Average time it takes to be seen by a provider
Verified providers with a 4.8 average rating
In the business of finding quality care for patients
On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for an Ophthalmologist in Staten Island, 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 Staten Island who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Staten Island 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 Staten Island and book appointments instantly. You can search for Staten Island 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 Staten Island Ophthalmologists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Ophthalmologists in Staten Island who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Staten Island Ophthalmologists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Ophthalmologists in Staten Island 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 Staten Island 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 Staten Island 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 Staten Island. Many Ophthalmologists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
An ophthalmologist is a vision care specialist who focuses on eye health and related issues. They diagnose and treat eye illnesses and conditions. They can also prescribe and fit contact lenses and eyeglasses to improve vision. Unlike other eye-care providers, such as optometrists and opticians, ophthalmologists have advanced medical and surgical training.
Ophthalmologists perform various types of examinations, such as:
Owing to their extensive medical education and training, ophthalmologists can detect illnesses in other body parts by examining the eyes. Symptoms of non-eye diseases, such as diabetes, are often first visible in the eyes. In such cases, ophthalmologists refer the patient to other medical specialists for early treatment of the disease.
Ophthalmologists receive 12 to 14 years of education and training to become specialized and licensed eye doctors.
After their undergraduate degrees, aspiring eye doctors enroll in medical school, studying and training for four years to graduate as medical or osteopathic doctors. Then, they must undergo additional specialized training, including a one-year internship and a three-year residency. After completing at least eight years of medical training, aspiring ophthalmologists can earn licensure and begin practice. Each state has its licensing requirements for ophthalmologists to start practice.
Some ophthalmologists may opt for fellowships in subspecialties such as neurology, oculoplastic surgery, cornea, retina, pediatrics, or glaucoma. They may also choose to get board-certified by clearing a rigorous two-level examination conducted by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO).
During an eye exam with an ophthalmologist, you'll undergo several kinds of tests to evaluate your ocular health actively. These evaluations provide valuable insights into how well your visual system functions. Some of these include:
Many people get confused between these three professions as they all provide eye care services.
While ophthalmologists are medical doctors, optometrists only provide primary vision care and are not medical doctors. The latter receives a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree as they study in an optometry school rather than a medical school. They can detect abnormalities in the eye, perform eye exams and vision tests, and prescribe and dispense corrective lenses. In some states, they are allowed to prescribe medication for specific eye diseases.
On the other hand, opticians design and fit corrective lenses and frames for eyeglasses and contact lenses. They do not write prescriptions or test vision and cannot diagnose or treat eye diseases.
Eye health is constantly changing, especially for those with a family history of eye conditions. Hence, one should get their eyes checked regularly. If you are a parent with a history of eye-related issues, get your child an appointment with a pediatric eye doctor near you.
Ophthalmologists treat eye problems requiring specialized treatment or surgery. For example, they can correct blurred vision caused by cataracts through surgery. Other eye problems that require surgery include:
While children should have their eyes checked every year or two, adults aged between 20 and 39 should get a complete eye checkup every five to ten years, those aged between 40 and 54 should get an eye exam once every two to four years, and those 55 and older should do so every year if possible.
Some common symptoms of eye diseases include:
Diabetes, smoking, obesity, long-term use of oral corticosteroids, radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, eye injuries, and certain eye surgeries — increase the risk for cataracts. In addition, myopia (nearsightedness) and excessive exposure to ultraviolet B radiation from sunlight also increase cataract risk. Wearing sunglasses or a wide-brim hat can help reduce exposure to the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Symptoms of cataracts included:
Cataract is a common eye condition in the US. The procedure is considerably brief and low risk. However, the surgeon's experience, the technology used, and the cost of the operation are some elements that majorly affect your overall experience and decision-making. Due to the many available options, choosing the perfect ophthalmologist is often anxiety-inducing. Make this process easier by considering these essential factors while selecting the best ophthalmologist near you.
Strabismus, or eye misalignment, occurs when one eye isn't aligned with the other. It can be present in children and adults, often resulting from issues with the eye muscles or neuromuscular control. In a normal situation, six muscles control eye movement to align both eyes. However, strabismus happens when these muscles fail to work correctly.
Strabismus can manifest in several forms — such as esotropia (inward turning of the eye), exotropia (outward turning), hypertropia (upward turning), and hypotropia (downward turning). It can be constant or intermittent and may affect one or both eyes. In some cases, factors like uncorrected vision problems, brain injuries, or neurological disorders can cause the condition.
Its common symptoms include double vision, eye strain, headaches, difficulty focusing on objects, and poor depth perception. It is more noticeable in infants and young children, typically before three. However, it can also develop in adults, especially after strokes or head injuries.
Strabismus can result in complications such as lazy eye (amblyopia), where the brain ignores the image from the misaligned eye, potentially resulting in permanent vision issues. It may also cause blurred vision, fatigue, and decreased quality of life.
The eye care expert will conduct a thorough examination to diagnose strabismus. They will check visual acuity, alignment, and focusing abilities. Once identified, treatment depends on the severity or underlying cause and may include corrective lenses, eye exercises, patching for amblyopia, medications, or surgery to realign the eye muscles.
While strabismus cannot be prevented, early detection and treatment can significantly improve vision and prevent long-term complications. Regular eye exams and timely medical attention can help manage the condition effectively in children or adults.
Maintaining sound eye health is an essential health objective, as the capacity to see well can be indispensable in daily life.
There are numerous approaches to treating common eye issues. You can enhance your eye health by adhering to regular eye examinations as your ophthalmologist recommends and promptly seeking assistance if you notice any changes in your vision.
Finding an ophthalmologist in Staten Island can be challenging. However, at Zocdoc, we aim to make it easier for individuals to locate the right healthcare professionals. Zocdoc provides access to a comprehensive directory of healthcare providers tailored to your needs.
You can schedule same-day consultations with an ophthalmologist who accepts your insurance.
If you need clarification on whether your insurance covers the medical expenses of your condition, use Zocdoc's insurance checker. To find a doctor within your insurance network, enter your insurance provider and plan details directly into the Zocdoc search. It filters results to show only doctors who accept your specific plan, saving you the hassle of contacting multiple offices.
Even better, the Zocdoc allows you to upload a picture of your insurance card (excluding vision or dental plans). Zocdoc will automatically scan the information to display your plan and ensure you see accurate results for in-network family physicians in your area.
If you have multiple insurance plans, you can add your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes. Alternatively, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information directly through the form. If you have any further questions about insurance or using Zocdoc, their patient help center is a valuable resource.
Each ophthalmologist listed on Zocdoc has a thorough profile that details their background, education and training, specialties, experience, location, and the benefits of making an appointment with them. Browse and read honest patient reviews while you narrow down a top-notch eye-care provider.
On Zocdoc, you can also schedule a video consultation with an ophthalmologist near you. Look for the purple "Video" icon on the specialist's profile page, or filter your search only to see results of available video consultations. You can filter the results by the languages the doctor speaks and whether or not they treat children.
With Zocdoc, you can schedule appointments before, during, and after office hours based on the ophthalmologist's availability. If the ophthalmologist's schedule allows, you can also book appointments on weekends and holidays.
Booking appointments with ophthalmologists on Zocdoc is free, secure, and safe.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), glaucoma ranks as the second-leading cause of blindness globally. An estimated three million Americans have glaucoma, while only half are aware of it. More than 120,000 Americans are affected by glaucoma, which causes this condition.
Age is an inevitable risk factor for eye diseases. According to the New York State Department of Health, of New Yorkers over 40, roughly 19% have cataracts, nearly 14.9% have distance vision impairment, approximately 5.3% have glaucoma, and almost 4.1% have macular degeneration.
According to New York Health Careers, approximately 2,200 ophthalmologists were in practice in the state in 2015. The projected rise of ophthalmologists from 2015 to 2024 was roughly 13.5%. This increase is due to the expanding older adult population in the state.
American Academy of Ophthalmologists[1]
American Academy of Ophthalmologists[2]
The Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group
National Institutes of Health; Quigley and Vitale
New York State Department of Health
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.