Ophthalmology
Medical and surgical eye care from board-certified ophthalmologists with transparent procedure and exam pricing
Ophthalmology is the specialty focused on medical and surgical eye care from board-certified ophthalmologists with transparent procedure and exam pricing. OpenDoc separates it into focused subspecialty paths so patients can start in the right care lane before they book. Transparent pricing on this page currently ranges from $50 to $2,000 across 31 common visit types. Over 24 million Americans have cataracts and 3 million have glaucoma, yet many delay treatment due to unclear costs and referral bottlenecks. OpenDoc gives patients direct access to fellowship-trained ophthalmologists across 6 subspecialties with cash-pay pricing starting at $100 for comprehensive eye exams, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment of conditions that can cause irreversible vision loss.
Common services and transparent pricing
Pricing estimates are modeled from the current OpenDoc specialty taxonomy, visit archetypes, and transparent cash-pay assumptions. Posted provider pricing should be treated as the source of truth whenever it is available. Pricing last reviewed April 8, 2026.
- Comprehensive eye exam — $100–$250: Comprehensive eye exam is a common ophthalmology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- OCT scan (optical coherence tomography) — $50–$150: OCT scan (optical coherence tomography) is a common ophthalmology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Visual field test (Humphrey) — $50–$150: Visual field test (Humphrey) is a diagnostic ophthalmology service used to clarify the condition before treatment decisions are made.
- Cataract evaluation — $150–$300: Cataract evaluation is a common ophthalmology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- LASIK / refractive surgery consultation — $100–$250: LASIK / refractive surgery consultation is a common ophthalmology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Retinal imaging (fundus photography) — $50–$125: Retinal imaging (fundus photography) is a common ophthalmology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Fluorescein angiography — $150–$400: Fluorescein angiography is a common ophthalmology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Intravitreal injection (anti-VEGF) — $500–$2000: Intravitreal injection (anti-VEGF) is a procedure-oriented ophthalmology service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Laser treatment (retinal photocoagulation) — $400–$1200: Laser treatment (retinal photocoagulation) is a procedure-oriented ophthalmology service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for glaucoma — $400–$1000: Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for glaucoma is a procedure-oriented ophthalmology service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- YAG laser capsulotomy — $300–$800: YAG laser capsulotomy is a procedure-oriented ophthalmology service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Corneal topography — $75–$200: Corneal topography is a common ophthalmology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an eye exam cost without insurance?
A comprehensive medical eye exam with an ophthalmologist costs $100 to $250 cash-pay. This includes visual acuity testing, refraction, intraocular pressure measurement, slit-lamp examination, and dilated fundus exam. Additional diagnostic tests like OCT or visual fields are typically $50 to $150 each.
What is the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who completed a 4-year residency in eye surgery and medicine after medical school. They perform surgery, treat all eye diseases, and prescribe glasses. An optometrist (OD) completed a 4-year optometry program and provides eye exams, prescribes lenses, and manages some eye conditions. For surgical or complex medical eye conditions, an ophthalmologist is required.
How much does cataract surgery cost with cash pay?
Standard cataract surgery with a basic intraocular lens costs $2,500 to $5,000 per eye at ambulatory surgery centers. Premium lens implants (multifocal, toric) add $1,000 to $3,000 per eye. Cash-pay cataract surgery at dedicated eye surgery centers is often 50-70% less than hospital pricing for the same procedure.
How much does a LASIK consultation cost?
A LASIK consultation costs $100 to $250 cash-pay and includes comprehensive corneal mapping, topography, and candidacy assessment. Many practices apply the consultation fee toward the LASIK procedure cost if you proceed. LASIK itself typically costs $2,000 to $3,500 per eye cash-pay.
Do I need a referral to see an ophthalmologist?
No referral is needed on OpenDoc. You can search directly for a general ophthalmologist or a fellowship-trained subspecialist. If you have a specific concern like flashes and floaters (retina), elevated eye pressure (glaucoma), or drooping eyelid (oculoplastics), booking with the appropriate subspecialist can streamline your care.
How often should I get my eyes checked?
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a baseline comprehensive eye exam at age 40, then every 1-2 years after age 65. Patients with diabetes, glaucoma, or a family history of eye disease should have annual exams. African Americans are at higher risk for glaucoma and should begin screening by age 40.
What are anti-VEGF injections and how much do they cost?
Anti-VEGF injections (Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea) are medications injected into the eye to treat wet macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusions. Cash-pay costs range from $500 to $2,000 per injection depending on the drug. Avastin (bevacizumab) is the most affordable option at $50 to $200 for the drug itself.
How much does glaucoma treatment cost without insurance?
Glaucoma management includes regular monitoring visits ($100-$200 each), OCT scans ($50-$150), visual fields ($50-$150), and eye drops ($20-$200/month depending on medication). Laser procedures (SLT) cost $400 to $1,000 and can reduce or eliminate the need for daily eye drops. Surgical options range from $3,000 to $8,000 per eye.