Mara Fleming

Mara Fleming is an optometrist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Optometric care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Port Richey, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). 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 is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She serves all ages, from infants to seniors.

Dr. Mara Fleming is an optometrist in Port Richey, FL, committed to helping patients achieve optimal eye health through prevention. She understands that proactive care is essential for maintaining long-term well-being, and she strives to provide personalized plans tailored to individual needs. Her practice prioritizes early detection and intervention, focusing on preventive measures to safeguard the health of her patients’ eyes. To confirm if Dr. Fleming is currently accepting new patients, please call (727) 819-0440. While Dr. Mara Fleming provides consultations primarily in English, she aims to foster a welcoming and comprehensive approach to care for all patients.

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

• Juvenile Macular Degeneration: Regular visits to the eye doctor are vital for children and young adults, as early diagnosis of juvenile macular degeneration allows for timely interventions and prevents significant vision impairment.
• Posterior Vitreous Detachment: Protecting your vision involves understanding conditions like posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), a separation of the eye's vitreous gel that, while often harmless, necessitates timely detection through regular eye check-ups to mitigate risks of serious vision problems.
• Supranuclear Ocular Palsy: Preventive eye care, including comprehensive eye exams, plays a key role in identifying supranuclear ocular palsy, a condition affecting eye control, enabling earlier treatment and reducing long-term effects.
• Conjunctival Disorders: Conjunctivitis, a common conjunctival disorder, often responds well to treatment, but delaying care may lead to more severe symptoms and even vision complications; prevention and early intervention are key.
• Blepharitis: Early detection of blepharitis is crucial for preventing potential vision loss and discomfort; regular eyelid hygiene and prompt treatment are key to managing this condition.
• Eye Pain: Persistent eye pain shouldn't be dismissed. Addressing it promptly with a visit to your eye doctor helps ensure your eye health and prevent future problems.
• Eye Injuries: Regular comprehensive eye exams help identify and address potential eye injury risks, such as identifying and managing conditions that increase susceptibility to injury.

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

• Photo Therapeutic Keratectomy (Co-management): PTK co-management is a proactive step to address specific corneal issues, such as scarring or irregularities, and enhance your vision quality.
• Irregular Cornea Treatment With Scleral Contact Lenses: Improve your vision and reduce eye strain by exploring scleral contact lenses as a treatment option for irregular corneas—a proactive approach to better eye health.
• Laser Trabeculoplasty or Iridectomy (Co-management/some states): Taking charge of your eye health: This procedure can be a key step in managing glaucoma, helping to prevent serious vision problems.
• Corrective Lens Services: Invest in your vision with corrective lens services, helping to prevent blurry vision, headaches, and eye fatigue.
• Eye Print Prosthetic Contact Lens Treatment: Enhance your vision and prevent future complications by utilizing an eye print prosthetic contact lens, a method that enables precise evaluation and customized care.
• BlephEx™ for Blepharitis: Take proactive steps to manage blepharitis and improve your eye health with BlephEx™, a simple in-office procedure that cleanses your eyelids to reduce inflammation and prevent further complications.
• Ocular Inflammation (Uveitis) Treatment: Invest in your eyesight's future: uveitis treatment effectively manages inflammation, preventing severe vision impairments and preserving your eye health.

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. Mara Fleming 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 family proactively managed their risk for juvenile macular degeneration, gaining peace of mind knowing potential vision issues could be addressed early.
• By scheduling routine eye exams, a patient proactively monitored their eye health, gaining peace of mind and reducing the potential risks associated with posterior vitreous detachment.

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. Mara Fleming:

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 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 aren't just about your vision; they're about detecting silent, vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy early, when treatment is most effective.

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 blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery, allowing our doctors to spot potential issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even some cancers or autoimmune diseases.

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

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

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.

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. Mara Fleming can diagnose and monitor cataracts at our practice.

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

Dr. Mara Fleming will diagnose your cataract, determine if surgery is needed, and refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist. She will then provide essential post-operative care and follow-up vision correction.

When should my child have their first eye exam?

Dr. Mara Fleming recommends a comprehensive eye exam for children between 6 and 12 months of age. This early exam is vital for detecting potential vision problems like lazy eye or misaligned eyes, ensuring optimal vision development.

8319 Embassy Blvd
Port Richey FL 34668
Phone: (727) 819-0440

Mara Fleming 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): 1942991278

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. Mara Fleming 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.