Compare 117 ophthalmologists in Richmond, VA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
117
Ophthalmologists
100%
Accepting patients
85%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Richmond punches above its weight as a healthcare city. VCU Medical Center is the academic anchor, a Level I trauma center that serves as the safety net for central Virginia. Bon Secours and HCA compete aggressively across the suburbs, giving patients genuine system-level choices. The healthcare corridor along Broad Street packs more hospital beds per mile than most cities twice Richmond's size.
Richmond has 117 ophthalmologists. The most common credential is MD (85%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including The Fan District, Carytown, Church Hill, and Scott's Addition.
VCU Medical Center sits in the heart of downtown, walkable from the Fan District and accessible via Pulse bus rapid transit. Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital is on the south side along Bremo Road, while HCA's Henrico Doctors' Hospital covers the west end and northern suburbs. Chippenham Hospital (HCA) serves south Richmond and Chesterfield County. The city's relatively compact size keeps most specialist appointments within a 20-minute drive.
Nearby hospitals include VCU Medical Center, Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, and HCA Henrico Doctors' Hospital. Local training programs run through Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and University of Richmond. VCU Medical Center is a Level I trauma center and the primary academic medical center for central Virginia.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is the dominant carrier for both commercial and Medicaid managed care plans. Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare are common in employer-sponsored coverage. Virginia Medicaid runs through Medallion 4.0 managed care, with Anthem HealthKeepers, Aetna Better Health, Molina, and Virginia Premier as the main options in the Richmond area. 59% 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.
New patient wait times for VCU primary care clinics average two to three weeks. Bon Secours and HCA clinics in the suburbs tend to have shorter waits. Bring your insurance card and any referral documents to your first visit.
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
Richmond, VA has 117 licensed ophthalmologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of ophthalmologists in Richmond, VA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield dominates the Virginia market, followed by Cigna and Aetna for employer-sponsored plans. Virginia's Medicaid expansion in 2019 significantly increased coverage, and most Richmond providers accept Medallion 4.0 managed care plans through Anthem, Aetna, Molina, and Virginia Premier.
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 Richmond, VA 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.
Richmond has three competing hospital systems, which gives patients real leverage when choosing providers. VCU handles the most complex cases and serves as the default referral center for central Virginia. Bon Secours and HCA both operate extensive primary care and specialist networks in the suburbs.
59% of ophthalmologists in Richmond, VA 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 Richmond, VA accept Virginia Medicaid, 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 Virginia Medicaid participation before scheduling.
RBHA is the city's public community services board, providing mental health, substance use, and intellectual disability services regardless of ability to pay. It operates crisis services, outpatient clinics, and residential programs across the city.
No. While VCU is the regional referral center for trauma and complex subspecialty care, it also operates primary care clinics, family medicine practices, and routine specialty services open to all patients.
Top accepted carriers in Richmond, VA include anthem, unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-44228, 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.