus, ensuring they could maintain clear vision and avoid possible complications later in life. This proactive approach brought peace of mind to the family, allowing them to focus on the child's overall well-being.
• By scheduling routine eye exams, a patient proactively identified a lens disorder early, significantly reducing the risk of potential vision loss and associated complications. This proactive approach ensured a clear path toward maintaining optimal vision health.

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. Sarah 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 conditions. They differ from ophthalmologists (MDs), who are medical doctors and eye surgeons.

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 for early detection of silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. These exams are important preventive measures, helping us catch problems before they cause noticeable symptoms.

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

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Sarah OD can detect other health problems. The eye is unique in offering direct visualization of blood vessels, allowing early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases to be detected during a dilated eye exam.

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.

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

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

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

Yes, absolutely. For issues like eye infections, corneal scratches, or foreign objects, 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.

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

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

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 exam allows Dr. Sarah OD to detect these changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

1658 NE Miami Gardens Dr
Miami FL 33179
Phone: (305) 949-4221

Dr. Sarah Westcarth, 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): 1033467345

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. Sarah 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.