Dr. Ernesto Segal, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in comprehensive eye care for older adults. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive ophthalmologic care for seniors at his clinic in Boca Raton, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). He expertly manages complex conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure your best possible vision and overall health. Dr. Segal serves patients 65 years and older and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (561) 391-8300 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Ernesto Segal, MD is an ophthalmologist in Boca Raton, FL, with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from Central University, Jose Maria Vargas School Of Medicine in 1988, and is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is affiliated with Boca Raton Regional Hospital and is accepting new patients. With this extensive experience, Dr. Segal brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. His approach to care emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creates a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. He offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Ernesto Segal is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Ernesto Segal is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive ophthalmologic care with a focus on the individual. He expertly manages complex eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, working collaboratively with primary care physicians and other specialists to ensure the best possible vision and overall well-being. Dr. Segal's approach prioritizes understanding each patient's unique needs and goals, fostering a supportive environment for seniors and their families.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Ernesto Segal can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Choice HMO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia
- Blue Preferred Patient Care PPO
- BlueOptions HMO
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice POS
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Florida Blue
- HMO Premier HMO
- Humana
- LocalPlus
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Medica Choice
- National POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Preferred PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- Select HMO
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Ernesto Segal 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:
- Cataract: Experiencing blurry vision or difficulty seeing clearly, even with glasses? It could be a cataract; this condition is treatable with surgery, often improving vision significantly and making everyday tasks easier.
- 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.
- Uveitis: Uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye that can cause pain, redness, and blurry vision, but with proper treatment, like eye drops or other medications, you can often manage the inflammation and protect your sight.
- Squamous Blepharitis: Characterized by flaky skin and irritation along the eyelid margins, squamous blepharitis can be treated with simple home remedies like lid scrubs and specialized eye drops, enhancing daily comfort and eye health.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is a vision-threatening complication of diabetes that affects the retina; proactive management through regular eye checkups and treatments such as laser surgery or injections can significantly improve your chances of retaining your eyesight and mobility.
- Orbital Cellulitis: Don't ignore signs of infection near your eye like redness, swelling, and painorbital cellulitis requires immediate medical care to safeguard your vision and overall health.
- Optic Neuritis: Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve that can cause sudden vision loss, often affecting one eye more than the other, and prompt treatment can help preserve sight.
- Convergence Insufficiency: Convergence insufficiency is a common eye condition, especially in older adults, where your eyes have difficulty turning inward together to focus on nearby objects, making reading or close-up work challenging but often treatable with simple exercises or vision therapy.
- Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition in older adults that affects the central part of the retina, gradually reducing sharp, central vision, but there are treatments that can help slow its progression and maintain independence.
- Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a relatively common eye disorder that involves fluid leaking beneath the retina, leading to vision problems which often resolve without needing major intervention.
- Juvenile Macular Degeneration: While uncommon in older adults, juvenile macular degeneration is a type of macular degeneration that starts at a young age and can be managed with therapies aimed at preserving vision.
- Disorder of Choroid: Maintaining healthy blood flow to the choroid is essential for good vision; various treatments help address issues and prevent vision loss.
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. Ernesto Segal offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- B-Scan Ultrasound: This painless test uses sound waves to produce detailed images of the eye, assisting in the management of eye conditions and guiding treatment decisions for better vision health.
- Cataract Removal Surgery: Cataract surgery helps manage vision loss in seniors, enabling them to safely participate in activities and maintain independence.
- Destruction of Lesion of Retina and Choroid: To address a specific problem like a retinal tumor or other abnormal growth in the back of your eye, doctors may use a procedure to destroy the lesion, helping prevent vision loss.
- Eye Test: Eye tests are vital for detecting early signs of eye diseases, which can often be successfully managed or treated with early diagnosis.
- Eyelid Surgery: As part of a comprehensive senior care plan, eyelid surgery can address cosmetic concerns and improve self-esteem.
- 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.
- Repair of Retinal Detachment or Retinal Tear: Addressing retinal tears or detachment through surgery is vital to prevent further vision damage and improve your ability to enjoy your favorite activities.
- Vision Screening: As part of your overall health plan, vision screening helps your doctor assess your eye health and adjust your care plan to address any issues.
- Vitreoretinal Surgery: For seniors with conditions like macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, vitreoreticular surgery may offer a treatment option to improve vision by addressing issues within the eye's vitreous gel and retina.
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. Ernesto Segal 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 cataract surgery, a senior woman could finally read her grandchildren's letters without straining her eyes, a joy she'd thought lost forever. She felt a renewed sense of independence and connection with her family.
- Knowing their eye health was being closely monitored, a family felt a renewed sense of security and peace of mind, allowing them to enjoy their daily activities with greater confidence.
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
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Ophthalmology (Ophthalmology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Ophthalmologic care with Dr. Ernesto Segal:
- What is an Ophthalmologist, and how are they different from an Optometrist?
- An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in all aspects of eye care, including surgery. Optometrists (ODs) provide primary vision care, such as eye exams and prescribing glasses, but are not medical doctors and do not perform surgery. Often, ophthalmologists and optometrists 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. Segal typically recommends surgery when cataracts begin to affect daily activities like driving, reading, or watching TV.
- What are 'floaters,' and are they dangerous?
- Floaters are small specks or clouds that move in your field of vision. The gradual appearance of a few floaters is a normal part of aging. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially with flashes of light, could signal a retinal tear or detachment and requires immediate attention; please call Dr. Segal's office immediately.
- What is a vitrectomy?
- A vitrectomy is a delicate surgical procedure performed on the back of the eye to remove the vitreous gel. Dr. Segal uses this procedure to treat serious retinal conditions like retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, aiming to save or improve vision.
- What is glaucoma, and how is it treated?
- Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, often due to high pressure inside the eye. It can cause gradual peripheral vision loss without early symptoms, making regular eye exams critical. Treatment, managed by Dr. Segal, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure, and laser procedures and surgery are also effective options to prevent further vision loss.
- Is cataract surgery safe?
- Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures today. It involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear artificial one, a quick, outpatient procedure that often dramatically improves 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. Segal can also offer prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, or other therapies for persistent cases to provide significant relief.
- My eyelids are drooping and making it hard to see. What can be done?
- Eyelid drooping, or ptosis, is common in older adults. If the drooping eyelid affects your vision, it's a medical issue that can be addressed. Dr. Segal can perform a functional blepharoplasty to lift the eyelid and restore your vision; this procedure is often covered by insurance.
950 NW 13th St
Boca Raton FL 33486
Phone: (561) 391-8300
Dr. Ernesto Segal, 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): 1174545545
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. Ernesto Segal 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.