Top 5 Eye Doctors in Aqaba 2026

When do you need an eye doctor?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats eye disease, corrects vision and performs eye surgery, including operations on the retina and cornea. Common reasons people book include:

• a full eye and vision examination, or new glasses or contact lenses
• dry, gritty or tired eyes, which can be worse in dusty, windy or air-conditioned settings
• gradually cloudy or dim vision, glare at night or faded colours, which can be signs of cataract (المياه البيضاء)
• eye pressure checks for glaucoma, especially if you are over 40 or have a close relative with glaucoma
• retinal screening if you have diabetes, usually once a year or as your doctor advises, even when your sight seems fine
• frequent headaches with eye strain, or new floaters (small spots or threads drifting across your vision)

In a sunny place like Aqaba, general advice from major eye bodies is to wear sunglasses that block UV light. Swimmers should never wear contact lenses in sea or pool water.

Warning signs that need urgent care

Seek emergency help the same day, and call 911 if needed, for:

• sudden loss or blurring of vision in one or both eyes
• a curtain or shadow moving across your vision, or a sudden shower of new floaters or flashes of light
• severe eye pain, especially with headache, nausea, vomiting or coloured halos around lights
• a chemical splash. Rinse the eye with plenty of clean water straight away, then get urgent care
• an object stuck in the eye or a cut to the eye. Do not rub it or try to remove it yourself
• a painful red eye if you wear contact lenses, or a red eye with reduced vision

How to choose among the doctors here

All five listed ophthalmologists give Downtown Aqaba as their location, so the practical differences lie mainly in focus, hours and insurance.

• Match the profile to your concern. Three listed doctors work at the Surgical Eye Center, and each lists a different focus. Dr. Abdullah Zureik lists retina, cataract and vitreoretinal surgery. Dr. Omar Ahmad Saleh lists retinal disease and uveitis. Dr. Muhammad Zureik lists cornea, retina and laser vision correction. For dry or red eyes, Dr. Amer Kamal Fakhoury publishes those services directly. Dr. Raed Al Shreideh describes vision examination, assessment and follow-up.
• Check the hours against your routine. Two clinics open mainly in the evening from Saturday to Wednesday, plus Thursday morning. The Surgical Eye Center lists daytime hours through to the evening on most days. If you need drops that widen your pupils, choose a time when someone can drive you home.
• Think about follow-up. Cataract care, glaucoma monitoring and diabetic eye disease often involve repeat visits, so a convenient location and clear hours matter.
• Remember what the ranking means. The order reflects how complete each profile is, not treatment results. If you are looking for the best eye doctors in Aqaba for your own problem, the right choice depends on what you need, and only an examination can decide which treatment, if any, suits you.

What to expect at the first visit

A first eye visit usually starts with a history of your symptoms. The doctor or staff will then test your vision and examine the front and back of the eye. They may also check eye pressure. Some visits include drops that widen the pupil. These can blur your vision and make you sensitive to light for several hours.

What to bring

• your current glasses, and your contact lenses in their case if you wear them
• a list of all medicines, including eye drops and supplements
• previous eye reports, scans or prescriptions
• recent diabetes results or a doctor's letter, if you have diabetes
• your insurance card and ID
• sunglasses for the trip home, and a driver if dilation is likely

If you are asking about laser vision correction, ask the clinic in advance whether you should stop wearing contact lenses before the assessment, and for how long.

Questions worth asking

• What do you think is causing my symptoms, and what tests do I need?
• Is this condition likely to need treatment now, or monitoring?
• What are the options, risks and expected recovery for any procedure you suggest?
• When should I come back, and which symptoms mean I should return sooner?

Insurance, fees and booking: what to ask before the appointment

Dr. Amer Kamal Fakhoury and Dr. Raed Al Shreideh each list the same twelve insurers on their profiles, including several NatHealth-administered policies, MedGulf, MetLife Alico, MEICO and The Islamic Insurance Company. A listed insurer does not guarantee that your plan is covered. Whichever doctor you choose, ask:

• whether your exact policy and plan are accepted, and whether you need pre-approval or a referral
• what the consultation fee is, and whether tests such as scans or visual field checks are charged separately
• for procedures such as cataract or laser surgery, what an estimate includes and what insurance usually covers
• how follow-up visits are booked and charged

When booking, briefly describe the reason for your visit. Several profiles ask patients to confirm attendance and the examination or procedure they need, so the clinic can reserve the right time and equipment.

Getting there

All five profiles give Downtown Aqaba as their location, within Aqaba city. Residents of Al-Quwaira, Wadi Rum, Al-Disah or Wadi Araba should allow for the longer journey. Book a slot that leaves time to travel home in daylight if your pupils may be dilated. Do not plan to drive yourself after dilation.

For emergencies, call 911. Hospitals in the governorate include Prince Hashim bin Abdullah II Military Hospital, Aqaba Modern Hospital, the Islamic Hospital and Aqaba University Hospital. If you have an eye emergency, ask the emergency services where you should go.

Checklist before you book

• Decide what you need: a routine check, dry or red eyes, a cataract, retina or diabetic screening, or advice on vision correction
• Pick a doctor whose listed services or subspecialties match that need
• Confirm the clinic hours and choose a time when someone can drive you if needed
• Ask whether your insurer and plan are accepted, and whether you need pre-approval
• Ask for the consultation fee and the cost of any extra tests
• Gather your glasses, lenses, medicine list and previous reports
• Know the urgent warning signs, and call 911 rather than waiting for an appointment