Dr. Victor Higuera, OD

Dr. Victor Higuera, OD is a licensed Optometrist practicing at his clinic in Mount Dora, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), he is deeply committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive optometric care. His dedication extends beyond simply correcting vision; he recognizes 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. Victor OD focuses on preventive medicine, understanding that proactive care is crucial for maintaining optimal eye health throughout life. He serves all ages, from infants to seniors, recognizing the unique eye health needs of each stage. He is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (352) 735-2020 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Victor OD is an optometrist in Mount Dora, FL. He is accepting new patients.

Dr. Victor OD is dedicated to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, ensuring a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He understands the importance of comprehensive care and seeks to create a partnership between patient and provider. Dr. Victor OD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Marcus-Gunn Pupillary Sign: Regular eye exams help detect the Marcus-Gunn pupil sign, a subtle indicator of neurological issues that could affect your vision, emphasizing proactive eye health for preventing potential complications.
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Protecting your eyes from bacterial conjunctivitis involves practicing good hygiene to avoid infection and seeking professional care if symptoms like redness, swelling, or discharge appear.
• Chronic Conjunctivitis: Persistent eye irritation from chronic conjunctivitis can be effectively managed with timely professional care, lowering your risk of vision-threatening issues.
• Pars Planitis: Regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for early detection of pars planitis, allowing for timely treatment and minimizing potential long-term eye health issues.
• Binocular Vision Disorder: Preventive eye exams are key to identifying binocular vision disorders, allowing for timely intervention and reducing the risk of long-term vision problems like headaches and eye fatigue.
• Colored Haloes Similar to that of Glaucoma: Don't ignore colored halos around lights—they may indicate glaucoma. Preventive eye care, including routine examinations, is key for managing this condition and preserving your vision.
• Coloboma of Iris: Regular eye check-ups are crucial for early detection of iris coloboma, a condition present from birth, allowing for prompt management and preventing associated vision 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. Victor OD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): Early detection and treatment of glaucoma are crucial. Laser trabeculoplasty is a procedure that can help control glaucoma and preserve your vision over the long term.
• Retinal Laser Photocoagulation (Co-management): Retinal laser photocoagulation helps prevent vision loss by treating eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration before they significantly damage your sight.
• Avastin® Injection (Co-management): Taking a proactive role in your eye health, Avastin® co-management helps detect and treat eye diseases early, preserving your sight.
• Macular Degeneration Treatment: Protecting your central vision is key, and macular degeneration treatment helps detect and manage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss, early.
• Iridotomy (Co-management/some states): To proactively safeguard your vision, an iridotomy may be recommended, particularly if you have conditions like narrow-angle glaucoma, to lower intraocular pressure and prevent vision loss.
• Laser Cataract Surgery (Co-management): Enhance your vision and prevent potential complications by opting for co-management during your laser cataract surgery. This collaborative approach ensures a smooth recovery.
• 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.

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. Victor 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 monitored their eye health, identifying potential neurological issues early, thus reducing the risk of vision problems. This proactive approach provided the patient with peace of mind regarding their overall well-being.
• Knowing the importance of good hygiene, a family proactively prevented bacterial conjunctivitis by consistently following recommended eye care practices, ensuring a comfortable and healthy vision journey.

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. Victor 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 contacts, 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 detect silent vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, often before symptoms appear. Early detection allows for timely intervention and better outcomes.

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, and certain cancers. A dilated eye exam can reveal these early warning signs.

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

Dr. Victor OD plays a vital role in managing your cataract journey. We will diagnose the cataract, determine if surgery is needed, and refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist. Following surgery, we provide essential post-operative care and vision correction follow-up.

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

What is an OCT scan?

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

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.

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

No, 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. Victor OD is essential to ensure a correct fit and prevent serious eye infections and vision loss.

17560 US Highway 441
Mount Dora FL 32757
Phone: (352) 735-2020

Dr. Victor Higuera, 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): 1265435358

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. Victor 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.