What does an ophthalmologist (eye doctor, MD) do?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who treats eye diseases and performs eye surgery. They also prescribe glasses and contact lenses.
Last updated November 11, 2026
Find ophthalmologists (eye doctors, MD) near you
When people see one
- Cataracts (a clouding of the lens)
- Glaucoma or another eye disease found at an eye exam
- Sudden vision loss, flashes of light, or new floaters
- Diabetes, which can damage the retina and needs regular eye checks
How it differs
Optometrist: An optometrist does eye exams, prescribes glasses and contacts, and treats many common eye conditions. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who also does eye surgery.
On 2027 Colorado plans
Do you need a referral? On some plans. 37 of the 148 2027 plans need a referral from your primary care provider to see a specialist: Kaiser Permanente's 29 plans (you may self-refer to certain specialists) and Denver Health (Elevate)'s 8 plans (self-referral allowed for OB-GYN and outpatient mental health care). The other 111 don't, according to each plan's 2027 summary of benefits. Confirm in the plan's summary of benefits.
What a visit costs (the plan's filed "Specialist Visit" benefit, in network, before any extra savings on silver plans):
- Bronze: $100 to $140 a visit on 10 of 56 plans; on the other 46, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Silver: $50 to $90 a visit on 44 of 58 plans; on the other 14, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Gold: $50 to $90 a visit on 26 of 30 plans; on the other 4, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
In-network care costs less. Out-of-network visits on an HMO or EPO usually aren't covered except in an emergency.
In Colorado
Public records list 410 ophthalmologists (eye doctors, MD) at 187 Colorado locations.
- Denver County: 30 locations
- Arapahoe County: 24 locations
- El Paso County: 19 locations
- Boulder County: 16 locations
- Larimer County: 15 locations
- Douglas County: 14 locations
Counties with the fewest: Yuma (1), Teller (1), San Miguel (1), Routt (1), Rio Grande (1). 36 counties have none.
Questions to ask the office
- Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
- Which 2027 plans and network names do you take?
- Is a routine eye exam covered the same way as a visit for an eye problem?
- Is the office part of a hospital? Hospital-owned clinics can add a facility fee.