Best Eye Doctors In Panama City, FL

Why trust us?

VisionCenter is committed to connecting patients to the best local healthcare providers. We reviewed Panama City Optometrists in Panama City, Panama City, and chose this list based on their:

  • Qualifications and education
  • Years of experience
  • Reputation and resources
  • Past customer experiences

We used AI technology to analyze Panama City reviews from Google, Yelp, and Facebook to find patients' favorite surgeons in the area. Our team then went through and hand picked our list of the best Optometrists in Panama City.

Eye Center South – Panama City

4.8 out of 5 (241 reviews)

2401 State Ave, Panama City, FL 32405

Summary

The eye care center received mostly positive reviews. Patients found the staff friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. Many appreciated the doctors taking time to explain procedures and answer questions. A few negative reviews cited billing issues and no patients under 45. However, most reviewers highly recommended the exceptional care and results.

Highlights

  • Highly recommended doctor: Many reviewers praised Dr. Bansagi for his expertise and recommended him for cataract surgery and eye exams. They appreciated his thoroughness in explaining the results of the tests and exams and offering suggestions for vision improvement.
  • Professional and caring staff: Several reviewers mentioned the friendly and professional attitude of the staff. They appreciated the staff's knowledge, compassion, and willingness to answer questions. Some reviewers even mentioned receiving follow-up calls from the doctor himself, showing personalized care.
  • Efficient and timely service: Reviewers noted that the office was well-organized, with minimal wait times for appointments and surgeries. They appreciated the efficient and attentive service, as well as the timely follow-ups for post-surgery care.

Academy of Eye Care

4.6 out of 5 (245 reviews)

826 Harrison Ave, Panama City, FL 32401

Summary

Patients valued Dr. Byers’ professional, friendly, and thorough eye care. Her kind, patient manner and the excellent customer service of her staff impressed patients. Many described their exams as efficient yet comprehensive. Overall, patients were pleased with the clinic’s high-quality eye care and professionalism.

Highlights

  • Kind and friendly staff, including Dr. Byers, who was professional and patient in answering questions during the eye exam.
  • Thorough and efficient eye exams, with a focus on getting the best prescription and glasses for the patient.
  • Great overall service from start to finish, with a well-rounded and professional staff that meets customer needs and sends helpful reminders for reordering contacts or setting up appointments.

Vascular Associates, LLC

4.8 out of 5 (180 reviews)

1836 Florida Ave, Panama City, FL 32405

Summary

The majority of reviews for Vascular Associates highlight the friendly, professional staff and quality care from doctors and nurses. Patients mention clear communication and detailed explanations during exams and treatments. A few reviews note concerns over wait times. In general, the atmosphere at Vascular Associates is described as welcoming, caring and supportive.

Highlights

  • The staff at Vascular Associates is known for their pleasant demeanor and detailed explanations during eye exams and tests. They make patients feel comfortable and informed throughout their visit.
  • The doctors and nurses at Vascular Associates are highly recommended for their caring and professional approach to eye care. They take the time to answer questions, explain options, and provide recommendations, making patients feel supported and confident in their care.

Emerald Coast Eye Care

4.9 out of 5 (152 reviews)

1714 W 23rd St K, Panama City, FL 32405

Summary

Emerald Coast Eye Care offers excellent eye care and exam services performed by friendly and expert doctors, according to many satisfied reviewers. While prices for glasses and lenses fall on the higher end, most patients appreciate the thorough exams and knowledgeable staff.

Highlights

  • World-class eye care facility with a friendly "home town" atmosphere.
  • Thorough and efficient eye exams with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.
  • Friendly, caring, and knowledgeable staff who take the time to address concerns and provide excellent care.

The Eye Studio – Dr. Mona Patel, OD

5 out of 5 (102 reviews)

651 Grand Panama Blvd Unit 105, Panama City Beach, FL 32407

Summary

The Eye Studio offers a clean and welcoming office environment with a cheerful and professional staff. Dr. Mona Patel is known for comprehensive eye exams using advanced technology. Patients value the personalized care and friendly assistance from Dr. Patel and her team.

Highlights

  • The office is clean and appealing, with state-of-the-art equipment.
  • The staff is cheerful, professional, and knowledgeable.
  • Dr. Patel takes the time to review all tests, explain findings, and offer personalized care.

Emerald Coast Optometry Associates

4.7 out of 5 (64 reviews)

11570 Panama City Beach Pkwy Ste 100, Panama City Beach, FL 32407

Summary

Positive reviews highlight the eye care center’s comfortable environment and thorough exams by Dr. Kennedy. Patients commend the staff’s excellent service, kindness, and attentiveness. The facility is clean and conveniently located with easy scheduling. Patients value the friendly, efficient service and expertise of the doctors and staff.

Highlights

  • Friendly and helpful staff: Many reviews mention the friendly and helpful staff, creating a positive and comfortable experience for customers.
  • Knowledgeable and thorough eye exams: The eye exams conducted by the doctors and technicians are praised for being thorough and providing valuable information about the customers' eye health.
  • Convenient location and easy scheduling: The facility is conveniently located, and customers appreciate the ease of scheduling and setting up appointments.

South Walton Eyecare

4.9 out of 5 (48 reviews)

13625 US-98 Suite 4, Panama City Beach, FL 32413

Summary

The eye care center received mostly positive reviews for professional exams, personalized service, and knowledgeable staff. While some customers had issues with contact lens fitting and fees, the majority highly recommended the center.

Highlights

  • Quick turnaround time for glasses: The eye care center has an on-site lab that can make lenses, allowing for fast and efficient service. (Review 1)
  • Personalized and thorough eye exams: The staff, including Dr. Bao, provides a personal one-on-one experience and takes the time to ensure patients are completely taken care of. (Review 2)
  • Knowledgeable and professional staff: Patients appreciate the knowledgeable and friendly staff, including Dr. Bo, who is described as thorough, clear, and concise with information. (Review 7)

Panama City Hometown Eye Care

4.7 out of 5 (50 reviews)

426 W 23rd St, Panama City, FL 32405

Summary

The eye care center is highly recommended for its knowledgeable and helpful staff, thorough exams, professionalism, personalized service, and clean facilities. Though most reviews are positive, one cites an issue with a rude staff member and billing.

Highlights

  • Knowledgeable and helpful staff: The staff at this eye care center is described as extremely helpful and knowledgeable, making the process of getting an eye exam and choosing frames easy and efficient.
  • Wide selection of high-quality frames: The eye care center offers a large selection of frames, including frames suitable for petite faces. Customers were pleased with the quality and variety of frames available.
  • Professional and caring service: Customers mentioned that the staff, including the optometrist, Dr. Quesada, provided professional and thorough eye exams, taking the time to address concerns and answer questions. The office environment was described as calm, welcoming, and focused on providing individualized care.

Walmart Vision & Glasses

4.5 out of 5 (31 reviews)

10270 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407

Summary

Dr. Pike’s office provides a smooth eye exam process with friendly, professional service. However, experiences ordering glasses were mixed, with some patients reporting unfriendly staff and long wait times. Walmart Vision Center received positive feedback for their emergency help replacing glasses and providing trial contacts, with their staff noted as kind and compassionate.

Highlights

  • Dr. Pike and his staff are friendly, easy to talk to, and scheduling appointments is a smooth process.
  • The staff at the Walmart Vision Center are helpful and accommodating, even working with customers' home eye care centers to ensure they receive the necessary contacts or glasses.

Wink Optical Boutique

4.8 out of 5 (14 reviews)

2613 W 23rd St, Panama City, FL 32405

Summary

Wink optical provides quality eye exams and a wide selection of fashionable frames. Customers rave about the personalized service from Bill and Nikki who help find the perfect fit. While mostly positive experiences, one client felt pressured and found better prices elsewhere. Overall, Wink comes recommended as a knowledgeable optical shop.

Highlights

  • Extensive frame selection: Customers consistently mention the great variety of frames available at this eye care center, making it easy to find the perfect match for your style and features.
  • Excellent service and expertise: The staff, specifically Bill and Nikki, are praised for their attentive and caring service. They are knowledgeable professionals who provide personalized suggestions and solutions to each customer's needs.
  • Local business support: Several reviewers appreciate the fact that this eye care center is a local business, and express their desire to support it.

Choosing the Right Eye Care Provider

The kind of eye doctor you should visit depends on your issues. You may need an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or both.

Optometrists provide primary eye care, including vision tests and prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses. You may also visit an optometrist for eye infections or issues that don’t require surgery. 

For more complicated issues, your optometrist can refer you to an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care. They can treat a broader range of medical conditions. 

When choosing an eye care clinic, look for a place that can address your specific needs. You may ask your friends and family for recommendations. Reading reviews online and checking with your insurance company can also help you find the right provider.

Understanding Eye Conditions and Their Treatment

The most common eye problems include refractive errors, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts. Symptoms of these eye conditions include blurred vision, headaches, and eye strain. 

Once you experience severe pain in your eye, it’s important to visit an eye doctor immediately. Other symptoms, such as fever and eye discharge, may indicate a more severe infection. This is why seeking medical attention is essential if you experience these symptoms.

Treatment for eye conditions will vary depending on your symptoms. Eye doctors sometimes collaborate with other specialists to determine the best course of action.

Maintaining Your Vision Health

Proper care and prevention are the best ways to maintain your vision health. Here are some tips on how to ensure that your eyes stay in the best condition possible:

  • Protective eyewear. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection outdoors or safety goggles when working with tools can prevent eye damage.
  • Proper nutrition. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E can help you receive the proper nutrients to protect your eyes. Getting enough sleep and limiting alcohol consumption is also part of proper nutrition for eye care.
  • Regular breaks from screens. Follow the 20-20-20 rule when working with screens. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
  • Manage chronic conditions. Chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension can also affect your eye health. Managing them can help decrease their effects on your eyes. 
  • Regular eye exams. Visiting your eye doctor regularly can help detect eye problems early on. If needed, they can provide proper treatment immediately to prevent further complications. 

Eye Care Insurance and Managing Costs

Insurance companies vary in terms of coverage when it comes to eye care. Vision insurance is usually separate from general health insurance.

You can save money and avoid surprises by consulting your insurance provider regarding coverage. Ask about your coverage for eye examinations, contact lenses or glasses, and other treatments. 

If you don’t have insurance, these financing options are available:

Vision Health Trends in Florida

  • Examining vision health as one ages reveals In 2018, a higher percentage of people aged 65 and older in Florida reported being blind or having difficulty seeing compared to those aged 40-64. in Florida, signaling the need for proactive eye care.

Risk Factors Impacting Vision in Florida

  • A family history of eye issues, diabetes, and alcoholism can all influence vision health in Florida.
  • The In Florida in 2018, people with diabetes had more than twice the risk of vision problems compared to the overall population, with 13.6% of those with diabetes experiencing blindness or difficulty seeing compared to 6.06% of the general population. and In Florida in 2018, the percentage of people who were blind or had difficulty seeing was higher among those who smoked tobacco (8.89%) compared to the overall population (6.06%), indicating that smoking increases the risk of vision problems by approximately 2.83%. statistics underscore the impact of these factors on vision health.

Vision Impairment Statistics in Florida

  • In Florida, 6.06% of individuals report significant vision impairment, with specific age groups reporting varying degrees of difficulty.

Age-Specific Vision Challenges in Florida

  • Amongst those aged 18 to 39, 4% experience vision difficulties.
  • The percentage increases to 6.57% in the 40-64 age range.
  • Seniors over 65 in Florida face even higher rates at 7.92%.

Addressing Vision Health Beyond Age in Florida

  • Other factors such as diabetes and smoking contribute to vision impairment in Florida.
  • 13.6% of those with diabetes and 8.89% of smokers report difficulty seeing.

Children's Vision Health in Florida

  • Early vision care is crucial, with 67.48% of children in Florida having had their vision tested.
  • Of those, 1.94% report vision problems, emphasizing the need for early detection and care.

Proactive Vision Health Measures in Florida

  • Regular eye exams and UV protection are essential, especially considering the 6.06% of the population with vision impairment.
  • A healthy diet, smoking cessation, and regular breaks from screens contribute to better vision health, which can help mitigate the statistics on vision impairment in Florida.

Summary

Proper vision care is crucial for people of all ages. Your treatment will vary depending on your condition and issues. Finding the right eye care provider can help you receive the necessary treatment and care. 

Sources:

  1.  "Common Eye Disorders and Diseases." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
  2. “Finding an Eye Doctor | National Eye Institute.” National Eye Institute.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FastStats - Health Insurance Coverage.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020. 
  4. "Healthy Vision Tips." National Eye Institute. 
  5. “Optometry.” UC Davis, 2017.
The information provided on VisionCenter.org should not be used in place of actual information provided by a doctor or a specialist.