
Overview
Dr. James Lai grew up in Oklahoma after immigrating to the United States from Taiwan at the age of eight. He earned his undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed a residency in ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, followed by a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Children’s National Medical Center and George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Lai, who is board certified in ophthalmology, has been in practice since 1992. Among the conditions he treats are conjunctivitis (pink eye), allergic conjunctivitis, and eye and retinal cancer. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Prior to moving to Houston in 1999, he served for two years as an assistant professor at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Lai is married to a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and is the father of two. His interests include golf, travel, photography and raising his two beautiful children.
Dr. Lai is highly rated in 34 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Allergic Conjunctivitis, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Strabismus, and Blepharitis.
Dr. Lai is currently accepting new patients in some locations.
Specialties
Licenses
Fellowships
Hospital Affiliations
Languages Spoken
Gender
Insurance
Accepted insurance can change. Please verify directly with the provider.
Accepted insurance plans:
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- HMO
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE SNP
- HMO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- OTHER COMMERCIAL
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- PPO
- HMO
- INDEMNITY
- POS
- PPO
- OTHER MANAGED MEDICAID
- OTHER MEDICAID
- STATE MEDICAID
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- HMO
- POS
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER COMMERCIAL
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
Locations
Charles Wykoff is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Wykoff is highly rated in 17 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Vitrectomy, and Cataract Removal. Dr. Wykoff is currently accepting new patients.
Office
Dan Gombos is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Gombos is highly rated in 18 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Melanoma of the Eye, Metastatic Uveal Melanoma, Retinoblastoma, and Uveal Melanoma.
Baylor College Of Medicine - Ophthalmology
Stephen Pflugfelder, MD, is dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to Houston and nearby communities. Stephen Pflugfelder specializes in Ophthalmology (Eye) and works at BCM Ophthalmology. To make an appointment, please call (713) 798-6100. To review all accepted insurance carriers, please visit: https://www.stlukeshealth.org/patients-visitors/patients/billing-insurance/insurances-accepted. Dr. Pflugfelder is highly rated in 14 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Dry Eye Syndrome, Interstitial Keratitis, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis, and Corneal Transplant. Dr. Pflugfelder is currently accepting new patients.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dr. James Z. Lai
How do I make an appointment with Dr. James Z. Lai?
You can book an appointment with Dr. James Z. Lai by calling their office at 281-565-2020. MediFind provides direct contact information so you can schedule visits, second opinions, or consultations without navigating third-party calendars.
Is Dr. James Z. Lai a top-rated expert for Allergic Conjunctivitis?
MediFind is an objective health platform that identifies experts based on real-world data. Dr. James Z. Lai is classified as an Distinguished expert for Allergic Conjunctivitis, meaning they are among the top experts in the country for this condition. This ranking is based on their volume of patients, published research, and peer connections.
What conditions does Dr. James Z. Lai specialize in?
While Dr. James Z. Lai is a Ophthalmology, they have specific expertise in Allergic Conjunctivitis, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), and Strabismus. MediFind analyzes a doctor's articles and referral patterns to identify their specific areas of focus within Ophthalmology.
Does Dr. James Z. Lai accept my insurance?
Dr. James Z. Lai accepts most major insurance plans, including Aetna and Anthem BCBS. We recommend calling the office directly at 281-565-2020 to verify that your specific plan is currently accepted before your visit.
Areas of Expertise
MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.
Learn more about MediFind’s expert tiers
- Distinguished
- Allergic ConjunctivitisDr. Lai isDistinguished. Learn about Allergic Conjunctivitis.
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)Dr. Lai isDistinguished. Learn about Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye).
- StrabismusDr. Lai isDistinguished. Learn about Strabismus.
- Advanced
- AmblyopiaDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Amblyopia.
- AstigmatismDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Astigmatism.
- BlepharitisDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Blepharitis.
- Blocked Tear DuctDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Blocked Tear Duct.
- Brown SyndromeDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Brown Syndrome.
- ChalazionDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Chalazion.
- Choroid Plexus CarcinomaDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Choroid Plexus Carcinoma.
- ColobomaDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Coloboma.
- Coloboma of IrisDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Coloboma of Iris.
- Color BlindnessDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Color Blindness.
- Epicanthal FoldsDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Epicanthal Folds.
- EsotropiaDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Esotropia.
- Eyelid BumpDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Eyelid Bump.
- Eyelid DroopingDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Eyelid Drooping.
- Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina
- Hyperferritinemia-Cataract Syndrome
- Isolated Duane Retraction Syndrome
- Lenz Microphthalmia Syndrome
- MeibomianitisDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Meibomianitis.
- MicrophthalmiaDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Microphthalmia.
- Microphthalmia Syndromic 9Dr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Microphthalmia Syndromic 9.
- Microphthalmia with Linear Skin Defects Syndrome
- Micropthalmia Associated with Colobomatous Cyst
- NearsightednessDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Nearsightedness.
- Ocular AlbinismDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Ocular Albinism.
- Oculocutaneous AlbinismDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Oculocutaneous Albinism.
- Pigment-Dispersion SyndromeDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Pigment-Dispersion Syndrome.
- PtosisDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Ptosis.
- Retinochoroidal ColobomaDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Retinochoroidal Coloboma.
- Subconjunctival HemorrhageDr. Lai isAdvanced. Learn about Subconjunctival Hemorrhage.
- X-Linked Infantile Nystagmus
- Experienced
- Adult-Onset Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy (AVMD)
- Anton SyndromeDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Anton Syndrome.
- Autosomal Dominant Vitreoretinochoroidopathy
- Bell's PalsyDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Bell's Palsy.
- Birdshot ChorioretinopathyDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Birdshot Chorioretinopathy.
- BlepharophimosisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Blepharophimosis.
- Blepharophimosis SyndromeDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Blepharophimosis Syndrome.
- CataractDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Cataract.
- Coloboma of Optic NerveDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Coloboma of Optic Nerve.
- Coloboma of Optic PapillaDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Coloboma of Optic Papilla.
- Cone DystrophyDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Cone Dystrophy.
- Cone Rod Dystrophy Amelogenesis Imperfecta
- Cone-Rod DystrophyDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Cone-Rod Dystrophy.
- Congenital CataractDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Congenital Cataract.
- Doyne Honeycomb Retinal DystrophyDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Doyne Honeycomb Retinal Dystrophy.
- Dry Eye SyndromeDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Dry Eye Syndrome.
- EntropionDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Entropion.
- Facial ParalysisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Facial Paralysis.
- GlaucomaDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Glaucoma.
- Hereditary KeratitisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Hereditary Keratitis.
- HyphemaDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Hyphema.
- Interstitial KeratitisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Interstitial Keratitis.
- Late-Onset Retinal DegenerationDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration.
- Leber Congenital AmaurosisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Leber Congenital Amaurosis.
- Legius SyndromeDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Legius Syndrome.
- NeurofibromatosisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Neurofibromatosis.
- NeuroretinitisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Neuroretinitis.
- Norrie DiseaseDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Norrie Disease.
- Oculomotor Apraxia Cogan TypeDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Oculomotor Apraxia Cogan Type.
- Optic Atrophy Type 1Dr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Optic Atrophy Type 1.
- Optic Nerve AtrophyDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Optic Nerve Atrophy.
- PapilledemaDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Papilledema.
- Periorbital CellulitisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Periorbital Cellulitis.
- Peters AnomalyDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Peters Anomaly.
- Peters Plus SyndromeDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Peters Plus Syndrome.
- Recurrent Peripheral Facial PalsyDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Recurrent Peripheral Facial Palsy.
- Retinitis PigmentosaDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Retinitis Pigmentosa.
- Sorsby Fundus DystrophyDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy.
- Stargardt Macular DegenerationDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Stargardt Macular Degeneration.
- Usher SyndromeDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Usher Syndrome.
- Usher Syndrome Type 2ADr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Usher Syndrome Type 2A.
- UveitisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Uveitis.
- Vernal KeratoconjunctivitisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis.
- Wagner SyndromeDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about Wagner Syndrome.
- X-Linked Juvenile RetinoschisisDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about X-Linked Juvenile Retinoschisis.
- X-Linked Retinal DysplasiaDr. Lai isExperienced. Learn about X-Linked Retinal Dysplasia.
- X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa (XLRP)

