Doctors & Staff
Meet the experienced and friendly doctors and staff who make Better Vision a proud provider of vision care products and services in Sarasota.
Dr. Derek Richardson
Dr. Derek Richardson is a board-certified and residency-trained optometrist with over a decade of experience in providing exceptional eye care. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Florida State University in 2008. Pursuing his passion for optometry, he earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2012, where he graduated 3rd in his class with Honors and Professional Distinction. He further honed his expertise through a residency in Primary Eye Care at the Orlando VA Medical Center.
Dr. Richardson’s professional highlights include serving as the lead optometrist at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg, FL, one of the largest VA eye clinics in the country. During his tenure, he also was the only specialist in advanced contact lens management for corneal diseases in the six county region Bay Pines VA serves. He has extensive experience fitting scleral lenses, gas permeable corneal contact lenses, and hybrid lenses for conditions such as keratoconus and post-corneal transplants. Additionally, he has a strong background in diagnosing and managing ocular diseases from eye infections and trauma, to glaucoma, macular degeneration, and ocular manifestations of systemic diseases, as well as managing post surgical cases. His interests also extend to advanced treatment of dry eye disease, where he employs tailored approaches to improve patient comfort and vision.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Richardson has contributed to the field as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Optometry for the New England College of Optometry, Illinois College of Optometry, and Nova Southeastern University, mentoring future optometrists during his time at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center. He has also served as a past Vice President of the Pinellas Optometric Association.
Dr. Richardson’s philosophy of care is rooted in listening to his patients and dedicating the time needed to understand their unique concerns. He strives to uncover the root cause of vision and eye problems, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment.
Outside the office, Dr. Richardson enjoys spending quality time with his wife and three daughters. He is an avid kayaker, enjoys playing tennis, and loves traveling to explore new destinations.
Dr. Ankit Patel
Dr. Ankit Patel is a board-certified and residency-trained optometrist who has been proudly serving the Sarasota and Manatee County communities since 2014. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of South Florida in 2010. Driven by his passion for eye care, he pursued his Doctor of Optometry degree at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL, graduating with honors in 2014. He furthered his training by completing a residency in Primary Eye Care at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg, FL. This advanced training provided him with extensive experience in diagnosing and managing a wide range of ocular diseases.
Dr. Patel offers comprehensive eye health exams and specializes in the treatment and management of various eye conditions, including diabetic eye disease, cataracts, dry eye, eye infections, macular degeneration, glaucoma, keratoconus, ocular allergies, and computer vision syndrome. He is also highly skilled in contact lens fitting, providing solutions for distance and reading vision (monovision and multifocal lenses) using the healthiest materials and the latest lens designs to ensure optimal comfort and performance for his patients.
Dr. Patel is an active member of several esteemed organizations, reflecting his dedication to staying at the forefront of the field:
- American Optometric Association (AOA)
- Florida Optometric Association (FOA)
- Manasota Optometric Society (MOS)
- Beta Sigma Kappa Honors Society
- Vision Source
Dr. Patel is committed to providing compassionate, personalized care, ensuring his patients achieve and maintain their best possible vision and eye health.
Dr. Joseph Miller
Dr. Joseph Miller is a board-certified and residency-trained optometrist with a long-standing commitment to excellence in eye care for nearly 20 years. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Nebraska in Omaha in 1997. He then earned a Doctorate of Optometry degree at the Indiana University School of Optometry, graduating in 2006.
Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Miller completed a rigorous residency in primary care and ocular disease at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. He has expertise in diagnosing and managing a wide range of ocular conditions, coupled with a dedication to personalized patient care.
Dr. Miller has also made significant contributions to the optometric community. He served as a past President of the Pinellas Optometric Association, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the profession and supporting fellow optometrists. Additionally, he was Residency Director at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, where he played a pivotal part in training and mentoring future optometrists.
Combining his clinical expertise with a compassionate approach, Dr. Miller is dedicated to addressing each patient’s unique needs and providing the highest standard of care.