Sidney M. Gospe III, MD, PhD
Not Accepting New Patients
For Returning Patients
Duke Health Provider question
I am passionate about translating new findings in the laboratory into ways to improve patient care.
– Sidney M. Gospe III, MD, PhD

Sidney M. Gospe III, MD, PhD

Neuro-ophthalmologist

Duke Health Provider question
Not Accepting New Patients
For Returning Patients
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
Where I See Patients
Duke Eye Center - Durham, NC
Board Certified
American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology
I am passionate about translating new findings in the laboratory into ways to improve patient care.
– Sidney M. Gospe III, MD, PhD

About Me

As a neuro-ophthalmology specialist, I am dedicated to providing high level care to patients suffering from conditions that affect neural pathways connecting the eyes and the brain, such as vision-threatening disorders of the optic nerve and double vision arising from diseases of cranial nerves or the orbit. Making a diagnosis often depends on piecing together clues from a thorough eye exam, ocular imaging studies performed in clinic, and neuro-imaging studies performed by Radiology. I enjoy the challenge of this specialty and providing individualized and multidisciplinary treatment strategies for my patients. In addition to my clinical work, I am involved in basic science research and clinical trials related to optic nerve disease, and I am passionate about translating new findings in the laboratory into ways to improve patient care. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, and following Duke basketball.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages I Speak
English

Call for an Appointment

Areas of Expertise

Ratings and Reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Learn more about our survey process. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.

Overall Provider Rating
4.81 out of 5
209 ratings, 26 reviews

Training and Education

Board Certification
American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology
Fellowship
Neuro-Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, 2017
Residency
Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, 2016
Education
MD, Duke University School of Medicine, 2012
PhD, Duke University, 2011

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

My research centers on developing mouse models of optic nerve diseases related to dysfunction of mitochondria, such as Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy and Dominant Optic Atrophy. I employ biochemical, histologic, and electrophysiological approaches to characterize abnormalities in cellular metabolism and signaling that lead to death of retinal neurons with abnormal mitochondria. The mice that I am developing will serve as useful preclinical models to understand the biology of these diseases and to identify and validate therapies for future human trials.

Publications and Grants

Insurance Accepted

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.

    • 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
    • Ambetter of North Carolina
    • Blue Advantage
    • Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
    • Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
    • Blue Select
    • NC State Employees Health Plan
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.

    • Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
    • Cigna Open Access
    • Cigna Open Access Plus
    • *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.

    • Duke Basic
    • Duke Select
    • Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
  • Gateway Health Alliance
  • Healthgram
    • 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
    • First Medicare Direct
    • Medicare Part A
    • Medicare Part B
    • AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
    • Carolina Complete Health
    • NC Medicaid Direct
    • WellCare of North Carolina
    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote
    • TRICARE Select
    • 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)
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

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

Duke requires faculty members to report certain relationships outside of their employment in order to ensure potential conflicts can be addressed. This faculty member has reported no outside activities that relate to their Duke responsibilities.