Compare 233 optometrists in Seattle, WA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
233
Optometrists
100%
Accepting patients
98%
Most common: OD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Seattle is home to one of the country's deepest concentrations of medical research and clinical talent. UW Medicine anchors the academic side, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is a global leader in oncology, and Swedish Medical Center (now part of Providence) operates the largest community hospital network in the metro. The city also has a strong tradition of community health centers serving immigrant and underserved populations.
Seattle has 233 optometrists. The most common credential is OD (98%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Seattle's medical geography centers on First Hill, sometimes called "Pill Hill," where Swedish, Harborview, and Virginia Mason cluster within a few blocks. UW Medical Center and Seattle Children's sit further north in the University District. The Link light rail connects Capitol Hill and the U-District to downtown, making hospital access by transit feasible. Crossing Lake Washington to the Eastside adds 20 to 40 minutes depending on bridge traffic.
Providers practice throughout Seattle. Capitol Hill is swedish Medical Center's First Hill campus and several LGBTQ+ affirming practices serve this dense, vibrant neighborhood. Fremont is a quirky neighborhood with growing healthcare options and proximity to UW Medical Center. Ballard is swedish Ballard campus provides community hospital care in this waterfront neighborhood. Queen Anne is lower Queen Anne is near the South Lake Union medical corridor and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
Nearby hospitals include UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and Swedish Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of Washington School of Medicine and Seattle University. UW Medicine is ranked among the top 10 medical schools in the US for primary care, serving a five-state region.
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.
Seattle, WA has 233 licensed optometrists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of optometrists in Seattle, WA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Premera Blue Cross and Regence Blue Shield are the two dominant commercial carriers in Washington State. Kaiser Permanente has a closed network. Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) is accepted at Harborview, UW Neighborhood Clinics, and most community health centers.
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 Seattle, WA 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.
Seattle has three major systems: UW Medicine (academic), Swedish/Providence (community), and Kaiser Permanente (integrated). Harborview Medical Center (run by UW) is the region's only Level I trauma center. Your employer's insurance plan is the best starting point for choosing a system.
52% of optometrists in Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA accept Apple Health, 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 Apple Health participation before scheduling.
First Hill is the neighborhood just east of downtown Seattle where Swedish Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and Virginia Mason are clustered. The nickname comes from this dense concentration of hospitals and medical offices.
Yes, but traffic matters. I-90 and SR-520 bridges connect the Eastside to Seattle, but commute times can double during rush hours. Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue and EvergreenHealth in Kirkland provide strong local options so you don't always need to cross the lake.
Top accepted carriers in Seattle, WA include qhp-38344, unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-56707, and qhp-44228.
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.