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Best Optometrists in Lakeland

Written by Andrew Le, MD

Updated December 24, 2024

Introduction to Optometry in Lakeland

Definition and scope of optometry

Optometry is a healthcare profession that focuses on the eyes and related structures, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information processing in humans.

Optometrists play a key role in maintaining eye health and ensuring optimal vision for patients of all ages.

Regular eye exams are essential for detecting and preventing various eye conditions, as well as identifying early signs of systemic health issues.

Overview of optometry services in Lakeland

Lakeland, Florida boasts a robust community of optometrists, with over 40 professionals serving the area according to the provided data.

These optometrists offer a wide range of services, including comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, and management of various eye conditions.

Some optometrists in Lakeland specialize in specific areas such as occupational optometry, cornea and contact management, ensuring diverse eye care needs are met.


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List of Optometrists in Lakeland

MS

Dr. Muhammad Sami

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 644-7242

English

Optometry

CC

Dr. Christian Copley

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(863) 688-5604

English

Spanish

Optometry

BZ

Dr. Blake Zippi

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

English

Optometry

Dr. Thomas Hegland

Dr. Thomas Hegland

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 294-3504

Southern College of Optometry (Medical School, 1985)

Florida Atlantic University (Undergraduate School, 1977)

English

Optometry

AM

Dr. Ashley McCoy

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 297-5067

English

Optometry

LV

Levy Varghese

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 297-5067

English

Optometry

JB

Dr. Jennifer Buzzett

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

English

Optometry

ER

Dr. Elizabeth Roberts

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 687-2260

American Board of Optometry

University of Houston / College of Optometry (Medical School, 1999)

English

Optometry

SB

Dr. Sonya Braudway

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(863) 683-6699

English

Spanish

Optometry

PL

Dr. Paul Lessard

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 853-9606

English

Optometry

Dr. Pauline Thai

Dr. Pauline Thai

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(813) 681-1122

American Board of Optometry

William Chappell VA Outpatient Clinic (Residency Hospital)

William Chappell VA Outpatient Clinic (Internship Hospital)

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY (Medical School)

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY|Nova Southeastern University In Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Nova Southeastern University, College Of Optometry (Medical School)

Nova Southeastern University In Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Medical School)

Nova Southeastern University, College Of Optometry (Medical School)

University Of South Florida, Tampa (Undergraduate School)

English

Optometry

Occupational Optometry

RR

Dr. Rachel Escobio Roche

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 687-2260

English

Optometry

EI

Dr. Esaam Ismail

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 297-5067

English

Optometry

UA

Dr. Umar Ahmed

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

English

Optometry

GL

Dr. Gregory Laskerr

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 413-0200

English

Optometry

Cornea & Contact Management

SH

Dr. Shaun Holliday

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(813) 752-1344

English

Optometry

SG

Dr. Stephen Gres

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 644-7242

English

Optometry

GH

Dr. Gerard Hubbell

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 688-6197

English

Optometry

KD

Dr. Kaitlyn Dwyer

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 680-7000

English

Optometry

GS

Dr. Ginger Sadek

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 644-7242

English

Optometry

CF

Dr. Cathrine Farah

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(813) 685-6872

English

Optometry

Dr. Stephanie Minerella

Dr. Stephanie Minerella

5.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 619-2700

New England College of Optometry - Boston, MA (Medical School)

Southeastern University - Lakeland, FL (Undergraduate School)

English

Optometry

JG

Dr. Jonell Gill

4.7

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 688-5604

English

Optometry

BC

Brandon Chan

4.5

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 859-6500

English

Optometry

ML

Dr. Marion Lewis

4.2

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 940-2091

Indiana University / Bloomington / School of Optometry (Medical School)

Indiana University (Undergraduate School)

Indiana University School of Medicine (Undergraduate School)

English

Optometry

RO

Dr. Ryan Odil

4.1

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 250-5553

English

Optometry

YF

Dr. Yuliya Faynberg

4.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English, Russian

Phone

(863) 680-7486

English

Russian

Optometry

Dr. David Burry

Dr. David Burry

3.3

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 294-3504

Southern College of Optometry (Medical School, 1966)

University of Florida (Undergraduate School, 1962)

English

Optometry

CH

Dr. Christopher Hamilton

3.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Spanish

Phone

(813) 473-4687

English

Spanish

Optometry

LM

Dr. Lorena Miranda

2.3

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(407) 650-7715

English

Optometry

SG

Dr. Steven Glassberg

1.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

English

Optometry

VS

Dr. Vernon Stapleton

1.0

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 660-3287

English

Optometry

MH

Dr. Marca Hobbs

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 687-2260

English

Optometry

JB

Dr. Justin Burtner

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 853-2020

English

Optometry

SS

Dr. Sarah De Soto

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 859-7100

English

Optometry

AC

Dr. Alex Cayon

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 712-8858

English

Optometry

JF

Dr. Jade Fungquee

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(813) 704-6090

English

Optometry

Dr. Thuy-Nga Nguyen

Dr. Thuy-Nga Nguyen

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 382-2020

English

Optometry

BM

Dr. Barbara Miller

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(866) 234-8534

English

Optometry

ME

Dr. Michelle Espanto

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

English

Optometry

EG

Dr. Elizabeth George

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 680-7000

English

Optometry

JC

Dr. Janis Crosskey

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(963) 644-9461

English

Optometry

GP

Dr. Gregory Parrish

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 619-2700

American Board of Optometry

Illinois College of Optometry (Medical School, 1989)

English

Optometry

BM

Dr. Bernard Mamphey

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

English

Optometry

SH

Dr. Stephen Haidet

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(239) 543-3336

Bay Pines Va Hospital (Residency Hospital)

Nova-Southeastern University College Of Optometry (Medical School)

English

Optometry

RJ

Dr. Richard Miller Jr

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 688-4001

English

Optometry

RF

Dr. Rawan Farah

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 364-6447

English

Optometry

AR

Dr. Ashley Rodgers

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 382-2020

English

Optometry

MF

Dr. Mary Frates

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 680-7000

English

Optometry

RB

Dr. Rachel Bruinsma

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(407) 650-7715

English

Optometry

SP

Dr. Stephen Phillips

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 419-1300

American Board of Optometry

Southern College of Optometry (Medical School, 1970)

English

Optometry

JC

Dr. June Converse

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 853-1132

English

Optometry

NR

Dr. Nicole Rosa

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 940-2091

English

Optometry

LT

Lee Tran

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 619-2700

English

Optometry

JF

Dr. John Fusselman

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English, Creole

Phone

(863) 438-6900

English

Creole

Optometry

OA

Dr. Ornella Aluwiesi

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Female

Languages

English

Phone

(863) 250-5553

English

Optometry

SA

Dr. Stephen Abrams

N/A

Lakeland, FL

Sex

Male

Languages

English

Phone

(813) 445-2229

English

Optometry

Choosing an Optometrist in Lakeland

Factors to consider

Qualifications and certifications

  • Review educational background
  • Check for board certifications

Experience and specializations

  • Years in practice
  • Areas of expertise

Patient reviews and ratings

  • Star ratings on platforms like Healthgrades
  • Number of patient reviews

Language capabilities

  • Multilingual optometrists for diverse patient needs

Utilizing available resources

Online platforms

  • Healthgrades for comprehensive doctor profiles
  • Patient testimonials and ratings

Professional associations

  • American Optometric Association
  • Florida Optometric Association

Local recommendations

  • Referrals from primary care physicians
  • Word-of-mouth from family and friends

Top-Rated Optometrists in Lakeland

Dr. Pauline Thai

Education and Certifications

  • Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
  • American Board of Optometry certified

Specialties

  • Optometry
  • Occupational Optometry

Patient Rating

  • 5.0 stars based on 20 reviews

Contact Information

  • Phone: (813) 681-1122

Dr. Esaam Ismail

Specialty

  • Optometry

Patient Rating

  • 5.0 stars based on 6 reviews

Contact Information

  • Phone: (863) 297-5067

Dr. Jennifer Buzzett

Specialty

  • Optometry

Patient Rating

  • 5.0 stars based on 6 reviews

Contact Information

  • Phone: <UNKNOWN>

Dr. Stephen Gres

Specialty

  • Optometry

Patient Rating

  • 5.0 stars based on 5 reviews

Contact Information

  • Phone: (863) 644-7242

Dr. Thomas Hegland

Education

  • Southern College of Optometry (1985)
  • Florida Atlantic University (1977)

Specialty

  • Optometry

Patient Rating

  • 5.0 stars based on 4 reviews

Contact Information

  • Phone: (863) 294-3504

Additional Considerations for Choosing an Optometrist

Insurance Coverage and Accepted Plans

Importance of verifying insurance acceptance

  • Contact optometrist offices to confirm accepted plans
  • Understand potential out-of-pocket costs

Options for those without vision insurance

  • Inquire about cash pay discounts
  • Explore flexible payment plans if available

Office Hours and Appointment Availability

Convenience factors

  • Extended hours for working professionals
  • Weekend availability for busy families

Emergency eye care options

  • After-hours contact information
  • Procedures for urgent eye issues

Technology and Equipment

State-of-the-art diagnostic tools

  • Digital retinal imaging
  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Modern vision correction options

  • Contact lens fitting technology
  • Advanced lens measurement systems

Continuing Education and Professional Development

Optometrists' commitment to ongoing learning

  • Participation in professional conferences
  • Certifications and specialized training

Staying informed about eye care advancements

  • Implementation of new treatment methods
  • Offering latest vision correction technologies