Pratap Challa, MD
Glaucoma Specialist, Ophthalmologist
My Locations
About Me
- Professor of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, Glaucoma 2022
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
- Glaucoma
- Cataract Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery
Ratings and Reviews
The ratings and reviews are based on patient responses to the overall provider rating question from the survey. The question reads: “Using any number from 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst provider possible and 10 is the best provider possible, what number would you use to rate this provider?” Responses are converted to a 5-point rating system and applied consistently to all providers. Learn more about our survey process. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.
Training and Education
Clinical Focus and Research
- Role of Glypicans in Aqueous Humor Outflow, IOP and Glaucoma awarded by National Institutes of Health 2024 - 2028
- Assessment of intravitreal implant degradation over time awarded by Alcon Research 2024 - 2026
- Role of Septin Cytoskeleton in Trabecular Meshwork, IOP and Glaucoma awarded by BrightFocus Foundation 2023 - 2025
- Li, Guorong, Coralia Luna, Iris D. Navarro, David L. Epstein, Wei Huang, Pedro Gonzalez, and Pratap Challa. “Resveratrol prevention of oxidative stress damage to lens epithelial cell cultures is mediated by forkhead box O activity.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 52, no. 7 (June 21, 2011): 4395–4401. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.10-6652.
- Khan, Tanya T., Guorong Li, Iris D. Navarro, Rama D. Kastury, Carol J. Zeil, Taras M. Semchyshyn, Frank J. Moya, David L. Epstein, Pedro Gonzalez, and Pratap Challa. “LOXL1 expression in lens capsule tissue specimens from individuals with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and glaucoma.” Mol Vis 16 (November 2, 2010): 2236–41.
- Patel, Mrinali, Pratap Challa, and Natalie A. Afshari. “Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in a patient with four glaucoma tubes.” Ann Ophthalmol (Skokie) 42 Spec No (2010): 20–23.
- Challa, P. “Early Postoperative Increase in Intraocular Pressure.” In Glaucoma: Second Edition, 2:805–10, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7020-5193-7.00080-7.
- Challa, Pratap, and David L. Epstein. “Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors Systemic Use.” In CHANDLER AND GRANT’S GLAUCOMA, FIFTH EDITION, 159–64, 2013.
- Challa, Pratap, and David L. Epstein. “Adrenergic Agents Blockers and Agonists.” In CHANDLER AND GRANT’S GLAUCOMA, FIFTH EDITION, 133–47, 2013.
- Challa, Pratap, Rupalatha Maddala, Leona Ho, Shruthi Karnam, Anja Osterwald, Sandra S. Stinnett, Robin Vann, Christoph Ullmer, and Vasantha Rao. “Elevated levels of GDF-15 in both the Aqueous Humor and Serum of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients.” In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 62, 2021.
- Choi, Jin A., Shruthi Karnam, Nikolai Skiba, Rupalatha Maddala, Pratap Challa, Robin Vann, and Vasantha Rao. “Vasorin, an antagonist of TGF-β is decreased in glaucoma patients.” In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 62, 2021.
- Ethier, C Ross, Guorong Li, Chanyoung Lee, A Thomas Read, Ke Wang, Iris D. Navarro, Jenny Cui, et al. “Netarsudil (NT) restores trabecular meshwork (TM) function/stiffness and reduces IOP in steroid-induced ocular hypertension (OHT).” In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 61, 2020.
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Group Plans
- Duke Basic
- Duke Select
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- NC Medicaid Direct
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
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**Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.
External Relationships
- Alcon, Inc