Leon W. Herndon Jr., MD
Glaucoma Specialist, Ophthalmologist
My Locations
About Me
I am a native North Carolinian, having grown up in Raleigh, NC. I went to UNC-Chapel Hill for my undergraduate degree in Biology and attended Medical School there as well. I remained at UNC to complete my residency in Ophthalmology. I then came to the school with a deeper shade of blue to complete my fellowship year in Glaucoma and joined the faculty at the Duke Eye Center in July of 1996. I knew I wanted to be an eye doctor in 9th grade when I received my first pair of glasses. I could see clearly now, and I decided to dedicate my life to helping others improve and/or maintain their vision. My approach with patients is to put them at ease, as often they are concerned about going blind. I give them an opportunity to share with me their concerns, then I make recommendations based on the best available literature and my personal experience.
- Professor of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, Glaucoma 2013
- Chief, Glaucoma Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, Glaucoma 2015
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
- Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery
- Cataract Surgery
- Glaucoma
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
In the News
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Clinical Focus and Research
My clinical and research interests involve the medical and surgical management of glaucoma, especially innovative approaches to surgical options. I also place a special emphasis on combined cataract and glaucoma surgery. We are looking to find safer and less invasive glaucoma surgical procedures that will allow for quicker recovery for patients. I also continue to be involved in research projects in West Africa.
- Malone, Paula E., Leon W. Herndon, Kelly W. Muir, and Glenn J. Jaffe. “Combined fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal insertion and glaucoma drainage device placement for chronic uveitis and glaucoma.” Am J Ophthalmol 149, no. 5 (May 2010): 800-6.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2009.12.009.
- Gedde, Steven J., Joyce C. Schiffman, William J. Feuer, Leon W. Herndon, James D. Brandt, Donald L. Budenz, and Tube Versus Trabeculectomy Study Group. “Three-year follow-up of the tube versus trabeculectomy study.” Am J Ophthalmol 148, no. 5 (November 2009): 670–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2009.06.018.
- Muir, Kelly W., Cecilia Santiago-Turla, Sandra S. Stinnett, Leon W. Herndon, R Rand Allingham, Pratap Challa, and Paul P. Lee. “Glaucoma patients' trust in the physician.” J Ophthalmol 2009 (2009): 476726. https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/476726.
- Herndon, L. W. “The Role of the Cornea in Managing Glaucoma.” In Chandler and Grants Glaucoma Sixth Edition, 705–11, 2024.
- Mathenge, E., and L. W. Herndon. “IOP: Corneal hysteresis.” In Pearls of Glaucoma Management Second Edition, 109–13, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-49042-6_11.
- Marzette, L. A., and L. W. Herndon. “Glaucoma risk factors: The cornea.” In Clinical Glaucoma Care the Essentials, 29–43, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4172-4_3.
- Vin, Anita, Joanne C. Wen, Sandra Stinnett, and Leon W. Herndon. “The effect of scheduled ripcord removal on the outcomes of Baerveldt 350 implants.” In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 56. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, 2015.
- Rothman, Adam L., Neil A. Delwadia, Raju Sarwal, Sandra S. Stinnett, Paul P. Lee, Leon W. Herndon, and Pratap Challa. “A Comparison of Topical Steroids Versus Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs after Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty.” In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 55. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, 2014.
- Rao, Veena, Joseph Christenbury, Paul P. Lee, Leon W. Herndon, and Pratap Challa. “Simultaneous Implantation of Two Glaucoma Drainage Devices for Uncontrolled Advanced Glaucoma.” In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 55. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, 2014.
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
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- UHC Community Plan
- 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
- Allergan
- Balance Ophthalmics
- Glaukos Corporation
- Iantrek
- Myra
- New World Medical, Inc
- Ocular Therapeutix Inc.
- Sight Sciences
Great Service. They made me feel like I was a friend.
My glaucoma is stable because of Dr. Herndon's medical skills.
He is GREAT!
Knowledgeable and understanding.
Questions are answered in detail.
Very caring
Dr Herndon is the best
Friendly, knowledgeable and caring!