Dr. Alexandra Vlad is a board certified and residency trained Optometric physician with a special interest in medical eye care and ocular disease. Dr. Vlad graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Graduating early, she immediately pursued and earned her Doctorate of Optometry at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Optometry in Worcester, Massachusetts. In her final year of study at MCPHS she completed three externships all focused on ocular disease and cataract pre and post operative care. The first at The Villages VA, the second at Eye Centers of South Florida in North Miami Beach and third at M&M Eye Institute in Prescott, Arizona. Throughout her externships she worked alongside several vitreo-retinal, macular, corneal, glaucoma, oculoplastic and specialty contact lens specialists. Upon completion she was successfully matched to her top choice for residency at the William V. Chappell Jr. VA in Daytona Beach. At her residency she gained extensive knowledge and experience diagnosing, managing and treating complex ocular disease including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, along with triage, pre and postoperative care and tele-health care. During her residency, Dr. Vlad submitted a Scientific Poster to the American Academy of Optometry and was accepted for a poster presentation at the Orange Country Convention Center in Orlando. After a successful presentation she was asked to present for continuing education at NOVA Southeastern College of Optometry in Fort Lauderdale and awarded full marks for her content and presenting skill. Dr. Vlad is fluent in English, Spanish, and Romanian. Having a strong background in elderly eye care, Dr. Vlad is excited to be a part of St. Luke’s team of gifted doctors and staff that serve the growing Villages and surrounding communities.