Compare 204 optometrists in Jacksonville, FL. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
204
Optometrists
100%
Accepting patients
97%
Most common: OD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Jacksonville is where Mayo Clinic meets a sprawling Southern city. The Mayo campus gives Jacksonville a national reputation for complex specialty care, but the day-to-day healthcare experience for most residents is shaped by Baptist Health, the region's largest system, and UF Health Jacksonville, which serves as the safety-net hospital for the urban core.
Jacksonville has 204 optometrists. The most common credential is OD (97%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Jacksonville covers over 875 square miles, which means healthcare access depends heavily on which part of the city you live in. The Southbank medical district near downtown, the Mayo Clinic campus off San Pablo Road on the east side, and the Baptist South campus in Mandarin form three distinct hubs. Bridges over the St. Johns River create bottlenecks, so crossing the river for appointments adds real time.
Providers practice throughout Jacksonville. Riverside is a walkable urban neighborhood near Baptist Medical Center's downtown campus with a growing medical office district. San Marco is a charming neighborhood south of downtown with independent practices and proximity to Baptist and Nemours. Avondale is a residential area adjacent to Riverside, sharing access to Baptist and St. Vincent's medical facilities. Jacksonville Beach is beaches communities served by Baptist Beaches hospital and Mayo Clinic's main campus nearby.
Nearby hospitals include Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, UF Health Jacksonville, and Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. Local training programs run through University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Jacksonville campus). Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is one of three Mayo Clinic campuses and a nationally ranked destination for specialty care.
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.
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.
Eye exam (with vision insurance): $0-25 copay · Eye exam (without insurance): $100-250 · Glasses: $100-400+ · Contact lens fitting: $50-200
Annual eye exams do more than update your glasses prescription. Optometrists screen for glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and systemic conditions like diabetes that show early signs in the eyes.
Getting the right prescription and fit matters for comfort and clear vision. Optometrists determine your prescription, recommend lens types, and ensure contacts fit your eyes properly.
Chronic dry, gritty, or burning eyes affect millions of people. Optometrists identify the type of dry eye and recommend treatments from artificial tears and warm compresses to prescription drops.
Extended screen time causes eye fatigue, headaches, and blurred vision. Your optometrist can recommend specialized lenses, screen habits, and exercises to reduce strain.
Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy often have no early symptoms. Optometrists use specialized imaging to detect these conditions before vision loss occurs.
Jacksonville, FL has 204 licensed optometrists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of optometrists in Jacksonville, FL are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Florida Blue has the largest market share in the Jacksonville area for both employer and individual plans. On the ACA marketplace, Ambetter and Molina offer lower-cost options. Many military families use TRICARE, and Baptist Health accepts most TRICARE plans.
An eye exam with vision insurance costs $0 to $25 as a copay. Without insurance, an exam costs $100 to $250. Glasses range from $100 to $400 or more. Contact lens fitting runs $50 to $200. Actual costs in Jacksonville, FL depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Vision insurance and health insurance cover different things. Vision insurance covers routine exams, glasses, and contacts. Medical insurance covers treatment of eye diseases. You may need both for complete coverage.
Baptist Health dominates primary care in Jacksonville, with the most locations and the largest physician network. Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is primarily a referral center for complex cases, not a place most residents go for routine care. UF Health Jacksonville is the main safety-net hospital for uninsured and underinsured patients.
49% of optometrists in Jacksonville, FL accept Medicare. Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams or glasses. It does cover annual eye exams for people with diabetes and treatment for eye diseases like glaucoma. Some Medicare Advantage plans include vision benefits. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some optometrists in Jacksonville, FL accept Florida Medicaid, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers eye exams and glasses for children in all states. Adult vision coverage varies by state, with some covering comprehensive exams and glasses and others covering only medical eye conditions. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Florida Medicaid participation before scheduling.
For most departments, yes. Mayo Clinic Jacksonville operates primarily as a referral center for complex or rare conditions. Your primary care physician or specialist can initiate a referral. Some departments accept self-referrals, but calling ahead to check is recommended.
It depends on your location. UF Health Jacksonville downtown is the region's primary Level I trauma center. Baptist Medical Center downtown and Baptist South in Mandarin also have emergency departments. The Beaches community is served by Baptist Beaches.
Top accepted carriers in Jacksonville, FL include unitedhealthcare, qhp-44228, qhp-87571, qhp-33602, and qhp-30751.
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.