Robin R. Vann, MD
Ophthalmologist
My Locations
About Me
I am a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist who specializes in patients with cataracts and cataract surgery related problems. When it comes to treating patients, I like to have a clear understanding of their problems and expectations so that I can explain what I can reasonably do for them. Seeing the satisfaction of a happy patient after successful cataract surgery is my favorite part of my job. I have always enjoyed working and interacting with people and feeling like I can improve their lives. I enjoy being in a scientific field and the optics, anatomy and skills required to become an ophthalmologist drew my interest after my grandfather underwent cataract surgery while I was a teenager. Outside of work I enjoy running, cycling, triathlons and ballroom dancing.
- Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, Comprehensive Ophthalmology 2021
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
- Cataract 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
- Raufi, Nikolas, Charlene James, Anthony Kuo, and Robin Vann. “Intraoperative aberrometry vs modern preoperative formulas in predicting intraocular lens power.” J Cataract Refract Surg 46, no. 6 (June 2020): 857–61. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000173.
- Henderson, Bonnie An, Jaime Aramberri, Robin Vann, Adi Abulafia, Margaret Ainslie-Garcia, John Berdahl, Nicole Ferko, et al. “The Current Burden and Future Solutions for Preoperative Cataract-Refractive Evaluation Diagnostic Devices: A Modified Delphi Study.” Clin Ophthalmol 17 (2023): 2109–24. https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S412847.
- Choi, Jin A., Rupalatha Maddala, Shruthi Karnam, Nikolai P. Skiba, Robin Vann, Pratap Challa, and Ponugoti Vasantha Rao. “Role of vasorin, an anti-apoptotic, anti-TGF-β and hypoxia-induced glycoprotein in the trabecular meshwork cells and glaucoma.” J Cell Mol Med 26, no. 7 (April 2022): 2063–75. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.17229.
- Berdahl, J. P., and R. R. Vann. “CATARACT SURGERY PREOPERATIVE EVALUATION.” In Second Edition: Essentials of Cataract Surgery, 9–24, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003524038-2.
- Vann, R. R. “HOW DO I PICK THE RIGHT INTRAOCULAR LENS FORMULA FOR MY PATIENT WITH A LONGER OR SHORTER THAN AVERAGE EYE?” In Curbside Consultation in Cataract Surgery: 49 Clinical Questions, 35–37, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003523482-9.
- Ho, Leona, Pratap Challa, Robin Vann, Christoph Ullmer, and Vasanth Rao. “Elevated Levels of GDF-15 in Aqueous Humor Are Positively Correlated with Increased Intraocular Pressure in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients.” In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 60. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, 2019.
- McNabb, Ryan P., Alice Liu, Sidney Gospe, Mays El-Dairi, Charlene James, Robin Vann, Joseph A. Izatt, and Anthony N. Kuo. “True retinal topography: quantitative curvature maps of the retina using OCT.” In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 60. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, 2019.
- Ho, Leona, Anja Osterwald, Solveig Badillo, Iris Ruf, Pratap Challa, Robin Vann, Vasanth Rao, and Christoph Ullmer. “Dysregulation of the Autotaxin/LPA Signaling Axis in the Aqueous Humor of Human Glaucoma Patients.” In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 59. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, 2018.
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
- Expert opinion MD