Ophthalmologist in Wilmington NC

Dr. Darrell E. Hester, MD, is an expert ophthalmic surgeon with over 34 years of experience and a trusted ophthalmologist in Wilmington for more than 26 years. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, he completed his training at the UNC Department of Ophthalmology and was the first UNC resident to perform no-stitch cataract surgery. Dr. Hester specializes in cataract surgery, including laser-assisted procedures and premium intraocular lenses, as well as bladeless LASIK with the IntraLase femtosecond laser. He also performs oculoplastic surgeries and has introduced advanced laser vision correction technologies to Wilmington. Early in his career, he served as Chief of Ophthalmology in the Air Force Medical Corps, achieving the rank of major. Dr. Hester is a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Since 2022, he has expanded his practice to southern Ohio, collaborating with Dr. Stephen Demick at Southern Ohio Eye Associates. Outside of work, Dr. Hester enjoys playing multiple musical instruments, flying small planes, kiteboarding, boating, scuba diving, and spending time with his family in Wilmington.