An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye and vision problems. Ophthalmologists attend medical school and receive extra training in eye health and diseases. They can diagnose and treat serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, and they can also perform eye surgeries. Some surgeries they might perform include removing cataracts, repairing retinal tears, and LASIK surgery to improve vision. In addition to medical treatments and surgeries, ophthalmologists can prescribe glasses and contact lenses. However, people usually see an ophthalmologist if they have complex eye issues that need special care. 

An optometrist and an ophthalmologist both help people with their eye health, but their training and roles are different. Optometrists go to optometry school and mainly focus on vision exams, prescribing glasses or contact lenses, and spotting common eye issues. They provide regular eye care and can help with many vision problems. An ophthalmologist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor who can handle more serious eye diseases and perform eye surgeries. While an optometrist can help with basic vision care, an ophthalmologist is trained to treat complex eye conditions. 

Ophthalmologists perform a variety of tests to check eye health and detect issues. Here are some common tests they might use: 

• Visual acuity test measures how well a person can see letters or symbols at different distances. 

• Tonometry tests check eye pressure to help detect glaucoma. 

• Dilated eye exam uses special drops to widen the pupils, allowing a clear view of the retina and optic nerve. 

• Optical coherence tomography takes detailed images of the retina’s layers to spot conditions like macular degeneration or diabetic eye disease. 

• Slit-lamp exam uses a bright light and microscope to examine the front part of the eye, including the cornea and lens. 

Eye problems can affect people differently and at different levels of intensity. Here are some common symptoms: 

• Blurry or double vision: Difficulty seeing clearly or seeing two images can indicate vision problems. 

• Floaters or flashes of light: Small specks or lines moving across your vision, or sudden flashes, may signal retinal issues. 

• Eye pain, redness, or swelling: These symptoms could mean an infection, injury, or other eye condition. 

• Sudden vision loss: Losing vision in one or both eyes suddenly is serious and requires immediate medical attention. 

• Dry or itchy eyes: This may be related to eye strain or irritation, but sometimes can be a sign of an underlying issue. 

• Frequent headaches: These may be linked to eye strain or vision changes. 

• Trouble seeing at night: Difficulty seeing in low light could indicate a developing eye condition. 

A referral to an ophthalmologist usually comes from an optometrist, primary care doctor, or another healthcare provider if they see signs of a serious eye condition, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or high eye pressure, or if a complex eye problem needs more specialized care. You might also be referred to an ophthalmologist if you experience sudden vision loss, eye pain, or an eye injury. People with health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure might be referred to an ophthalmologist for extra monitoring to protect their eyes. 

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find an Ophthalmologist in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Ophthalmologist near New York, NY
Ophthalmologist near Los Angeles, CA
Ophthalmologist near Chicago, IL
Ophthalmologist near Houston, TX
Ophthalmologist near Phoenix, AZ
Ophthalmologist near Philadelphia, PA
Ophthalmologist near Atlanta, GA
Ophthalmologist near Boston, MA
Ophthalmologist near Dallas, TX
Ophthalmologist near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Ophthalmologist search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Ophthalmologist search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
Amblyopia
Blepharitis
Cataract
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Diabetic Retinopathy
Dry Eye Syndrome
Glaucoma
Keratomalacia
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinal Artery Occlusion
Strabismus
Uveitis

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Ophthalmologist search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/07/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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