Dr. Susan Phillips, OD

Dr. Susan Phillips, OD is a dedicated Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Saint Petersburg, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and adhering to Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is committed 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, understanding the unique eye health needs of each stage of life.

Dr. Susan OD is an optometrist in Saint Petersburg, FL, dedicated to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care. She believes in creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. This patient-centered approach emphasizes the importance of preventive eye care, recognizing its crucial role in maintaining overall well-being. To ensure that you receive the best possible care, please call (727) 345-4035 to confirm if Dr. Susan OD is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Susan OD provides consultations primarily in English. Her commitment to comprehensive eye care extends to proactively addressing potential eye health concerns and promoting preventive measures for optimal visual acuity and overall well-being. She is a valuable resource for navigating the complexities of eye health, empowering you to make informed decisions about your vision and overall health.

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

• Neonatal Conjunctivitis: Newborn eye infections like conjunctivitis can be prevented and managed effectively through proper hygiene, and timely diagnosis can greatly minimize the risk of serious consequences.
• Anisometropia: Protecting your eyesight involves being aware of anisometropia, an imbalance in your eyes' focusing power. Early diagnosis through preventive eye care ensures you receive timely intervention and reduce the risks of vision issues.
• Vitreous Diseases: Protecting your vision from vitreous diseases involves regular eye checkups to catch any changes early, minimizing the risk of serious complications like retinal tears or detachments.
• Macular Dystrophy, Retinal, 2: Don't wait for symptoms to appear: proactive eye care, including regular check-ups, is the best way to manage the risk and progression of macular dystrophy and safeguard your vision.
• Retinal Edema: Don't underestimate the importance of preventive eye care: retinal edema, a serious condition, can be better managed with early detection through regular eye exams, potentially preventing blindness.
• Retinal Tear: Protecting your vision starts with understanding retinal tears; these tiny breaks in your retina can lead to serious complications like retinal detachment if left untreated, highlighting the importance of preventive eye care.
• Mucocutaneous and Ocular Herpes, Neonatal: Neonatal herpes, affecting the eyes and skin, highlights the importance of prenatal care and vigilant newborn monitoring to prevent serious 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. Susan OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Tilt_Testing: Take a proactive step towards better vision and balance; tilt testing helps your optometrist diagnose conditions that may otherwise go unnoticed.
• Scleral Contact Lens Treatment: Protecting your vision starts with identifying and addressing underlying eye conditions; scleral lenses may provide a solution for better vision and comfort.
• Glaucoma Treatment: Protecting your sight starts with glaucoma treatment; proactive management helps prevent vision loss from this often-silent disease.
• Diagnostic Angiography: By using diagnostic angiography, your eye doctor can create a precise picture of your eye's blood supply, facilitating the early detection and treatment of serious conditions before they significantly impact your vision.
• Pterygium Surgery (Co-management): Prioritizing your eye health with pterygium surgery co-management helps detect and address any complications early.
• Clear Lens Extraction (Co-management): Clear Lens Extraction co-management helps proactively address vision issues and prevent future complications by carefully monitoring your eye health before and after surgery.
• Humphrey Visual Field Test for Glaucoma: Prioritize your eye health and undergo a Humphrey Visual Field Test, helping identify potential signs of glaucoma and allowing for preventative measures to protect your eyesight long-term.

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. Susan 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 following the optometrist's guidance on hygiene practices, a new parent felt confident in protecting their newborn's eyes from infection, ensuring a healthy start for their little one. Early detection and preventive measures significantly reduced the risk of neonatal conjunctivitis, providing peace of mind for the family.
• By proactively scheduling routine eye exams, a family gained peace of mind, knowing early detection of anisometropia would allow for timely intervention and reduced risk of vision problems.

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. Susan 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. They differ from an Ophthalmologist (MD), who is a medical doctor and eye surgeon.

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 screen for silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which can be detected before symptoms appear. Early detection allows for prompt treatment and helps preserve your vision.

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

Yes, a comprehensive eye exam can detect other health problems. The eye is the only place where blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing our doctors to spot early signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases during a dilated eye exam.

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

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

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

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 sit directly on your eye, and a proper fitting and annual exam with Dr. Susan OD is essential to ensure the lenses fit correctly and are not causing damage. This preventative care can help avoid serious infections and vision loss.

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 early on. An annual dilated eye exam allows Dr. Susan OD to detect any changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

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. Dr. Susan OD uses this to detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration with exceptional precision.

1903 Tyrone Blvd N
Saint Petersburg FL 33710
Phone: (727) 345-4035

Dr. Susan Phillips, 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): 1437177789

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. Susan 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.