Compare 70 optometrists in Milwaukee, WI. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
70
Optometrists
100%
Accepting patients
99%
Most common: OD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Milwaukee's healthcare is anchored by two systems serving different populations. Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin handle academic and trauma care from their Wauwatosa campus, while Advocate Aurora runs the largest community hospital and clinic network across the metro. Children's Wisconsin is one of the top pediatric hospitals in the Midwest, and the city's significant health disparities between neighborhoods mean where you live is a real factor in what care looks like.
Milwaukee has 70 optometrists. The most common credential is OD (99%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Third Ward, East Side, Bay View, and Walker's Point.
Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin campus sit in Wauwatosa just off I-94. Aurora St. Luke's is on the south side near Bay View. Downtown and Third Ward residents are roughly equidistant from both. MCTS bus routes connect to major hospitals, but most patients drive. Parking at Froedtert is free, though the campus is large, so allow time to navigate between buildings.
Nearby hospitals include Froedtert Hospital, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, and Children's Wisconsin. Local training programs run through Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University. The Medical College of Wisconsin is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro and a leading center for cancer and cardiac research.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is the dominant commercial carrier in the Milwaukee area. UnitedHealthcare and Humana also have significant employer-plan market share. BadgerCare Plus (Wisconsin Medicaid) covers a substantial portion of the city's population. Advocate Aurora participates in most networks, while Froedtert/MCW accepts most commercial plans but may require prior authorization for some services. 49% accept Medicare.
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.
Milwaukee, WI has 70 licensed optometrists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of optometrists in Milwaukee, WI are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Wisconsin does not run its own ACA marketplace. Residents enroll through HealthCare.gov with plans from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Molina, and Common Ground available in Milwaukee County. BadgerCare Plus is the state Medicaid program. Employer plans often run through Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, or Network Health.
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 Milwaukee, WI 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.
Milwaukee healthcare runs through two main systems: Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin (academic, trauma, and specialty care in Wauwatosa) and Advocate Aurora Health (the largest community hospital and clinic network). Ascension also operates several facilities. Your insurance plan's network often determines which system is most affordable.
49% of optometrists in Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee, WI accept BadgerCare Plus, 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 BadgerCare Plus participation before scheduling.
Froedtert Hospital, affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin, is the region's academic medical center and only adult Level I trauma center. It handles complex cases, transplants, and cancer treatment. Advocate Aurora Health operates a larger network of community hospitals and clinics, including Aurora St. Luke's, one of the busiest cardiac care centers in the state.
Marquette University School of Dentistry offers dental care at reduced rates. Federally qualified health centers like Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers and Progressive Community Health Centers also provide dental services on a sliding-scale basis.
Top accepted carriers in Milwaukee, WI include unitedhealthcare, qhp-44228, qhp-33602, qhp-87571, 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.