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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for an Ophthalmologist in Houston, book an appointment, and see the Ophthalmologist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Ophthalmologists in Houston who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Houston Ophthalmologist who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Ophthalmologists in Houston and book appointments instantly. You can search for Houston Ophthalmologists by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for Houston Ophthalmologists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Ophthalmologists in Houston who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Houston Ophthalmologists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Ophthalmologists in Houston who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
Ophthalmologists in Houston on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Ophthalmologists who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Ophthalmologists in Houston who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for an Ophthalmologist who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Ophthalmologists in Houston. Many Ophthalmologists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
An ophthalmologist — Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) — is an eye care professional responsible for your medical and surgical eye care. They specialize in treating, diagnosing, and researching various eye and vision diseases and provide complete eye care services. After an undergraduate degree, aspiring ophthalmologists undergo four years of medical school, followed by a year-long internship and a three-year residency. Some ophthalmologists choose a one to two-year-long fellowship for more experience.
An ophthalmologist primarily conducts eye exams. They also provide surgical treatments for trauma, crossed eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye problems. They help diagnose and treat eye conditions, which are side-effects of other health problems like diabetes or arthritis. They perform cosmetic/plastic surgeries like blepharoplasty.
If you seek medical help regarding any issues, visiting an ophthalmologist near you would best help you.
Ophthalmologists may focus on a particular area of expertise. Some of the most common specializations include retina, glaucoma, pediatric, and more.
Retina specialists focus on diagnosing and treating ailments affecting the retina. The retina is the tissue (light-sensitive) at the back of the eye. They can treat macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment. Retina specialists may use various techniques to diagnose and treat these conditions, including laser therapy, injections, and surgery.
Glaucoma specialists focus on diagnosing and treating glaucoma, a group of eye disorders that can lead to irreversible vision loss if left untreated. These specialists may use various techniques to diagnose and treat the disease, including eye drops, laser therapy, and surgery.
Pediatric ophthalmologists specialize in addressing and treating eye disorders in children. They may treat conditions such as strabismus (eye misalignment), amblyopia (lazy eye), and refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism). They may also work closely with other healthcare providers, such as pediatricians and neurologists, to provide holistic care for children with complex medical needs.
Other ophthalmologist specializations may include cornea and external disease, neuro-ophthalmology, and oculoplastics. Cornea specialists focus on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface of the eye.
Neuro ophthalmologists specialize in diagnosing and treating eye conditions related to the nervous system. Oculoplastic surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the eyelids, tear ducts, and other structures around the eye.
Thus, specialized training allows these professionals to provide high-quality, comprehensive care for patients with various eye conditions and diseases.
While an ophthalmologist can treat various illnesses and perform multiple tasks, there are some things they cannot work on. It includes:
If you seek professional guidance regarding the above points, the best option is to visit an optometrist or an optician.
An optometrist will be your ideal eye care provider if you want to get your regular eye checkup. An optician is the best eye care professional if you wish to design, examine, and fit frames, contact lenses, eyeglass lenses, and other devices for superior vision.
Regular eye checkups can help avoid severe eye conditions and safeguard your and your family's vision and overall well-being. Since eye health varies according to the individual's age, it is advised to schedule an eye exam now and then.
For children:
According to joint recommendations from the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), children should undergo their first basic eye checkup when they are newborns.
Additionally, they should also get their vision screened at the following stages:
These screenings will help determine whether a more comprehensive screening is required.
For adults:
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) urges that adults who have good vision and are not experiencing any eye-related issues then they should get ophthalmic exams at the following stages:
Adults with any eye or vision-related issues should see their ophthalmologists at least once a year unless the doctor recommends otherwise.
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), adults who need annual eye exams due to a higher risk of eye and vision-related conditions include individuals who wear contact lenses and take medications that have vision or eye-related side effects. Additionally, individuals who have had eye surgery or injury, have a family history of eye disorders, and have occupations that may be hazardous to their eyes should visit their ophthalmologist annually.
People with refractive surgery such as LASIK, PRK, or SMILE should be examined annually or bi-annually.
A team of eye care experts will work on your case during a standard ophthalmic exam. The team may include an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an optician. Although each eye care professional offers different services to provide you with a thorough eye consultation, below, we will focus on the role of an ophthalmologist.
Check medical history: The ophthalmologist will check your medical history. They will note some points according to their applicability in your unique case. These include your past and present vision problems, corrective methods like glasses or contact lenses, overall health, family history, and current medications.
Perform pupil dilation: Before the ophthalmologist conducts eye tests, they will dilate your eyes to get the most accurate results. Dilating your eyes with eye drops makes the pupils larger. Pupils are black circles at the center of one's eyes. Dilation also helps the ophthalmologist view the back of the eye.
Select and perform tests: The ophthalmologist then performs tests according to your unique case's requirement. Some standard tests are as follows:
Share results and map a treatment plan: The ophthalmologist usually shares the test results immediately. Based on your results, they sketch a customized treatment plan and prescribe follow-up dates and medications.
Preventing vision loss involves several proactive measures and healthy habits that can help preserve your eyesight and reduce the risk of eye-related conditions. Here are some effective strategies:
Choosing the correct eye care provider for your unique case is vital to safeguarding your vision in the long term. Zocdoc does that by helping you find the best eye care providers in Houston.
You can find the best ophthalmologists with the help of a comprehensive ophthalmology directory. Each doctor profile displays patient ratings, comments, and information on the doctor's education, clinical interests, practice history, and certifications.
You can choose the best ophthalmologist for your unique eye problem from thousands of verified doctor profiles. You only need to include "ophthalmologist" in your search query, and you can also add criteria for gender and insurance. If you need clarification on your insurance plan, you can use Zocdoc's insurance finder. If you cannot locate your medical insurance plan on Zocdoc, don't worry! You only need to upload a photo of your insurance card, and Zocdoc will scan the image to display your most probable plan. Please note that this option is not available for dental or vision insurance cards. If you face difficulties uploading the picture, contact Zocdoc's service team for assistance. Moreover, if you have any further insurance-related questions, you can visit Zocdoc's patient help center for answers. Zocdoc also helps you instantly book an appointment for your first session.
Zocdoc can connect you with the best optometrists for your unique case. It also helps you undergo regular eye checkups and treatment to correct any present eye condition and prevent vision impairment in the future.
Thanks to Zocdoc, locating a desired ophthalmologist near you is now easier! All bookings with Zocdoc are free, fast, and secure.
According to a May 2021 report by the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 1,250 active ophthalmologists were practicing in Texas.
Based on the 2016 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, about 650,000 people in Texas reported being completely blind or having severe vision problems, even with glasses. Among those reporting, severe visual impairment was higher in those with poor health (13%) than in good health (4%).
Additionally, people with severe vision impairment were more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes (24%), arthritis (29%), and mobility issues (33%).
U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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 immediately.