Dr. Monte Sichelman, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults at his clinic in Lakeland, FL. He is a dedicated partner in your senior health journey, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). He understands the unique needs of individuals 65 years and older, offering expert management of complex eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. General ophthalmologists provide comprehensive eye care for seniors, expertly managing these complex conditions while working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure your best possible vision and overall health.
Dr. Monte Sichelman, MD is an ophthalmologist in Lakeland, FL, with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from University Of South Florida Morsani College Of Medicine in 2002 and is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Sichelman is affiliated with Lakeland Regional Medical Center and is committed to providing a supportive, patient-centered approach to care. He believes in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, ensuring that you and your family are actively involved in your healthcare decisions. He is currently accepting new patients and offers consultations in Chinese. Please call (863) 682-7121 to schedule an appointment.
With over 20 years of dedicated experience in Ophthalmologic care, Dr. Sichelman brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. His commitment to collaborative care, combined with his extensive training and experience, makes him a trusted resource for seniors seeking expert ophthalmologic care. He is dedicated to ensuring that each patient feels heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions, resulting in a positive and productive experience.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Monte Sichelman is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Monte Sichelman is a dedicated partner in your senior eye health journey, providing comprehensive ophthalmologic care with a compassionate touch. He expertly manages a wide range of conditions, from cataracts and glaucoma to macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, always prioritizing your comfort and well-being. His collaborative approach, working seamlessly with your primary care physician and other specialists, ensures a holistic and personalized plan for optimal vision and overall health.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Monte Sichelman can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Choice HMO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
- Blue Preferred Patient Care PPO
- Blue Select PPO
- BlueOptions HMO
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice POS
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Florida Blue
- HMO Premier HMO
- Humana
- Inc. d/b/a Florida Blue
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Medica Choice
- National POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Preferred Patient Care
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- Select HMO
- SimplyBlue HMO
- UnitedHealthCare
- myBlue EPO
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Monte Sichelman 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:
- Herpetic Keratitis: Herpes simplex virus can sometimes cause herpetic keratitis, an infection of the cornea that affects vision. Fortunately, treatment with antiviral drugs and potentially corticosteroids can often control the infection and improve your vision, helping you stay independent.
- Drusen: Drusen are a common finding in aging eyes and their presence can be monitored during routine eye checkups to ensure they do not indicate worsening macular degeneration or impact your daily activities.
- Macular or Retinal Edema: Retinal or macular edema affects the central part of your vision, making daily tasks like reading or recognizing faces challenging, but treatments aim to improve your sight and daily life.
- Black Eye: While a black eye can be frightening, it usually resolves on its own with simple self-care measures like applying cold compresses to reduce swelling, ensuring comfort and vision restoration.
- Acquired Coloboma: Acquired coloboma is a rare eye condition where there's a gap or hole in one of the eye's structures, which can sometimes affect vision and may require specialized treatment to improve sight.
- Keratitis: Keratitis, a corneal infection or inflammation, can be uncomfortable, but treatments such as antibiotic eye drops or ointments can quickly relieve symptoms and prevent vision loss, preserving your independence and quality of life.
- Retinal Vascular Occlusion: A blockage in the blood vessels supplying the retina, a vital part of the eye, can lead to vision problems, however, with proper medical care, many people can maintain their vision and independence.
- Dry Eyes: Experiencing dry, gritty eyes is a common problem among seniors, often impacting quality of life. Treatment may involve over-the-counter or prescription eye drops, humidifiers, and adjustments to daily routines to ease dryness and improve comfort.
- Sympathetic Uveitis: Sympathetic uveitis is a rare eye inflammation that can occur after an eye injury or surgery, potentially affecting vision in the other eye, but thankfully, early diagnosis and treatment with medications like corticosteroids can significantly reduce inflammation and protect your eyesight.
- Exophoria: Exophoria is a condition where one or both eyes tend to turn outward. Treatment might involve special eye exercises, glasses with prisms, or even surgery in some cases to reduce eye strain and improve your ability to see clearly.
- Exotropia: Exotropia is a condition where one or both eyes turn outward, which can make it difficult to see clearly and may impact your daily activities, but with appropriate treatment, like glasses or eye muscle surgery, you can often regain clearer vision and improve your independence.
- Foreign Body in Eye: Don't rub your eye if something's in it! Seeing an eye doctor quickly will allow them to remove the foreign object, preserving your eye health and restoring clear 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. Monte Sichelman offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Farnsworth Lantern Test: To ensure optimal vision and safety, your doctor may use the Farnsworth Lantern Test to identify and address any color vision impairments that could impact your activities.
- Vitreoretinal Surgery: This specialized surgery helps seniors by targeting the intricate structures within the eye, offering a chance to restore sight and improve daily life in cases of retinal problems such as retinal detachment or macular holes.
- Contact Lens Fitting Services: This service ensures seniors with vision impairments receive properly fitted contact lenses, supporting their overall eye health and reducing discomfort.
- Excision of Chalazion: For seniors experiencing a bothersome eyelid lump (chalazion), surgical excision offers a solution to eliminate discomfort and prevent potential complications.
- B-Scan Ultrasound: As part of your comprehensive eye care plan, a B-scan ultrasound can help your doctor assess the health of your eye's internal structures and detect any abnormalities early on.
- Removal of Foreign Body from External Eye: Foreign body removal is a quick procedure that addresses immediate eye irritation and discomfort, allowing seniors to resume their daily activities.
- Cornea Surgery: To effectively manage certain eye diseases and improve vision, corneal surgery might be recommended as a part of a senior's overall eye health strategy.
- 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.
- Anterior Vitrectomy: Anterior vitrectomy is a surgical procedure that removes cloudy or blood-filled vitreous gel from the front of the eye, improving vision and reducing symptoms for seniors.
- Paracentesis of Anterior Eye: A paracentesis of the anterior eye is a small needle procedure that helps doctors diagnose and manage eye pressure and fluid buildup, offering a vital step in creating a personalized treatment plan for your eye health.
- Pterygium Surgery: For seniors experiencing vision impairment and irritation due to pterygium, this surgery can restore clearer vision and enhance quality of life.
- Cornea Transplant: A cornea transplant replaces a damaged or diseased cornea with healthy donor tissue, restoring clear vision and improving quality of life for seniors.
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. Monte Sichelman 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 reading her favorite books without the blurry vision caused by her herpetic keratitis, bringing a renewed sense of joy to her daily life.
- Knowing that routine eye exams could monitor the drusen in her eyes, a senior felt reassured about her vision's future and was able to continue enjoying her favorite hobby of reading 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. Monte Sichelman:
- 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. An optometrist (OD) provides primary vision care, like eye exams and glasses, but is not a medical doctor and does 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 trouble seeing at night. Dr. Sichelman typically recommends surgery when cataracts begin to affect your 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 with aging, but a sudden increase, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious issue and needs immediate attention. Please call Dr. Sichelman's office right away if you experience this.
- 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 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. For wet AMD, injections in the eye are a highly effective treatment to 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. Monte Sichelman, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure, and laser procedures and surgery are also effective options to prevent further vision loss.
- 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 a quick outpatient procedure that dramatically improves vision.
- What is a vitrectomy?
- A vitrectomy is a delicate surgical procedure performed on the back of the eye to remove the vitreous gel. Dr. Sichelman 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 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. Sichelman can offer prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, or other therapies for persistent cases to provide significant relief.
1247 Lakeland Hills Blvd
Lakeland FL 33805
Phone: (863) 682-7121
Dr. Monte Sichelman, 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): 1518085406
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. Monte Sichelman 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.