Abby Wicks, OD is a Optometrist practicing at Baylor Scott & White Pavilion - Temple in Temple, TX. As a trusted local provider on kellysearch.com, she is registered with The Texas Optometry Board and practices under the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Medical Practice Act), dedicated to providing comprehensive Optometric care. She is committed to the well-being of all her patients, from infants to seniors. Optometrists (ODs) are the primary healthcare providers for eye and vision care, offering comprehensive eye exams, diagnosing and treating eye diseases, prescribing corrective lenses, and often collaborating with ophthalmologists and primary care physicians to ensure optimal patient eye health.
Dr. Wicks is an optometrist in Temple, TX, affiliated with Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Temple. She is Board Certified in Optometry by the American Board of Optometry and welcomes new patients. Her approach to care emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. Dr. Wicks is currently accepting new patients and can be reached at (254) 724-3937 to schedule an appointment. She provides consultations primarily in English.
A strong patient-provider partnership is the foundation of effective healthcare. Dr. Wicks is committed to being a partner in your health journey, focusing on practical strategies to protect your health and well-being.
Dr. Wicks provides comprehensive optometric care, focusing on thorough eye exams and the accurate diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. She collaborates closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic approach to patient care, emphasizing clear communication and a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient's unique needs.
By working together, you and Dr. Wicks can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Baylor Scott & White Health Plan
- BestChoice PPO
- Blue Advantage HMO
- Blue Card High Performance Network HPN
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- Blue Essentials HMO
- Choice Care Network PPO
- Choice Care PPO
- Choice POS
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- HMO Premier HMO
- Humana
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Medica Choice
- National POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Preferred PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- UnitedHealthCare
As your primary healthcare provider, Dr. Wicks offers expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of common health conditions. Common areas of focus include:
- Pseudophakia: Having an artificial lens implanted in your eye after cataract surgery is called pseudophakia; your optometrist plays a vital role in post-surgery eye care.
- Cone Rod Dystrophy: If you have cone-rod dystrophy, your ability to see colors and details will gradually decrease, and an optometrist can provide regular eye exams and discuss management strategies.
- Corneal Scar: A corneal scar is a mark on the clear front part of your eye (cornea) that can blur your vision, and an optometrist can assess its impact and recommend treatment options.
- Paralytic Strabismus: If one or both of your eyes can't move properly in a certain direction, leading to double vision or misalignment (paralytic strabismus), an optometrist will conduct a thorough eye exam to determine the severity and suggest corrective actions.
- Enlarged Blind Spot: Experiencing a larger-than-usual blind spot in your vision? Your optometrist can perform tests to identify the underlying cause and help manage this vision problem.
- Entropion: Experiencing eyelid irritation or discomfort due to an inward-turning eyelid? Your optometrist can assess if it is entropion and suggest appropriate treatment methods to relieve the symptoms.
- Posterior Vitreous Detachment: Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is when the gel-like substance inside your eye pulls away from the retina, often causing flashes of light or floaters, and your optometrist can monitor it for any complications.
This list represents some of the common conditions treated. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional.
To provide comprehensive and patient-centered care, Dr. Wicks offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and treat various health concerns:
- Optomap® Retinal Exam: The Optomap® retinal exam uses a special camera to take a wide-field image of the back of your eye, helping your eye doctor detect potential problems early.
- Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) (co-management): PRK co-management means your optometrist is part of your care team for PRK laser eye surgery, providing pre- and post-operative exams and managing your recovery.
- Lucentis® Injection (co-management): This service means your optometrist helps oversee your eye care plan around Lucentis® injections, making sure you receive appropriate treatment and monitoring.
- Vision Screening: Vision screenings help identify vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
- Diabetes Eye Care: If you have diabetes, routine eye exams help screen for early signs of eye damage, allowing for timely treatment and preventing vision problems.
- Argon Laser Treatment (co-management): This involves your optometrist partnering with an ophthalmologist, where the ophthalmologist performs the laser treatment and the optometrist helps manage your care before and after.
- Multifocal Contact Lens Treatment: If you need reading glasses but also glasses for distance vision, multifocal contacts can provide clear vision at all distances in one lens.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for their professional license in Texas.
Dr. Wicks is dedicated to partnering with patients to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how proactive care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After cataract surgery and the implantation of an artificial lens, a patient felt confident in their post-operative care, thanks to the optometrist's guidance on managing pseudophakia. Regular check-ups allowed the patient to maintain excellent vision and overall eye health.
- After receiving regular eye exams and personalized management strategies from an optometrist, a patient with cone-rod dystrophy maintained stable vision and a high quality of life.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan from the optometrist, a patient successfully managed their corneal scar, improving their vision and quality of life. They felt empowered to proactively monitor their eye health and maintain a positive outlook.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Baylor Scott & White Pavilion - Temple
1815 S 31st St, Temple, TX, 76504
Phone: (254) 724-3937
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- American Board of Optometry (Optometry)
Here are answers to some common questions about receiving Optometric care with Dr. Wicks:
- What is the difference between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist?
- An optometrist (OD) is the primary eye care doctor for routine exams, prescribing glasses/contacts, and managing common eye diseases. An ophthalmologist (MD/DO) is a medical and surgical physician who performs eye surgery and treats more complex eye diseases. They often work together, with Dr. Wicks providing pre- and post-operative care.
- How often should I get a comprehensive eye exam?
- For healthy adults, a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years is typically recommended. However, children, seniors, and individuals with risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease may need more frequent exams as recommended by Dr. Wicks.
- I'm interested in LASIK. Is that something you do?
- Dr. Wicks plays a crucial role in LASIK co-management. While the surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist, Dr. Wicks performs the initial evaluation, provides pre-operative care, and manages all post-operative follow-up visits.
- What are the benefits of buying glasses from my optometrist's office versus online?
- Buying glasses from Dr. Wicks' office provides a personalized fitting by a trained optician, ensuring proper lens alignment and comfort. We handle complex prescriptions and offer direct support if any issues arise. This personalized service guarantees quality and peace of mind.
- What is glaucoma and how do you test for it?
- Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, often caused by high pressure inside the eye. It can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated. Testing during a routine exam includes measuring eye pressure, checking peripheral vision, and examining the optic nerve.
- Do I need a separate appointment for a contact lens fitting?
- Yes, a separate appointment is needed for a contact lens fitting. A contact lens fitting goes beyond your glasses prescription, requiring measurements of your eye's curvature, tear film evaluation, and trial lens fitting to ensure proper comfort, clarity, and health. This process is necessary to obtain a contact lens prescription.
- My eyes often feel dry and gritty. Is this something you can treat?
- Yes, dry eye is a very common condition that we diagnose and manage. Treatment options range from artificial tears and prescription eye drops to in-office procedures that can improve tear quality and provide lasting relief.
- At what age should my child have their first eye exam?
- The American Optometric Association recommends a first comprehensive eye exam for a child at 6 months of age, again at age 3, and just before they start school. This is essential for detecting issues like lazy eye or misaligned eyes that are best treated early.
Baylor Scott & White Pavilion - Temple
1815 S 31st St
Temple TX 76504
Phone: (254) 724-3937
Abby Wicks, OD is regulated by the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Medical Practice Act) in Texas and is licensed by The Texas Optometry Board.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1780026708
Registration can typically be verified through The Texas Optometry Board website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by kellysearch.com, is for informational purposes to help you connect with local healthcare providers. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Healthcare providers like Dr. Abby Wicks are trained to manage a wide range of health concerns. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.