Dr. William Knauer III, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in comprehensive eye care for older adults. He practices at his clinic in Jacksonville, FL, and is a dedicated partner in the health journeys of individuals 65 years and older. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring patients receive the highest quality and legally compliant 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. William Knauer III, MD is an ophthalmologist in Jacksonville, FL, and has over 45 years of experience in the medical field. With this wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, he brings a deep understanding of the unique needs of seniors. He earned his medical degree from Wake Forest School Of Medicine in 1979 and is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is affiliated with Ascension St Vincent's Riverside and is committed to providing collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. He is currently accepting new patients. Please call (904) 388-6548 to schedule an appointment. Dr. William Knauer III provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. William Knauer III is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. William Knauer III is a dedicated partner in your senior's eye health journey, providing comprehensive ophthalmologic care with a compassionate touch. 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. Dr. Knauer III prioritizes understanding each patient's individual needs and goals, fostering a supportive environment for seniors and their families.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. William Knauer III can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- AvMed
- 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 Large Group POS
- 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
- Empower - Small Employer Groups
- Empower POS
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Florida Blue
- 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 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. William Knauer III 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:
- 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.
- Pterygium: Sometimes, a harmless tissue growth called a pterygium develops on the eye's surface; if it impacts your vision, your doctor can remove it to improve your sight and quality of life.
- Visual Field Defects: Visual field defects mean you can't see everything in your normal range of vision, like having a blind spot, and we can work together to understand what's causing it and find ways to manage it.
- Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP): For individuals with retinitis pigmentosa, managing the condition often involves utilizing adaptive strategies to support independent living, such as assistive technology and lifestyle adjustments, maximizing the remaining vision.
- Keratoconus: Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition affecting the cornea's curvature, leading to blurred vision and light sensitivity. Regular eye exams and appropriate management can significantly improve visual quality and prevent further vision loss.
- Eye Infections: Don't let an eye infection limit your ability to see clearly. Treatment, often involving medication, can effectively manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
- Retinal Dystrophy: Retinal dystrophy is an inherited eye condition that damages the retina, gradually reducing vision. Although a cure isn't currently available, there are treatments that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for those affected.
- Corneal Abrasion or Laceration: A corneal abrasion or laceration is a scratch or tear on the surface of your eye, often causing pain, blurry vision, and light sensitivity, but thankfully treatable with eye drops and careful monitoring to prevent infection and promote healing.
- Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration: While wet AMD can cause significant vision impairment, treatments like injections can help prevent further damage and preserve your ability to read, watch TV, and enjoy your hobbies.
- 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.
- Senile Cataracts: Senile cataracts, a typical age-related eye condition, involve the lens becoming less transparent, resulting in impaired vision; fortunately, cataract surgery is a highly effective treatment to improve your vision and independence.
- Corneal Ulcer: If you experience eye pain, blurry vision, or increased sensitivity to light, it could be a corneal ulcer, and seeking immediate medical care is crucial for effective treatment and preventing vision impairment.
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. William Knauer III offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- B-Scan Ultrasound: If you're experiencing vision changes or eye discomfort, a B-scan ultrasound can help your doctor determine the underlying cause by providing detailed images of your eye's interior.
- Cataract Removal Surgery: Cataract removal surgery is a procedure to improve vision by replacing a cloudy lens with a clear artificial one, enhancing a senior's quality of life.
- 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.
- Excision of Chalazion: For seniors experiencing a bothersome eyelid lump (chalazion), surgical excision offers a solution to eliminate discomfort and prevent potential complications.
- Eye Test: Regular eye tests help monitor the progression of existing eye conditions, ensuring your treatment plan remains effective and tailored to your needs.
- Eyelid Surgery: This procedure can repair damaged eyelids, protecting the eyes from injury and infection for better senior eye health.
- Farnsworth Lantern Test: This test is a valuable tool for detecting color vision deficiencies, helping your ophthalmologist create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
- Foreign Body Removal from Eye: This procedure quickly addresses eye irritation and discomfort caused by foreign objects, improving a senior's overall quality of life and preventing infections.
- Removal of Foreign Body from External Eye: A foreign body in the eye can be very irritating; having it removed quickly aids in preventing infection and promotes healing, maintaining your quality of life.
- Vision Screening: A comprehensive vision screening provides a baseline for your eye health, enabling proactive management and preventing future vision 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. William Knauer III 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 retired artist found renewed confidence in her painting hobby after an ophthalmologist helped her manage her exotropia, enabling clearer vision and more precise brushstrokes.
- With the pterygium addressed, a senior woman could finally enjoy reading her favorite books without the persistent eye discomfort, regaining a cherished pastime.
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. William Knauer III:
- What is an Ophthalmologist, and how are they different from an Optometrist?
- Dr. Knauer III 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. Knauer III 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 across your vision. A gradual increase in floaters is a common part of aging. However, a sudden increase in floaters, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious issue and requires immediate contact with Dr. Knauer III's office.
- 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, often as a quick outpatient procedure that can dramatically improve 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 eyelid affects your vision, it's a medical issue. Dr. Knauer III, an oculoplastic specialist, can perform a functional blepharoplasty to lift the eyelid, restore vision, and improve 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. This allows Dr. Knauer III to treat serious retinal conditions like retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, aiming to save or improve 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. William Knauer III, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure, and laser procedures and surgery are also effective options to prevent further vision loss.
- 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 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.
2535 Riverside Ave
Jacksonville FL 32204
Phone: (904) 388-6548
Dr. William Knauer III, 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): 1104896158
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. William Knauer III 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.