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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for an Optometrist in Laurel, book an appointment, and see the Optometrist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Optometrists in Laurel who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Laurel Optometrist 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 Optometrists in Laurel and book appointments instantly. You can search for Laurel Optometrists 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 Laurel Optometrists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Optometrists in Laurel who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Laurel Optometrists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Optometrists in Laurel 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.
Optometrists in Laurel 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 Optometrists 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 Optometrists in Laurel 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 Optometrist 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 Optometrists in Laurel. Many Optometrists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
An optometrist is a healthcare professional who focuses on treating eye conditions. They examine, identify, and handle eye and vision-related diseases and disorders. Optometrists are pioneers in providing primary eye care and helping patients take the first step toward healthier bodies and eyes.
Optometrists are not medical doctors (MDs) or osteopaths (DOs). Optometrists attend optometry school rather than medical school and hold a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree.
A postgraduate program in optometry typically lasts four years, depending on the institution and the curriculum. The study program includes:
The final one to two years of the optometry program's curriculum also includes full-time clinical training as a resident.
Optometrists identify and treat eye conditions and vision issues. They conduct eye exams to find any persistent problems with your vision. The optometrist performs the following:
Optometrists prescribe certain medications for eye conditions. Some optometrists perform minor surgeries, depending on the state's laws. Removing foreign bodies, laser eye surgery and other surgical procedures are part of these operations.
Among the common health and vision conditions that optometrists treat and diagnose are:
Optometrists can also identify the following eye diseases:
Since optometrists do not perform surgeries, they can refer you to an ophthalmologist for an eye operation.
Ophthalmologists and optometrists are both experts in eye care. Optometrists need more training and authorization to operate on the eyes. If your optometrist finds a problem in your eyes that requires surgery, they may refer you to an ophthalmologist.
Ophthalmologists are graduates of medical school who are either Medical Doctors (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). They are qualified to conduct eye surgery and to diagnose and treat any condition that might impair your vision or eyes.
The role of an optometrist is to identify and treat problems in your eyes and provide routine eye examinations. Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians work together.
Opticians' technical degree or certification is typically two years long. They provide you with glasses, contacts, or other tools for vision correction. They can also change your eyewear's frames, lenses, or adjustments.
Your optometrist can spot issues quickly if they regularly assess your eyes and vision. Generally, the frequency of eye exams depends on your age:
If you use glasses or contacts or require any other type of vision correction, you might need your eyes checked more frequently than this.
If your vision changes, you should inform your healthcare provider. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, schedule regular eye exams so your doctor can adjust your prescription as often as necessary.
You can consult an optometrist near you if you experience any of the following symptoms in your eyes:
An eye exam is a simple, non-invasive procedure where a professional checks your eyesight, vision quality, and overall eye health. It's important for everyone, not just those who wear glasses or contacts. Depending on your age, vision needs, and any underlying medical conditions, you might require more frequent eye exams. For example, conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can affect your eye health, making regular exams even more crucial.
Not all eye exams are the same. For example, routine or general eye exams are like checkups for your eyes, where the doctor evaluates your vision and checks for any signs of potential issues. If you don't have eye conditions but need corrective lenses, these routine exams will help ensure your prescription is up-to-date. Follow-up exams are more specific and happen after an eye injury, surgery, or as a part of managing chronic conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. Lastly, medical or emergency eye exams happen when an urgent problem like sudden vision loss, eye pain, or injury requires immediate attention.
Preparing for an eye exam is straightforward. While routine or follow-up exams don't need much, you must bring a list of medications, vitamins, or supplements you take, as they can impact your eye health. Bring your current glasses, contact lenses, and past prescriptions. These details help your eye care specialist understand your vision needs better and offer the best recommendations during your exam. Overall, staying proactive with regular eye exams is essential to maintaining long-term eye health and preventing issues before they worsen.
An optometrist will first ask you about your medical history and any current vision problems. In addition to checking your vision, the optometrist will also check the health of your eyes.
Here are some of the common tests that optometrists conduct to check the state of your vision:
Depending on how you do on these tests, you will need corrective lenses. If so, you will undergo a refraction test, which enables your optometrist to adjust your prescription by switching between various lenses back and forth.
Besides seeing an optometrist for a routine eye exam, research suggests that your diet and nutrition can also optimize vision health. Adding certain nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins to your diet can help prevent common eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and improve overall eye health. In fact, some nutritional deficiencies may play a role in developing eye diseases. Some vitamins and nutrients that can potentially reduce the risk of eye disease include:
It is crucial to protect sight because it is one of the most vital senses that we depend on to interact with the world. Regular eye care is the best way to stop bothersome symptoms from becoming severe issues that can worsen eye health. Book an appointment with Zocdoc if you experience any eye issues.
Zocdoc assists in choosing knowledgeable medical professionals. You can connect with highly skilled specialists in Laurel, Maryland, through Zocdoc, who can deliver first-rate care.
You can create a free Zocdoc account by registering and typing in the desired time, place, insurance provider, health issue, or specialty. The Insurance Detector on Zocdoc can assist you if you need to clarify your insurance information. If your insurance plan isn't on Zocdoc, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card (this option is not available for vision or dental insurance). Zocdoc will scan the card and identify your likely plan. If you encounter any issues uploading the image, contact our service team for assistance. For more insurance-related questions, you can visit Zocdoc's patient help center. You can refine your search by utilizing advanced criteria like the doctor's gender, hospital affiliation, spoken languages, and patient care availability from the list of optometrists.
Further, you can also find their brief bio, educational background, specialties, location, board certifications, and other information on their profile page. Schedule a consultation with a local optometrist near you who accepts your insurance immediately.
All bookings with Zocdoc are easy, secure, and 100% free.
In May 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Maryland had 750 optometrists, and the United States had 41,390.
According to figures from the American Foundation for the Blind, about 111,669 Maryland residents reported vision issues in 2019, a decrease from the prevalence rate in 2018. Women (61,544) had a higher prevalence than men (50,125). As per the same data set, the highest number of adults, at 38,738, who reported having trouble seeing were in the 35-64 age
range in the state
Similarly, 2022 figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 12 million Americans over 40 experience vision impairment. Furthermore, according to the CDC, in the U.S., a diagnosed eye or vision condition affects about 6.8% of children under 18. Children under 18 make up nearly 3% of those who are blind or visually impaired, which is defined as having vision problems despite using glasses or contact lenses. In the past year, only half of the 93 million American adults at high risk of severe vision loss have consulted an eye doctor.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
American Foundation for the Blind
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Optometric Association
American Academy of Ophthalmology[1]
American Academy of Ophthalmology[2]
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.