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Home > NC Providers > Pediatric Ophthalmologists

Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD

Accepting New Patients

(Dr. Robert Earl Wiggins Jr., M.D.)

(366 Ratings)

Specializes in: Pediatric Ophthalmology

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine (1984)

Professional interests include: macular degeneration, cataract surgery, cornea problems, and more.

8 MEDICAL PARK DRIVE
Asheville, NC 28803

(980) 365-8068

Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD is a pediatric ophthalmologist in Asheville, NC specializing in pediatric ophthalmology. He graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine in 1984 and has 41 years of experience. Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD is affiliated with Mission Hospital, Mission Health and ASHEVILLE EYE ASSOCIATES PLLC.

Office Locations

Address:

8 MEDICAL PARK DRIVE
Asheville, NC 28803

Some issues Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD can help you with:

LASIK

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a surgical procedure that improves vision by permanently correcting refractive vision errors. Refractive vision errors are sight problems (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism) that typically require patients to wear contact lenses or glasses. Nearsightedness (myopia) causes blurred vision at a distance, while farsightedness (hyperopia) makes objects that are up close appear blurry. Astigmatism results in blurred vision at both near and far distances. Each eye is either nearsighted or farsighted, and can additionally have astigmatism. These refractive vision errors develop from imperfections in the curvature of the eye, which LASIK fixes through the use of a laser. The laser changes the shape of the eye by cutting away tissue from the cornea (clear outer layer of the eye).

LASIK is generally considered an elective procedure (not medically necessary) since patients can wear glasses or contact lenses instead of undergoing LASIK. Nevertheless, many people still elect to undergo LASIK to have better vision without having to wear corrective lenses. Certain professionals, such as pilots, military members, firefighters, and athletes, might particularly benefit from LASIK.

Ophthalmologists (eye doctors) evaluate patients before surgery, measuring the cornea and checking for any eye irregularities that would disqualify patients from LASIK. A special eye scanner is used to create a map of the cornea. This map guides the surgeon in developing an individualized LASIK treatment plan. Once approved for LASIK, contact-wearers are advised to switch to glasses for the three weeks leading up to their surgery.

LASIK is a brief procedure, lasting for about half an hour, depending on the state of a patient's eyes and the corneal reshaping required. Patients lie down on a reclining chair and have numbing eye drops applied to one or both eyes to eliminate pain and discomfort during the procedure. While the eyes are held open by a device, the eye surgeon raises a fixation light where patients direct their eyes. The surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to cut a precise circular incision in the cornea's surface. The surgeon then manually folds back the corneal flap to access the stroma (inner cornea).

An excimer laser is then used to remove certain amounts of corneal tissue. For patients with farsightedness, the laser cuts tissue on the outer regions of the cornea, making the central cornea more prominent. For patients with nearsightedness, the opposite is done; central corneal tissue is removed while the outer tissue is left alone, flattening the eye. In patients with astigmatism, the laser is used to even out the surface of the corneal tissue, making the eye more spherical. When the lasering process is complete, the ophthalmologist folds the corneal flap to its regular position. The flap quickly begins to heal and naturally reattach itself to the eye.

LASIK patients need someone to drive them home from the procedure and cannot drive for the following 24 hours. Recovery from LASIK lasts about five days. Patients typically notice improved vision within a day or two of surgery. Prescription eye drops are given to patients to alleviate discomfort and promote eye healing. During this recovery time, patients must be incredibly careful not to touch or rub their eyes. Ophthalmologists often instruct patients to wear protective glasses during the day and night to prevent potential damage from eye rubbing.

LASIK can improve the experience of certain activities such as swimming or reading, and in some cases, LASIK can be a life-changing procedure for those with severe refractive vision errors. LASIK may also save patients money by eliminating the recurring need for updated corrective lenses.

In The News

“In the past decade, private equity groups have gone from taking over a handful of practices to working with as many as 8% of the nation's ophthalmologists, said Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr., president...”—"Private Equity Sees the Billions in Eye Care as Firms Target High-Profit Procedures", KHN, February 2022

“"This really is a very debilitating disease," says Dr. Robert Wiggins, a neuro-opthamologist at Asheville Eye Associates who works with thyroid eye and Graves' disease patients.”—"WNC resident helps others during Graves' Disease Awareness Month", Mountain Xpress, July 2020

“Dr. Robert Wiggins, physician administrator for Asheville Eye Associates, explained that the busy practice draws patients from across Western North Carolina and needs additional parking space "to...”—"Asheville Council frowns on Ingles sign request, approves Haw Creek Bouchon", Mountain Xpress, September 2016

doctor visit	527
eye procedures	902
injections	117
minimally invasive procedures	117

**Gender**
Male	304
Female	475

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	740
Black	17
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	319
From 75 to 84	231
85 and over	92
Less than 65	137

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	14
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	23
Dementia	9
Cancer	10

doctor visit	435
eye procedures	744
injections	100
minimally invasive procedures	100

**Gender**
Male	268
Female	421

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	655
Black	13
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	287
From 75 to 84	190
85 and over	89
Less than 65	123

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	25
Dementia	7
Cancer	9

doctor visit	361
eye procedures	739
injections	87
minimally invasive procedures	87

**Gender**
Male	516
Female	872

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1304
Black	38
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	540
From 75 to 84	434
85 and over	168
Less than 65	246

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	23
Dementia	8
Cancer	10

doctor visit	350
eye procedures	747
injections	86
minimally invasive procedures	86

**Gender**
Male	268
Female	428

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	662
Black	16
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	292
From 75 to 84	211
85 and over	77
Less than 65	116

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	21
Dementia	10
Cancer	7

doctor visit	415
eye procedures	757
injections	85
minimally invasive procedures	85

**Gender**
Male	254
Female	406

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	626
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	12
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	276
From 75 to 84	190
85 and over	70
Less than 65	124

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	38
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	22
Dementia	8
Cancer	6

doctor visit	376
eye procedures	786
injections	77
minimally invasive procedures	77

**Gender**
Male	255
Female	408

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	626
Black	19
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	256
From 75 to 84	230
85 and over	68
Less than 65	109

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	23
Dementia	9
Cancer	10

doctor visit	276
eye procedures	922
injections	88
minimally invasive procedures	88

**Gender**
Male	264
Female	414

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	642
Black	13
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	275
From 75 to 84	218
85 and over	80
Less than 65	105

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	24
Dementia	8
Cancer	7

doctor visit	143
eye procedures	858
injections	71
minimally invasive procedures	71

**Gender**
Male	253
Female	346

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	571
Black	13
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	269
From 75 to 84	187
85 and over	74
Less than 65	69

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	24
Dementia	7
Cancer	9

doctor visit	496
eye procedures	1261
injections	128
minimally invasive procedures	128

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD treated as a pediatric ophthalmologist in Asheville, NC were eye procedures, minimally invasive procedures and injections.

doctor visit	377
eye procedures	858
injections	93
minimally invasive procedures	93

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD.

**Gender**
Male	238
Female	377

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	12
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	582
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	1

**Age**
85 and over	71
75 to 84	189
Less than 65	102
65 to 74	251

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and diabetes.

Hypertension	45
High Cholesterol	37
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	18
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	16
Asthma	7
Osteoporosis	9
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	18
Atrial Fibrillation	8
Dementia	6
Cancer	6

Education & Training

Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine in 1984. He has a state license in North Carolina.

Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine (1984)

Licensed In: North Carolina

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Mission Hospital

Mission Health

ASHEVILLE EYE ASSOCIATES PLLC

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.95 out of 5 stars based on 366 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Asheville, NC.

4.95

Overall Rating

(366 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Robert E. Wiggins Jr, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Horizon Therapeutics plc	$3,366 TEPEZZA $3,336	$30
Allergan Inc.	$462 BOTOX $101	RESTASIS $77	LUMIGAN $53	$231
Spark Therapeutics, Inc.	$232 LUXTURNA $232
Abbott Laboratories	$152 Optics $132	Medical Optics $20
Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.	$131 Tecnis Multifocal family of 1-piece IOLs $74	Phacofragmentation Accessories $32	Healon Viscoelastics $25
Other	$748 LUCENTIS $128	EYLEA (aflibercept) Injection $120	Humira $115	Durezol $63	Simbrinza $54	Other $267

**Types of Payments**
Honoraria	$3,000
Food and Beverage	$1,836
Education	$254

Biography

Dr. Robert Wiggins' medical specialty is pediatric ophthalmology. These areas are among his clinical interests: conjunctivitis (pink eye), macular degeneration, and ulcers. Patient reviews placed Dr. Wiggins at an average of 5.0 stars (out of 5). He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. His professional affiliations include Mission Health and Mission Hospital. Doctor.com reports that he is accepting new patients at his office in Asheville, NC.