Richard Bell, OD is a Optometrist practicing at EyeTX Vision Centers in Windcrest, TX. As a trusted local provider on kellysearch.com, he is dedicated to providing comprehensive Optometric care, registered with The Texas Optometry Board and practicing under the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Medical Practice Act). 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. Bell serves all ages, and is currently welcoming new patients. Call (210) 756-6421 to schedule an appointment. Born in Wichita, Kansas, Dr. Bell graduated from Monterey High School in Lubbock and Texas Tech University with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following graduation, he worked as a NASA engineer at the Johnson Space Center, a member of the engineering team responsible for the operation of the Space Shuttle Simulators. He is a member of the Bexar County Optometric Association, Texas Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. In his spare time, Dr. Bell enjoys spending time with his family and boating at Lake LBJ. We are dedicated to improving the health of our community by helping our neighbors look and feel their best, one patient at a time. Our local doctors and associates are here to care for your family's vision, providing high-quality eyewear and a personalized patient-first approach. Whether it is time for your routine eye exam or you need advanced medical treatment, we are ready to serve you. Dr. Richard Bell offers consultations in Spanish.
A strong patient-provider partnership is the foundation of effective healthcare. Dr. Bell is committed to being a partner in your health journey, focusing on practical strategies to protect your health and well-being.
Dr. Bell provides comprehensive optometric care, focusing on thorough eye exams, accurate diagnoses, and personalized treatment plans. He collaborates closely with patients to understand their individual needs and preferences, ensuring a patient-centered approach to vision health. This includes prescribing corrective lenses, managing eye diseases, and working with other healthcare professionals when necessary to achieve optimal outcomes.
By working together, you and Dr. Bell can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Cigna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Blue Card
- Blue Choice
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice Care (Humana)
- Choice Plus
- ChoiceCare Network
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- Open Access Plus
- Superior Health Plan
- UnitedHealthCare
As your primary healthcare provider, Dr. Bell offers expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of common health conditions. Common areas of focus include:
- Corneal Abrasion: If you have a scratch on your cornea (the clear front part of your eye), your optometrist can examine it, provide treatment, and ensure it heals properly.
- Glaucoma: Increased pressure inside your eye can lead to glaucoma, causing damage to your vision; your optometrist plays a key role in early detection and treatment to protect your sight.
- Presbyopia: As you get older, presbyopia makes it harder to focus on close-up objects; your optometrist can provide glasses or contact lenses to fix this.
- Allergic Conjunctivitis: Experiencing eye irritation from pollen, pet dander, or other allergens? Allergic conjunctivitis is a likely cause, and your optometrist can provide effective relief and management strategies.
- Astigmatism: With astigmatism, the cornea (the clear front part of your eye) is irregularly shaped, leading to blurry vision at all distances, but an optometrist can help you see clearly with corrective lenses.
- Eye Disease: Eye diseases are conditions affecting the eye's structure or function, and an optometrist can diagnose and manage many of them, often recommending treatment or lifestyle changes.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: If you have diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication affecting your eyesight, detectable through eye exams performed by your optometrist.
- Cataract: If you experience worsening blurry vision, your optometrist can determine if cataracts are the cause and guide you toward proper management, including referral for surgery.
- Dry Eyes: Dry eyes happen when your eyes lack sufficient lubrication, leading to burning, itching, and blurry vision; your optometrist can assess the severity and suggest solutions such as eye drops, lifestyle changes, or even prescription medications.
- Diabetic Eye Disease: Optometrists play a key role in detecting and managing diabetic eye diseases, such as retinopathy, which can cause blindness if left untreated.
- Foreign Body in Eye: If you get something in your eye, an optometrist can quickly and gently remove it, preventing infection or vision problems.
- Keratoconus: Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that affects the cornea's shape, leading to vision problems; your optometrist plays a key role in diagnosis and managing the condition with various treatment options.
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. Bell offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and treat various health concerns:
- Contact Lens Exams: A contact lens exam involves a comprehensive eye health assessment tailored to contact lens wearers, helping prevent complications and maximizing comfort.
- Contact Lens Fitting Services: During a contact lens fitting, an optometrist assesses your eyes to find the most comfortable and effective contact lenses.
- 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.
- Diabetic Eye Exam: If you have diabetes, this exam helps detect and monitor eye damage caused by high blood sugar.
- Eye Procedure: Depending on your needs, an eye procedure might involve testing your vision, diagnosing an eye condition, or performing a surgical correction.
- Eye Test: During an eye exam, your optometrist will assess your vision acuity, eye muscle function, and the overall health of your eyes.
- Eyeglasses: An optometrist will perform an eye exam to determine your prescription and help you choose eyeglasses that best suit your needs and lifestyle.
- Foreign Body Removal from Eye: If something's stuck in your eye, an optometrist can expertly remove it, improving your vision and comfort.
- Ocular Inflammation (Uveitis) Treatment: Expect a comprehensive eye exam and a personalized treatment plan for uveitis, possibly including medication and regular check-ups.
- Soft Contact Lenses: Soft contact lenses are comfortable, disposable lenses that correct vision problems like nearsightedness or farsightedness.
- Vision Screening: Vision screenings help identify vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
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. Bell 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 receiving a clear diagnosis and treatment plan for a corneal abrasion, a patient experienced significantly improved eye comfort and vision within a few days. The optometrist's guidance helped the patient confidently manage their recovery.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan, the patient successfully managed their glaucoma, preserving their vision and enjoying a better quality of life. Regular checkups and diligent adherence to the treatment plan allowed them to maintain stable eye pressure and prevent further vision loss.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan from an optometrist, a patient found relief from the difficulties of presbyopia, regaining comfortable vision for reading and close-up tasks.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
EyeTX Vision Centers
5011 Walzem Rd, Windcrest, TX, 78218
Phone: (210) 756-6421
View on Map - EyeTX Vision Centers
15677 San Pedro Ave # B, San Antonio, TX, 78232
Phone: (210) 756-6164
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Here are answers to some common questions about receiving Optometric care with Dr. Bell:
- What is the difference between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist?
- An optometrist (OD) is the primary eye care provider 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. Dr. Bell often works with ophthalmologists, 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 or high blood pressure may need more frequent exams, as determined by Dr. Bell.
- Can my eye exam detect health problems other than just vision issues?
- Yes. A comprehensive eye exam can detect early signs of serious systemic health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain types of cancer, as the eye is the only place in the body where blood vessels can be viewed directly without surgery.
- Do I need a separate appointment for a contact lens fitting?
- Yes, a separate appointment is needed for a contact lens fitting. This is because a contact lens fitting involves more than just your glasses prescription, including specific eye measurements, tear film evaluation, and trial lens fitting to ensure comfort, and clear vision. A contact lens prescription requires this specialized process.
- 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.
- 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 specific types of artificial tears and prescription eye drops to in-office procedures that can improve tear quality and provide lasting relief.
- I'm interested in LASIK. Is that something you do?
- Dr. Bell plays a crucial role in LASIK co-management. While the surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist, Dr. Bell 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. Bell's office ensures expert fitting by a trained optician, guaranteeing proper lens alignment and personalized adjustments for optimal comfort. We handle complex prescriptions and provide direct support if any issues arise, offering a superior level of quality assurance and service.
EyeTX Vision Centers
5011 Walzem Rd
Windcrest TX 78218
Phone: (210) 756-6421
Richard Bell, 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): 1336180405
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. Richard Bell 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.