Dr. Thomas Blom, OD

Dr. Thomas Blom, OD is an Optometrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive eye care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, he practices at his clinic in Sarasota, FL, and is committed to providing personalized health plans, early disease detection, and vision correction. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring patients receive the highest quality and legally compliant 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.

Dr. Thomas OD serves all ages, from infants to seniors, recognizing that eye health is crucial at every life stage. His approach to care prioritizes a collaborative, evidence-based model, empowering patients to actively participate in their eye health journey. He fosters a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable asking questions and taking ownership of their well-being. Dr. Thomas Blom, OD is an optometrist in Sarasota, FL, and patients should call (941) 925-3937 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients. Please note that Dr. Thomas OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Retinal Telangiectasis: Early detection of retinal telangiectasis, characterized by enlarged retinal blood vessels, is crucial for preventing vision impairment through timely intervention and lifestyle adjustments.
• Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: Early diagnosis of LHON, an inherited eye disease, is crucial to slow its progression and prevent severe vision loss, emphasizing the need for regular comprehensive eye exams.
• Blepharoconjunctivitis: Preventing complications from blepharoconjunctivitis, like corneal ulcers, starts with proactive hygiene practices and prompt treatment from your eye doctor.
• Herpetic Keratitis: Herpetic keratitis is a serious eye infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, and early detection through regular eye exams is crucial to prevent vision loss.
• Refractive Error: Managing refractive errors through appropriate vision correction prevents eye fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms that can impact your daily life and overall well-being.
• Convergence Insufficiency: Convergence insufficiency makes focusing on near objects difficult, and early intervention through proper diagnosis and vision therapy can significantly improve your vision and reduce discomfort.
• Dry Eyes: Preventing dry eye disease through proactive hydration and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce discomfort and long-term eye health 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. Thomas OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Pharmacologic Stress Testing: For a thorough eye exam, pharmacologic stress testing is a crucial component in revealing how medications influence your vision and helps prevent or manage potential vision complications.
• Refractive Surgery (Co-management): Proactively partnering with your surgeon, we ensure your refractive surgery journey is safe and effective, maximizing your results and minimizing complications.
• Blepharoplasty (Co-management): Protecting your vision after eyelid surgery is crucial; our co-management services provide the necessary post-operative care to help prevent vision problems and ensure successful healing.
• Ocular Inflammation (Uveitis) Treatment: Invest in your eyesight's future: uveitis treatment effectively manages inflammation, preventing severe vision impairments and preserving your eye health.
• Contact Lens Treatment: Proper contact lens treatment ensures your lenses fit comfortably and safely, preventing infections and complications.
• Strabismus Examination: Protecting your child's vision starts with a strabismus exam, which screens for eye misalignment to ensure healthy eye development and avoid potential vision impairment.
• Glaucoma Surgery (Co-management): Taking charge of your eye health: Co-managing your glaucoma surgery helps your eye doctor monitor your progress and intervene quickly if any issues arise, protecting your sight.

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. Thomas 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 a proactive eye health plan, a patient proactively managed their risk of retinal telangiectasis, gaining peace of mind about their vision future.
• By adhering to a proactive eye exam schedule, a family was relieved to learn their early detection of a genetic predisposition to Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy allowed for proactive management and minimized the risk of significant vision loss.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He 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. Thomas 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?

Even if you see well, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial. These exams look beyond your vision, helping detect silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early. Early detection allows for timely treatment and preserves your vision.

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 our doctors to spot potential problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. A dilated eye exam can reveal these early warning signs.

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

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

What are the signs of a cataract?

Common signs of cataracts include blurry or dim vision, increased glare from lights, fading or yellowing of colors, and frequent changes in glasses prescription. Dr. Thomas can accurately diagnose and monitor cataracts to ensure the best possible vision care.

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 eye exam allows Dr. Thomas to detect changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

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

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

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

2450 Bee Ridge Rd Ste A
Sarasota FL 34239
Phone: (941) 925-3937

Dr. Thomas Blom, 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): 1699756981

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. Thomas 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.