Dr. Farhad Safi, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in the comprehensive care of older adults. He is a dedicated partner in your senior health journey, practicing at his clinic in Port Orange, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Safi is committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive ophthalmologic care tailored to the specific needs of individuals 65 years and older. He is currently welcoming new patients and encourages you to call (800) 255-7188 to schedule an appointment.
General ophthalmologists provide comprehensive eye care for seniors, expertly managing complex conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Safi collaborates effectively with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure the best possible vision and overall health. With over 15 years of dedicated experience in ophthalmologic care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences in 2007, followed by an internship, and a residency in ophthalmology at Walter Reed Amc/Natl Capitol Consortium, culminating in a fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Safi is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology and affiliated with Halifax Health Medical Center. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Safi offers consultations in several languages, including Pashto, Persian, and Russian.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Farhad Safi is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Safi is a dedicated partner in your senior's eye health journey, providing compassionate and comprehensive ophthalmologic care. He expertly manages a wide range of conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, working collaboratively with other specialists and your primary care physician to ensure the best possible vision and overall well-being. His approach prioritizes understanding each patient's unique needs and goals, fostering a supportive environment for optimal comfort and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Farhad Safi can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Hawaii Medical Assurance Association (HMAA)
Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA)
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice Plus POS II
- 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
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Open Access Plus
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Farhad Safi 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:
- Serous Detachment Retina: A serous retinal detachment occurs when fluid leaks under the retina, blurring your vision; however, many cases respond well to treatment, preventing further vision loss and helping you stay active.
- Exophoria: If you experience exophoria, it means your eyes sometimes drift outward, leading to discomfort and blurry vision. Low vision aids and vision therapy are often used to manage the condition, greatly enhancing your quality of life.
- 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.
- Drooping Eyelids (Ptosis): Ptosis, or a heavy, drooping eyelid, is a common condition, particularly among seniors, but thankfully it can often be corrected through surgical procedures, improving your vision and overall quality of life.
- Benign Neoplasm of Eye: Sometimes, a non-cancerous tumor develops in or around the eye, and your ophthalmologist can help determine the best approach, which might involve watchful waiting or a minor procedure.
- Ocular Hypertension: While ocular hypertension itself may not affect your vision immediately, proactive treatment helps to safeguard your vision for the future and maintain your quality of life.
- Aphakia and Other Disorders of Lens: Aphakia means the absence of the eye's natural lens, often requiring corrective lenses or surgery to improve vision and daily function.
- Hypertropia: Experiencing a wandering upward gaze in one eye (hypertropia)? Don't worry, this condition is treatable, and with the right approachsuch as surgery or other methodsyou can regain clear and comfortable vision, restoring your independence.
- Retinal Detachment and Retinal Tear: Retinal tears and detachments can lead to vision loss if left untreated, however, with early diagnosis and often surgical intervention, many individuals can retain or regain good vision, significantly impacting their quality of life.
- Retinal Dystrophy: Retinal dystrophy is an inherited eye condition that damages the retina, gradually reducing vision. Although a cure isn't currently available, there are treatments that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for those affected.
- Brow Ptosis: As we age, our eyebrows can droop, affecting our vision and appearance; thankfully, there are surgical options to lift the brow and restore a more youthful look and better sight.
- Retinal Detachment: If the retina detaches, it's like a photograph peeling off the back of its frame; prompt surgical repair can often restore vision and prevent further damage.
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. Farhad Safi offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Vitrectomy: Vitrectomy surgery helps manage various retinal conditions in seniors, such as retinal detachments and macular holes, improving vision and preventing further damage.
- Tear Duct Surgery: Addressing tear duct problems through surgery can be a crucial part of a comprehensive eye care plan for seniors, enhancing overall eye health.
- Eyelid Surgery: As part of a comprehensive senior care plan, eyelid surgery can address cosmetic concerns and improve self-esteem.
- Repair of Retinal Detachment or Retinal Tear: As part of your proactive eye health strategy, repairing a detached or torn retina safeguards your vision and helps you remain active and engaged.
- Iridotomy: An iridotomy is a small, precise opening created in the iris to help manage certain types of glaucoma by improving fluid drainage from the eye.
- Ocular Prosthetics: For seniors facing eye loss, ocular prosthetics offer a customized solution to restore a natural look and improve self-confidence.
- Iridectomy: To help maintain your eye health, your ophthalmologist may perform an iridectomy to improve the drainage of fluid in your eye, lowering pressure and protecting your vision.
- Scleral Buckling: As part of a comprehensive eye care plan, scleral buckling is a surgical option for seniors with retinal tears or detachments, helping prevent further vision impairment.
- Pterygium Surgery: Pterygium surgery is a procedure that can improve the overall comfort and visual clarity of your eyes.
- Vitreoretinal Surgery: Vitreoretinal surgery is a specialized procedure that helps address serious eye problems affecting the retina and vitreous, improving vision and overall quality of life for seniors.
- Vitreous Surgery: Vitreous surgery helps remove cloudy or damaged vitreous gel from the eye, improving vision and managing conditions like retinal tears or detachments.
- Cataract Removal Surgery: Cataract removal surgery is a procedure to improve vision by replacing a cloudy lens with a clear artificial one, enhancing a senior's quality of life.
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. Farhad Safi 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:
- With treatment for serous retinal detachment, a senior was able to resume their beloved hobby of birdwatching, enjoying the vibrant colors and songs of the local park once more.
- With vision therapy, an elderly woman regained the ability to comfortably read her favorite novels, a cherished hobby that had become increasingly difficult due to exophoria. Her family was relieved to see her renewed engagement with books and activities.
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. Farhad Safi:
- What is an Ophthalmologist, and how are they different from an Optometrist?
- Dr. Safi is an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor specializing in all aspects of eye care, including surgery. Optometrists, on the other hand, 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. Safi 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 often a normal part of aging. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious issue and requires immediate contact with Dr. Safi's office.
- 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 is affecting your vision, it's a medical issue that Dr. Safi can address. A functional blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure, can lift the eyelid, restore vision, and improve appearance, and is often covered by insurance.
- What is a vitrectomy?
- A vitrectomy is a delicate surgical procedure performed on the back of the eye to remove the vitreous gel. Dr. Safi uses this procedure to treat serious retinal conditions such as retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, aiming to save or improve vision.
- What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition in seniors that affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. There are two types: dry AMD, which is more common and progresses slowly, and wet AMD, which is less common but can cause rapid vision loss. While there's no cure for dry AMD, vitamins can help slow its progression. For wet AMD, injections in the eye are a highly effective treatment to preserve 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. Farhad Safi, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure, but 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 performed today. It involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear, artificial one, a quick outpatient procedure that can dramatically improve vision.
741 Dunlawton Ave
Port Orange FL 32127
Phone: (800) 255-7188
Dr. Farhad Safi, 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): 1477759454
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. Farhad Safi 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.