Affordable Eye Exam Brooklyn: What It Costs and Where to Go in Crown Heights
An affordable eye exam in Brooklyn is easier to find than most people think, especially if you have Medicaid, Medicare, or a common insurance plan. At Nostrand Optical on Nostrand Ave in Crown Heights, most patients pay little to nothing out of pocket for a full eye exam with Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD.
If you've been putting off your exam because you're not sure what it'll cost, this post will break it down clearly. No fine print, no runaround.
Key Takeaways
- Most eye exams in Brooklyn are covered fully or mostly by Medicaid, Medicare, and major insurance plans
- At Nostrand Optical, Dr. Shlivko accepts Medicaid, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, Health First, Fidelis, and union plans
- Without insurance, an eye exam typically runs $100–$175 at most independent practices in Brooklyn
- CareCredit financing is available at Nostrand Optical for patients who need help with out-of-pocket costs
- Same-day glasses are available for most standard prescriptions, so you don't need two trips
If you're ready to stop guessing and just book an exam, Dr. Shlivko is accepting new patients at Nostrand Optical in Crown Heights. Book an appointment here and we'll confirm your coverage before you come in.
What Does an Eye Exam Actually Cost in Brooklyn?
The honest answer is: it depends on your insurance. But here's what the numbers look like in practice.
With Medicaid: Eye exams are typically covered at no cost to you. New York State Medicaid covers one routine eye exam per year for adults, plus glasses. If you have Medicaid and you haven't had an eye exam this year, you can come in and pay nothing for the exam itself.
With Medicare: Medicare Part B covers a dilated eye exam once a year if you have diabetes, are at high risk for glaucoma, or have certain other conditions. For a standard refraction (the part that updates your glasses prescription), there's usually a small fee because Medicare doesn't cover routine vision care, but many supplemental plans do. Dr. Shlivko will walk you through exactly what's covered under your specific plan.
With commercial insurance (UHC, Anthem, Health First, Fidelis, union plans): Most plans cover a routine eye exam once a year with a copay that typically runs $10–$40. Some plans cover the full exam. Check what insurance we accept or call the office before your visit and we'll verify it for you.
Without insurance: A full eye exam at an independent optometry practice in Brooklyn generally runs between $100 and $175. At a chain like LensCrafters, you might pay a similar amount but get less time with the doctor. CareCredit is available at Nostrand Optical for patients who want to spread that cost out, with 0% interest options available.
The key thing to understand is that "affordable" often means covered. If you have any insurance at all, it's worth a quick call before assuming you can't afford it.
Why So Many Crown Heights Patients Qualify for a Free or Low-Cost Exam
Crown Heights has one of the highest rates of Medicaid and Health First enrollment in Brooklyn. That's not a side note — it means a large share of the neighborhood qualifies for an eye exam at no out-of-pocket cost, and many people don't realize it.
Medicaid in New York State covers:
- One routine eye exam per year
- Prescription eyeglasses (frames and lenses from an approved selection)
- Medical eye exams for conditions like glaucoma or diabetic eye disease
Health First and Fidelis Care are two managed Medicaid plans that Nostrand Optical accepts directly. If you're enrolled in either of those, you're covered here.
The bigger problem isn't coverage. It's that people don't know their plan is accepted, or they assume their insurance won't work and never call to ask. We'd rather you call and find out it's covered than skip an exam for a year or two over a question that takes two minutes to answer.
A lot of patients from Flatbush, Bed-Stuy, and Lefferts Gardens come to Nostrand Optical specifically because they've had trouble finding optometrists in Brooklyn who take their Medicaid plan. We do. See the full list of insurance plans we accept.
What's Included in an Affordable Eye Exam at Nostrand Optical
"Affordable" shouldn't mean a stripped-down exam. At Nostrand Optical, a routine eye exam with Dr. Shlivko covers your full eye health, not just your glasses prescription.
Here's what's included:
- Visual acuity: How clearly you're seeing at distance and near
- Refraction: Updates your glasses or contact lens prescription
- Eye pressure measurement: Screens for glaucoma, which has no early symptoms
- Slit-lamp exam: Looks at the front of the eye for cataracts, corneal issues, and other changes
- Retinal evaluation: Checks the back of the eye for signs of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other conditions
- Peripheral vision check: Can catch early neurological and eye disease changes
The whole exam takes about 45 minutes. You're not rushed through, and Dr. Shlivko will explain what he's seeing in plain language.
This matters because an eye exam isn't just about getting a new prescription. For patients over 50, it's one of the most important annual health checks you can do. Glaucoma, early cataracts, and changes from diabetes or high blood pressure all show up in the eyes before you'd notice any symptoms. Catching those things early makes a real difference in outcomes.
You can read more about what to expect during a full eye exam in Crown Heights on our blog.
Real Patient Scenario: Getting an Exam on Medicaid
Marcus came in for the first time last fall. He'd moved to Crown Heights from Bed-Stuy about two years earlier and hadn't had an eye exam since then. He had Health First through Medicaid and assumed most eye doctors in Brooklyn wouldn't accept it. He found Nostrand Optical through a neighbor's recommendation.
When he called, we confirmed his plan was accepted before he even came in. His exam was fully covered. Dr. Shlivko found that his distance prescription had shifted and that his eye pressure was slightly elevated on one side — something worth monitoring. Marcus left with an updated prescription, glasses on order, and a follow-up scheduled. Total out-of-pocket cost for the exam: zero. He'd been putting it off for two years because he thought he couldn't afford it.
That's the situation we see pretty often on Nostrand Ave.
How to Get an Affordable Eye Exam in Brooklyn: Step by Step
If you're not sure where to start, here's how to approach it:
Find your insurance card and note the plan name. Common ones in Crown Heights: Medicaid, Health First, Fidelis, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem.
Call the office or check online to confirm the practice accepts your plan. For Nostrand Optical, you can verify your coverage here or call us directly and we'll look it up.
Book your appointment. Same-week appointments are often available. Dr. Shlivko sees patients for routine exams, contact lens fittings, dry eye, and medical eye visits.
Bring your insurance card and a photo ID to your visit. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring those too so Dr. Shlivko can check your current prescription against what he measures.
Ask about same-day glasses when you're there. If you need new glasses, same-day lenses are available for most standard prescriptions. No waiting a week for your glasses to arrive.
If you don't have insurance, ask about paying out of pocket and CareCredit options at the front desk. We'll give you a straight answer on what the exam costs and what your options are.
Real Patient Scenario: No Insurance, Needed an Exam Quickly
Denise is a 34-year-old freelancer from Prospect Heights who'd been between jobs and let her vision insurance lapse. She'd been getting headaches at the end of the day and figured her prescription had changed. She called Nostrand Optical, explained she was paying out of pocket, and asked what the exam would cost.
The front desk quoted her a clear flat fee for the exam. She came in, got a full workup from Dr. Shlivko, and found out her prescription had changed in both eyes — the likely cause of her headaches. She was able to apply for CareCredit on the spot to cover the exam and a new pair of glasses. Her headaches cleared up within a week of getting the new prescription.
She's since renewed her vision coverage and comes in annually. But knowing the out-of-pocket option was real and not a financial surprise made the difference in her deciding to come in at all.
Affordable Eye Exams for Families in Crown Heights
If you have kids, their eye exams matter just as much as yours. Vision problems in school-age children often go undetected because kids don't know their vision is off — it's just how they see the world. A school vision screening can catch obvious problems, but it misses a lot.
Nostrand Optical sees kids ages 7 and up. Medicaid covers eye exams for children, and most family insurance plans include pediatric vision coverage as well.
It's worth getting your child examined annually if they're in school, especially if you've noticed any of these:
- Sitting too close to the TV or screen
- Squinting to read the board at school
- Avoiding reading or complaining it's hard
- Frequent headaches, especially after school
- One eye turning in or out
Dr. Shlivko's pediatric exams are thorough and patient. Kids don't need to know their letters to get an accurate exam — there are tests designed for younger children that don't rely on reading. Read more about what a pediatric eye exam covers in Brooklyn.
If you've got two or three family members due for exams, call ahead and we can schedule you back-to-back so everyone gets seen in one trip.
What Makes Nostrand Optical Different From a Chain Eye Care Store
This is worth saying plainly. You have options in Brooklyn. LensCrafters, Walmart Vision, and other chains have locations around the borough. Here's why patients in Crown Heights keep coming to Nostrand Optical instead.
You see the same doctor. Dr. Shlivko is at the practice consistently. You're not seeing whoever's scheduled that week at a rotating staff clinic.
Your exam isn't rushed. A 45-minute exam with time to ask questions is the standard here. That's different from a high-volume chain visit where you're in and out in 15 minutes.
Medicaid and Medicare are handled without friction. A lot of chains technically accept Medicaid but make it more complicated in practice. At Nostrand Optical, it's the norm, not the exception.
Same-day glasses are actually available. Not "order and wait," but same-day for most standard prescriptions.
The frame selection includes designer options if you want them. Gucci, Versace, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana are all on the floor alongside more affordable options. You're not locked into one price range.
Learn more about Dr. Shlivko and the practice here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Eye Exams in Brooklyn
Does Medicaid cover eye exams in Brooklyn? Yes. New York State Medicaid covers one routine eye exam per year for adults, plus prescription eyewear. Nostrand Optical accepts Medicaid directly.
How much is an eye exam without insurance in Brooklyn? At most independent optometry practices in Brooklyn, an out-of-pocket eye exam runs $100–$175. At Nostrand Optical, we quote a clear fee upfront with no surprise add-ons.
Does Medicare pay for eye exams? Medicare Part B covers eye exams related to medical conditions like glaucoma or diabetic eye disease, but it doesn't cover routine vision care or refraction for glasses. Many Medicare supplement plans do cover routine exams. Dr. Shlivko will clarify what's covered under your specific Medicare plan.
What if I can't afford the exam? CareCredit healthcare financing is available at Nostrand Optical with 0% interest options. If cost is a barrier, talk to us — we'd rather work something out than have you skip an exam that could catch something serious.
How often do I need an eye exam? The American Optometric Association recommends adults under 60 get an eye exam every one to two years, and adults over 60 get one annually. If you have diabetes, glaucoma risk, or other eye health concerns, annual exams are recommended regardless of age.
Book an Affordable Eye Exam at Nostrand Optical in Crown Heights
An eye exam in Brooklyn doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. If you have Medicaid, Medicare, Health First, Fidelis, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, or a union plan, there's a good chance your exam at Nostrand Optical is covered at little or no cost to you. And if you're paying out of pocket, we'll give you a clear number before you come in.
Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD is accepting new patients at 1018C Nostrand Ave, right in Crown Heights. Same-day glasses are available, walk-ins are welcome when we have openings, and appointments are usually available within a few days.
Don't wait another year because you're not sure if you can afford it. Book your exam at Nostrand Optical today. We'll sort out the coverage question together.
Sources: American Optometric Association — Eye Exams | New York State Medicaid Vision Benefits | Medicare and Eye Care — CMS