Top-rated eye doctors in Arizona

How Arizona Eye Doctors Are Evaluated and Ranked

Patients searching for top-rated eye doctors in Arizona typically rely on aggregated review platforms such as Healthgrades, Vitals, and Zocdoc, which compile satisfaction scores based on verified patient surveys, board certification status, and hospital affiliations. 1 Board certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology is widely regarded as a foundational credential, confirming that a physician has completed accredited residency training and passed rigorous specialty examinations. 2 Beyond credentials, patients most frequently cite office wait times, clarity of explanation, staff professionalism, and access to advanced diagnostic technology such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) as primary drivers of satisfaction ratings.

Quality scoring from government sources also factors into provider assessments. Dr. Michael D. Henry of Northwest Eye Specialists in Tucson, for example, earned a 93.5 out of 100 on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services MIPS quality assessment, placing him among the top-performing providers in his specialty. 3 Such objective, outcomes-based metrics increasingly complement patient narrative reviews when establishing a provider's overall standing in the state.

Featured Ophthalmologists: Surgical Subspecialties

Several Arizona ophthalmologists have earned recognition through a combination of fellowship training, research contributions, and consistent patient satisfaction scores. Dr. Shamil Patel, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained glaucoma and cataract surgeon at Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Arizona, has been voted Phoenix Magazine's Top Doctor as the highest-voted ophthalmologist for eight consecutive years. 4 Dr. Patel completed his glaucoma fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern and integrates laser-assisted cataract technologies and advanced glaucoma implants into routine practice. He holds memberships in the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Glaucoma Society, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Dr. George Reiss, MD, a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist at the same practice, completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and his fellowship at the University of Illinois Eye Center. 5 Dr. Reiss has served as a long-term clinical research investigator for emerging glaucoma devices and medications, a distinction that places him among a narrow group of Arizona practitioners advancing the field through active trials. His colleague Dr. Briggs S. Hoyt, MD, completed a prestigious glaucoma fellowship at the University of California San Diego Shiley Eye Institute under world-renowned specialist Dr. Robert Weinreb, returning to his native Phoenix in 2025 to join the practice. 6

Notable Providers by Region and Specialty

Dr. Todd Altenbernd, MD, practices comprehensive ophthalmology with a focus on medical glaucoma treatment at the Banner University Medicine Ophthalmology Clinic in Tucson, located at 707 North Alvernon Way. He holds a 4.9 out of 5.0 rating based on 893 verified patient reviews, completed his fellowship at the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1995, and is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology since 1996. 7 Dr. Joshua Brozek, MD, an ophthalmologist in Mesa, carries a 4.8-star rating based on 94 Healthgrades reviews and is specifically noted by patients for low wait times, easy scheduling, and a friendly staff. 8

In northern Arizona, Dr. Brendan Girschek, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, stands out as the only full-time retina surgeon serving the region, with more than 15 years of private surgical retina experience. 9 He is dual board-certified in both the United States and Canada and provides care at his primary Flagstaff office as well as satellite locations in Show Low and Cottonwood. Dr. Daniel Churgin at Arizona Retina Associates in metro Phoenix specializes in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous, trained at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the Moran Eye Center, and has performed thousands of retinal surgeries since establishing his practice in 2018. 10

Top-Rated Optometrists Across the State

Optometrists complement surgical ophthalmology practices by managing primary eye care, ocular disease monitoring, and contact lens services. Dr. Renee Hanson, O.D., practicing at Swagel Wootton Eye Institute in Mesa and Chandler, holds a 4.9 rating drawn from 1,300 patient ratings and 528 comments on the rater8 platform, with reviewers consistently describing her as thorough, communicative, and genuinely invested in patient outcomes. 11 Dr. Anne Zaki, MD, an ophthalmologist in Peoria affiliated with Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, holds a 5.0 rating from her reviewed patient base and is recognized by patients for explaining conditions clearly and maintaining trustworthy, accessible scheduling practices. She also speaks Arabic, broadening her accessibility to diverse patient populations. 12

Dr. Callie Sincennes, O.D., practices at Arizona's Vision Eye Care Center in Ahwatukee, a practice with more than 30 years of community presence, specializing in corneal and ocular-disease management, surgical co-management, and precision contact lens care. 13 Dr. Ovette Villavicencio, M.D., Ph.D., serves as Medical Director at the Eye Institute of Arizona and holds fellowship training in corneal transplantation, having authored textbook chapters on Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) and taught the technique to surgeons internationally. 14

Key Provider Comparison Metrics

What to Verify Before Selecting an Eye Doctor in Arizona

Patients are advised to confirm that any prospective provider is actively board certified, since certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology requires ongoing recertification cycles and demonstrates sustained clinical standards. 2 Insurance compatibility is a practical and often overlooked concern: providers such as Dr. Charles Schulte, O.D., in Scottsdale accept up to 51 plans across 10 insurers, while others may participate in as few as three networks. Patients using Medicare should independently verify whether a provider accepts assignment, as some optometrists handle Medicare on a case-by-case basis. 15

Fellowship training in subspecialties such as glaucoma, retina, or corneal disease signals a higher level of focused clinical preparation beyond general residency requirements. Practices that conduct ongoing clinical trials, such as Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Arizona, may offer eligible patients access to investigational therapies before they reach wider clinical availability. Prospective patients with complex histories, such as prior LASIK, radial keratotomy, or previous corneal transplantation, should seek providers specifically experienced with those presentations, as standard cataract or refractive calculations require significant modification in those cases. 14

Sources

1. Healthgrades - healthgrades.com
2. American Academy of Ophthalmology - aao.org/find-eye-care
3. OurHealthNetwork - ourhealthnetwork.com/doctor/michael-henry-md-1346694163
4. Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Arizona - eyesarizona.com/who-we-are/dr-shamil-patel-md
5. Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Arizona - eyesarizona.com/who-we-are/dr-george-reiss-md
6. Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Arizona - eyesarizona.com/who-we-are/dr-briggs-s-hoyt-md
7. Banner Health - doctors.bannerhealth.com/provider/todd-altenbernd/455333
8. Healthgrades - healthgrades.com/physician/dr-joshua-brozek-xymrjw5
9. AZ Top Docs - aztopdocs.com/doctors/dr-brendan-girschek
10. Arizona Retina Associates - azretinacare.com/meet-dr-churgin
11. rater8 - reviews.rater8.com/doctor/dr-renee-hanson-od-b50424a8
12. Medical News Today Connect - connect.medicalnewstoday.com/provider/dr-anne-zaki-1427014992
13. Arizona's Vision Eye Care Center - arizonasvision.com/eye-doctors/dr-callie-sincennes-optometrist-ahwatukee
14. Eye Institute of Arizona - eyeinstituteaz.com/icon-doctors/ovette-villavicencio-md
15. OurHealthNetwork - ourhealthnetwork.com/doctor/charles-schulte-od-1407871536