Dr. Stacey Illikal, OD

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

Dr. Stacey Illikal, OD is an optometrist in Saint Petersburg, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine. Her focus is on preventative care, equipping patients with the knowledge and tools to proactively manage their eye health. She believes in creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. To confirm if she is currently accepting new patients, please call (727) 821-9540. Dr. Stacey OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Keratitis: Protecting your eyes from irritants and infections is key to preventing keratitis; early detection through regular eye exams can significantly reduce the risk of permanent vision damage.
• Red-Green Color Blindness: Regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for detecting red-green color blindness, enabling early intervention and minimizing difficulties with activities requiring color differentiation.
• Aphakia: Managing aphakia, the lack of your eye's natural lens, involves proactive steps like regular eye exams to ensure proper vision correction and prevent further issues from developing.
• Hordeolum: Regular eye exams and proper hygiene help prevent and detect conditions like hordeola (styes), minimizing their impact on your eye health.
• Midline Field Defects: Early detection of midline field defects is vital; these vision problems often indicate a more serious underlying health issue, and prompt treatment can significantly reduce the chance of permanent vision damage.
• Macula Halo Syndrome: Macula halo syndrome is a rare eye condition where you see halos around lights, often indicating an early stage of cataracts, highlighting the importance of regular eye exams for early detection and preventing vision loss.
• 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.

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

• Glaucoma Medical Therapy: Take control of your eye health by proactively scheduling glaucoma medical therapy, which helps detect and manage this condition early, preventing vision loss.
• Intraocular Lens Implant Surgery (Co-management): Take a proactive step towards clear vision by choosing our co-management services for intraocular lens implant surgery, optimizing your post-operative care and vision recovery.
• Cataract Removal Surgery (Co-management): Prioritize clear vision: Co-management for cataract surgery helps maintain eye health and achieve the best possible surgical results.
• Oculoplastics (Co-management): Take a proactive step towards preventing vision problems by choosing oculoplastics co-management; it coordinates care for conditions affecting the eyelids, tear ducts, and surrounding structures, ensuring early diagnosis and treatment.
• Conjunctivoplasty (Co-management): By proactively participating in conjunctivoplasty co-management, you're teaming up with your eye doctor and surgeon for the best possible post-surgical care.
• Phakic Refractive Lens Implantation (Co-management): Enhance your quality of life with clearer vision; our co-management of phakic IOL implantation offers a safe and effective way to address refractive errors.
• Lucentis® Injection (Co-management): As part of your comprehensive eye care, Lucentis® injection co-management helps in early detection and treatment of specific eye diseases that threaten vision.

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. Stacey 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 following preventive advice, a patient proactively reduced their risk of keratitis, ensuring long-term eye health and peace of mind.
• By scheduling regular comprehensive eye exams, a family proactively identified potential red-green color vision deficiencies, enabling them to make informed decisions about activities and future planning.

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. Stacey OD:

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

An optometrist, like Dr. Stacey OD, is a primary eye care provider. They perform comprehensive eye exams, prescribe glasses and contacts, and manage many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who can also perform 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, even if you see well. These exams aren't just about your vision; they're a critical preventive measure to detect silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy before symptoms appear.

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, making it a valuable tool for health screenings.

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

Dr. Stacey OD diagnoses cataracts, determines when surgery is necessary, refers patients to a trusted ophthalmologist, and provides all essential post-operative care and follow-up vision correction.

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 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 sharp, central vision. There are "dry" and "wet" forms, and regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management to preserve sight.

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. Stacey OD focuses on maximizing remaining vision through tools like magnifiers, special lighting, and adaptive devices to help maintain independence.

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

3301 4th St N
Saint Petersburg FL 33704
Phone: (727) 821-9540

Dr. Stacey Illikal, 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): 1780257626

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. Stacey 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.