Dr. Michael Kanner, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in comprehensive eye care for older adults. He is a dedicated partner in senior health, practicing at Eye Surgeons & Consultants in Hollywood, FL, and is committed to providing compassionate and thorough Ophthalmologic care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Kanner understands the unique needs of individuals 65 years and older. He expertly manages complex conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure optimal vision and overall well-being.
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. Kanner, with over 45 years of experience in the medical field, brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1978 and completed an internship at Mt Sinai Hospital, followed by residency training in Ophthalmology at Temple University, specializing in the care of those 65 years and older. He is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology and affiliated with Jackson North Medical Center. Dr. Kanner is currently welcoming new patients; please call (954) 417-3758 to schedule an appointment. He offers consultations in several languages, including Hebrew, Spanish, and Yiddish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Michael Kanner is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Kanner is a dedicated partner in your senior health journey, providing compassionate and comprehensive ophthalmologic care. He expertly manages complex eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, working closely with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure optimal vision and overall well-being. His approach prioritizes understanding your individual needs, preferences, and goals, creating a personalized plan to maximize your comfort and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Michael Kanner can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
AvMed
Cigna
HealthyBlue Advantage
Also Accepts These Carriers
- APCN Choice POS II
- Aetna HMO
- Anthem
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
- Blue Preferred Patient Care PPO
- BlueCard PPO
- BlueOptions
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Choice
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice Large Group POS
- Choice POS
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna PPO
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- Florida Blue
- Great West Healthcare-Cigna PPO
- HMO Premier HMO
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- Humana
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- National POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate POS
- Navigate Plus POS
- Neighborhood Health Partnership
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- PHCS Network PPO
- Preferred PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- Seamless HMO
- Select HMO
- Small Group Elect HMO
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Michael Kanner 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:
- 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.
- Pterygium: A pterygium is a growth that can appear on the white part of the eye and, if bothersome, can usually be removed with a minor procedure, enhancing vision and your daily activities.
- Conjunctival Hemorrhage: If you notice a sudden red patch in the white part of your eye, it might be a conjunctival hemorrhage. While it looks alarming, it's generally harmless and heals spontaneously, ensuring minimal impact on your vision or daily activities.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration: As we age, the macula can deteriorate, resulting in blurred or distorted central visiona condition known as AMDhowever, regular eye exams and timely interventions can help preserve remaining vision.
- Iridocyclitis: Iridocyclitis is an eye condition involving inflammation of the iris and ciliary body, potentially affecting your vision. Early diagnosis and treatment with medication, often eye drops, can help control the inflammation and improve your eye health and quality of life.
- Tear Duct Disorders: Experiencing persistent watering eyes may be a sign of a tear duct problem, a common condition affecting seniors that can be managed effectively through medication, minimally invasive procedures, or even simple lifestyle adjustments to improve your daily life.
- Nystagmus: Nystagmus is an involuntary, rhythmic eye movement that can make it difficult to see clearly, but with the right care and management strategies, many seniors can maintain a good quality of life.
- Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: AION is caused by a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve, leading to vision loss often in one eye. While complete vision restoration isn't always possible, managing any contributing conditions and taking proactive steps can significantly reduce further vision problems and maintain your lifestyle.
- Chorioretinal Scars: The formation of chorioretinal scars is often a consequence of previous eye disease; your doctor will primarily focus on managing any ongoing issues that could create additional scarring.
- Lacrimal Gland Disorder: If you're experiencing persistent eye dryness or excessive tearing, it could be due to a problem with your lacrimal glands. Your doctor can help find the right treatmentlike medication or surgeryto improve your eye health and quality of life.
- Macular Hole: If you've been diagnosed with a macular hole, it means there's a break in the central part of your retina, affecting your detailed vision, but surgical treatment can often help.
- Aphakia and Other Disorders of Lens: Problems with the eye's lens can lead to blurry vision, but various treatments are available to improve sight and make everyday tasks easier.
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. Michael Kanner offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Vitreous Surgery: Vitreous surgery offers a targeted approach to managing various eye conditions by precisely removing damaged vitreous, potentially preventing more serious vision loss.
- Cataract Removal Surgery: This surgery is a key treatment option for seniors experiencing vision impairment due to cataracts, significantly improving their ability to perform daily activities.
- Eye Examination: Through thorough testing and imaging, an eye examination helps your doctor assess your current vision, monitor the progression of existing conditions, and adjust your treatment as needed.
- Eye Surgery: As part of your comprehensive eye care plan, surgery might be recommended to manage glaucoma and lower your risk of vision loss.
- Foreign Body Removal from Eye: Foreign body removal prevents potential vision loss and corneal damage in seniors by addressing the problem swiftly and effectively.
- 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.
- Excision of Chalazion: For seniors experiencing a bothersome eyelid lump (chalazion), surgical excision offers a solution to eliminate discomfort and prevent potential complications.
- Farnsworth Lantern Test: As part of a comprehensive eye exam, the Farnsworth Lantern Test can help identify subtle color vision problems that might affect your daily life.
- Vision Screening: A comprehensive vision screening provides a baseline for your eye health, enabling proactive management and preventing future vision complications.
- Anterior Vitrectomy: Anterior vitrectomy plays a key role in managing various retinal conditions in older adults, by removing the obstructing vitreous humor and allowing for better retinal visualization and subsequent treatment.
- Eye Test: Through a comprehensive eye exam, your ophthalmologist can assess your overall eye health, helping you maintain your independence and quality of life.
- Vitrectomy: This specialized surgical procedure helps diagnose and treat eye conditions that affect the vitreous gel and retina, supporting overall eye health in later 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. Michael Kanner 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:
- Following a thorough eye exam and treatment plan, a senior felt a significant improvement in their vision and reduced discomfort, allowing them to once again enjoy reading their favorite books.
- A woman, previously bothered by a pterygium impacting her vision, experienced a significant improvement in her quality of life after a minor procedure. She was thrilled to rediscover her love of reading again without discomfort.
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. Michael Kanner:
- What is an Ophthalmologist, and how are they different from an Optometrist?
- An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) specializing in all aspects of eye care, including surgery. Optometrists (ODs) provide primary vision care, like eye exams and glasses, but are not medical doctors and do not 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. Kanner typically recommends surgery when cataracts begin to affect your 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. The gradual appearance of a few floaters is a common part of aging. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious issue and needs immediate attention; please call Dr. Kanner's office right away.
- 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 stemming from the eyes not producing enough quality tears. Treatment typically begins with over-the-counter artificial tears, but Dr. Kanner can offer prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, or other therapies for persistent cases to provide significant relief.
- Is cataract surgery safe?
- Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures today. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear, artificial one, often performed as a quick, outpatient procedure, dramatically improving 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. Kanner, 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 seniors that affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Dry AMD is more common and progresses slowly, while wet AMD is less common but can cause rapid vision loss. While there's no cure for dry AMD, vitamins may help slow its progression. For wet AMD, eye injections are a highly effective treatment to preserve vision.
- What is a vitrectomy?
- A vitrectomy is a delicate surgical procedure performed on the back of the eye. It involves removing the vitreous gel that fills the eyeball, allowing Dr. Kanner to treat serious retinal conditions like retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, with the goal of saving or improving vision.
Eye Surgeons & Consultants
4651 Sheridan St
Hollywood FL 33021
Phone: (954) 417-3758
Dr. Michael Kanner, 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): 1134184740
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. Michael Kanner 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.