Dr. Louis Michaelos, DO is an Ophthalmology specializing in the comprehensive medical care of older adults. He is deeply committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive ophthalmologic care for individuals 65 years and older at his clinic in Largo, FL. Dr. Michaelos is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring his patients receive the highest quality of care within the framework of the law. 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. He is currently welcoming new patients; please call (727) 585-2200 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Michaelos, raised in Florida and now residing in Clearwater, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his practice. He earned his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2014 and completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of those 65 and older. He furthered his expertise with a fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, focusing on Cornea and Refractive surgery. With over 10 years of dedicated experience, Dr. Michaelos is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology. His commitment to providing a lifetime of vision care in a setting of excellence is evident in his comprehensive approach to patient care, which includes advanced cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, and refractive surgeries like LASIK and PRK. Dr. Michaelos is fluent in Greek and offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Louis Michaelos is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Michaelos is a dedicated partner in your senior's eye health journey, providing comprehensive ophthalmologic care with compassion and expertise. He expertly manages complex 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. His 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. Louis Michaelos can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
AARP
Aetna
Amerihealth
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Assurant Health
Bankers Life and Casualty
Beech Street (Multiplan)
Cigna
CompBenefits Corp.
Compassionate Care Network (CCN)
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
EyeMed Vision Care
Golden Rule
Group Health Incorporated (GHI)
Humana
MVP Health Care
Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP)
Meritain Health
Mutual of Omaha
Neighborhood Health Plan
Oxford Health Plans
PHCS
Preferred Care Partners
Sanus Health
Superior Vision
TPA
United American Insurance Company
Vision Service Plan (VSP)
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Christian Care
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Emblem Health
- EmblemHealth
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- GEHA
- Government Employees Health Association (GEHA)
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care PPO
- Health Net
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Medi-Share
- Medicaid
- MetLife
- MetLife PPO
- Midwest Health Plan
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
- Veteran Administration Plan
- Veteran Health Services
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Louis Michaelos 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:
- Hypertensive Retinopathy: Maintaining healthy blood pressure is key to preventing hypertensive retinopathy, a condition where high blood pressure damages the blood vessels in your eyes, potentially affecting your sight; treatment focuses on controlling blood pressure.
- Astigmatism: With proper treatment for astigmatism, you can significantly reduce eye strain and improve clarity, making everyday activities like reading and driving safer and easier.
- Retinal Hemorrhage: A retinal hemorrhage is a bleed in the retina that can affect your vision. With proper diagnosis and treatment, like managing underlying conditions, it can often be managed and improve your visual well-being.
- Ulcerative Blepharitis: Ulcerative blepharitis, an infection of the eyelids causing ulcers, can be successfully treated with careful cleaning and medication, easing pain and improving overall eye health and well-being.
- Conjunctiva Cyst: A conjunctival cyst is a little bump on the surface of your eye that is usually harmless and may not require treatment. However, if it causes irritation or bothers you, your doctor can easily remove it to restore comfort.
- 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.
- Nystagmus: Nystagmus, or uncontrolled eye movement, can affect vision, but understanding this condition is the first step to finding effective strategies for managing its impact on daily life.
- Vitreous Hemorrhage: Sometimes, blood vessels in the eye can bleed into the vitreous humor (the gel filling most of the eye), leading to blurry or darkened vision; thankfully, many cases resolve on their own or with simple treatments.
- Exotropia: Dealing with eyes that turn outward (exotropia) can be challenging, impacting your vision and confidence. Fortunately, various treatment options are available, such as corrective lenses or surgery, to help align your eyes, leading to improved vision and a better sense of well-being.
- Foveal and Macular Hypoplasia: Foveal and macular hypoplasia is a birth defect affecting the retina's central area, impacting visual sharpness; early detection and appropriate interventions, such as vision rehabilitation, can improve the ability to perform everyday activities.
- Eyelid Disorders: Many eyelid problems, from infections to sagging skin, can be addressed with simple treatments or procedures, helping maintain your independence and overall well-being.
- Corneal Abrasion or Laceration: A corneal abrasion is a minor injury to the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, often resulting from a tiny scratch. It usually heals quickly with simple treatments, restoring clear vision and easing discomfort.
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. Louis Michaelos offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Keratoconus Treatment With Contact Lenses: For seniors with keratoconus, specially fitted contact lenses are a crucial treatment option to help maintain visual acuity and reduce the need for more invasive procedures.
- Phakic Refractive Lens Implantation: Phakic refractive lens implantation is a surgical procedure that can improve vision for seniors by implanting a lens in the eye to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, reducing dependence on glasses or contacts.
- Refractive Surgery: As part of your comprehensive eye care plan, refractive surgery may be considered to enhance your vision and reduce the need for corrective eyewear, making daily tasks easier.
- 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.
- Vitreous Surgery: As part of a comprehensive eye care plan, vitreous surgery can address issues like floaters or flashes, improving visual clarity and overall eye health for seniors.
- Blepharorrhaphy: As part of a comprehensive eye care plan, blepharorrhaphy can help manage eyelid conditions that may impact vision or eye health in aging adults.
- Goniotomy: Goniotomy helps your ophthalmologist assess the angle where your iris meets the cornea, providing valuable information for diagnosing and treating glaucoma.
- Vitreoretinal Surgery: As part of a comprehensive eye care plan, vitreoreticular surgery can help remove scar tissue, repair retinal tears or detachments, and restore clearer vision for seniors experiencing vision loss.
- Removal of Foreign Body from External Eye: Removing a foreign object from the eye helps ensure comfort and prevents potential infection or vision problems, supporting your overall eye health.
- 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.
- Excision or Destruction of Lesion of Cornea: As part of a complete eye care plan, lesion removal on the cornea can enhance visual acuity and overall eye health.
- 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.
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. Louis Michaelos 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 their blood pressure successfully managed, a senior couple rediscovered the joy of attending their grandchildren's performances, no longer worried about potential vision loss.
- With improved vision clarity, a senior citizen was able to resume enjoying their favorite hobby of birdwatching from their backyard, without eye strain. This newfound freedom brought joy and independence to their daily life.
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 Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology (Ophthalmology)
- Burnell Student Research Award, 2011
- Psi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society, 2014
- Florida Osteopathic Medical Association - Research Award, 2012
- Dean's Award Recipient, 2014
- The Pan-American Journal of Ophthalmology
Here are answers to some common questions about Ophthalmologic care with Dr. Louis Michaelos:
- 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, like eye exams and prescribing glasses, but are not medical doctors and do not perform surgery. They 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. Michaelos 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. A gradual increase in floaters is common as we age. However, a sudden increase, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious issue and needs immediate attention; please call Dr. Michaelos'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. Michaelos 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 Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition in seniors 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, which is less common but can cause rapid vision loss. While there's no cure for dry AMD, vitamins can help slow its progression, and for wet AMD, injections into the eye are a highly effective treatment to preserve vision.
- My eyelids are drooping and making it hard to see. What can be done?
- Drooping eyelids, or ptosis, is common in older adults. If the drooping interferes with your vision, it's a medical issue. Dr. Michaelos, an oculoplastic specialist, can perform a functional blepharoplasty to lift the eyelid, restoring vision and improving appearance. This procedure is often covered by insurance.
- What is dry eye, and how is it treated in seniors?
- Dry eye is a very common and often uncomfortable condition for seniors, frequently caused by the eyes not producing enough quality tears. Treatment typically begins with over-the-counter artificial tears, but Dr. Michaelos can also prescribe eye drops, punctal plugs, or other therapies for persistent cases to provide significant relief.
- 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. Michaelos, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure, but laser procedures and surgery are also effective options to prevent further vision loss.
1030 West Bay Dr Ste 200
Largo FL 33770
Phone: (727) 585-2200
Dr. Louis Michaelos, DO 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): 1326453267
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. Louis Michaelos 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.