Ophthalmologists in Sacramento, CA
Compare 141 ophthalmologists in Sacramento, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
141
Ophthalmologists
100%
Accepting patients
83%
Most common: MD
Top-Rated Ophthalmologists in Sacramento, CA
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Specialty: ophthalmologistState: CACity: Sacramento
About ophthalmologists in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento is California's capital and its quiet healthcare anchor for the Central Valley. UC Davis Medical Center gives the region academic-caliber care, while Sutter, Dignity Health, and Kaiser form a competitive triad that keeps the metro well-served. It's a city where you can see a specialist without the wait times or costs of the Bay Area.
Sacramento has 141 ophthalmologists. The most common credential is MD (83%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Sacramento's grid layout makes healthcare navigation simpler than in most California metros. The medical corridor along Stockton Boulevard near UC Davis Medical Center is the densest provider zone. Sutter Medical Center sits in Midtown, and Mercy General anchors the Arden-Arcade area off Highway 50. Suburban patients in Elk Grove, Roseville, and Folsom have satellite facilities from all three major systems.
Providers practice throughout Sacramento. Midtown is a walkable grid with Sutter Medical Center and numerous specialist offices along J and K Streets. East Sacramento is a tree-lined residential area with family practices and close proximity to UC Davis Medical Center. Land Park is a central neighborhood near Sutter and Mercy hospitals, popular with families. Natomas is a newer suburban area in north Sacramento with Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health outpatient centers.
Nearby hospitals include UC Davis Medical Center, Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, and Mercy General Hospital. Local training programs run through University of California, Davis (nearby) and California State University, Sacramento. Sacramento is home to the UC Davis Medical Center, a Level I trauma center and academic medical hub.
What to expect at your first ophthalmologist visit in Sacramento, CA
The first visit includes a comprehensive eye exam with dilation, detailed imaging of your retina and optic nerve, and a review of your symptoms and medical history. The ophthalmologist will explain their findings, discuss treatment options (including whether surgery is indicated), and outline next steps. Plan for two to three hours total because of dilation and imaging.
Tips for Sacramento, CA patients
If you're moving to Sacramento from the Bay Area, you'll find it easier to get a new-patient appointment here. Most primary care practices are accepting patients. The UC Davis system is the go-to for complex or rare conditions, while Sutter and Kaiser handle the bulk of routine care.
When to see a ophthalmologist
See an ophthalmologist for cataracts, glaucoma requiring surgery or advanced management, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal tears or detachment, eye injuries, LASIK evaluation, eyelid problems, crossed eyes in children, or any eye condition your optometrist has referred you for. You should also see one if you have a systemic disease (diabetes, autoimmune conditions) that affects the eyes.
Typical costs
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Cataract surgery: $3,000-5,000 per eye · LASIK: $2,000-3,000 per eye · Retinal imaging: $50-200
Frequently asked questions about ophthalmologists in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, CA has 141 licensed ophthalmologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of ophthalmologists in Sacramento, CA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Sacramento employers commonly offer Kaiser, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Sutter Health Plus (a regional HMO). Medi-Cal managed care in Sacramento County runs through Anthem, Molina, and Health Net. Covered California has broad plan availability here, with competitive pricing compared to Bay Area markets.
An office visit copay is $30 to $75. Cataract surgery costs $3,000 to $5,000 per eye. LASIK runs $2,000 to $3,000 per eye. Retinal imaging costs $50 to $200. Actual costs in Sacramento, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Medical eye conditions (cataracts, glaucoma) are billed to medical insurance. Routine refraction for glasses is billed to vision insurance. LASIK is typically self-pay. Verify which insurance applies to your visit type.
Sacramento has four major healthcare systems: UC Davis Health (academic, Level I trauma), Sutter Health (largest by market share, multiple campuses), Dignity Health/CommonSpirit (Mercy General and Mercy hospitals), and Kaiser Permanente (closed network with facilities in several Sacramento neighborhoods). Choosing one system for primary care and specialists keeps your records in one place.
71% of ophthalmologists in Sacramento, CA accept Medicare. Medicare covers eye exams for conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Cataract surgery is covered. Routine vision exams for glasses prescriptions are not covered under Original Medicare. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some ophthalmologists in Sacramento, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers medically necessary eye care in all states. Coverage for routine vision exams and glasses varies by state. Children have broader coverage than adults. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
Generally, yes. Provider fees, copays for non-Kaiser plans, and out-of-pocket costs tend to be 15-25% lower in Sacramento than in San Francisco or San Jose. Housing costs for healthcare workers are also lower, which supports a more stable provider workforce.
UC Davis Medical Center is the region's only Level I trauma center and the destination for the most serious injuries and complex emergencies. For standard ER visits, Sutter Medical Center in Midtown, Mercy General in Arden-Arcade, and Kaiser South Sacramento all have emergency departments.
Nearby Cities
Other specialties in Sacramento
Insurance & Ophthalmologist coverage
Top accepted carriers in Sacramento, CA include medicare, unitedhealthcare, qhp-56707, qhp-33602, and qhp-87571.
Medical insurance covers ophthalmology visits for eye diseases and conditions (glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic eye exams). Vision insurance covers routine refraction and glasses prescriptions. LASIK is typically not covered by either. Cataract surgery is covered by medical insurance. Verify in-network status and whether pre-authorization is needed for surgery or diagnostic imaging.