Dr. James Croley, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults. He practices at his clinic in Cape Coral, Florida, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Croley is deeply committed to providing exceptional ophthalmologic care for seniors, 65 years and older, expertly managing complex conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. He works collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure the best possible vision and overall health outcomes. While currently not accepting new patients, you can call (239) 772-2122 to inquire about waitlists or future openings.
Dr. James Croley III, MD, with over 45 years of 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 University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 1976 and completed his internship at Baptist Medical Center in 1977, followed by ophthalmology residency training at the University of Alabama Eye Foundation Hospital and University Al, graduating in 1980. He is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Croley's commitment to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, coupled with his dedication to creating a supportive environment for patients and their families, ensures that everyone feels heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. He provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. James Croley is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. James Croley is a dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing compassionate and comprehensive ophthalmologic care. He expertly manages complex eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, working collaboratively with primary care physicians and other specialists to ensure optimal vision and overall well-being. His approach prioritizes understanding each patient's unique needs and goals, fostering a supportive environment for maintaining independence and quality of life.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. James Croley can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Cigna
Humana
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. James Croley 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:
- Blocked Tear Duct: A blocked tear duct happens when the tube draining tears from your eye becomes clogged, leading to watery eyes and sometimes discomfort.
- Retinal Tear: Sometimes, a tiny tear can occur in the retina, causing vision disturbances like flashes of light or floaters. Repairing this tear, usually with a quick laser procedure, is crucial to stop further vision loss and maintain your ability to enjoy everyday activities.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition affecting older adults, causing gradual loss of central vision, but treatments can help slow progression and maintain your independence.
- Corneal Abrasion or Laceration: Experiencing sudden eye pain and blurry vision? A corneal abrasion or laceration, a wound on the eye's surface, may be the cause. Prompt treatment, usually involving antibiotic drops and possibly a patch, will help it heal quickly and prevent complications.
- Eyelid Spasm: Eyelid spasms can be unsettling, but are usually managed with simple measures like getting enough rest and avoiding caffeine; sometimes further evaluation may be needed to ensure there isn't a more serious underlying issue affecting vision or comfort.
- Macular Hole: A macular hole is a tiny tear in the macula, the part of your eye responsible for sharp, central vision, often requiring surgery to restore vision and daily activities.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that affects your vision by damaging the optic nerve, but through careful monitoring and treatmentsuch as eye drops or surgerymany people with glaucoma can maintain their vision and prevent blindness.
- Keratitis: Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the clear front part of your eye, often causing pain, redness, and blurry vision, but with prompt treatment, it can be managed effectively.
- Drooping Eyelids (Ptosis): If you're experiencing a drooping eyelid, know that you're not alone and there are effective solutions. Treatment may improve your vision, making everyday tasks easier and safer.
- Diplopia: If you're seeing double, it's important to talk to your doctor. Many causes of diplopia are treatable, allowing you to enjoy your favorite activities again without blurry or double vision.
- Entropion: If you have entropion, your eyelid's edge turns inward, potentially scratching your cornea and causing discomfort; treatment can alleviate this irritation and protect your eye.
- Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) is a condition where reduced blood flow to the optic nerve causes vision loss, often affecting one eye more than the other, and treatments focus on managing the underlying health issues and protecting remaining vision.
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 Croley offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Blepharoplasty: Addressing eyelid issues through blepharoplasty is a key step in comprehensive eye care for seniors, reducing vision impairment and improving quality of life.
- Pterygium Surgery: As part of your eye care plan, pterygium surgery can correct vision problems caused by this common eye growth.
- Eye Surgery: Eye surgery can help restore clear vision by removing cataracts or repairing damaged structures in the eye.
- Cataract Removal Surgery: For seniors struggling with cataracts, this surgery is a vital step in their care journey, helping them regain clear vision and avoid potential falls or other accidents related to poor vision.
- Eye Examination: An eye exam provides a detailed overview of your overall eye health, helping to identify any issues that may impact your quality of life and enabling proactive measures to maintain your independence.
- Ocular Prosthetics: For seniors facing eye loss, ocular prosthetics offer a customized solution to restore a natural look and improve self-confidence.
- Tear Duct Surgery: For seniors experiencing persistent watery eyes due to tear duct issues, surgery offers a potential solution to improve vision and reduce discomfort.
- Iridectomy: As part of your eye care plan, an iridectomy might be recommended to relieve pressure buildup inside your eye, reducing the risk of vision loss from conditions like glaucoma.
- Repair of Entropion or Ectropion: Entropion or ectropion repair is often part of a comprehensive eye care plan for seniors, aiming to restore normal eyelid function and prevent further complications.
- Eyelid Surgery: This procedure can repair damaged eyelids, protecting the eyes from injury and infection for better senior eye health.
- Reconstructive Eyelid Surgery: Reconstructive eyelid surgery helps repair damaged or drooping eyelids, improving vision and appearance for seniors.
- Foreign Body Removal from Eye: Foreign body removal prevents potential vision loss and corneal damage in seniors by addressing the problem swiftly and effectively.
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 Croley 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 experiencing persistent watery eyes and discomfort, a senior was able to resume reading without the distraction of tears, significantly improving their enjoyment of quiet evenings at home.
- After experiencing flashes of light and floaters, a senior was able to see clearly again, regaining their passion for reading and enjoying their beloved garden.
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. James Croley:
- What is an Ophthalmologist, and how are they different from an Optometrist?
- Dr. Croley and our team are ophthalmologists, medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) specializing in all aspects of eye care, including surgery. Optometrists (ODs) provide primary vision care, like eye exams and glasses, but aren't medical doctors and don't perform surgery. Often, ophthalmologists and optometrists work together for 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. Croley typically recommends surgery when cataracts begin to interfere with 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 vision. A gradual increase in floaters is common with aging. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious issue and needs immediate attention; please call Dr. Croley's office right away.
- What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition in seniors affecting 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, effective treatments like eye injections can help 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. Croley, 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 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. Croley can also offer prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, or other therapies for persistent cases to provide significant relief.
- What is a vitrectomy?
- A vitrectomy is a delicate surgery performed on the back of the eye to remove the vitreous gel that fills the eyeball. This procedure allows Dr. Croley to treat serious retinal conditions like retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, with the goal of saving or improving vision.
- 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. Croley, our oculoplastic specialist, can perform a functional blepharoplasty to lift the eyelid, restore vision, and improve appearance. This procedure is often covered by insurance.
613 Del Prado Blvd S
Cape Coral FL 33990
Phone: (239) 772-2122
Dr. James Croley, 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): 1295799849
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 Croley 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.