Compare 73 ophthalmologists in Raleigh, NC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
73
Ophthalmologists
100%
Accepting patients
95%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Raleigh benefits enormously from sitting at one corner of the Research Triangle. While Duke (in Durham) and UNC (in Chapel Hill) get more national attention, Raleigh itself has WakeMed, UNC REX, and a Duke Raleigh campus. Residents can access three separate university hospital systems within a 30-minute drive, a concentration of academic medicine that few metro areas can match.
Raleigh has 73 ophthalmologists. The most common credential is MD (95%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown Raleigh, North Hills, Five Points, and Cameron Village.
Raleigh's medical facilities are spread along the I-440 beltline and the US-70/I-40 corridor connecting to Durham and Chapel Hill. WakeMed's main campus is near downtown, while UNC REX sits near the western edge of the city. Duke Raleigh Hospital is off Wake Forest Road. The Triangle's highway network makes cross-city medical travel manageable, though there is no rail transit connecting the three cities yet.
Nearby hospitals include WakeMed Raleigh Campus, UNC REX Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital. Local training programs run through North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (nearby). The Research Triangle region (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) has one of the highest concentrations of medical researchers per capita in the US.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has the broadest provider network in the Triangle. UnitedHealthcare and Aetna are common through tech-sector employers. NC Medicaid is managed through WellCare, AmeriHealth Caritas, and Healthy Blue, with strong coverage at WakeMed and UNC facilities. The state employee health plan (covering NC government and university workers) is a major covered population here. 75% accept Medicare.
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.
You can see Duke, UNC, or WakeMed providers from Raleigh. For routine care, WakeMed and UNC REX are most convenient. For complex or academic cases, Duke and UNC Chapel Hill are worth the drive. Each system has its own patient portal.
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
Raleigh, NC has 73 licensed ophthalmologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of ophthalmologists in Raleigh, NC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is the dominant carrier. WakeMed, Duke, and UNC Health all participate in most BCBSNC plans, but network tiers can vary. NC Medicaid through WellCare and AmeriHealth Caritas is accepted at WakeMed and UNC REX.
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 Raleigh, NC 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.
Raleigh sits at the intersection of three hospital systems: WakeMed (local), UNC Health (Chapel Hill-based), and Duke Health (Durham-based). All three have facilities in or near Raleigh. Start with your insurance network to see which system is covered.
75% of ophthalmologists in Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC accept NC Medicaid (Healthy Opportunities), 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 NC Medicaid (Healthy Opportunities) participation before scheduling.
For routine care and emergencies, WakeMed and UNC REX in Raleigh are excellent and convenient. For specialized surgery, cancer treatment, or rare conditions, Duke University Hospital and UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill offer more subspecialty depth. The drive is typically 25 to 35 minutes.
Costs are comparable between the two cities. However, the Research Triangle's three competing hospital systems can give patients more options for in-network care, which may help with out-of-pocket costs if one system offers better rates through your insurer.
Top accepted carriers in Raleigh, NC include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-11512, cigna, and qhp-44228.
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.
MD
Raleigh, NC