Best Ophthalmologists Near Me in Houston, TX | WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What is the best doctor for eye problems? ›

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DOs) who have attended medical school. They're qualified to diagnose and treat any condition that affects your eyes and vision, including performing surgery on your eyes.

Ophthalmologists specialize in treating eye health problems, such as dry eye syndrome, eyelid conditions such as blepharitis and styes, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Ophthalmologist vs. Optometrist vs. Optician

Opticians are technicians who fit eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision-correcting devices. Optometrists examine, diagnose, and treat patients' eyes. Ophthalmologists are eye doctors who perform medical and surgical treatments for eye conditions.

Many people have eyelid problems. They may include droopy upper eyelids (ptosis), extra eyelid skin or eyelids that turn inward or outward. Fortunately, ophthalmologists can treat many types of eyelid problems with surgery.

The most common eye diseases worldwide are: Cataracts. Refractive errors like astigmatism, farsightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia), and age-related loss of up-close focusing (presbyopia).

For serious eye problems, you may want to see an ophthalmologist. This type of eye doctor may offer treatments — like surgery — that optometrists don't. Some ophthalmologists specialize in specific eye diseases, like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.

The leading causes of blindness and low vision in the United States are primarily age-related eye diseases. Those diseases include age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Other common eye disorders include amblyopia and strabismus.

Sudden severe ocular pain. Suspected temporal arteritis. Symptomatic retinal breaks and tears. Third nerve palsy with pain.

having a hard time seeing in the dark (especially when driving in the dark) or in low-lit environments is a good reason to schedule an eye appointment. Poor Near or Distant Vision – visit your doctor if you're struggling to see distant objects, close-up objects, or experience any form of vision loss.

Ophthalmologists can evaluate and treat eye problems just as an optometrist can, but their specialized training allows them to address more advanced ocular conditions and perform surgery. Their practice can include: Performing routine examinations. Prescribing corrective lenses.

What do we say to an eye doctor? ›

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor, and the only eye doctor with a medical degree (MD). An optometrist is not a medical doctor but is often referred to as an eye doctor because they hold a doctor of optometry (OD) degree.

OD means “right eye.” OD is the traditional abbreviation used for the right eye because it's short for oculus dexter, which means “right eye” in Latin. Sometimes, doctors will just use “RE” or “right” for the right eye.

Visit your medical optometrist for primary medical eye care, including eye medication prescriptions, monitoring and managing eye diseases, or emergency eye care services. Visit an ophthalmologist for interventions like surgical treatments for serious eye diseases, advanced ocular problems, or refractive eye surgery.

No, Medicare does not typically cover cosmetic surgery such as eyelid surgery, but you may be in luck if the procedure is considered medically necessary by a doctor. If vision is not impaired, the surgery is considered cosmetic and does not meet Medicare's criteria for coverage.

Blepharoplasty – Knowing Who to Call

Taking any risks with your eyes is never advised, so seeing an ophthalmologist who has the additional training as an oculoplastic surgeon is your best move. These specialists are trained to perform reconstructive surgery on the following conditions: Aging eyelids or ptosis.

You'll probably need glasses or contacts. You may choose to have surgery (LASIK) to correct your vision. If you already have glasses, you may need a stronger prescription. Other, more serious conditions also happen as you age.

Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care. They diagnose and treat all eye diseases. Many ophthalmologists conduct scientific research to improve treatment options and to find cures for eye diseases and vision disorders.

An ophthalmologist is an eye care specialist. Unlike optometrists and opticians, ophthalmologists are doctors of medicine (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO) who have specific training and experience diagnosing and treating eye and vision conditions.

Most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes liquifies and contracts. Scattered clumps of collagen fibers form within the vitreous and can cast tiny shadows on your retina. The shadows you see are called floaters.