Compare 19 ophthalmologists in Boulder, CO. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
19
Ophthalmologists
100%
Accepting patients
95%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Boulder is a small city with an outsized focus on wellness, integrative medicine, and prevention. The healthcare culture here reflects the community itself: active, health-literate, and willing to blend conventional medicine with naturopathic and functional approaches. Boulder Community Health anchors the system, but much of the care here comes from independent practices.
Boulder has 19 ophthalmologists. The most common credential is MD (95%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital is the city's only acute care hospital, located on the north side of town along Arapahoe Avenue. Most medical offices line Broadway, Arapahoe, and the 28th Street corridor. For complex specialty care, many Boulder residents commute to the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, roughly 45 minutes east on Highway 36 and I-25.
Providers practice throughout Boulder. Pearl Street is downtown Boulder's main corridor with integrative medicine practices, wellness clinics, and walking access to Boulder Community Health. University Hill is adjacent to CU Boulder, with student health services and Wardenburg Health Center serving the campus population. North Boulder is a residential area with family practices along Broadway and proximity to Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital. South Boulder is table Mesa and South Boulder Road corridors have established medical offices near the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Nearby hospitals include Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital, and UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital (nearby Longmont). Local training programs run through University of Colorado Boulder and Naropa University. Boulder County consistently ranks among the healthiest counties in the US, with high rates of physical activity and low obesity rates.
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.
Many Boulder primary care providers offer longer appointment times than the national average. If you are coming from a larger city, you may notice a more conversational style of care. Bring any records from previous providers, since practices here often coordinate through fax rather than shared EHR systems.
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.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Cataract surgery: $3,000-5,000 per eye · LASIK: $2,000-3,000 per eye · Retinal imaging: $50-200
Boulder, CO has 19 licensed ophthalmologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of ophthalmologists in Boulder, CO are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Boulder County residents can enroll through Connect for Health Colorado. Anthem, Cigna, and Kaiser Permanente offer plans in the area, though Kaiser's closed network may require travel to Denver or Longmont for some services. Many Boulder practitioners also accept direct-pay patients, and concierge medicine practices are more common here than in most comparably sized cities.
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 Boulder, CO 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.
Boulder's provider mix is weighted toward primary care, integrative medicine, and sports medicine. For complex specialty care or surgery, most patients are referred to the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora or to hospitals in Longmont or Louisville. Boulder Community Health covers most routine and emergency needs locally.
89% of ophthalmologists in Boulder, CO 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 Boulder, CO accept Health First Colorado, 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 Health First Colorado participation before scheduling.
Yes. Boulder has one of the highest concentrations of naturopathic, functional, and integrative medicine practitioners in Colorado. Many are licensed NDs or MDs who blend conventional and complementary approaches. Check whether your insurance covers these visits, as coverage varies widely by plan.
Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital handles many surgical procedures locally. For complex cases, oncology, or subspecialty care, most patients are referred to the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Good Samaritan in Lafayette, or Longmont United Hospital.
Top accepted carriers in Boulder, CO include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-68781, qhp-56707, and centene.
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.