Dr. Zachary Segal, MD is an Ophthalmology specializing in comprehensive eye care for older adults. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Ophthalmologic care for individuals 65 years and older at his clinic in South Miami, FL. Dr. Segal is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). He understands the unique needs of seniors and is committed to 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.
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. Zachary Segal, MD is an ophthalmologist in South Miami, FL and has over 20 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2001, completing an internship at Mt Sinai Cabrini Hospital (2002) and residency training in Ophthalmology at Washington Hospital Center (2005), followed by fellowship training in University Of Alabama At Birmingham (2007). With over 20 years of dedicated experience in Ophthalmologic care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He is Board Certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology and affiliated with medical facilities such as Coral Gables Hospital and Doctors Hospital. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments and welcomes inquiries from patients in need of eye care. He is currently welcoming new patients and can be reached at (305) 233-8043 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Segal offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Zachary Segal is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Zachary Segal is a dedicated partner in your senior health journey, providing comprehensive ophthalmologic care with a compassionate focus. 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 the best possible vision and overall well-being. His approach prioritizes understanding your individual needs and goals, creating a personalized plan to maintain your independence and comfort.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Zachary Segal can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Amerigroup (Wellpoint)
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Coventry Health Care of Florida
Humana
Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP)
WellCare
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Anthem
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Emblem Health
- EmblemHealth
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- Health Net
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Midwest Health Plan
- Molina
- Molina Healthcare
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Superior Health Plan
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Zachary Segal 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:
- Hypertropia: Experiencing a wandering upward gaze in one eye (hypertropia)? Don't worry, this condition is treatable, and with the right approachsuch as surgery or other methodsyou can regain clear and comfortable vision, restoring your independence.
- Dry Eyes: Dry eye is more than just a minor inconvenience; it can significantly affect vision clarity and daily activities. Your doctor can recommend appropriate treatments to address the underlying cause, relieve your symptoms, and maintain your independence.
- Iridocyclitis: Iridocyclitis is an eye condition involving inflammation of the iris and ciliary body, potentially affecting your vision. Early diagnosis and treatment with medication, often eye drops, can help control the inflammation and improve your eye health and quality of life.
- Focal Chorioretinitis and Focal Retinochoroiditis: If you're experiencing symptoms related to focal chorioretinitis or focal retinochoroiditis, such as blurry vision or floaters, seeking prompt medical attention is crucial. Treatment aims to minimize inflammation and protect your sight, thus improving your quality of life.
- Thyroid Eye Disease: Problems with your thyroid gland can sometimes lead to thyroid eye disease, impacting the muscles and fat around your eyes causing swelling, double vision, or eye dryness; eye doctors and other specialists can help manage the condition, improving symptoms and enhancing your daily life.
- Marfan Syndrome: Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder affecting the body's structure, and in some cases, it can cause eye problems like nearsightedness or a detached retina, potentially needing surgical intervention.
- Xanthelasma of Eyelid: While xanthelasma, those small yellow patches on the eyelids, don't usually affect vision, addressing any underlying high cholesterol can contribute to your overall well-being and prevent other health complications.
- Dislocation of Lens: Lens dislocation happens when the eye's natural lens shifts from its normal position, often blurring vision and potentially leading to sight loss, but surgery can usually restore clear vision.
- Paralytic Strabismus: Paralytic strabismus is a condition where one or both eyes can't move properly, often causing double vision, and can be treated with exercises, prisms in eyeglasses, or surgery to improve eye alignment and reduce discomfort.
- Hypertensive Retinopathy: Hypertensive retinopathy is an eye condition resulting from uncontrolled high blood pressure; regular checkups and blood pressure management are crucial for maintaining good vision.
- Squamous Blepharitis: Characterized by flaky skin and irritation along the eyelid margins, squamous blepharitis can be treated with simple home remedies like lid scrubs and specialized eye drops, enhancing daily comfort and eye health.
- Brow Ptosis: A drooping eyebrow (brow ptosis) can limit your vision and affect your appearance; many people find that surgery is an effective way to improve both.
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. Zachary Segal offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Vitrectomy: Vitrectomy surgery helps manage various retinal conditions in seniors, such as retinal detachments and macular holes, improving vision and preventing further damage.
- Retina and Vitreous Surgery: This specialized surgery allows doctors to carefully examine and repair problems in the retina and vitreous, offering a chance to restore or improve vision in older adults.
- Eye Examination: Regular eye exams help detect early signs of age-related eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, allowing for timely intervention and treatment.
- Pterygium Surgery: Pterygium surgery is a procedure that can improve the overall comfort and visual clarity of your eyes.
- Goniotomy: This specialized procedure helps increase drainage in the eye, thus reducing pressure that can cause glaucoma, which is a key part of ensuring long-term vision health for seniors.
- Retinal Laser Photocoagulation: Retinal laser photocoagulation is a precise treatment that uses laser beams to seal leaking blood vessels in the retina, helping manage vision loss from diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration.
- Contact Lens Fitting Services: Proper contact lens fitting helps manage conditions like presbyopia (age-related near vision loss) or astigmatism by providing comfortable, customized vision correction.
- 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.
- Ocular Prosthetics: Ocular prosthetics provide a comfortable and natural-looking alternative to an empty socket, enhancing a senior's quality of life after eye surgery or trauma.
- Cornea Surgery: Cornea surgery can help restore clear vision by repairing or replacing a damaged cornea, improving a senior's quality of life.
- 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.
- Diabetes Eye Care: Through thorough screenings and timely interventions, diabetes eye care helps maintain your eyesight and overall well-being.
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. Zachary Segal 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 guidance, a woman regained the ability to comfortably read her favorite books, a cherished pastime, without straining her eyes. Her family felt immense relief knowing she could enjoy activities she loved again.
- With improved treatment for dry eyes, a senior was able to resume reading her favorite books without discomfort, a cherished activity previously hindered by blurry vision.
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. Zachary Segal:
- What is an Ophthalmologist, and how are they different from an Optometrist?
- Dr. Segal's practice is dedicated to comprehensive eye care for seniors. An ophthalmologist, like Dr. Segal, is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in all aspects of eye care, including surgery. An optometrist (OD) provides primary vision care, such as exams and glasses, but is not a medical doctor and does not perform surgery. They often work together to provide the best possible 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. Segal 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 appear to move in your field of vision. A gradual increase in floaters is a common part of aging, but a sudden increase, especially with flashes of light, could signal a serious issue and requires immediate contact with Dr. Segal'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. Zachary Segal, usually starts with daily eye drops to lower pressure. 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 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 is affecting your vision, it's a medical issue that can be addressed. Dr. Segal can perform a functional blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure to lift the eyelid, and improve your vision and appearance. This procedure is often covered by insurance.
- Is cataract surgery safe?
- Cataract surgery 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 can dramatically improve vision.
- What is a vitrectomy?
- A vitrectomy is a delicate surgical procedure performed on the back of the eye to remove the vitreous gel. Dr. Segal uses this procedure to treat serious retinal conditions such as retinal detachments, macular holes, and severe diabetic retinopathy, aiming to save or improve vision.
5858 SW 68th St
South Miami FL 33143
Phone: (305) 233-8043
Dr. Zachary Segal, 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): 1881630887
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. Zachary Segal 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.