Dr. Scott Behler, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults at his clinic in Clearwater, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and adheres to Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dedicated to providing exceptional ophthalmologic care for patients 65 years and older, Dr. Behler 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 the best possible vision and overall health outcomes. He is currently accepting new patients.
Dr. Scott Behler, MD is an ophthalmologist in Clearwater, FL with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from the University of Phoenix / Northern California Campus in 1987 and is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is affiliated with Morton Plant Hospital and brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. His practice is focused on providing comprehensive eye care for seniors, and he is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, ensuring patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. He provides consultations primarily in English. To schedule an appointment, please call (727) 712-2500.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Scott Behler is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Behler is a compassionate partner in your senior eye health journey, providing comprehensive ophthalmologic care. He expertly manages complex conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure the best possible vision and overall well-being. His approach prioritizes understanding your unique needs, fostering open communication, and creating a personalized plan to maximize your comfort and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Scott Behler can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- 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
- Humana
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Medica Choice
- National POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Scott Behler 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:
- Iridocyclitis: If you have iridocyclitis, it means the iris and ciliary body in your eye are inflamed, leading to eye discomfort. Your doctor can recommend a treatment plan, typically involving medication, to control the inflammation and help you maintain your independence by managing your vision.
- Degenerative Disorders of Globe: The term 'degenerative disorders of the globe' encompasses a range of age-related eye problems causing vision loss. Regular eye exams and timely treatments are key to preventing severe vision impairment and maintaining quality of life.
- Pinguecula: A pinguecula is a common, usually painless, yellowish lump that may appear on the white part of the eye, mostly caused by sun exposure over time; it usually doesn't affect vision and doesn't require treatment unless it becomes inflamed.
- Optic Neuritis: Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve that can cause sudden vision loss, often affecting one eye more than the other, and prompt treatment can help preserve sight.
- Conjunctiva Cyst: Similar to a small blister on the eye's surface, a conjunctival cyst is typically benign but may be removed surgically if it's irritating or visually obstructive, improving your comfort and vision.
- 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.
- Episcleritis Periodica Fugax: While episcleritis periodica fugax can cause some temporary eye redness and mild discomfort, it's usually self-limiting, meaning it gets better on its own without requiring extensive treatment, minimizing disruption to your routine.
- Eye Infections: Experiencing redness, swelling, or discharge from your eye? An eye infection may be the cause, and early treatment with medication can prevent it from worsening and impacting your daily activities.
- Herpetic Keratitis: If you experience eye pain, redness, or blurry vision, it could be herpetic keratitis, a corneal infection triggered by the herpes virus. Fortunately, timely treatment with antiviral medications helps prevent vision loss and maintain your daily activities.
- Astigmatism: If you're experiencing blurry or distorted vision, your eye care professional may diagnose astigmatism and recommend glasses, contact lenses, or even refractive surgery to sharpen your vision.
- 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.
- Uveitis: Uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye that can cause pain, redness, and blurry vision, but with proper treatment, like eye drops or other medications, you can often manage the inflammation and protect your sight.
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. Scott Behler offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- B-Scan Ultrasound: This painless test uses sound waves to produce detailed images of the eye, assisting in the management of eye conditions and guiding treatment decisions for better vision health.
- Repair of Entropion or Ectropion: This procedure alleviates symptoms like dry eyes, corneal abrasion, and blurry vision caused by eyelid deformities, enhancing a senior's quality of life.
- Pterygium Surgery: For seniors experiencing vision impairment and irritation due to pterygium, this surgery can restore clearer vision and enhance quality of life.
- Conjunctivoplasty: For seniors experiencing significant discomfort or vision impairment due to conjunctival issues, conjunctivoplasty offers a surgical solution to restore proper function.
- Ocular Surface Reconstruction: This procedure helps diagnose and manage a range of conditions affecting the surface of the eye, such as dry eye disease, improving symptoms and overall eye health in older adults.
- Ocular Prosthetics: For seniors facing eye loss, ocular prosthetics offer a customized solution to restore a natural look and improve self-confidence.
- Cornea Surgery: For seniors with corneal diseases affecting their vision, cornea surgery offers a potential treatment option to improve sight and daily functioning.
- Blepharoplasty: As part of your senior care plan, blepharoplasty can address droopy eyelids, improving your field of vision and making everyday activities easier.
- Excision of Chalazion: Excision of a chalazion is a safe and effective way to treat a persistent eyelid bump in older adults, ensuring comfortable and clear vision.
- Scleral Reinforcement Surgery: As part of a comprehensive eye care plan, scleral reinforcement surgery can help prevent further vision loss by supporting the structural integrity of the eyeball.
- Iridectomy: An iridectomy is a small surgical procedure that creates an opening in the iris, the colored part of your eye, to help manage certain types of glaucoma or other conditions that raise pressure within the eye.
- 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.
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. Scott Behler 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 iridocyclitis symptoms significantly reduced through medication, a senior couple was thrilled to rediscover their love of playing cards with friends, a cherished social activity.
- A senior couple rediscovered the joy of reading together, finding clear vision and comfort in their home thanks to regular eye exams and timely treatments.
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. Scott Behler:
- 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. 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 very common part of aging. They can cause blurry vision, glare, and difficulty seeing at night. Dr. Behler typically recommends surgery when cataracts begin to interfere with 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 age. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially with flashes of light, could indicate a serious problem and requires immediate contact with Dr. Behler's office.
- 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. Behler, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure, but laser procedures and surgery are also effective options to prevent further vision loss.
- 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 that can be addressed. Dr. Behler, an oculoplastic specialist, performs functional blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure to lift the eyelid and restore vision, which 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. Behler performs this procedure to treat serious retinal conditions like retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, with the goal of saving or improving vision.
- Is cataract surgery safe?
- Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures performed today. It involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear, artificial one, a quick outpatient procedure that can dramatically improve vision.
- What is dry eye, and how is it treated in seniors?
- Dry eye is a very common and often uncomfortable condition for seniors, frequently caused by the eyes not producing enough quality tears. Treatment typically begins with over-the-counter artificial tears, but Dr. Behler can also prescribe eye drops, punctal plugs, or other therapies for persistent cases to provide significant relief.
2346 Drew St
Clearwater FL 33765
Phone: (727) 712-2500
Dr. Scott Behler, 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): 1285746891
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. Scott Behler 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.