Dr. Nishita Patel, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in comprehensive eye care for older adults. She is deeply committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive ophthalmologic care for individuals 65 years and older at her clinic in Daytona Beach, FL. As a registered physician with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Patel is dedicated to ensuring the best possible vision and overall health for her patients. She expertly manages complex conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to provide holistic care.
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. Patel, a Board Certified Ophthalmologist by the American Board of Ophthalmology, brings over 15 years of dedicated experience in ophthalmologic care to her patients and their families. A native Floridian, Dr. Patel earned her medical degree from Florida State University, completing an internship at Orlando Regional Medical Center and a residency in Ophthalmology at Yale University School of Medicine. She is also a trauma surgeon for eye emergencies at Halifax Health Medical Center, the area's only Level II Trauma Center, and the Chief of Ophthalmology for the hospital. Dr. Patel is currently welcoming new patients, and you can schedule an appointment by calling (386) 425-0393. She provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Nishita Patel is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Patel, a compassionate ophthalmologist, partners with seniors to ensure optimal eye health and overall well-being. She provides comprehensive care, expertly managing conditions like cataracts and glaucoma, while collaborating closely with primary care physicians and other specialists to create a personalized plan that prioritizes the unique needs and goals of each patient. Her approach emphasizes understanding each senior's situation, fostering open communication, and working collaboratively to maintain the best possible quality of life.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Nishita Patel can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Coventry Health Care
Employers Health Network
Florida Health Care Plans
MVP Health Care
Medicaid of Florida
Preferred Care Partners
Three Rivers Provider Network
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Aetna
- Aetna PPO
- Americas 1st Choice
- Anthem
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice Care PPO
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Humana
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Midwest Health Plan
- Molina
- Molina Healthcare
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Prime
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
- Workers Compensation
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Nishita Patel 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:
- Pterygium: If a growth on your eye's surface called a pterygium is interfering with your vision or comfort, a simple surgical procedure can usually resolve these issues and improve your independence.
- 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.
- Dry Eyes: As we age, our eyes may produce fewer tears, leading to dry eyes a condition characterized by dryness, burning, and irritation. Fortunately, simple strategies and medical treatments can significantly reduce discomfort and maintain eye health.
- Foreign Body in Eye: Even a tiny object in your eye can cause significant pain and blurry vision, but a doctor can safely remove it, allowing you to regain your independence and vision.
- Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration: As we age, some experience dry AMD, a condition affecting the macula (the central part of the retina) that can cause blurry or distorted vision; while there's no cure, regular eye exams and treatments can help manage it and preserve your sight as much as possible.
- Chronic Conjunctivitis: If you experience persistent redness, burning, or discharge in your eyes (chronic conjunctivitis), don't worry your doctor can help determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment to relieve discomfort and improve your vision.
- Herpetic Keratitis: Herpetic keratitis is a serious eye infection caused by the herpes virus that can lead to vision problems. However, prompt medical attention and prescribed medication, typically antiviral drugs, can effectively manage the infection and preserve your sight.
- Drooping Eyelids (Ptosis): A drooping eyelid, while sometimes a minor inconvenience, can significantly impact your vision and daily life; however, various treatments exist to lift the eyelid and restore your field of vision.
- Visual Field Defects: Experiencing gaps in your sight? Visual field defects can affect your peripheral vision or central vision, but with the right evaluation and strategies, you can maintain your independence and safety.
- Marfan Syndrome: If you or a loved one has Marfan syndrome, it's important to know it can sometimes affect your eyes, causing issues like lens dislocation or retinal tears, and regular eye exams are vital for early detection and management.
- Vitreous Hemorrhage: A vitreous hemorrhage is bleeding in the gel-like substance inside your eye, which can cause blurry vision or even sudden vision loss, but treatment options are available to help improve your sight.
- Acute Endophthalmitis: Characterized by intense eye pain, redness, and blurry vision, acute endophthalmitis necessitates immediate medical intervention to minimize vision impairment and promote recovery.
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. Nishita Patel 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.
- Anterior Vitrectomy: For seniors experiencing vision loss due to vitreous opacities or bleeding, anterior vitrectomy can restore clearer vision by surgically removing the affected vitreous gel.
- Eye Surgery: Eyelid surgery can improve both your vision and appearance, addressing functional issues like drooping eyelids that impair your sight.
- 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.
- Cornea Surgery: Corneal surgery is a procedure that may be necessary to treat specific corneal conditions, helping seniors avoid vision loss and maintain independence.
- Conjunctivoplasty: As part of a senior's eye care plan, conjunctivoplasty can correct problems like ptosis (droopy eyelid) or improve the appearance of the eye.
- Paracentesis of Anterior Eye: This simple procedure, a paracentesis, helps doctors analyze the fluid in the front of the eye, leading to a more accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plan for your eye condition.
- Pterygium Surgery: Pterygium surgery is a procedure that can improve the overall comfort and visual clarity of your eyes.
- Vision Screening: Regular vision screenings are crucial for seniors as they can identify conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration before they significantly impact daily life.
- Eyelid Surgery: Eyelid surgery can improve vision by correcting droopy eyelids that obstruct the field of vision.
- Removal of Intraocular Foreign Body: To restore clear vision and prevent lasting damage, the removal of an intraocular foreign body is a vital part of your eye care.
- Repair of Eye Laceration: As part of comprehensive senior care, repairing an eye laceration aims to quickly restore the eye's structure and function, minimizing long-term 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. Nishita Patel 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:
- A senior citizen, bothered by a pterygium affecting their vision, found relief after a straightforward surgical procedure. They were soon able to enjoy reading again without discomfort, regaining a cherished hobby.
- After careful guidance, a senior was able to resume reading her favorite books, a cherished activity, without the persistent eye discomfort caused by the corneal abrasion. The family felt a great sense of relief knowing their loved one was back to their usual, active self.
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. Nishita Patel:
- What is an Ophthalmologist, and how are they different from an Optometrist?
- Dr. Patel is an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor specializing in all aspects of eye care, including surgery. Optometrists, on the other hand, provide primary vision care, like 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. Patel typically recommends surgery when cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities like driving or reading.
- What are 'floaters,' and are they dangerous?
- Floaters are small specks or clouds that appear to 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 indicate a serious problem and requires immediate attention. Please call Dr. Patel's office immediately if you experience this.
- What is dry eye, and how is it treated in seniors?
- Dry eye is a very common and uncomfortable condition for seniors, often caused by the eyes not producing enough quality tears. Treatment typically begins with over-the-counter artificial tears, but Dr. Patel can offer prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, or other therapies for more persistent cases.
- 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 can help slow its progression. 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?
- Eyelid drooping, or ptosis, is common in older adults. If the drooping interferes with your vision, it's a medical issue. Dr. Nishita Patel, an oculoplastic specialist, can perform a functional blepharoplasty to lift the eyelid, restoring your vision and 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. Patel uses this technique to treat serious retinal conditions like retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, aiming to save or improve vision.
- Is cataract surgery safe?
- Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures performed today. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear, artificial one, often as a quick, outpatient procedure that dramatically improves vision.
517 N Clyde Morris Blvd
Daytona Beach FL 32114
Phone: (386) 425-0393
Dr. Nishita Patel, 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): 1194048488
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. Nishita Patel 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.