Dr. Benjamin Thomas, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in the care of older adults. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive ophthalmologic care for individuals 65 years and older at his clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. Thomas is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), and is committed to expertly managing complex conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. General ophthalmologists provide comprehensive eye care for seniors, expertly managing these complex conditions, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure your best possible vision and overall health. He is currently welcoming new patients and they should call (904) 997-9202 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Benjamin Thomas, MD is a vitreoretinal disease specialist in Jacksonville, FL with over 15 years of experience in the medical field. His extensive experience in ophthalmologic care brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2009, completing an internship at Mount Sinai Hospital. Further specializing, he pursued fellowship training at William Beaumont Hospital, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, John A. Moran Eye Center, deepening his expertise in vitreoretinal disease. He is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology and affiliated with medical facilities such as AdventHealth Orlando and Ascension St Vincent's Riverside. Dr. Thomas is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. He is fluent in French and also offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Benjamin Thomas is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Thomas is a compassionate ophthalmologist dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care tailored to the unique needs of seniors. He expertly manages complex conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, working collaboratively with other specialists and your primary care physician to create a personalized plan that prioritizes your best possible vision and overall well-being. His approach emphasizes understanding your personal goals and creating a supportive environment to maintain your comfort and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Benjamin Thomas can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Anthem
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Choice HMO
- Blue Choice Option POS
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia
- Blue Open Access (Select Network)-GA POS
- Blue Open Access (Small Grp)-GA POS
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Humana
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- Open Access Plus
- Preferred PPO
- Select HMO
- Superior Health Plan
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Benjamin Thomas provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Corneal Ulcer: Corneal ulcers are treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointments to fight infection and promote healing; in some cases, surgery might be necessary to ensure your eye recovers fully and your vision remains clear.
- Chorioretinitis: If you're experiencing vision changes due to chorioretinitis, treatment often involves medication to reduce inflammation and protect your sight, helping you maintain your independence.
- Retinal Hemangioma: For many seniors with retinal hemangiomas, regular eye exams are sufficient to manage this condition; treatment, such as laser therapy, is usually only needed if the hemangioma threatens vision.
- Ectropion of Eyelid: Ectropion is a condition where the eyelid turns outward, exposing the inner eyelid and causing dryness, irritation, and potentially vision problems, but surgery can often correct this and improve comfort.
- Hypotropia: Experiencing a downturned eye (hypotropia) can affect depth perception and eye coordination, but don't worry! Treatment options such as surgery, glasses with prisms, or vision therapy can often lead to significant improvements in vision and quality of life.
- Cataract: As we age, the lens of the eye can become cloudy, leading to cataracts; this condition can significantly affect daily tasks like reading or driving, but surgery is often an effective solution.
- Drusen: The presence of drusen in your eye doesn't automatically mean you'll develop vision problems, but it's important to have your eyes checked regularly to catch any changes early.
- Chalazion: A chalazion is a relatively common eyelid problem that's often painless but can affect your vision. Management usually involves warm compresses and sometimes a minor in-office procedure to improve your eye comfort.
- Endophthalmitis: Endophthalmitis is a rare but severe infection within the eye that can lead to blindness if not treated promptly; treatment usually involves antibiotics or surgery, focusing on preserving vision and quality of life.
- Non-Magnetic Retained Intraocular Foreign Body: Sometimes, a small object gets lodged inside the eye, and if it's not magnetic, special techniques are needed to carefully remove it, restoring clear vision and reducing irritation.
- Senile Cataracts: Senile cataracts are a common age-related clouding of the eye's lens, causing blurry vision that can often be easily corrected with surgery to improve your daily life.
- Eye Infections: Eye infections, like pink eye or conjunctivitis, are common but usually treatable with simple eye drops or ointments prescribed by your doctor, helping you regain clear vision and comfort.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Benjamin Thomas offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Cornea Surgery: As part of a comprehensive eye care plan, corneal surgery addresses issues like corneal scarring or ulcers, preserving vision in older adults.
- Farnsworth Lantern Test: The Farnsworth Lantern Test helps your doctor assess your color vision, an important factor in driving safety and overall vision health as you age.
- Vitreoretinal Surgery: Vitreoretinal surgery is a vital tool in diagnosing and managing severe retinal diseases in seniors, potentially preventing blindness and maintaining independence.
- Eye Examination: Eye examinations are vital for managing chronic eye conditions, ensuring your medications and therapies remain effective, and preventing further vision loss.
- Strabismus Surgery: This procedure addresses misaligned eyes, often improving a senior's quality of life by restoring better binocular vision.
- Vitrectomy: As part of a comprehensive eye care plan, a vitrectomy may be recommended to address issues within the vitreous humor that are impacting vision quality.
- Scleral Reinforcement Surgery: For seniors with conditions weakening the sclera, scleral reinforcement surgery offers a potential solution to stabilize the eye's shape and reduce the risk of vision impairment.
- Removal of Foreign Body from External Eye: A foreign body in the eye can be very irritating; having it removed quickly aids in preventing infection and promotes healing, maintaining your quality of life.
- Extraocular Muscle Surgery: This procedure helps seniors regain clear, single vision by fixing the position of their eye muscles, often improving their ability to perform daily tasks.
- Paracentesis of Anterior Eye: This simple procedure, a paracentesis, helps doctors analyze the fluid in the front of the eye, leading to a more accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plan for your eye condition.
- Removal of Intraocular Foreign Body: As part of your comprehensive eye health plan, removing an intraocular foreign body helps maintain optimal eye function and prevent vision loss.
- Ocular Prosthetics: Ocular prosthetics are artificial eye replacements that can improve the appearance and comfort for seniors who have lost an eye.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Ophthalmologies in Florida.
Dr. Benjamin Thomas is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After careful treatment with antibiotic eye drops, a senior was able to resume reading her favorite books without discomfort and regain clear vision.
- With careful treatment, a senior experiencing vision changes from chorioretinitis regained the ability to read books and enjoy hobbies like knitting, improving their overall well-being.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
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- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Ophthalmology (Ophthalmology)
- Microbiologic spectrum and visual outcomes of acute-onset endophthalmitis undergoing therapeutic pars plana vitrectomy, 2016-09-28
- Immediate Sequential Bilateral Pediatric Vitreoretinal Surgery An International Multicenter Study, 2016-05-22
- Simultaneous dexamethasone intravitreal implant and anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration resistant to anti-VEGF monotherapy, 2017-01-26
- Pars plana vitrectomy for late vitreoretinal sequelae of infectious endophthalmitis: surgical management and outcomes, 2016-06-27
Here are answers to some common questions about Ophthalmologic care with Dr. Benjamin Thomas:
- What is an Ophthalmologist, and how are they different from an Optometrist?
- An ophthalmologist is an MD or DO who specializes in all aspects of eye care, including surgery. Optometrists (ODs) provide primary vision care, such as exams and prescribing glasses, but are not medical doctors and do not perform surgery. Ophthalmologists and optometrists often work together to provide comprehensive eye care.
- What are cataracts, and when should I have surgery?
- Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's natural lens, a common part of aging. They can cause blurry vision, glare, and difficulty seeing at night. Dr. Benjamin Thomas typically recommends surgery when cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities like driving or reading.
- What are 'floaters,' and are they dangerous?
- Floaters are small specks or clouds that move in your field of vision. A gradual increase in floaters is common as we age. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious problem and needs immediate attention; please call Dr. Benjamin Thomas's office right away.
- Is cataract surgery safe?
- Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures performed today. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial one, making it a quick, outpatient procedure that can dramatically improve vision.
- What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition in older adults that affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. There are two types: dry AMD, which is more common and progresses slowly, and wet AMD, less common but potentially causing rapid vision loss. While there's no cure for dry AMD, vitamins may slow its progression, and for wet AMD, eye injections are a highly effective treatment to preserve vision.
- My eyelids are drooping and making it hard to see. What can be done?
- Eyelid drooping, or ptosis, is common in seniors. If the drooping interferes with your vision, it's considered a medical issue. Dr. Benjamin Thomas, an oculoplastic specialist, can perform a functional blepharoplasty to lift the eyelid, restore vision, and improve appearance. This procedure is often covered by insurance.
- What is a vitrectomy?
- A vitrectomy is a delicate surgery performed on the back of the eye to remove the vitreous gel. This procedure allows Dr. Benjamin Thomas to treat serious retinal conditions like retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, with the goal of saving or improving vision.
- What is dry eye, and how is it treated in seniors?
- Dry eye is a very common and often uncomfortable condition in older adults, frequently caused by the eyes not producing enough quality tears. Treatment typically begins with over-the-counter artificial tears, but Dr. Benjamin Thomas can offer prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, or other therapies for persistent cases to provide significant relief.
8786 Perimeter Park Blvd
Jacksonville FL 32216
Phone: (904) 997-9202
Dr. Benjamin Thomas, MD 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): 1427290360
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Ophthalmologies like Dr. Benjamin Thomas are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.