Dr. Susannah Marcus, OD

Dr. Susannah Marcus, OD is a dedicated Optometrist practicing at her clinic in Gainesville, 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. She serves all ages, from infants to seniors, prioritizing a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care.

Dr. Susannah OD's practice is focused on proactively maintaining and improving eye health. She works to create a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. As an optometrist in Gainesville, FL, she is dedicated to delivering comprehensive eye care, emphasizing prevention and early detection to reduce the risk of vision impairment. Patients should call (352) 732-6599 to confirm if Dr. Susannah OD is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Susannah OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Open-Angle Glaucoma: Protecting your sight from the silent threat of open-angle glaucoma involves proactive eye health checks, as early diagnosis allows for timely treatment to manage pressure and slow disease progression.
• Corneal Abrasion: Corneal abrasions, often caused by minor injuries, can lead to significant eye problems if left untreated; proactive eye safety and immediate medical attention are vital for prevention and quick recovery.
• Chemosis: Protecting your vision involves being aware of signs like chemosis; seeing your eye doctor for regular checkups aids in early detection and helps manage any underlying issue before it worsens.
• Meibomitis: Meibomitis is a common eye condition causing inflammation of the oil glands in your eyelids, which, if left untreated, can lead to dry eye and other vision problems, highlighting the importance of regular eye exams for early detection and prevention.
• Amaurosis Fugax: Amaurosis fugax is a temporary vision loss in one eye, often a warning sign of a more serious underlying health problem, so regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and prevention of complications.
• Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, Familial Bilateral: If you have a family history of optic nerve hypoplasia, proactive monitoring with regular eye checkups is key to detecting potential issues early and managing vision to prevent future complications.
• Conjunctiva Degeneration Deposit: Regular eye exams are key to managing eye health; identifying conjunctival degeneration deposits early can help prevent potential complications and maintain clear vision.

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

• Doppler Test: Early detection is key to preserving your vision; a Doppler test is a valuable tool your eye doctor can use to assess the health of your eye's blood vessels and screen for potential 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.
• YAG Laser Therapy for the Anterior Segment (Co-management/some states): As part of your comprehensive eye health plan, YAG laser therapy is a precise procedure that targets problems in the front of the eye, enabling early intervention and improved visual outcomes.
• Pharmacologic Stress Testing: Taking proactive steps for your eye health, pharmacologic stress testing helps your eye doctor assess how well your eyes respond to medication and identify potential issues early.
• BlephEx™ for Blepharitis: Early detection and treatment of blepharitis is key to preventing long-term damage. BlephEx™ offers a convenient and effective way to manage this common condition and safeguard your vision.
• Optomap® Retinal Exam: Take a proactive step towards protecting your vision with an Optomap® retinal exam, a quick and painless scan that helps detect early signs of serious eye conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
• Optical Coherence Tomography: Safeguarding your eyesight starts with an OCT scan, a quick and comfortable imaging test that helps your eye doctor identify subtle changes that could indicate eye disease, leading to prompt intervention.

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. Susannah 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 patient proactively managed their risk of open-angle glaucoma, gaining peace of mind about preserving their vision.
• By proactively protecting their eyes from potential injury and following the optometrist's guidance, a family was relieved to learn that early intervention minimized the risk of a corneal abrasion, ensuring a swift and full recovery.

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. Susannah 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 and eye surgeon.

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

A comprehensive eye exam, even if you see well, is crucial for early detection of silent vision-threatening diseases. We recommend a comprehensive exam every one to two years for most adults to help safeguard your eye health. These exams look beyond your vision and can identify potential problems like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy before they cause symptoms.

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 the only place where blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing for the detection of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

Is it safe to buy contact lenses online without an exam?

It is unsafe and illegal to purchase contact lenses online without a professional eye exam. Contact lenses are medical devices that sit directly on your eye, and a proper fitting and annual exam with Dr. Susannah OD is essential to ensure the lenses fit correctly and are not damaging your eye, which can prevent serious infections and vision loss.

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.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

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

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 it early and prevent blindness.

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

Dry eye is a very common condition. Dr. Susannah 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.

5533 SW 64th St
Gainesville FL 32608
Phone: (352) 732-6599

Dr. Susannah Marcus, 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): 1346266673

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. Susannah 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.