Compare 203 optometrists in Tampa, FL. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
203
Optometrists
100%
Accepting patients
99%
Most common: OD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Tampa punches above its weight in healthcare because of two anchors: Tampa General Hospital, the region's only Level I trauma center, and Moffitt Cancer Center, Florida's only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. USF Health ties them together with a research pipeline that keeps attracting specialists to the area.
Tampa has 203 optometrists. The most common credential is OD (99%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
The medical core sits along the Bayshore corridor from Davis Islands to the USF campus, roughly a 20-minute drive when traffic cooperates. South Tampa residents are close to Tampa General, while north Tampa and New Tampa neighborhoods gravitate toward AdventHealth and St. Joseph's. The Selmon Expressway and I-275 are the main arteries to hospital campuses.
Providers practice throughout Tampa. Hyde Park is an upscale South Tampa neighborhood with specialty practices and close proximity to Tampa General Hospital. Ybor City is a historic district east of downtown with community clinics and quick access to Tampa General. Seminole Heights is a revitalizing neighborhood with growing healthcare options and proximity to AdventHealth Tampa. South Tampa is a family-focused area near Tampa General Hospital and the Bayshore medical corridor.
Nearby hospitals include Tampa General Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, and AdventHealth Tampa. Local training programs run through University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and University of Tampa. Moffitt Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida.
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.
Tampa, FL has 203 licensed optometrists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of optometrists in Tampa, FL are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Florida Blue and UnitedHealthcare dominate the Tampa Bay employer market. On the ACA marketplace, Ambetter and Molina offer the most affordable plans, though their networks can be narrower. Verify that your preferred hospital system is in-network before enrolling.
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 Tampa, 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.
Tampa's healthcare market is dominated by three systems: BayCare, AdventHealth, and Tampa General/USF Health. Most primary care physicians are affiliated with one of these networks, so choosing a PCP often means choosing a system for referrals and hospital access.
44% of optometrists in Tampa, 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 Tampa, 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.
Yes, Moffitt is exclusively a cancer treatment and research center. It does not provide general medical care, but it accepts referrals from any physician in the state. You do not need to be a Tampa resident to seek treatment there.
Active-duty members use the MacDill clinic and TRICARE network. Veterans and military families can access James A. Haley Veterans Hospital on the north side of Tampa, or find TRICARE-accepting civilian providers through the BayCare and AdventHealth networks.
Top accepted carriers in Tampa, 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.