Dr. Ricardo Ramirez, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in comprehensive eye care for older adults. He practices at his clinic in Orlando, FL, and is deeply committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive ophthalmologic care for seniors aged 65 and older. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and adheres to Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring the highest standards of care in his 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. Ricardo Ramirez, MD is an ophthalmologist in Orlando, FL and has over 40 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from University Of Puerto Rico / Mayaguez Campus in 1981 and is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology. With this wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, he is affiliated with medical facilities such as AdventHealth Orlando and AdventHealth Fish Memorial. He is dedicated to a patient-centered approach, ensuring collaborative, evidence-based medicine, and a supportive environment where patients and families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. He offers consultations in Spanish. He is currently welcoming new patients and telehealth appointments, and you can schedule an appointment by calling (407) 843-2020.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Ricardo Ramirez is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Ramirez is a compassionate ophthalmologist dedicated to providing comprehensive and person-centered care for seniors. He expertly manages complex eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, working collaboratively with primary care physicians and other specialists to ensure the best possible vision outcomes and overall well-being. His approach prioritizes understanding each patient's unique needs and goals, fostering open communication with families, and creating a plan to maintain their independence and comfort.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Ricardo Ramirez can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- APCN Choice POS II
- Aetna
- Aetna HMO
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- BlueCard PPO
- BlueOptions
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Choice
- Choice Plus POS II
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- Florida Blue
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Open Choice PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Ricardo Ramirez 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:
- Foreign Body in Eye: A foreign body in the eye, like a speck of dust or a small insect, can be irritating and blurry vision, but it's usually easily removed by a doctor, restoring clear vision and comfort.
- Corneal Ulcer: A corneal ulcer is an infection or injury that creates a painful sore on your eye's surface; early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing serious complications and maintaining your vision.
- Chronic Conjunctivitis: Chronic conjunctivitis is a long-term condition affecting the eye's surface, causing symptoms like redness, itchiness, or watery eyes; thankfully, it can be managed effectively with simple treatments to maintain your daily routines and quality of life.
- Herpetic Keratitis: Herpetic keratitis is an eye infection caused by the herpes simplex virus, which can lead to blurry vision and eye pain, but with proper treatment, like antiviral medications and eye drops, you can manage symptoms and protect your eyesight.
- Convergence Insufficiency: If you're finding it hard to focus on things up close, like reading a book or knitting, you might have convergence insufficiency. It's a condition that affects how your eyes work together, but exercises and eye therapy can often resolve the problem.
- Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): Diabetic macular edema (DME) happens when high blood sugar from diabetes damages the retina, causing fluid to build up and blur your central vision; fortunately, with proper management and treatment, many people can preserve their sight and quality of life.
- Corneal Abrasion or Laceration: If you have a scratch or cut on the surface of your eye (corneal abrasion or laceration), early treatment with medication can prevent infection and ensure your vision recovers fully. Prompt care keeps you safe and independent.
- 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.
- Lacrimal Gland Disorder: Tear gland issues can make your eyes feel dry, irritated, or overly watery. Thankfully, many effective treatments are available to manage these problems and ensure your comfort and vision remain as good as possible.
- Choroidal Dystrophy: This inherited eye condition, choroidal dystrophy, damages the layer of blood vessels nourishing your retina, potentially causing vision impairment; while there's no cure, treatments can help slow its progress and improve your quality of life.
- Astigmatism: Astigmatism doesn't typically worsen with age, but managing it with the right eye correction ensures you maintain the best possible eyesight, preserving independence.
- Drooping Eyelids (Ptosis): Drooping eyelids can be frustrating, affecting your appearance and sight. Fortunately, eye specialists offer various treatments including surgery that can help restore a more natural eyelid position and improve your 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. Ricardo Ramirez offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Tear Duct Surgery: Tear duct surgery can help prevent more serious complications associated with blocked tear ducts, such as infections or corneal damage, allowing seniors to maintain healthy eyes.
- Pterygium Surgery: As part of your eye care plan, pterygium surgery can correct vision problems caused by this common eye growth.
- Removal of Foreign Body from External Eye: As part of a comprehensive eye care plan, removing a foreign body from the eye helps maintain clear vision and protects against long-term eye damage.
- 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.
- Eyelid Surgery: As part of a comprehensive senior care plan, eyelid surgery can address cosmetic concerns and improve self-esteem.
- Cornea Surgery: Corneal surgery is a procedure that may be necessary to treat specific corneal conditions, helping seniors avoid vision loss and maintain independence.
- Farnsworth Lantern Test: The Farnsworth Lantern Test helps your doctor assess your color vision, an important factor in driving safety and overall vision health as you age.
- 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.
- Excision or Destruction of Lesion of Cornea: This procedure is a key part of diagnosing and managing certain corneal conditions, supporting comprehensive eye health for seniors.
- Contact Lens Fitting Services: As part of comprehensive eye care, contact lens fitting assesses eye health and ensures the correct lenses are used to prevent complications and maximize visual acuity.
- Vision Screening: A comprehensive vision screening provides a baseline for your eye health, enabling proactive management and preventing future vision complications.
- Eye Test: Eye tests are vital for detecting early signs of eye diseases, which can often be successfully managed or treated with early diagnosis.
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. Ricardo Ramirez 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, previously plagued by blurry vision and discomfort, regained clear sight and comfort after a foreign body was safely removed from their eye. They were thrilled to resume their beloved hobby of reading again without the persistent irritation.
- After careful treatment for a corneal ulcer, a senior woman regained her ability to read comfortably, a cherished pastime, and her family felt a huge sense of relief.
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 Board of Ophthalmology (Ophthalmology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Ophthalmologic care with Dr. Ricardo Ramirez:
- What is an Ophthalmologist, and how are they different from an Optometrist?
- Dr. Ramirez 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. They often work together to ensure comprehensive eye care for our patients.
- 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. Ramirez 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 in floaters, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious issue and requires immediate contact with Dr. Ramirez's office.
- 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 eyelid affects your vision, it's a medical issue that Dr. Ramirez can address. A functional blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure to lift the eyelid, can restore your full field of vision and improve appearance, and 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. Ramirez uses this procedure 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 with Dr. Ramirez 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 as a quick, outpatient procedure that dramatically improves 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 usually begins with over-the-counter artificial tears, but Dr. Ramirez can offer prescription 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. Ricardo Ramirez, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure, and laser procedures and surgery are also effective options to prevent further vision loss.
324 E Par St Ste 200
Orlando FL 32804
Phone: (407) 843-2020
Dr. Ricardo Ramirez, 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): 1932192341
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. Ricardo Ramirez 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.