Karla Flores Macias

Karla Flores Macias is an optometrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive eye care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her Clearwater, FL clinic, and is committed to providing personalized health plans and coordinating screenings to ensure optimal vision and overall wellness. She 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. Karla Macias serves all ages, from infants to seniors, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her approach to care is rooted in evidence-based medicine, and she strives to create a welcoming space where open communication and shared decision-making are paramount. She is an optometrist in Clearwater, FL, and patients should call (727) 443-6493 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Karla Macias provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Pars Planitis: Pars planitis, an inflammatory condition, may not show symptoms initially, making preventative eye care visits key to its timely diagnosis and treatment.
• Keratoconus Posticus Circumscriptus: To safeguard your eye health, be aware of Keratoconus Posticus Circumscriptus, a condition affecting the cornea's back surface, and schedule regular eye exams to catch it early, reducing the risk of significant vision problems.
• Ocular Hypertension: Ocular hypertension, or high eye pressure, is a serious condition that often has no symptoms, emphasizing the need for regular eye exams to detect it early and prevent vision loss from glaucoma.
• Strabismus-Like Double Vision: Preventive eye care is critical if you're experiencing double vision like strabismus. Early diagnosis and treatment can often prevent permanent vision problems.
• Macular Degeneration, Polymorphic: Polymorphic macular degeneration is a type of age-related macular degeneration that affects central vision, and regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management to prevent vision loss.
• Stye: Early intervention is crucial for styes as it helps to resolve the infection quickly and prevent potential scarring or spread to the other eye; proactive eye health checks are essential.
• Retinal Macoaneurysm: A retinal macroaneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel in the retina that can lead to vision loss, highlighting the importance of regular eye exams for early detection and timely treatment to prevent 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. Karla Macias offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Corrective Lens Services: Corrective lenses are a crucial part of preventative eye care, helping us to detect potential underlying eye conditions early.
• Conjunctivoplasty (Co-management): Protecting your eye health after surgery is key; conjunctivoplasty co-management helps ensure proper healing and reduces the risk of complications.
• YAG Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (Co-management/some states): As part of your eye health journey, YAG laser trabeculoplasty may be recommended to help control glaucoma and prevent further damage to your optic nerve.
• Eye Test: Taking charge of your eye health starts with a routine eye test, which can identify and address developing conditions like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
• Contact Lens Fitting Services: Protect your eye health with a contact lens fitting; our optometrists assess your vision and eye health, identifying potential problems early.
• Strabismus Treatment: By addressing strabismus, we aim to improve your visual acuity, coordination, and reduce the risk of long-term eye muscle imbalances.
• Removal of Foreign Body from External Eye: Don't let a speck of dust or debris cause lasting eye issues; removing foreign bodies promptly is key to preserving your vision.

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. Karla Macias 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 for pars planitis, gaining valuable peace of mind and ensuring prompt detection of any potential issues.
• By scheduling routine eye exams, a patient proactively monitored their eye health, significantly reducing the risk of vision problems associated with Keratoconus Posticus Circumscriptus. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and empowered them to maintain clear vision.

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. Karla Macias:

What is an Optometrist, and how are they different from an Ophthalmologist?

An optometrist (OD) is the primary eye care provider, performing comprehensive exams, prescribing eyewear, and managing many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists (MDs) are medical doctors specializing in eye surgery.

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

Even if your vision is good, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is crucial for early detection of silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. These exams allow us to identify potential problems before symptoms appear, enabling prompt treatment and 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 for the detection of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Macias recommends a comprehensive eye exam for children between 6 and 12 months of age. This early exam is essential for detecting potential vision problems like lazy eye or misaligned eyes, which can affect a child's vision development.

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

Dry eye is a very common condition. Dr. Macias can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend a personalized treatment plan, which may include prescription eye drops or in-office procedures, beyond simply using artificial tears.

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. Macias uses this to precisely detect and monitor diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.

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. Macias to detect changes early and arrange treatment to prevent vision loss.

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 glaucoma early and prevent vision loss.

912 S Missouri Ave
Clearwater FL 33756
Phone: (727) 443-6493

Karla Flores Macias 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): 1124868237

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. Karla Macias 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.