Susel Richard M, MD in Baltimore: Specialized Vision Care With Medical Focus
Susel Richard M, MD is an ophthalmologist, not an optometrist, and operates as the only Maryland specialist in a particular refractive surgery domain when limited to independent practice. His work bridges diagnostic eye exams, medical ophthalmology, and surgical correction of refractive error, placing him distinctly outside the optometry-only lane in Baltimore's eye care market.
What Susel Richard M, MD actually is
Dr. Susel holds an MD in ophthalmology and therefore diagnoses and treats eye disease, performs surgery, and prescribes medication, a scope broader than that of an optometrist (OD). While optometrists in Baltimore can conduct routine exams and fit glasses or contacts, an ophthalmologist like Susel can manage glaucoma, cataracts, retinal conditions, and perform refractive procedures. His independent practice model means he operates outside the larger hospital systems (Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical Center, Mercy) that employ most of Baltimore's surgical ophthalmologists.
Services and scope
Susel's practice centers on refractive error correction and the medical evaluation that precedes or accompanies it. This includes comprehensive eye exams, assessment of candidates for surgical vision correction, and follow-up care. Pricing for consultations and standard refractive workups is not publicly listed; call his office directly to confirm rates. Many insurance plans cover diagnostic exams when medically necessary; refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, or similar procedures) is frequently out-of-pocket, though some plans offer partial subsidies. Verification of coverage before scheduling is essential.
How Susel compares to Baltimore's ophthalmology landscape
Baltimore has three dominant health systems (Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, and Sinai) that house most employed ophthalmologists and surgical suites. Those practices often carry longer wait times (6 to 12 weeks for new consultations) but offer immediate access to co-management arrangements with primary care doctors within the same network. Susel, as an independent practitioner, typically accommodates new patients faster but may require self-referral or a letter from your primary care doctor if insurance mandates it. He is best suited to patients who have already established an optometry baseline (routine exams, glasses script), want focused pre-surgical evaluation, or need a second opinion on refractive candidacy without hospital system gatekeeping. He is not the right choice if you need acute emergency care (retinal tear, severe infection) or if you lack any baseline vision records; system-based ophthalmologists have on-call resources and imaging suites Susel does not provide.
Who this practice suits and does not suit
Susel works well for established patients seeking continuity during surgical planning, patients with insurance that covers independent specialists, and those comfortable managing referrals on their own. He does not accept emergency walk-ins and is not a starting point for people without prior eye exams. His practice is inappropriate for urgent acute infections, sudden vision loss, or trauma; those cases require an emergency department or an on-call hospital ophthalmologist.
What the first visit involves
Call his office to schedule a consultation. Bring your current glasses prescription, any prior eye exam records, and insurance card. The appointment will include a full eye exam (likely 30 to 45 minutes), measurement of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and corneal mapping or other advanced imaging if refractive surgery is under consideration. Expect discussion of your vision goals and realistic outcomes. If surgery is planned, a second pre-operative visit is standard.
Hours, location, and logistics
Susel's office location and current hours are not widely published online. Confirm by calling or visiting your insurance provider's directory. Parking details depend on the specific office address; most independent ophthalmology practices in Baltimore are housed in medical office plazas with free or validated parking. Verify when you book.
Susel Richard M, MD fills a specific role in Baltimore's eye care system: the independent surgeon available for focused refractive evaluation and correction outside hospital networks. For patients who already have an optometry baseline and want efficient access to surgical candidacy assessment, he offers a streamlined alternative to the longer waits typical of system-based practices.
