Optometrists in Charlotte, NC
Compare 197 optometrists in Charlotte, NC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
197
Optometrists
100%
Accepting patients
96%
Most common: OD
Top-Rated Optometrists in Charlotte, NC
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Specialty: optometristState: NCCity: Charlotte
About optometrists in Charlotte, NC
Charlotte is a healthcare boomtown. Atrium Health, now part of Advocate Health, is the dominant system and one of the largest employers in the Carolinas. Novant Health provides the main alternative. The city's explosive population growth over the past decade has pushed both systems to expand rapidly into the suburbs, and new medical facilities are still being built to keep up with demand.
Charlotte has 197 optometrists. The most common credential is OD (96%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Charlotte's healthcare map follows its growth rings. The Carolinas Medical Center campus sits in Midtown, while Novant Health Presbyterian is a few miles south. The LYNX Blue Line light rail connects South End to Uptown and is walking distance from several medical offices. But most of Charlotte's healthcare infrastructure is car-oriented, with major outpatient campuses in Ballantyne, Huntersville, and University City along the I-77 and I-485 corridors.
Providers practice throughout Charlotte. Uptown is atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, a Level I trauma center, anchors healthcare in Charlotte's urban core. South End is a growing, transit-connected neighborhood with new medical practices near the LYNX light rail. NoDa (North Davidson) is an arts district with community-oriented practices and proximity to Atrium Health University City. Dilworth is a historic, walkable neighborhood near Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center.
Nearby hospitals include Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, and Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital. Local training programs run through University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Atrium Health (formerly Carolinas HealthCare System). Atrium Health is one of the largest healthcare systems in the Southeast, with over 70,000 employees.
What to expect at your first optometrist visit in Charlotte, NC
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.
When to see a optometrist
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.
Typical costs
Eye exam (with vision insurance): $0-25 copay · Eye exam (without insurance): $100-250 · Glasses: $100-400+ · Contact lens fitting: $50-200
Common reasons to see a optometrist in Charlotte, NC
Routine vision exams
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.
Glasses and contact lens fitting
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.
Dry eye syndrome
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.
Digital eye strain
Extended screen time causes eye fatigue, headaches, and blurred vision. Your optometrist can recommend specialized lenses, screen habits, and exercises to reduce strain.
Eye disease detection
Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy often have no early symptoms. Optometrists use specialized imaging to detect these conditions before vision loss occurs.
Browse optometrists by neighborhood in Charlotte
Frequently asked questions about optometrists in Charlotte, NC
Charlotte, NC has 197 licensed optometrists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of optometrists in Charlotte, NC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is the dominant commercial carrier by a wide margin. UnitedHealthcare and Aetna also have meaningful networks. NC Medicaid (managed through WellCare, AmeriHealth Caritas, and Healthy Blue) is accepted at most Atrium and Novant facilities.
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 Charlotte, NC 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.
Charlotte is essentially a two-system market: Atrium Health and Novant Health. Your insurance network will usually point you toward one. For pediatric specialty care, Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital is the regional referral center.
70% of optometrists in Charlotte, NC 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 Charlotte, NC accept NC Medicaid (Healthy Opportunities), 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 NC Medicaid (Healthy Opportunities) participation before scheduling.
Both Atrium Health and Novant Health have online tools that let you filter by insurance, location, and specialty. For the fastest new-patient appointment, look at practices in newer suburban locations like Ballantyne, Lake Norman, or Indian Trail, which tend to have more availability than Midtown offices.
Atrium is larger and runs the region's only Level I trauma center (Carolinas Medical Center). Novant tends to have a reputation for smaller, community-focused facilities. Both provide high-quality care, but your insurance network is the most practical deciding factor.
Nearby Cities
Other specialties in Charlotte
Insurance & Optometrist coverage
Top accepted carriers in Charlotte, NC include unitedhealthcare, qhp-11512, qhp-87571, qhp-44228, and qhp-33602.
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.