Dr. James Banta, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in the comprehensive eye care needs of older adults. He is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive ophthalmologic care for seniors at his clinic in Miami, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Banta expertly manages a wide range of conditions affecting senior vision, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. He collaborates closely with primary care physicians and other specialists to ensure the best possible vision and overall health outcomes for his patients aged 65 years and older.
General ophthalmologists provide comprehensive eye care for seniors, expertly managing 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. James Banta, MD, an ophthalmologist in Miami, FL, has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma / Health Sciences Center in 1999 and is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is affiliated with Harney District Hospital and St. Charles Bend. His approach to care emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment for patients and their families as they navigate their eye care journey. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments and can be reached at (305) 243-2020.
Dr. Banta's extensive experience, coupled with his commitment to compassionate care, makes him a trusted partner in the health journey of seniors. His 25+ years of dedicated practice in ophthalmology, coupled with his graduation from the University of Oklahoma / Health Sciences Center, underscores his commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. He is currently welcoming new patients and telehealth appointments and is committed to ensuring that patients feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. Dr. James Banta provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. James Banta is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. James Banta is a dedicated partner in your senior health journey, providing compassionate and comprehensive ophthalmologic care. He expertly manages a wide range of eye conditions, from cataracts and glaucoma to macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, always prioritizing your well-being and working collaboratively with your other healthcare providers to ensure the best possible vision and overall health outcomes.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. James Banta can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- APCN Choice POS II
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- BlueCard PPO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- Connexus PPO
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- First Choice Health
- First Choice Health PPO
- Health Net
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Heritage Signature
- Individual and Family Network
- LocalPlus
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Moda Health
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate Plus POS
- Nexus Open Access
- OR Healthnet PPO
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Preferred - OR
- Premera Blue Cross
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Regence BlueShield
- Seamless HMO
- SureFit South Florida
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. James Banta 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:
- Retinal Hemorrhage: A retinal hemorrhage is bleeding in the back of your eye, often appearing as blurry spots or dark areas in your vision, and treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause to help improve vision and prevent further complications.
- Blocked Tear Duct: Experiencing persistent watering and eye irritation? A blocked tear duct may be the cause, and thankfully, there are treatments that can restore comfortable vision and reduce discomfort.
- Acute Endophthalmitis: This severe infection inside the eye, called acute endophthalmitis, needs prompt treatment with antibiotics or surgery to protect your sight and overall well-being.
- Eyelid Spasm: If you experience an eyelid spasm, know that it's a fairly common occurrence. Most often, the spasms are temporary and resolve on their own; however, a healthcare professional can help determine any underlying cause for your peace of mind.
- Visual Field Defects: Don't let visual field defects limit your activities. With a thorough eye exam and appropriate management, whether it involves medication or assistive devices, we can help you regain confidence and maintain your quality of life.
- Focal Chorioretinitis and Focal Retinochoroiditis: Inflammation of the retina and choroid (focal chorioretinitis and focal retinochoroiditis) can affect your vision, but early diagnosis and treatment, possibly including medication, can help manage the inflammation and protect your sight, enabling you to maintain your independence.
- Corneal Erosion: If you experience sudden eye pain, redness, and blurry vision, it could be a corneal erosiona minor injury to the corneatypically managed with eye drops or a bandage contact lens to speed healing and reduce discomfort, allowing you to maintain your daily activities.
- Hypertropia: If you experience double vision due to one eye turning upwards (hypertropia), know that effective treatment options like prisms in glasses, vision therapy, or surgery are available to help you see clearly and comfortably.
- Retinal Dystrophy: Retinal dystrophy is a group of inherited eye diseases that gradually damage the retina, leading to vision loss that may start subtly and worsen over time, but with early diagnosis and management strategies we can often help maintain quality of life.
- Pars Planitis: Don't worry if you're diagnosed with pars planitis; it's an inflammation that can affect vision, but with your doctor's help through treatments and regular checkups, you can preserve your sight and continue enjoying life's activities.
- Keratitis: Experiencing eye pain, light sensitivity, or vision changes? It could be keratitis, a condition affecting the cornea. With proper diagnosis and treatment from your eye doctor, you can manage your symptoms and maintain your eye health and independence.
- Chronic Endophthalmitis: This persistent infection inside the eye needs careful management with medications and possibly surgery to reduce inflammation and improve sight.
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. James Banta offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Ocular Prosthetics: Following an eye injury or removal, ocular prosthetics are fitted to restore a natural appearance and help seniors feel more comfortable and confident.
- Repair of Eye Laceration: As part of comprehensive senior care, repairing an eye laceration aims to quickly restore the eye's structure and function, minimizing long-term complications.
- Paracentesis of Anterior Eye: As part of your eye care, a paracentesis may be used to remove fluid from the front of your eye, allowing for better diagnosis and management of conditions impacting your vision.
- Biopsy of Cornea: A corneal biopsy helps determine the precise nature of corneal disease, allowing your ophthalmologist to provide the most effective treatment.
- Drainage of Conjunctival Cyst: Removing a conjunctival cyst through drainage helps improve a senior's eye health and prevents the cyst from recurring or leading to more serious eye issues.
- Vision Screening: Vision screening helps ensure your glasses prescription is accurate, improving your comfort and quality of life, and catching potential problems early.
- Cataract Removal Surgery: As part of a senior's comprehensive eye care plan, cataract surgery helps restore clear vision and alleviate the symptoms of blurry or clouded vision caused by cataracts.
- 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.
- Iridotomy: Iridotomy is a surgical procedure that creates a tiny hole in the iris, relieving pressure buildup and helping prevent vision impairment related to certain types of glaucoma.
- Repair of Retinal Detachment or Retinal Tear: Repairing a detached or torn retina helps restore vision lost due to this serious eye condition, improving your overall quality of life.
- Iridectomy: If you have elevated intraocular pressure, an iridectomy might be part of your comprehensive eye care strategy, making it easier to manage the pressure and preserving your sight.
- Blepharorrhaphy: Blepharorrhaphy helps address eyelid issues that can lead to complications in other areas of eye health, ensuring a more holistic approach to senior care.
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. James Banta 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 a thorough evaluation and treatment plan for retinal hemorrhage, a senior was able to resume enjoying their favorite hobby of birdwatching, noticing sharper details in the vibrant plumage of the visiting feathered friends.
- After experiencing persistent eye watering and irritation, a senior was able to resume reading her favorite novels without discomfort, thanks to a treatment plan for her blocked tear duct. The family felt immense relief knowing their loved one could enjoy these simple pleasures again.
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)
Here are answers to some common questions about Ophthalmologic care with Dr. James Banta:
- 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, like eye exams and prescribing glasses, but are not medical doctors and don't 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. Banta typically recommends surgery when cataracts begin to impact daily activities like driving, reading, or watching TV.
- What are 'floaters,' and are they dangerous?
- Floaters are small specks or clouds that appear to drift in your field of vision. A gradual increase in floaters is common as we age, but a sudden onset of many new floaters, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious problem and needs immediate attention. Please call Dr. Banta's office right away if you experience this.
- 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 interferes with your vision, it's a medical issue that can be addressed. Dr. Banta, an oculoplastic specialist, can perform a functional blepharoplasty to lift the eyelid and improve vision; this procedure 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. This allows Dr. Banta to treat serious retinal conditions like retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, aiming to save or improve vision.
- 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, often as a quick, outpatient procedure that can dramatically 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. Banta, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure, but laser procedures and surgery are also effective options to prevent further vision loss.
- 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 detailed 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, certain vitamins can help slow its progression. For wet AMD, timely injections into the eye are highly effective in preserving vision.
900 NW 17th St
Miami FL 33136
Phone: (305) 243-2020
Dr. James Banta, 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): 1427023134
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. James Banta 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.