Ophthalmologists in Tulsa, OK
Compare 52 ophthalmologists in Tulsa, OK. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
52
Ophthalmologists
100%
Accepting patients
58%
Most common: MD
Top-Rated Ophthalmologists in Tulsa, OK
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Specialty: ophthalmologistState: OKCity: Tulsa
About ophthalmologists in Tulsa, OK
Tulsa's healthcare runs on a two-system engine: Saint Francis Health System on the south side and Ascension St. John on the north, with Hillcrest filling the middle. The city's osteopathic medical school at OSU gives Tulsa an unusual strength in primary care training, and that pipeline keeps the region better staffed than much of rural Oklahoma.
Tulsa has 52 ophthalmologists. The most common credential is MD (58%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Cherry Street, Brookside, Blue Dome District, and Kendall-Whittier.
Saint Francis Hospital anchors the south Tulsa medical corridor along Yale Avenue, while Ascension St. John Medical Center serves the north side from its Utica Avenue campus. Hillcrest Medical Center sits near downtown, connecting midtown and the inner neighborhoods. Most specialty practices cluster within a few miles of these three hospitals. Tulsa's grid layout makes navigation straightforward, and drive times across the metro rarely exceed 25 minutes.
Nearby hospitals include Saint Francis Health System, Hillcrest Medical Center, and Ascension St. John Medical Center. Local training programs run through Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. Saint Francis Health System is the largest hospital in Oklahoma by bed count and a major employer in the Tulsa metro.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma is the largest commercial carrier. SoonerCare covers a significant share of the population following Medicaid expansion. CommunityCare, a Tulsa-based health plan affiliated with Saint Francis, is popular for employer groups. UnitedHealthcare and Aetna round out the employer-sponsored market. 67% accept Medicare.
What to expect at your first ophthalmologist visit in Tulsa, OK
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 Tulsa, OK patients
Most Tulsa primary care offices can schedule new patients within two weeks. OSU Medical Center and the OU-Tulsa clinic network both operate community-facing practices that accept a broad range of insurance.
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 Tulsa, OK
Tulsa, OK has 52 licensed ophthalmologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of ophthalmologists in Tulsa, OK are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) is the state's managed care program and is accepted at most major Tulsa hospitals and clinics. For marketplace plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma and CommunityCare are the primary carriers. Employer plans commonly feature BlueCross, UnitedHealthcare, or Aetna.
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 Tulsa, OK 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.
Tulsa is well-served compared to the rest of Oklahoma, but some specialties, particularly endocrinology and rheumatology, have limited availability. Saint Francis, Ascension St. John, and Hillcrest each run their own physician networks, so check which system your insurance favors.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Tulsa, OK, 58% hold the MD credential and 37% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
67% of ophthalmologists in Tulsa, OK 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.
SoonerCare is Oklahoma's Medicaid program, expanded in 2021 to cover adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Most Tulsa hospitals and a large portion of primary care and specialty providers accept it. You can apply through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority website.
Yes. Tulsa has a well-developed behavioral health network, including 12 & 12, DVIS, and the Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health. Many accept SoonerCare and offer outpatient and residential programs.
Nearby Cities
Other specialties in Tulsa
Insurance & Ophthalmologist coverage
Top accepted carriers in Tulsa, OK include unitedhealthcare, qhp-87571, medicare, qhp-58944, and qhp-98905.
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.