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Free or low‑cost eye exam options in New York
Free or low‑cost eye exam locations are now listed for New York residents and visitors. The guide, published in November 2026, provides options across Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island for those with or without insurance.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Provides a list of free or low‑cost eye exam locations in New York
- Timing
- Information current as of November 2026
- Who is affected
- Residents, visitors and immigrants seeking affordable eye care in New York
The details
Why regular eye exams matter
The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises adults under 40 with good vision to undergo a comprehensive eye exam every five to ten years. Even without vision problems, regular checks help detect early conditions and maintain ocular health.
Manhattan and Bronx facilities
Manhattan residents can visit Hospital Bellevue or Mount Sinai Eye Clinic for a full eye exam. Both facilities accept Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurers, and they adjust fees based on family size and income. In the Bronx, Jacobi Medical Center offers similar services with a variable fee schedule tied to household income.
- Hospital Bellevue – 462 1st Avenue, Suite 3D, Manhattan – Mon‑Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m. – Accepts Medicare, Medicaid, most private plans – Sliding‑scale fees based on family size and income
- Mount Sinai Eye Clinic – 310 E 14th St., 1st floor, Manhattan – Mon‑Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m. – Accepts Medicare, Medicaid, most private plans – Financial assistance available for uninsured
- Jacobi Medical Center – 1400 Pelham Parkway South, building 8‑2D, Bronx – Mon‑Fri 8 a.m.–3 p.m. – Accepts Medicare, Medicaid, most private plans – Variable fee schedule based on income
Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island options
Brooklyn offers several choices, including NYC Health + Hospitals – Gotham Health East New York, One Brooklyn Health – Bishop O. Walker Clinic, and NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn. All provide financial assistance or sliding‑scale fees for patients without insurance and do not turn away anyone based on payment ability. Queens Hospital Center serves the borough with standard insurance acceptance and income‑adjusted fees. On Staten Island, Richmond University Medical Center extends financial help regardless of immigration status.
- NYC Health + Hospitals – Gotham Health East New York – 2094 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn – Mon‑Thu 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Fri‑Sat 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. – Accepts all insurances, offers sliding‑scale fees
- One Brooklyn Health – Bishop O. Walker Clinic – 528 Prospect Place, Brooklyn – Mon 9 a.m.–3 p.m. – Accepts most insurers, provides financial assistance for uninsured
- NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn – 150 55th Street, Station 14, Brooklyn – Mon‑Thu 9 a.m.–4 p.m. – Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most private plans – Financial aid available
- Queens Hospital Center – 82‑68 164th St., Pavilion P452, Queens – Mon‑Fri 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. – Accepts Medicare, Medicaid, most private plans – Fees adjusted to income
- Richmond University Medical Center – 355 Bard Ave, Staten Island – Mon‑Fri 9 a.m.–3 p.m. – Accepts Medicare, Medicaid, most private plans – Financial assistance regardless of immigration status
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers already in New York can schedule an appointment at any listed clinic without additional visa paperwork
- Visitors planning a short stay can fit an eye exam into typical business hours at the facilities
- No changes to entry requirements or travel itineraries are required
Cost and documents
- Patients with Medicare, Medicaid or most private insurers are billed at standard rates at the listed sites
- Uninsured individuals may qualify for sliding‑scale fees or financial assistance based on family size and income
- No extra documentation beyond usual insurance cards or proof of income is required
What you need to do
- Call the facility to confirm appointment availability and whether a referral is needed
- Bring insurance card, ID and any income documentation if requesting financial assistance
- Arrive during the stated opening hours; some sites require appointments only
Who this affects
-
New York residents without vision insurance
They need affordable eye care and can use the sliding‑scale options listed
What to do Contact the clinics to arrange a low‑cost exam and provide income information if required
-
Immigrants or undocumented individuals in New York
The guide notes that several hospitals serve patients regardless of immigration status
What to do Schedule an exam at any listed location, noting that financial assistance is available
-
Low‑income families in New York
Fees are adjusted according to family size and income at the facilities
What to do Present proof of income to receive the appropriate fee scale
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a free eye exam in Manhattan?
Free or low‑cost eye exams in Manhattan are available at Hospital Bellevue (462 1st Avenue, Suite 3D) and Mount Sinai Eye Clinic (310 E 14th St., 1st floor). Both accept Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurances, and they offer sliding‑scale fees based on family size and income.
Do Bronx residents have low‑cost eye exam options?
Yes, Bronx residents have low‑cost eye exam options at Jacobi Medical Center (1400 Pelham Parkway South, building 8‑2D). The center accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurers, and it offers a variable fee schedule tied to family size and income.
Are eye exams in Brooklyn available to people without insurance?
Brooklyn clinics such as NYC Health + Hospitals – Gotham Health East New York, One Brooklyn Health – Bishop O. Walker Clinic, and NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn all provide financial assistance or sliding‑scale fees for patients without insurance, regardless of immigration status.
What are the hours for eye exam clinics in Queens?
Queens Hospital Center (82‑68 164th St., Pavilion P452) is open Monday‑Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurers, with fees adjusted to income. The clinic also provides services for patients of all immigration statuses.
How can I get financial help for an eye exam on Staten Island?
Richmond University Medical Center (355 Bard Ave) offers financial assistance to patients irrespective of immigration status, and it accepts Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurers. Contact the office to learn about income‑based fee scales. The center also provides sliding‑scale options based on family size and income.
