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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for an Ophthalmologist in Tampa, 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 Tampa who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Tampa 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 Tampa and book appointments instantly. You can search for Tampa 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 Tampa Ophthalmologists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Ophthalmologists in Tampa who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Tampa Ophthalmologists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Ophthalmologists in Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa. Many Ophthalmologists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Taking care of eye health has become very important in the 21st century. Several factors can negatively impact eye health, from lousy diet patterns to ever-increasing screen time. Having routine visits to an eye care specialist is necessary.Â
An ophthalmologist is a healthcare specialist who is an eye and vision care expert. People often need clarification from ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. While ophthalmologists are physicians with advanced medical and surgical training, optometrists are eye care specialists who obtain a four-year degree in optometry. Opticians are vision experts who are qualified to prescribe vision care aids such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. Unlike optometrists, ophthalmologists have an in-depth understanding of oculoplastic surgery, pediatrics, neurology, etc.
Ophthalmologists undergo 11 to 12 years of training and education in providing comprehensive medical and surgical care for eye and vision disorders. In the United States, ophthalmologists must complete four years of undergraduate studies, four years of medical college, and four to five years of specialized training. The combination of a medical degree with advanced specialization in eye and vision care makes them capable of covering a more comprehensive range of eye and vision-related disorders than optometrists.
Ophthalmologists further subspecialize with additional fellowships to treat specific or complex conditions in certain parts of the eyes or certain types of patients. As a result, they can have 9 to 10 years of additional training after finishing their educational training. Some of these subspecialties in ophthalmology include the following:
Trachoma
Trachoma is an infectious eye disorder caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Though preventable, trachoma is one of the world's leading causes of blindness. The condition is easily spread through flies, shared towels and clothes, and direct personal contact. If left untreated, a person infected with trachoma can suffer from eyelid scarring. Trachoma can result in permanent damage to the cornea, further leading to irreversible blindness.
Cataracts
Cataracts are foggy layers formed in the eyes' lens. Cataracts look like grayish or white clouds on the eyes' lens, making the vision blurry and poor. Cataracts can worsen if you are addicted to smoking cigarettes, live in an area with bad air quality or excessive pollution, are alcoholic, or have a history of cataracts in your family.
Glaucoma
Optic nerve damage caused by pressure inside the eye is known as glaucoma. Glaucoma often becomes worse over time. It can occur due to a history of the disorder in the family. The condition occurs in the later stages of life. The increased pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve is called intraocular pressure.
Diabetic retinopathy
It is an eye ailment that can cause significant vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes. The sugar levels in the blood affect many blood vessels in the retina. Continuous high blood sugar levels in the body can damage the retina.
How frequently should I have my eyes checked? What signs indicate that I may have an eye condition that needs examination? If you have these questions, the following are some recommendations from the American Academy of Ophthalmology that highlight various reasons to visit an ophthalmologist.
Basic exam
Children's eyes grow and change quickly, so monitoring their vision is essential. You may be sent to an ophthalmologist if a complete eye exam is required. An eye examination comprises a series of assessments to evaluate an individual's vision and ability to focus on and discern objects. The fundamental tests include:
Adults with healthy eyes and good vision should undergo four comprehensive eye exams — one in their 20s, two in their 30s, and one in their 40s. These tests allow ophthalmologists to detect eye diseases and vision problems early. Early treatment of eye problems can save your vision.
People at high risk for eye disease may need more frequent eye exams. Those with high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of eye issues may fall into this category. You should undergo an eye exam every 1-2 years after age 65. Those who wear contact lenses, regardless of age, should get an extensive eye exam once a year.
You have an eye problem
See an ophthalmologist immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: eye pain, eye injuries or infections, changes in vision, such as blurring or double vision, increased floaters and flashes, or sudden vision loss.
Ophthalmology treatments encompass many medications, including eye drops, injections, and oral drugs. These medications vary from over-the-counter remedies and supplements to prescription-only drugs administered by healthcare professionals.
In addition to pharmaceutical interventions, ophthalmologists can prescribe corrective lenses, such as bifocal, multifocal, progressive eyeglasses, and contact lenses.
Distinguishing themselves from optometrists, ophthalmologists perform advanced medical procedures and surgeries. Some commonly performed procedures include:
Booking an appointment with an ophthalmologist near you can be a long process, especially if you don't have many options. At Zocdoc, we help you find the best healthcare professionals with just a few easy steps. Type in your symptoms and location, for example, "eye pain" and "Tampa," and you will be directed to the best ophthalmologists in your area.
Choosing a practitioner is also simple. All practitioners listed on Zocdoc have a detailed profile to which you have access. You can easily view any practitioner's education, experience, expertise, location, awards, affiliations, and languages through their profiles. Make informed decisions with the help of verified patient reviews. Zocdoc can help you schedule both in-person and virtual appointments. You can narrow down video booking alternatives by looking for the purple video icon on a specialist's profile. Moreover, you can also select practitioners based on the insurance they accept.
To get filtered results on providers within your insurance network, you can update your Zocdoc account's insurance information or choose your plan from the search filters. Accordingly, smartphone users can directly upload a picture of their health plan card on the Zocdoc app. After that, you will automatically get a list of ophthalmologists near you that accept your insurance. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related FAQs.
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About 8.3% of Americans are affected by diabetic eye diseases. According to a 2016–2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, about 9% of adults aged 45+ are diagnosed with diabetes. About 8.6% had diabetic retinopathy, of which 4.1% suffered from vision loss.
Based on another study by the CDC, approximately 32.3% of diabetic adults (aged 45 and above) suffered from cataracts, and 7.1% had glaucoma. In addition, about 4.3% suffered from vision loss due to macular degeneration.
Eye disorders that stem from diabetes affect more than 7% of the population in the Tampa Bay area. In Florida state, over 480,000 people report blindness or severe eye problems even with the use of glasses, according to the CDC.
American Academy of Ophthalmology[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Academy of Ophthalmology[2]
Cincinnati College of Medicine
American Academy of Ophthalmology[3]
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.