Devon BrooksFinding the right eye care provider shouldn’t feel like a guessing game, especially when your everyday vision is on the line. If you’re dealing with blurry vision or simply need a routine checkup, pinpointing the best optometrist in Columbus makes all the difference.
The right doctor does more than just write a prescription and send you on your way. They actually listen, take time with your concerns, and make sure your long-term eye health is properly supported.
Like other trusted professionals you build long-term relationships with, such as a psychologist or mental health center during stressful times, consistency in care matters.
Navigating all the local clinics can feel overwhelming, so we did the heavy lifting for you. We looked closely at practices across the city to find those offering top-notch care, thoughtful service, and flexible hours to keep both your vision and overall well-being on track
How Much Does an Optometrist Visit Cost in Columbus?
An optometrist visit in Columbus typically costs $50 to $200 for standard exams, with the final price depending heavily on the clinic.
| Provider Type / Clinic | Estimated Cost (Without Insurance) |
| Budget Clinics (e.g., America’s Best, Target Optical) | $59 – $80 |
| Standard Comprehensive Eye Exam | $50 – $200 |
| Specialized or Premium Eye Clinic | Up to $250 |
1. Riverside Eye Center, LLC
Website: http://www.riversideeyectr.com/
Address: 3434 Riverside Drive Columbus, OH 43221
Contact: +16142730393
Hours: Monday & Wednesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
If you have ever woken up with a painful eye infection or a scratch on your cornea, you know how scary it is to wait for an appointment. Riverside Eye Center, LLC solves this completely by offering incredible 24/7 availability for urgent eye emergencies.
When I called them regarding a sudden issue, their team was ready to help immediately. They handle urgent situations faster and much more cheaply than a standard hospital emergency room (ER).
On top of that, Dr. Dye (the head optometrist) takes dedicated time during comprehensive exams to check for early signs of diabetes and high blood pressure.
They also stock a huge inventory of trial lenses, so you can usually walk out with fresh contacts the same day.
Just keep in mind that they are fully closed on weekends, and their weekday evening hours are a bit tight.
Customer Reviews
Dr. Scullion is phenomenal! She did my overall eye exam in September and got me a pair of glasses, and I recently saw her for a contact fitting. She is patient, kind and extremely knowledgeable. Makes the patient feel important and valued. Heard. The staff are all so helpful and kind as well!! Can’t recommend them enough!
- Zack Robinson Google Review
I have been going to Riverside Eye Center for a few years. The staff is always friendly and professional, with up to date exam procedures that are a breeze to undergo. Their eyeglass showroom has a large variety of eyeware choices, and patient and helpful people to assist with your glasses choices. You are never rushed through the selection process, nor do they push to upsell. Dr. Dye is friendly and efficient as he examined my eyes and will answer any questions I have. Why did I wait so long to start going here?
- Merlin Marshall Google Review
2. Central Ohio EyeCare Inc
Website: http://www.centralohioeyecare.com/
Address: 3130 Olentangy River Road Columbus, OH 43202
Contact: 614-262-2020
Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM; Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Dealing with chronic scratchiness or blurry vision can make getting through the workday incredibly frustrating. Central Ohio EyeCare Inc provides relief through its accredited dry eye center, which uses targeted diagnostic plans to tackle severe discomfort.
The practice has been open since the early 1960s, giving them over sixty years of deep experience handling complex vision problems.
Their team consists of three skilled optometrists who all graduated from the local university, offering excellent local expertise. They’re also heavily involved in the research and development of brand-new contact lenses, meaning patients get access to modern eye care solutions.
They even offer free vision screenings for infants to ensure early healthy development.
But you will want to plan ahead because they lock up early on Fridays at 4:30 PM and have no weekend hours available.
Customer Reviews
My first visit to the office. The office staff were very inviting and engaged with being a new patient. Dr ZIGLER was excellent , he was fully engaged with my needs and explained things so I understood. The entire staff was great, wasn’t rushed during my visit, like some office can do to newer patients
- Dre Thurman Google Review
We always have an excellent experience at Central Ohio EyeCare. The staff is very personable and friendly. We are always impressed with their efficiency with evaluating our family of 6 without feeling rushed. Our kids enjoy talking with Dr. Zigler about their school activities. The eye glass technician is very patient. We highly recommend this family friendly office!
- Marci Gerken Google Review
3. Columbus Eyeworks
Website: https://columbuseyeworks.com/
Address: 25 W Hubbard Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
Contact: 614-834-1746
Hours: Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM; Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Finding an eye doctor who looks at your health holistically can completely transform your medical care experience. At Columbus Eyeworks, head optometrist Dr. Kurt J. Bennett brings a wealth of knowledge from teaching optics to ophthalmology residents.
They use cutting-edge retinal scanning technology to catch underlying issues early, providing a much deeper look than standard exams.
One of our researchers went in for a last-minute visit last month and raved about how smoothly they co-manage post-operative care with local surgeons.
The practice also accommodates walk-ins for sudden eye irritation, which adds flexibility for urgent concerns.
Its location in the Short North Arts District adds a historic, local character that fits into the surrounding neighborhood’s creative atmosphere.
Just keep in mind that navigating the busy area can be tough. There is no private parking lot, so you will have to find metered street spots, which adds extra stress and out-of-pocket costs to your appointment.
Customer Reviews
Dr. Bennett is the best! He’s very time efficient, funny, knowledgable, and personable. I’m a medical student so I’m not always in the best place financially, but Dr. Bennett always looks out for me! I’ll definitely be coming back here for my eye needs until I move for residency. 10/10 recommend!
- Mase Griffith Google Review
Both the Dr and optometrist were very friendly and helpful. They coordinated with a previous optometrist to help fill an unusual lens and explained the details about the process to make it easier for me in the future. Would highly recommend
- J. Countryman Google Review
4. Complete EyeCare West – Columbus
Website: https://www.compeyewest.com/
Address: 5141 W Broad St., Ste 100 Columbus, Ohio 43228
Contact: 614.878.1571
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm *closed for lunch from 12:00pm – 1:00pm; Friday: 7:30am – 12:00pm
Complete EyeCare West – Columbus offers full-scope vision care across all age groups, which makes it easier for families to manage multiple eye appointments in one place.
Their services range from routine eye exams for children and adults to more complex procedures like refractive cataract surgery, all handled within a single practice. This is very convenient since you won’t have to coordinate multiple specialists across the city.
The clinic’s approach to dry eye treatment is also very proactive, focusing on early intervention to prevent symptoms from worsening over time.
With operations dating back to 1984, the practice has established strong community roots on Columbus’s west side, which adds a sense of continuity and trust for returning patients.
The main limitation is the scheduling structure. The clinic closes daily for lunch and shuts down completely at noon on Fridays, which can make booking more restrictive compared to other providers with extended weekday or weekend hours.
Customer Reviews
I started my appt with a wide variety of tests designed to evaluate my vision and any problems that might exist. These were done by a technician. Dr. Hutchinson then spent quite a long time explaining my vision problems and proposals to remedy them. This approach was quite different from previous experiences. I left feeling optimistic about my treatment and probable results. This office was well organized , no chaos, no very long waits. . The staff was incredibly helpful. Overall, a very good experience
- Barb wiese Google Review
“Dr. J” and the staff were super friendly, kind, and understanding. I was treated like a person and not a number and the visit was quick and thorough. I was seen at the scheduled time without an excessive wait.
I definitely recommend!
- Warren Watts Google Review
5. Columbus Eyecare Associates
Website: http://www.columbuseyecareassociates.com/
Address: 4775 Knightsbridge Blvd, Suite 102 Columbus, OH 43214
Contact: (614) 459-0600
Hours: Monday 7:00am – 5:30pm; Tuesday to Wednesday 8:00am – 6:00pm; Thursday 8:00am – 5:00pm; Friday 7:00am – 3:00pm
Columbus Eyecare Associates stands out for its long-standing staff stability and continuity of care. Their front-desk manager has been with the practice since 1988. Its doctors are also trained locally, such as Dr. Patrick Dollenmayer, who’s been practicing since 1991.
The clinic offers a broad scope of services, including infant eye exams and treatment for Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD), which addresses coordination and visual processing issues that can affect daily comfort and focus.
They also provide sports vision training, which is geared toward helping athletes improve visual reaction time and on-field performance.
Early 7:00 AM openings on Mondays and Fridays make it easier for working patients to schedule visits before the day begins, which helps reduce disruption to their typical work routines
But being located inside a large medical complex can make first-time visits confusing, especially when trying to locate the correct suite or entrance.
Customer Reviews
Finally an eye doctor who gets it right!! I visited their office for the first time this month for a yearly eye exam. The doctor listened to needs and made the adjustments to get me seeing clearly. I finally have glasses that work! The last practice I used remade my glasses 3 times and just couldn’t get it right.
- Chris Ross Google Review
Dr Dollenmayer is absolutely wonderful! Beth and Terri and all the staff is absolutely wonderful also. I recommend this office to anybody. Terri always picks my glasses out. When I meet new friends and old friends they say your glass are so perfect for your face. They met you with a hello. I have been a patient here for years, never a change. I love this office
- Tasha D Google Review
