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 Optometrist in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles and book appointments instantly. You can search for Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles Optometrists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Optometrists in Los Angeles who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Los Angeles Optometrists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Optometrists in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles. Many Optometrists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Optometrists are doctors who offer primary eye care. People often confuse ophthalmologists and optometrists, even though they are very different. Optometrists are not medical doctors like ophthalmologists but have a license to provide primary vision care and cannot perform eye-related surgeries.
Optometrists train to treat eye-related medical conditions like viral and bacterial infections and glaucoma. They can also conduct eye exams, diagnose certain eye diseases, write prescriptions for contact lenses, and diagnose any abnormalities in vision.
Aspiring optometrists study subjects like ocular pharmacology, anatomy, and geometric optics. To practice in the United States, optometrists need to:
i) have a four-year college degree in optometry, followed by one year of training in ophthalmology
ii) pass the examination conducted by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO)
iii) hold a valid license issued by the state
a) Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a severe eye condition that occurs when the eye's optic nerve is damaged, often due to high pressure. Symptoms of glaucoma include patchy blind spots in peripheral vision, tunnel vision, severe headaches, eye pain, and blurred vision. If left untreated early, glaucoma will eventually lead to complete vision loss.
b) Color blindness: Conditions like color blindness occur when there is a problem with specific nerve cells responsible for sensing different colors. When there is a problem with the pigment in these nerve cells, one suffers from color blindness. Color blindness is also called collar vision deficiency and is a common condition. Though the condition is often inherited, it can also be caused due to certain eye conditions and as a reaction to certain medications.
c) Dry eyes: Dry eye disease is common among adults and teens. People suffering from dry eyes can experience a burning sensation or a sharp sting in the eyes. It occurs when the body cannot produce enough tears for eye lubrication. The body might produce tears inadequately for various reasons, like poor-quality moisture, which can cause inflammation and damage.
d) Retinal disorders: Retinal disorders can occur due to an infected area in the retina. Common retinal diseases include diabetic retinopathy, retinal tear, and retinal detachment.
People with diabetes can experience diabetic retinopathy. Due to diabetes, blood vessels in the retina often swell, which may cause blurry vision. A retinal tear appears when the clear gel-like substance in the retina shrinks and becomes thin. This thinning may lead to a tear. The abnormal fluid movement under the retina often causes retinal detachment. The fluid tends to pass through a retinal tear, which causes the retina to pull away from the supportive tissue.
e) Cataracts: Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions worldwide. They occur due to the development of cloudy grayish patches in the eye. These grayish-cloudy patches hinder vision and, in extreme cases, can cause blindness. An optometrist can diagnose cataracts in the initial stages by prescribing eyeglasses, but if the condition worsens, one might need to see an ophthalmologist to get it surgically removed.
f) Myopia: Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common eye condition that affects many people annually. This condition makes it difficult for the person to view and see objects far away. Often, the things far away are blurry and hard to identify. An optometrist might prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, or corneal refractive therapy procedures to treat myopia.
One can experience eye-related issues daily due to vision disturbances such as myopia or, on some occasions, due to infections like conjunctivitis. Regular eye exams can help you identify these or similar severe health conditions early on.
Thus, you should visit an optometrist if you:
Regular eye examinations are critical in maintaining optimal eye health and catching potential issues early on. To decide when to schedule appointments with an optometrist near you, you must consider the following:
When considering when to schedule eye examinations, certain factors may necessitate closer attention to eye health, specifically in cases with a family history of vision problems or eye diseases. Additionally, when individuals take particular medications that heighten the risk of side effects affecting visual health, they must be watchful of symptoms and schedule visits accordingly.
By recognizing and addressing these specific circumstances, you can work collaboratively with an optometrist near you to tailor your eye care regimen, ensuring a more proactive and personalized approach to maintaining optimal vision and eye health. You must also always follow the advice of your optometrist regarding the frequency of eye exams based on your particular needs and health conditions.
Optometrists typically conduct a comprehensive eye exam to evaluate vision and eye health. They test for clarity or sharpness of vision (visual acuity), assess the eye tissues, and check for diseases. The tests conducted by the optometrist depend on the patient's symptoms and the specialist's professional judgment.
Comprehensive eye exams can help optometrists identify and treat conditions such as glaucoma. They can also help detect more than 270 severe health conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and high blood pressure. Often, patients only become aware of these health conditions once they are identified during a comprehensive eye exam.
Understanding that a comprehensive eye exam differs from vision screening tests is essential. Schools and pediatrician offices typically offer vision screening tests that fail to identify persons with eye diseases. Vision screening tests might flag vision-related eye conditions, such as near or farsightedness, but cannot identify other needs. Passing a vision screening test can thus create a false sense of security that one has perfect vision. As a result, one may overlook eye-related issues in the early stages, causing the condition to go undiagnosed. Therefore, it is essential to get routine eye and vision assessments from a qualified optometrist.
Identify your specific eye care needs
Consider what kind of eye care you require before selecting an optometrist. Are you looking for routine vision exams, glasses, or contact lenses? Or do you need specialized services for a particular condition or health concern? Understanding your needs and requirements will assist you in choosing the right optometrist near you.
Ensure appropriate qualifications and expertise
It's essential to choose an optometrist with the right qualifications and skills. Clinics often display their certifications, licenses, and credentials, so verify them during your visit. Confirm the optometrist is adequately trained to diagnose and treat your eye care needs.
Look for convenient access and availability
Another critical factor is the optometrist's location and availability. Their clinic should be easily accessible and offer appointment times that suit your schedule. The optometrist should be convenient whether you need a routine checkup or specialized care.
Consider reputation and experience
Select an optometrist with a good reputation and relevant experience. A caring, experienced professional will provide a pleasant visit and address your concerns thoroughly. The generous office staff who assist with scheduling and insurance are always beneficial. Reading reviews or asking for recommendations can help gauge their reputation.
Take time to research and explore different optometrists. You can confidently choose the best optometrist near you for long-term health by clearly understanding your needs and evaluating their qualifications.
During the first appointment, the optometrist will want to know about the patient's vision and medical history. They will then conduct eye tests using various tools and techniques to evaluate the patient's vision and overall eye health.
Some standard tests are the cover test, which shows how well the eyes work together, and the eye muscle movement test, which checks the eyes' alignment. The visual acuity test, where one has to read from an eye chart, and the refraction test, which uses different lenses to check for eyesight levels, are other tests. The optometrist will also likely check the whites of the eyes and observe pupil reactions. Depending on symptoms, the specialist might also conduct a retinal examination known as ophthalmoscopy to dilate the pupils and check the back of the eyes.
Glaucoma testing, pupil dilation, pachymetry, and visual field tests are other standardized tests. All these will inform the optometrist about the current state of the patient's blood vessels, the muscles surrounding the eyes, and whether the eyes work in coordination.
If you are experiencing eye health issues, finding an optometrist at the earliest is essential. Delaying eye check-ups can be detrimental as it can cause further complications. However, finding a specialist or booking a check-up can sometimes be challenging. From finding the right doctor or health care specialist to ensuring that the practice is worth the patient's trust, one must do much research. Here is where Zocdoc comes to your rescue. At Zocdoc, we care about your well-being and ability to find the best resources for your health needs.
Using Zocdoc, you can find the best optometrist who will accept your insurance in just a few clicks. We can help you find the perfect healthcare professional who adheres to necessary best practices and safeguard patient-doctor confidentiality. Zocdoc makes bookings with healthcare professionals in your city easy and quick and saves valuable time during an emergency.
When scheduling an appointment on Zocdoc, you'll typically be asked to provide your insurance details or confirm that you'll be paying out-of-pocket. Some healthcare providers require insurance information upfront to secure the appointment. However, if you prefer not to share your insurance or plan to pay without using it, you can find another provider on Zocdoc that accommodates your preference. For more queries, you can visit the Zocdoc patient help center page.
All bookings with Zocdoc are safe, simple, and free!
By 2050, the number of adults with vision loss and age-related eye disorders is set to double because of the estimated increase in the aging population. The growing epidemic of diabetes will also contribute to issues like widespread vision loss.
As of 2015, more than one million people had undertaken complete vision loss. In addition to this, about 3.22 million people had vision impairment, and more than eight million people reported having vision disturbances due to uncorrected refractive error. These numbers are estimated to be doubled by the year 2025.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
American Optometric Association
Rancho Santa Margarita Optometry
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.