75,656
Optometrists
100%
Accepting patients
97%
Most common: OD
FindClarity lists 75,656 optometrists nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is OD (97%). 54% accept Medicare.
Optometrists are eye care professionals who perform comprehensive eye exams, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, diagnose eye diseases, and manage many eye conditions. They are the primary eye care providers for most people.
Optometrists earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from a four-year graduate program after completing undergraduate prerequisites. Their training covers vision testing, lens prescribing, ocular disease, and in many states, treatment of eye diseases with medication. Some optometrists specialize in pediatric vision, contact lens fitting, low vision rehabilitation, or sports vision.
Regular eye exams do more than check your prescription. They can detect glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic eye disease, often before you notice symptoms. Eye exams can also reveal signs of systemic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and even brain tumors.
See an optometrist for routine eye exams (every one to two years for adults, annually for children and adults over 60), new or updated glasses or contact lens prescriptions, dry eyes, eye strain from screens, red or irritated eyes, and monitoring of conditions like glaucoma. For surgical needs (cataracts, LASIK), they will refer you to an ophthalmologist.
A comprehensive eye exam takes 30 to 60 minutes. It includes reading an eye chart, checking eye pressure (glaucoma screening), examining the internal structures of your eye, testing how your eyes work together, and determining your prescription. Your eyes may be dilated with drops, which temporarily blurs close-up vision for a few hours.
Eye exam (with vision insurance): $0-25 copay · Eye exam (without insurance): $100-250 · Glasses: $100-400+ · Contact lens fitting: $50-200
Optometrists (ODs) are eye care providers who perform exams, prescribe corrective lenses, and treat many eye conditions. Ophthalmologists (MDs or DOs) are medical doctors who do all of that plus perform eye surgery (cataract removal, LASIK, retinal surgery). For routine vision care, an optometrist is your go-to. For surgery or complex eye diseases, you need an ophthalmologist.
Adults aged 18 to 64 with no risk factors should have an exam every two years. Annual exams are recommended for children, adults over 65, contact lens wearers, people with diabetes, and anyone with a family history of eye disease. If you notice vision changes between exams, do not wait. Schedule a visit.
Extended screen use does not cause permanent damage but can cause digital eye strain: dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and neck pain. The 20-20-20 rule helps: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Your optometrist can also recommend blue light filtering lenses or lubricating drops if needed.
Yes. Many eye diseases (glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy) develop slowly without noticeable symptoms until significant damage is done. Regular exams catch these conditions early when treatment is most effective. An eye exam is also a general health screening that can detect signs of diabetes and hypertension.
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Vision insurance and health insurance cover different things. Vision insurance (like VSP or EyeMed) covers routine eye exams, glasses, and contacts. Medical insurance covers treatment of eye diseases (glaucoma, infections, injuries). If you have both, routine exams go through vision insurance. Make sure your optometrist accepts your specific vision plan, not just medical insurance.