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On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for an Optometrist in Washington, book an appointment, and see the Optometrist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Optometrists in Washington who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Washington Optometrist who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Optometrists in Washington and book appointments instantly. You can search for Washington Optometrists by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
When you search for Washington Optometrists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Optometrists in Washington who match your preferences.
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Washington Optometrists with availability after 5 p.m.
You can use Zocdoc to find Optometrists in Washington who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
Optometrists in Washington on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Optometrists who offer video visits.
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Optometrists in Washington who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for an Optometrist who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Optometrists in Washington. Many Optometrists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Choosing the correct eye care provider for your unique case is vital for safeguarding your vision in the long term. An optometrist or a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) is an eye care professional responsible for the primary healthcare of their patients' eyes. They provide vision care and eye care services and examine the patients' eyes for both vision and health problems.
After an undergraduate degree, aspiring optometrists need to undergo four years of a professional program to receive a doctor of optometry degree. After this, students must clear the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exams and obtain and secure a license for practicing optometry. Some optometrists opt for additional clinical training or complete a subspecialty fellowship post-degree program to specialize in their field. Earning a fellowship means these doctors are the best in their field.
Optometrists can address a broad spectrum of eye concerns, but some specialize in particular areas to gain a more profound understanding. Here are various subspecialties within optometry:
Behavioral optometry/vision therapy: Behavioral optometrists concentrate on understanding how visual function impacts daily activities. They may employ vision therapy, including eye exercises and specialized prisms and lenses, to enhance visual function.
Geriatrics: Geriatric optometrists train to provide eye care tailored to older adults. They frequently diagnose and manage eye conditions more prevalent in older adults, such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
Cornea and contact lenses: Optometrists with expertise in cornea and contact lenses possess in-depth knowledge of diagnosing and treating various corneal diseases. They are skilled in conducting contact lens fittings, including specialized lenses.
Pediatrics: Optometrists who specialize in pediatrics diagnose and treat vision disorders in children. In addition to routine eye exams, they address binocular vision issues and provide vision therapy to support healthy development.
Neuro-optometry: Neuro-optometrists focus on diagnosing and treating vision problems linked to the brain. This may involve addressing vision loss associated with neurological diseases, trauma, or congenital conditions present at birth.
Low vision: Optometrists specializing in low vision aid patients with visual impairments that doctors cannot correct through surgery, glasses, or contact lenses. They leverage tools and technology to assist those with low vision, a condition more common among older adults.
Ocular disease: Optometrists specializing in ocular disease are adept at detecting various diseases affecting both the front and back of the eye, including conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
By specializing in these areas, optometrists can tailor their expertise to specific patient needs and provide comprehensive care within their chosen subspecialty.
Below, we differentiate between three different and commonly available eye care providers and explain what each does.
Optometrist
An optometrist:
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and an eye care professional responsible for their patient's medical and surgical eye care. They specialize in treating, diagnosing, and researching various eye and vision diseases and provide complete eye care services. After an undergraduate degree, aspiring ophthalmologists must undergo four years of medical school and follow it with a year-long internship and three-year residency. Some ophthalmologists undergo additional one to two-year fellowships for extra expertise and experience. An ophthalmologist:
Optician
An optician or a dispensing optician (D.O.) is not an optometrist and cannot treat eye problems. However, D.O.s are an essential part of your eye care team. They interpret an optometrist's or an ophthalmologist's prescriptions to fit and sell suitable glasses, contact lenses, numbered sunglasses, and other eyewear. A D.O. obtains a one- or two-year degree, certificate, or diploma after post-undergraduate studies. An optician:
Here's a reference guide on which eye doctor near you is best for your condition. If you want to get your regular eye checkup done or seek consultation for primary vision care, an optometrist should be your ideal eye care provider. If you are looking for surgical treatments for your eye problems, an ophthalmologist must be your choice. Suppose you want to design, verify, and fit eyeglass lenses or fit frames, contact lenses, and other devices for better eyesight. In that case, an optician is your correct eye care provider.
Optometrists play a crucial role in fulfilling patients' primary vision care needs. They offer vision therapy to people with acute vision defects. They receive extensive training to treat common eye ailments like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Optometrists can even identify eye conditions linked to diabetes and heart conditions. The scope of work of an optometrist includes:
The optometrist will check your medical history and present vision problems during your first visit. After diluting your eyes, they will perform several tests to ensure your eyes are functioning correctly. Some of the tests are as follows:
Cover test
The cover test determines how well your eyes work together. The optometrist will bring your focus on a tiny target placed at a specific distance while they cover and uncover each eye to observe how your eyes move.
Eye muscle movement test
The eye muscle movement test determines your eye alignment. The optometrist will make you follow a target, mostly a fingertip, and check how your eyes move in different directions.
Pupil reaction test
Your eye's pupils, or the black-colored center, constantly adjust to different amounts of light. The optometrist will watch how your pupils change in other light conditions. During this test, they will also examine the white portion of your eyes and the position of your eyelids.
Visual acuity test
In the visual acuity test, the optometrist will cover one of your eyes and have you read different lines of an eye chart at a considerable distance. You must begin reading from the top-most string containing the most significant letters to the bottom-most line with the smallest font. The test determines if your eyes need corrective lenses to see clearly.
Refraction test
If you require lenses for the visual acuity test, the optometrist will follow up with another test called the refraction test. Here, the optometrist will fine-tune your prescription by switching between different lenses to check which best suits you.
Biomicroscopy
The optometrist will microscopically examine your eyes for any abnormalities or problems in this test. The test involves a device that lights up and enlarges the front portion of your eye to reveal other parts like the cornea, iris, lens, and back of your eyes.
Retinal exam (ophthalmoscopy)
In this test, the optometrist will use an ophthalmoscope tool to examine the back part of the eye (fundus), including the retina, optic disc, choroid, and blood vessels, to check for abnormalities.
Pressure test
The optometrist will inspect the fluid pressure in your eyes through a pressure test. The test looks for glaucoma signs and measures the thickness of your corneas.
Eye health plays a pivotal role in your overall well-being, so seeing an optometrist regularly is essential. They can guide you on how often you should have an eye exam based on your individual needs, but there are general recommendations to follow.
For children, the first eye exam should happen within their first year, with follow-ups every 1-2 years. Adults aged 18 to 55 are advised to have their eyes checked every 1-2 years, while those over 55 should aim for annual exams.
If you wear glasses, contacts, or other visual aids, more frequent checkups may be needed. Moreover, if you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, a family history of eye disease, or take medications that impact your vision, regular eye exams become even more important.
It's also crucial to visit an optometrist if you experience certain symptoms. These include worsening vision, blurry or double vision, seeing halos around lights, new or persistent eye pain, redness, irritation, floaters, flashes of light, or sensitivity to light.
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), everyone should have a dilated eye exam every year or two, with annual exams starting at age 60. In between these visits, there are simple steps you can take to protect or even enhance your vision.
Zocdoc helps you by finding the best eye doctors near you in Washington. Our comprehensive optometry directory provides you access to the top-rated optometrists. It displays the doctor's profile alongside their education, clinical interests, practice history, certifications, and insurance they accept to help you make an informed decision.
If your insurance plan isn't listed on Zocdoc, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card (this option is not available for vision or dental insurance). Zocdoc will scan the image and display your likely plan. If you experience any issues with uploading the card, you can reach out to their service team for assistance. For more insurance-related questions, you can visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
You also find thousands of verified reviews and past patient ratings under each doctor's profile. All you need to do is include 'optometrists' in your search query, and Zocdoc will connect you with the best optometrists near you. Zocdoc also assists you in instantly booking an appointment for your first optometrist session.
Depending on the optometrist's availability, you can book appointments before, during, or after office hours with Zocdoc. If the optometrist's schedule permits, you can also book appointments on weekends and holidays.
Booking appointments with eye doctors near you through Zocdoc is free, fast, and secure!
There is a projected growth of 9% in the number of active optometrists in the USA from 2020 to 2030. There are around 38,720 active optometrists in the USA currently, and there will be a projected addition of 1700 optometrists per year to the workforce. There are 820 active optometrists in Washington, DC, and the location quotient of 1.02 indicates a higher share of employment compared to the national average. Washington, DC, ranks 7th in the list of metropolitan areas of the USA with the highest number of Optometrists employed.
There is healthy diversity in the Optometrists' workforce, with about 53.9% male and the remaining female doctors. The average age of these doctors is 40-49, with females being younger than their male counterparts.
The number of optometrist jobs will increase by 4.28% in the coming decade, which will help patients.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Academy of Ophthalmology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics[2]
University of Rochester Medical Center
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.