Dr. Thomas Foster, OD

Dr. Thomas Foster, OD is a board-certified Optometrist practicing at his clinic in Bradenton, Florida. Registered with the Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458, he is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care. He 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.

Dr. Thomas Foster, OD, serves all ages, from infants to seniors, emphasizing the importance of eye health at every stage of life. His approach to care is collaborative and evidence-based, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He is committed to fostering a strong patient-provider relationship built on trust and transparency, ensuring that patients understand their eye health needs and how to maintain them. To inquire about new patient appointments, please call (941) 753-2323.

Dr. Thomas OD is an optometrist in Bradenton, FL, committed to promoting proactive eye health for all patients. His services extend beyond routine vision care, encompassing a dedication to preventative measures, early detection, and personalized health plans. He also offers consultations in Spanish, making his services accessible to a wider community.

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:

• Macular Degeneration, Polymorphic: Early diagnosis of polymorphic macular degeneration is key to slowing its progression and preserving your vision. Regular comprehensive eye exams are your best defense against this potentially blinding condition.
• Squint: Squinting might indicate an uncorrected refractive error like nearsightedness or farsightedness, so addressing it through vision correction prevents eye strain and potential headaches.
• Microcornea - Cataract - Coloboma Syndrome: Microcornea-cataract-coloboma syndrome is a rare combination of eye conditions that requires early detection through regular comprehensive eye exams to manage potential vision loss and complications.
• Posterior Capsule Clouding: Regular eye exams are crucial for detecting posterior capsule clouding, a post-cataract surgery condition, ensuring timely treatment and maintenance of clear vision.
• Macular Corneal Dystrophy, Type I: Protecting your vision from the effects of macular corneal dystrophy type I, an inherited eye disease, starts with routine eye check-ups to catch it early and slow its advance, helping to preserve your sight.
• Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: Protecting your vision from the potentially devastating effects of AION involves understanding your risk factors, like high blood pressure and diabetes, and proactive management to prevent this sudden vision loss.
• Pigmentary Retinopathy: Don't let pigmentary retinopathy steal your sight; preventative eye exams allow for timely detection and treatment to reduce the risk of severe vision loss.

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:

• Peripheral Angiograms: Take a proactive step towards preserving your eyesight with a peripheral angiogram—a valuable tool for detecting subtle changes in the blood vessels of your eyes, allowing for prompt management of potential vision-threatening conditions.
• Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lens Treatment: Ensure sharp, clear vision and potentially prevent corneal issues by considering RGP contact lenses as a vision correction method—a personalized approach to managing your eye health.
• Monovision: By exploring monovision, you're taking charge of your eye health, correcting your vision for near and far vision tasks, potentially preventing the need for bifocals or reading glasses.
• Device Implantation and Extraction: Taking proactive steps with device implantation and extraction helps ensure the accuracy and longevity of your vision correction and allows for early detection of any complications.
• Tilt_Testing: As part of a comprehensive eye exam, tilt testing helps your doctor screen for conditions affecting both your balance and vision, allowing for timely intervention.
• Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): Protecting your vision is key! Laser trabeculoplasty can be a valuable tool in managing glaucoma, helping to prevent blindness by improving fluid drainage in your eyes.
• Macular Degeneration Genetic Testing: Take a proactive step towards protecting your vision by undergoing macular degeneration genetic testing, which identifies your risk for this leading cause of vision loss.

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, a patient proactively identified early signs of polymorphic macular degeneration, allowing for timely intervention and preserving their vision. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and empowered them to confidently plan for the future.
• By addressing potential refractive errors through regular eye exams, a patient significantly reduced the risk of developing squint, ensuring clear vision and preventing future eye strain. This proactive approach gave the patient peace of mind and confidence in their overall eye health.

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 conditions. An ophthalmologist (MD) is a medical doctor specializing in 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 look beyond your current vision, helping detect silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, when treatment is most effective. Early detection is key to preserving 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 identify potential issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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 any changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

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. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management to help preserve sight.

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. Thomas OD is essential to ensure a correct fit and prevent eye damage, serious infections, and vision loss.

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

Low vision is vision impairment not fully correctable with glasses, contacts, or surgery. A low vision evaluation with Dr. Thomas OD focuses on maximizing remaining vision through tools like magnifiers and adaptive devices to help maintain independence.

What is an OCT scan?

An OCT scan is an advanced imaging technology, similar to ultrasound, that uses light to create incredibly detailed, cross-sectional pictures of your retina and optic nerve. Dr. Thomas OD uses this to precisely detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.

803 Cortez Rd W
Bradenton FL 34207
Phone: (941) 753-2323

Dr. Thomas Foster, 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): 1477795284

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.