Right now, you can book appointments with 1 eye doctor through Zocdoc in Baltimore, MD.
Zocdoc makes it easy to find an eye doctor in Baltimore, MD who accepts your insurance. Simply select your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re unsure about the plan name, here's a handy guide to help navigate. The top three insurance providers commonly accepted by eye doctors in Baltimore, MD are Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield (Health).
On Zocdoc, eye doctors in Baltimore, MD have an average rating of 4.67 based on approximately 281 reviews. In Baltimore, MD you can find 9 eye doctors with 4-stars or higher. Zocdoc collects reviews from real patients after each appointment, ensuring authentic feedback. Only patients who have booked and attended appointments may post reviews, providing trustworthy and reliable insights into patient experiences.
Yes, you can book a video visit with an eye doctor. There are currently no locations that offer video visits in this city. When a provider offers video visits, you will see a small video camera icon next to their profile image. Select a date and time from their available appointment slots and go through the booking process.
Opticians can assist you in correctly selecting and fitting your prescription eyeglasses. They can help you choose frames, lenses, and lens coatings. Opticians spend lots of time working with patients to ensure they go away comfortable and organized to use whatever lenses they get correctly. They are technicians who alter the eyewear for the client and update or repair damaged eyeglass frames. An optician educates clients on eyewear, such as proper cleansing or contact care.
Optometrists (doctors of optometry) are trained specialists. A certified optometrist can prescribe medications, offer vision therapy, treat eye conditions, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, make health assessments, perform eye examinations and vision checks, and detect harm and vision defects symptoms. Ophthalmologists are medically trained professionals who can perform eye surgeries. They are qualified to treat all eye-related disorders. Patients may visit ophthalmologists to treat eye infections, glaucoma, cataract surgery, corneal transplants, retinal problems, etc. Optometrists attend four years of optometry school, and unlike ophthalmologists, they do not need to complete medical school.
The educational backgrounds of different types of eye doctors in the U.S. differ significantly. To become a licensed optician in the U.S., one must complete a 1-2 year certificate, degree, or diploma course. All optometrists go through a four-year course to obtain a doctor of optometry. Fellowships in several optometry specialties are also available; these provide additional clinical training and experience in specific fields.
On the other hand, Ophthalmologists study for at least 12 years to legally practice in the U.S. Becoming an ophthalmologist in the U.S. includes
Several ophthalmologists pursue additional fellowships, which take another one to two years to complete. Ophthalmology specialty fellowship programs are available in cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, corneal transplantation, ophthalmic plastic, refractive eye surgery, and reconstructive surgery.
While it is essential to make frequent visits to an eye doctor near you for routine scans and check-ups, it is even more beneficial to take care of your eye and ensure that you maintain optimum eye health on your own. You can care for your eyes by teaching a few simple habits in your routine. Here are some ways to maintain your eye health -
Choosing an eye specialist is contingent on your requirements.
Optometrists can precisely diagnose your eye infection using specialized technology and provide advice if the results show indicators of any eye diseases or problems. Suppose your symptoms point to an eye disease or a chronic infection. In that case, your optometrist may recommend you to an ophthalmologist specializing in eye surgery and disease treatment.
You can visit an eye doctor near you for several reasons, such as:
Due to the crust buildup, it can be challenging to open your eyes when this discharge hardens overnight. Antibiotic eye drops, ointments, and oral treatments can help with bacterial pink eye. Your eye doctor will recommend treatment for at least five days, and your symptoms should improve within a few days of finishing it.
Knowing and acknowledging your eye symptoms is the first step toward recovery. The next is to find an eye doctor qualified to diagnose and treat your condition.
Zocdoc can help you search for top-rated eye doctors in your neighborhood in Baltimore. With the Zocdoc platform, you can easily find a high-quality eye doctor in Baltimore in just a few clicks. You can also easily find eye doctors in your vicinity and those in your insurance network.
Using Zocdoc’s insurance detector, you can quickly identify in-network providers near you. When booking an appointment on Zocdoc, the website prompts you to share details about your insurance or to acknowledge that you are paying out-of-pocket. Some healthcare providers need you to provide insurance information to schedule appointments. If you do not have insurance or do not want to use insurance for your appointment, you can always find another suitable eye doctor near you on Zocdoc. For more insurance-related queries, check Zocdoc's patient help center.
Most providers on the platform feature verified reviews and ratings from their older patients, thus empowering you to make a well-rounded, informed choice. Zocdoc allows you to book and manage your appointments with your providers for free. All bookings are safe and secure on the forum.
According to the "Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics" report published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2021, around 630 optometrists, 140 ophthalmologists, and 1,240 opticians were legally practicing in Maryland.
The Vision Health Initiative (VHI) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes reports on the impact of vision impairment in the states in the U.S. According to the Maryland State Profile, close to 108,000 people in the state are entirely blind or experience extreme difficulty seeing even with glasses. Around 21% of people with diabetes, 35% with arthritis, and 40% having mobility issues also had severe vision impairment. During the same year, almost 36% of people over 65 had a fall because of a lack of vision.
Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS) is a part of the VHI of the CDC. VEHSS brings annual prevalence rates for vision loss and significant eye disorders for all the states in the U.S. According to their report from 2018, in Maryland, the yearly prevalence of age-related macular degeneration was approximately 18.34%, while for cataracts, it was around 46.03%. During the same year, the prevalence of diagnosed glaucoma was about 22.73%, and infectious and inflammatory diseases of the eyes accounted for somewhere close to 57.21%. Cancers and other neoplasms of the eye had a prevalence rate of around 2.77%. In comparison, almost 0.24% of the people were blind or had extremely low vision.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.