Dr. Rodrigo Ardila, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in comprehensive eye care for older adults. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive ophthalmologic care at his clinic in Hialeah, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Ardila understands the unique needs of patients 65 years and older, expertly managing complex conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. He works collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure your best possible vision and overall health.
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. Ardila, with extensive training and experience, is a valuable partner in your senior health journey. He is currently welcoming new patients and encourages you to call (305) 794-2744 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Rodrigo Belalcazar Ardila, MD is an ophthalmologist in Hialeah, FL, affiliated with Larkin Community Hospital, and is accepting new patients. His rigorous training includes medical school, residency, and fellowship training in Laser Vision Correction, Refractive Surgery, and other areas, deepening his expertise in the specific needs of patients 65 years and older. His commitment to excellence is evident in his extensive surgical experience, including thousands of RK surgeries, over 2,500 cataract and corneal transplants and over 4,000 LASIK procedures. Dr. Ardila is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, ASCRS, and ISRS. He offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Rodrigo Ardila is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Ardila is a dedicated partner in your senior health journey, providing compassionate and comprehensive ophthalmologic care. He expertly manages complex eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, while collaborating closely with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure your best possible vision and overall well-being. His approach prioritizes understanding your individual needs and goals, creating a personalized plan that supports your comfort and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Rodrigo Ardila can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
AvMed
Vista Health Plan
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Anthem
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Humana
- LocalPlus
- Medicaid
- Midwest Health Plan
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Select HMO
- Superior Health Plan
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Rodrigo Ardila 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:
- Retinal Detachment and Retinal Tear: Imagine the back of your eye as a delicate wallpaper; a retinal tear or detachment is like that wallpaper peeling away, blurring your vision. Surgery can carefully reattach it, helping you maintain your independence.
- Vertical Heterophoria: Sometimes, one eye sits slightly higher or lower than the other, a condition called vertical heterophoria; it often causes few problems, but vision therapy or prisms in eyeglasses can ease any discomfort.
- Chronic Conjunctivitis: Chronic eye irritation from conjunctivitis can affect your daily life, but with proper diagnosis and consistent treatment, such as eye drops or ointments, you can reduce symptoms and maintain your independence and visual well-being.
- Juvenile Macular Degeneration: Though rare in seniors, it's important to understand that juvenile macular degeneration can cause vision impairment from damage to the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, central vision.
- Xanthelasma of Eyelid: Xanthelasma are yellowish, cholesterol deposits that appear on the eyelids, often a sign of high cholesterol needing medical attention, which can improve overall health and reduce future health risks.
- 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.
- Dacryoadenitis: Don't let the discomfort of dacryoadenitis, an inflammation of your tear gland, impact your daily life. This condition is often manageable with treatment options aimed at reducing pain, swelling, and improving 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.
- Paralytic Strabismus: This condition, paralytic strabismus, affects eye muscle control leading to misaligned eyes and potential double vision; thankfully, treatments like special glasses or surgery can greatly improve vision and daily life.
- Eyelid Disorders: Whether it's a simple irritation or a more complex issue, eyelid disorders can impact vision and self-esteem; seeking professional help can lead to effective treatment and improved quality of life.
- Staphyloma Posticum: Staphyloma Posticum is a bulging of the back of the eye, often associated with weakening of the eye's outer layer, and while it might not always cause noticeable symptoms, monitoring its progression is important for maintaining good vision.
- Choroidal Hemorrhage Rupture: If you experience sudden blurry or diminished vision, it could be due to a choroidal hemorrhage rupture, a type of bleeding in the eye. Getting prompt medical attention is crucial to reducing the risk of permanent vision loss.
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. Rodrigo Ardila offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Excision or Destruction of Lesion of Cornea: Addressing a corneal lesion through excision or destruction helps prevent vision loss and improve a senior's quality of life.
- Pterygium Surgery: As part of your eye care plan, pterygium surgery can correct vision problems caused by this common eye growth.
- 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.
- Cornea Surgery: Cornea surgery can help restore clear vision by repairing or replacing a damaged cornea, improving a senior's quality of life.
- Blepharoplasty: Blepharoplasty helps manage the cosmetic and functional concerns related to aging eyelids, leading to better self-esteem and improved vision.
- Contact Lens Treatment: Using contact lenses during diagnostic testing can allow ophthalmologists to evaluate vision in a detailed manner which enhances care planning.
- Repair of Retinal Detachment or Retinal Tear: This procedure is part of a comprehensive eye care plan to address vision loss caused by retinal problems and maintain your independence.
- Vitrectomy: For seniors experiencing vision problems due to vitreous problems, a vitrectomy can help restore clearer sight by removing cloudy or damaged vitreous gel.
- Ocular Surface Reconstruction: For seniors experiencing chronic dry eye or damage to the eye's surface, ocular surface reconstruction offers a way to rebuild and protect this crucial area, reducing discomfort and improving vision.
- 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.
- Epi-LASIK Eye Surgery: For seniors experiencing vision impairment due to refractive errors, Epi-LASIK offers a surgical approach to restoring clearer vision, thus increasing safety and improving overall well-being.
- 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.
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. Rodrigo Ardila 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 careful surgery to repair a retinal tear, a woman could once again enjoy her beloved hobby of birdwatching from her backyard, a vibrant world of color restored to her vision.
- After struggling with headaches and a feeling of eye strain, a senior couple found relief from vertical heterophoria with vision therapy. They were thrilled to rediscover their love for reading together 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
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- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
Here are answers to some common questions about Ophthalmologic care with Dr. Rodrigo Ardila:
- 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. Optometrists (ODs) 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. Ardila 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 onset of a few floaters is common as we age. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious problem and needs immediate attention; please call Dr. Ardila's office right away.
- My eyelids are drooping and making it hard to see. What can be done?
- Drooping eyelids, or ptosis, are common in seniors. If the drooping eyelid affects your vision, it's a medical issue. Dr. Ardila is an oculoplastic specialist who can perform a functional blepharoplasty to lift the eyelid, restore vision, and improve appearance. This procedure is often covered by insurance.
- 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 can help slow its progression. For wet AMD, injections in the eye are a highly effective treatment to preserve vision.
- Is cataract surgery safe?
- Cataract surgery with Dr. Ardila is one of the safest and most successful procedures today. It involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear artificial one, a quick outpatient procedure that often dramatically improves vision.
- What is a vitrectomy?
- A vitrectomy is a delicate surgery performed on the back of the eye to remove the vitreous gel. This procedure allows Dr. Ardila to treat serious retinal conditions like retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, with the goal of saving or 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. Ardila, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure, but laser procedures and surgery are also effective options to prevent further vision loss.
1840 W 49th St Ste 601
Hialeah FL 33012
Phone: (305) 794-2744
Dr. Rodrigo Ardila, 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): 1033372073
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. Rodrigo Ardila 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.