Dr. Richard Wieder
Ophthalmology
St Louis, MO
37 years experience male
Locations
Washington University Eye Center
St Louis, MO
My office hours
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna
Anthem BC Life & Health Insurance Company
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri
CIGNA Health Care
Medicaid
Mercy Health Plans of MO
Missouri HealthNet
Optum
United HealthCare Insurance Company
Tricare
Coventry Health Care
Medicare
UnitedHealthcare
About
Bio
I am a comprehensive ophthalmologist, practicing in the St Louis area. I am on the teaching faculty of the Washington School of Medicine, working with residents in their clinics and operating room. I specialize in refractive cataract surgery, using advanced technology intraocular lenses to provide patients with excellent postoperative results.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Ophthalmology
Doctor Q&A
434 Answers
152 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 55-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Eye Inflammation: Inflammation of the eye is a very non-specific description. If the inflammation is on the surface (such as from pink eye or allergies) then this is u... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Swollen eyelids: The treatment for a swollen eyelid is dependent on the cause of the swelling. An infection (like a stye) is treated with warm compresses and at times... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Eye allergies: Itching is the most common symptom of eye allergies. Others include tearing, mucous, redness and eyelid swelling, as well as nasal symptoms. These r... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Cataract & diabetes: Cataracts typically develop with advancing age but can also be associated with diabetes. This is especially true if a patient doesn't control his blo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 55-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Use of Xibrom: Xibrom can be used for weeks or longer if necessary, either in one or both eyes. It is available in a generic version.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Swollen eyes: If your eyes are swollen because of allergies or infection, then treating the source will often help reduce the swelling. A lot of adults have swolle... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Dacryocystitis: Dacryocystitis is an infection in the tear sac just under the bone next to the inside corner of your eyelids. It's often caused by a blockage of the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Eye irritation: There are many causes of this, including infections, injuries, dry eyes or even just a need for glasses. The treatment depends on what the eye looks ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Eye swelling: There are many causes of eye swelling, including infection, allergy and trauma, as well as aging changes of the eyes. If the symptoms come and go, th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Dislocated lenses: If your eyes' lenses are dislocated, then you must have either a medical condition that caused this or had previous trauma to your eyes. Typically th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Keratitis: There are many causes (infectious, inflammatory, traumatic) of keratitis. The cause and severity of the inflammation will determine how easily this c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Sinus pressure: Sinus issues can cause the eyes to be red and inflamed but will not cause blood vessels on the eye surface to break.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Eye structures: There are several normal eye and eyelid structures in the corners of our eyes. The ones that I am most often asked about are along the eyelid edges n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Medical marijuana: Medical marijuana does nothing to help macular edema. Historically, people have thought that they could treat glaucoma (elevated intraocular pressure... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Artificial tears: 1 day disposable contact lenses are becoming increasingly popular because they are comfortable and are thrown away daily rather than needing to be cle... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Eyelid injuries: Should be evaluated asap to make sure you don't need sutures or other treatment. If they are left to heal on their own, they could cause scarring and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Semen contact: With your eyes can definitely cause eye irritation but not an infection. This will lead to eye redness. However, unlike an actual eye infection, thi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Retina surgery: Typically, an ophthalmologist will prescribe various eye drops to help the eye heal after retinal surgery. These include antibiotic and anti-inflamma... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Glasses prescription: Usually stabilizes by your age. Also, if it stays the same for at least a year or so, you can consider refractive surgery like lasik to correct your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Contact lenses: Are a great way to correct your vision and are well tolerated most of the time. They can cause problems in some people, especially if they are sensit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Eye blood vessels: On the whites of your eyes are not connected to the iris. They are a different system of vessels.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Eyelash loss: Can occur for a variety of reasons. Everyone loses a few lashes daily, but excessive loss can be due to infection, inflammation, trauma, alopecia (i.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Pupil dilating drops: Usually last for 4-6 hours after they are instilled. Depending on the patient, the drops may last longer, especially with people who are blue-eyed. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Eye strain: Could be the cause of your symptoms. You're at the age when many adults start to experience presbyopia, or age-related reading problems. You may nee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Persistent swelling: After cataract surgery could be causing your mom's symptoms. She should be seen by the ophthalmologist who performed her surgery to see if she needs ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Cataracts: Will cause gradual changes in your vision. As long as you can see well enough, there are no restrictions in what you do, including cooking.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Allergies: Could be causing all the symptoms you are describing. Because you suffer from insomnia, they symptoms may get worse because of your lack of sleep. Y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Pink eye: Is very common. The recurrent symptoms could be caused by the same virus or bacteria which caused the original infection or it could be a new infecti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Eye fatigue: Can cause the symptoms you're describing. If the twitching stops when you stop rolling your eyes, then there is no concern about this. Blepharospasm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Contact lenses: Should be disposed of on a regular basis, if you are wearing the disposable brand of lenses. Disposable lenses are either the 2-week, 1-month, or 3-m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
High eye pressures: Can cause glaucoma. This is a condition which damages the optic nerves. Early on, this causes basically no symptoms. It initially affects small foc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Refractive error: Is the medical term for nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Although more common for both eyes to be similar, it's not that uncommon for ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Dry eyes: Often respond to regular dosing of artificial tears. If you are having persistent symptoms, then you should see your ophthalmologist to make sure the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Hyperopia: Or farsightedness can cause the symptoms you are experiencing, especially if you work on a computer for prolonged periods of time. It's worthwhile we... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Pupil dilation: Is an important part of a complete eye exam. This allows the eye doctor to evaluate your retinas more completely than through pupils which tend to co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Contact lenses: Can cause blurred vision due to one of several possible reasons. Your eye prescription may have changed, the contacts may be irritating your corneas,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Swelling: Behind your eyes could mean inflammation of the retina, optic nerves or other structures in the back of your eyes. If you have questions as to the ca... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
LASIK: Is another type of eye surgery in which the cornea is cut. In this procedure a thin segment of the front of the eye is cut with either a surgical bla... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Nothing: You have a minimal degree of myopia in both eyes which does not need to be corrected. Your uncorrected vision is still very good. There is a chance ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Glaucoma: Can occur at any age, even though the typical variety of glaucoma is more common in older individuals. When a younger person like you does develop th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Contact lens: Intolerance may be caused by an issue with your eye, the solutions you use, or the contact lens itself. If your eye doesn't bother you when the lens ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Any eye doctor: Will be able to provide you with a detailed eye exam. This usually involves checking your vision and if you need glasses. Also, all of the structure... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Recurrent styes: Should be evaluated by your ophthalmologist. You should use warm compresses regularly. Your eye doctor will probably prescribe a course of oral anti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Red eyes: Are a non-specific finding which are very common. They may be related to contact lens use, exposure to eye irritants, allergies, dry eyes, sunlight e... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Jetrea: As long as your retinal status is stable, there should be no reason to postpone your cataract surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Ignore: Only drive if your vision is good enough, but try doing as many activities as possible.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 55-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Using Xibrom: Xibrom is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drop which can be used for many different inflammatory conditions of the eye. It is effective for "simple... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Bee stings & the eye: If you actually get stung on the surface of your eye, it's important to get your eye checked to make sure no damage has taken place. The pupil (the h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Conjunctival pigment: Pigment on the conjunctiva (the tissue that covers the white of the eye) is very common in people who are have more darkly pigmented skin. These brow... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Wiederanswered
Ophthalmology 37 years experience
Contact lenses: If you have a small area of blood on the eye surface (subconjunctival hemorrhage) with no associated symptoms, then it would be safe to wear your cont... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
4
Recommendations
240
Thank you notes
Sep 1, 2013
Very accurate and timely responses.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Wieder is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Wieder is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! I was given a steroid to help my eyes. They cleared up and the symptoms are gone. Thank you!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I have had glasses all my life, good to know the pattern to expect
HealthTap member
Thank you , I know it has to do with my sinuses , my mucus is bright green and my chest is congested
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Illinois College of Medicine, IL
Graduated 1986MD
Residency
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Awards
Top Doctor, Third Place, St. Louis Region, MO - Summer
2013
Top Ophthalmologist , First Place, Missouri - Summer
2013
Thought Leader, Third Place, Missouri - Spring
2014
Affiliations
American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Medical Assocation
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