These are profiles, not rankings or recommendations. When an institution describes itself, we quote or attribute the claim rather than restate it as fact. We're not affiliated with any of them, and we only include institutions where we found an official ophthalmology page.
At a glance
| Institution | Patients | Eye services listed | Location in our research |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emory Eye Center | Emory University's Department of Ophthalmology | 11 clinical specialties | 1365 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta (per a third-party directory) |
| Grady Memorial Hospital | Grady Health System | Eye care, eye exams, orbital and oculoplastic surgery, cataract, astigmatism and CMV retinitis treatment | Correll Pavilion (per a physician profile) |
| Children's Healthcare of Atlanta | Children from infancy to age 18 | Eye muscle disorders, tear duct and eyelid problems, pediatric cataracts | Not in our research |
| Atlanta VA Medical Center | Veterans | Glaucoma and eye infection care, cataract and eye injury surgery, Tele-Eye, TECS | 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033 |
| Tucker VA Clinic | Veterans | Eye clinic, optical shop, low vision and blind rehabilitation | Ophthalmology Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Emory Eye Center
Emory Eye Center is Emory University's Department of Ophthalmology. On its education pages, Emory describes itself this way:
the only tertiary referral ophthalmology center in a city of more than 6 million
Emory Eye Center, describing itself
That is Emory's own description, and we haven't independently verified it. In plain terms, a tertiary referral center positions itself as a place other eye doctors send patients to.
Emory's own numbers
Emory publishes these figures on its department page without a date. Treat them as Emory's description of itself rather than current, independently checked data.
Emory's 11 clinical specialties
- Comprehensive ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Cataract, cornea and external disease
- Glaucoma
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Ocular oncology and pathology
- Oculoplastics
- Pediatric ophthalmology
- Vitreoretinal surgery and medical retina
- Ophthalmic genetics
- Uveitis and vasculitis
Source: Emory's clinical specialties page. A third-party directory listing on Healthgrades gives Emory Eye Center's address as 1365 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta. Emory's visit figures cover all its locations, so confirm with Emory where your appointment will be.
Grady Memorial Hospital
Grady Health System's specialty care page lists eye care and eye exams, orbital and oculoplastic surgery, and treatment for cataract, astigmatism and CMV retinitis.
Grady also trains ophthalmologists. Its physician profile for the Associate Chief of Ophthalmology describes him as director of the ophthalmology residency program, practicing at Correll Pavilion. The same physician has been on Emory Eye Center's glaucoma faculty since 2013, according to Emory Healthcare's provider profile. We mention this to show how academic and hospital eye care in Atlanta connect, not to recommend any doctor.
At any teaching hospital, it's reasonable to ask who will be on your care team and which building your visit is in.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Ophthalmology Program has pediatric ophthalmologists who treat children from infancy to age 18. The conditions it lists include eye muscle disorders, tear duct problems, eyelid problems and pediatric cataracts.
Children's says it was the first facility in Georgia with Level 1 Children's Surgery Verification. That is the hospital's own statement.
Emory Eye Center also lists pediatric ophthalmology among its 11 specialties. Which setting suits a particular child is a conversation for the child's pediatrician or referring eye doctor. If your child has PeachCare or Medicaid, our coverage guide explains how Georgia Families plans help with specialist referrals.
Atlanta VA: Decatur medical center and Tucker clinic
The Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center is at 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033. Its listed eye services include medical care for glaucoma and eye infections, surgery for cataracts and eye injuries, Tele-Eye, and the Technology Eye-Care System (TECS).
Tucker VA Clinic
The Tucker VA Clinic has an eye clinic, an optical shop, and low vision and blind rehabilitation. Its ophthalmology hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinic's page lists 404.321.6111 as the main phone number for the VA hospital.
The VA names Tele-Eye and TECS on its medical center page. Our research doesn't describe how each program works, so ask the VA what they involve and whether they apply to you.
Getting there: what we haven't verified
We haven't yet verified MARTA, shuttle or parking details for the Emory and Clifton Road area, Grady in Downtown Atlanta, or the VA on Clairmont Road. Ask about transit and parking when you book, and confirm the exact building for your appointment.
Questions to bring to your referring doctor
- Does my referral point to a specific subspecialty, such as glaucoma, retina or oculoplastics?
- Is this something to see a hospital or academic center for, or can a private practice handle it?
- For a child: is a pediatric ophthalmologist the right fit?
- For a veteran: should this go through VA care?
- Will my plan cover this setting, and do I need a referral first?
What about other Atlanta hospitals?
Other hospital systems in metro Atlanta may offer eye services. We only profile institutions where we found an official ophthalmology page, and we'll add more once we confirm them. Whichever setting you choose, run the license and ABO checks on the doctor you'll see.
Frequently asked questions
Is Emory Eye Center really the only tertiary referral eye center in Atlanta?
That is Emory's own description: it calls itself the only tertiary referral ophthalmology center in a city of more than 6 million. We haven't independently verified it.
What eye services does Grady list?
Grady's specialty care page lists eye care, eye exams, orbital and oculoplastic surgery, and treatment for cataract, astigmatism and CMV retinitis.
Up to what age does Children's Healthcare of Atlanta see eye patients?
Its ophthalmology program says its pediatric ophthalmologists treat children from infancy to age 18.
Where does the Atlanta VA provide eye care?
The Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center is at 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033. The Tucker VA Clinic also has an eye clinic, with ophthalmology hours Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How do I get to these hospitals by MARTA?
We haven't verified transit, shuttle or parking details yet. Ask the institution when you book.
Do I need a referral to see a specialist at these centers?
That depends on your coverage. Our coverage guide explains what we've verified for Georgia Families Medicaid and PeachCare. For other plans, ask your insurer and the institution.
Sources
- Department of Ophthalmology — Emory University School of Medicine
- Clinical Specialties — Emory University School of Medicine
- Ophthalmic Education — Emory University School of Medicine
- Emory Eye Center directory listing — Healthgrades
- Specialty Care — Grady Health System
- Physician profile, Associate Chief of Ophthalmology — Grady Health System
- Provider profile — Emory Healthcare
- Ophthalmology Program — Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
- Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Tucker VA Clinic — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs