Do you or someone you know someone who struggle to get the vision care you need?
Seattle/King County Clinic returns to Seattle Center for a seventh year Oct. 20-23 with free eye exams and prescription eyeglasses for those who struggle to access or afford eye care. According to Washington Healthcare Access Alliance, vision care is one of the scarcest health services in the state. Led by Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation, Seattle/King County Clinic brings together healthcare organizations, civic agencies, nonprofits and private businesses to transform Seattle Center facilities into a vision care operation. We’re proud to be part of it!
Free vision care
Seattle/King County Clinic is open to everyone, and it is not restricted to residents of Seattle or King County — however, tickets are limited, and participants are admitted for service on a first come, first served basis. Organizers open the facility and begin to distribute free admission tickets in Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center (corner of 2nd Ave. North & Thomas Street/Lenny Wilkens Way) each day beginning at 6 a.m., with the doors to the Clinic opening at 7:30 a.m. Once the Clinic opens, patients are escorted to the service facility and admitted by ticket number to be registered and receive free eye care.
If prescription eyeglasses are ordered, they will be distributed in early December.
The Seattle/King County Clinic has been on hiatus during the pandemic. Returning this year, the Clinic will only be able to offer vision care. Other medical and dental care will not be available at the Clinic at this time.
What to know before you go
- Face masks are required, though people should not attend if they are feeling sick
- Identification or proof of immigration status are not required
- Free interpretation services are available
- Free parking is available at the Mercer Street Parking Garage at Seattle Center (650 3rdAve. North)
- Additional information is available at seattlecenter.org/patients
Volunteer information
This clinic is made possible by the dedication of many hundreds of volunteers. We are still in need of volunteers to fill positions as:
- Health Insurance Navigators
- Interpreters (Amharic, ASL, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese)
- Ophthalmic/Optometric Assistants/Techs
- Ophthalmologists
- Opticians
- Optometrists
- Social Workers
For more information about volunteering: Volunteer Information – Seattle Center Foundation
Originally posted on October 12, 2022.