Dr. Melissa Iglesias, DO is an Ophthalmology specializing in compassionate, comprehensive ophthalmologic care for older adults at her clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. She is a dedicated partner in your senior health journey, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). 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. Iglesias is committed to providing this specialized care to individuals 65 years and older and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (561) 331-3833 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Melissa Iglesias, DO is an ophthalmologist in Palm Beach Gardens, FL with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. She brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families, having earned her medical degree from Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine in 2003. Following an internship at Tripler Army Medical Center, she completed her residency training in Ophthalmologies at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., specializing in the comprehensive medical care of individuals 65 years and older. Dr. Iglesias is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. She offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Melissa Iglesias is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Melissa Iglesias is a compassionate ophthalmologist dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care for seniors. She expertly manages a wide range of conditions, from cataracts and glaucoma to macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, always working collaboratively with other specialists to ensure the best possible vision and overall health for each patient. Dr. Iglesias prioritizes understanding individual needs and goals, fostering a supportive partnership to maintain independence and comfort.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Melissa Iglesias can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Blue Select
- Choice Care PPO
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Humana
- LocalPlus
- Preferred PPO
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Melissa Iglesias 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:
- Episcleritis Periodica Fugax: Episcleritis periodica fugax is a relatively benign eye condition causing brief episodes of eye redness and discomfort that typically resolve on their own without specific treatment, allowing you to maintain your daily activities.
- Eyelid Spasm: An eyelid spasm is an involuntary twitching of the eyelid muscle, often brief and harmless, but sometimes indicating an underlying condition that may require medical attention to improve comfort and reduce any associated anxiety.
- Benign Neoplasm of Choroid: If you've been diagnosed with a benign choroidal neoplasm, it means there's a non-cancerous growth in the back of your eye. Your doctor will carefully monitor it and may recommend treatment if needed to prevent vision loss and maintain your ability to perform daily tasks.
- Blocked Tear Duct: A blocked tear duct, a common problem, prevents tears from draining correctly, causing watery eyes, but a doctor can usually resolve this with effective treatment options.
- 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.
- Squamous Blepharitis: Dealing with irritated, flaky eyelids? Squamous blepharitis may be the cause. With appropriate treatment, such as medicated eye drops and proper hygiene, you can find relief and maintain clear vision.
- Brow Ptosis: If your eyebrows are drooping, affecting your vision or making you feel self-conscious, talk to your doctor; it might be treatable with a relatively simple procedure.
- Degenerative Disorders of Globe: Eye conditions like macular degeneration and glaucoma are examples of degenerative disorders that can affect vision, but with appropriate management, you can continue to enjoy your favorite activities.
- Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration: This type of macular degeneration, called 'wet' AMD, is characterized by leaky blood vessels affecting central vision. Fortunately, modern medicine offers treatments to preserve as much vision as possible.
- Ectropion of Eyelid: Experiencing a chronically irritated or watery eye might be due to ectropion, an outward-turning eyelid; surgery is often a successful solution to restore normal eyelid function and prevent further problems.
- Optic Neuritis: Experiencing vision changes like blind spots or reduced visual acuity? It may be optic neuritis, where the optic nerve swells, and timely medical intervention can minimize long-term effects and help maintain a good quality of life.
- 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.
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. Melissa Iglesias offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Excision of Chalazion: This simple surgical procedure helps remove a chalazion, a common eyelid issue in seniors, enhancing their overall quality of life and reducing inflammation.
- 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.
- 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.
- Iridectomy: An iridectomy is a surgical procedure that helps prevent complications and preserve vision by creating a drainage pathway in the iris, sometimes done in conjunction with cataract surgery.
- Eye Surgery: Various eye surgeries address specific conditions affecting the retina, such as macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, helping maintain vision quality.
- Pterygium Surgery: If you have a pterygium affecting your vision or causing discomfort, surgery can be a valuable option for relief and improved eye health.
- Foreign Body Removal from Eye: For seniors, prompt foreign body removal facilitates pain relief and helps maintain clear vision, enhancing their independence and daily activities.
- Paracentesis of Anterior Eye: To help assess and treat certain eye conditions, a paracentesis involves carefully removing a small amount of fluid from the front of the eye, which aids in diagnosis and managing intraocular pressure.
- Eyelid Surgery: As part of a comprehensive senior care plan, eyelid surgery can address cosmetic concerns and improve self-esteem.
- Removal of Foreign Body from External Eye: This simple procedure helps diagnose the source of eye irritation and prevents further complications that could negatively impact vision.
- Goniotomy: This specialized procedure helps increase drainage in the eye, thus reducing pressure that can cause glaucoma, which is a key part of ensuring long-term vision health for seniors.
- Ocular Surface Reconstruction: Ocular surface reconstruction is a valuable tool in managing and treating various conditions affecting the front of the eye in seniors, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive eye care plan.
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. Melissa Iglesias 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 the ophthalmologist's guidance, a senior was able to resume their beloved hobby of reading without the distracting discomfort of Episcleritis Periodica Fugax, significantly improving their overall well-being.
- With the eyelid spasm under control, a senior woman felt more confident and secure while watching television, no longer distracted by the constant twitching. The family was relieved to see her anxiety lessen and her quality of life improve.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She 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. Melissa Iglesias:
- What is an Ophthalmologist, and how are they different from an Optometrist?
- Dr. Iglesias 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. Iglesias 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 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. Iglesias's office.
- 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. Melissa Iglesias, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure, and 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 uncomfortable condition in older adults, often due to the eyes not producing enough quality tears. Treatment typically begins with over-the-counter artificial tears, but Dr. Iglesias can 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?
- Drooping eyelids, or ptosis, are common in older adults. If the drooping eyelid affects your vision, it's a medical issue that can be addressed. Dr. Iglesias, an oculoplastic specialist, can perform a functional blepharoplasty to lift the eyelid, restore vision, and improve appearance. 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. Dr. Iglesias 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 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 may help slow its progression, and for wet AMD, eye injections are a highly effective treatment to preserve vision.
11641 Kew Gardens Ave Ste 209
Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410
Phone: (561) 331-3833
Dr. Melissa Iglesias, 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): 1225112634
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. Melissa Iglesias 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.