Bristol, Tennessee
Your Destination for
Exceptional Eye Care
Comprehensive exams, designer frames & advanced dry eye treatment—right here in Bristol, TN.
Families across Sullivan County and the Tri-Cities area trust Destination Eye Care for personalized vision care. From your first visit, you’ll see why we’re Bristol’s top-rated optometrist.
Advanced Eye Exams
Our Bristol optometrist uses the latest diagnostic technology to catch early signs of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease—the most thorough exam in the Tri-Cities.
Designer Eyewear
Hundreds of frames from Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Kate Spade. Our stylists find your perfect look, with same-day availability on many prescriptions.
Contact Lens Fitting
Daily disposables to specialty lenses for astigmatism and dry eye. Contacts that feel comfortable all day, with free trial pairs at every fitting.
Family-Friendly Care
We see patients of all ages—pediatric screenings to senior eye health. Flexible scheduling, most insurance accepted, and a welcoming office.
Serving Bristol & the Tri-Cities
Located in the heart of Bristol, Tennessee, we proudly serve patients from Sullivan County and beyond—Kingsport, Johnson City, and Abingdon, VA.
Whether you need a routine eye exam, an updated prescription, or treatment for an eye condition, our experienced optometrist delivers a premium experience at every visit.
Bristol Dry Eye Care & IPL
Struggling with dry, irritated, or watery eyes? Destination Eye Care offers Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy—a breakthrough treatment that targets the root cause of dry eye disease.
IPL uses gentle light pulses to reduce inflammation, unclog blocked oil glands, and restore your natural tear film. Most patients notice significant relief after just a few sessions.
Meet Your Bristol Eye Doctors
Over 20 Years of Trusted Care • 1,000+ Five-Star Google Reviews
Dr. Mark Bowers, OD
Founder • Practicing Since 2002
Dr. Bowers founded Destination Eye Care in 2004 after recognizing Bristol-area families deserved a dedicated, local optometrist. Known for his thoroughness and advanced diagnostic approach, he has built one of the most trusted eye care practices in the Tri-Cities over 20+ years.
Dr. Tara Rathbun, OD
Joined 2012
Dr. Rathbun joined the practice in 2012, expanding the team’s capacity to serve the growing Bristol and Sullivan County community. She brings expertise in comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, and pediatric vision care.
Dr. Jake Bowen, OD
Optometrist
Dr. Bowen is known for being incredibly knowledgeable and taking the time to fully explain findings in a way that’s easy to understand. Patients praise his willingness to answer every question and his commitment to going above and beyond with dry eye management and ocular disease detection.
Every doctor on the team takes the time to listen, explain findings clearly, and develop a personalized care plan—which is why patients across Sullivan County, Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City continue to choose Destination Eye Care year after year.
A Boutique Eye Care Experience in Bristol, TN
Destination Eye Care isn’t your typical eye clinic. Our modern facility at 2554 Highway 394 in Blountville was purpose-built to deliver a refined, boutique optical experience. With a curated collection of over 850 designer frames—including independent and specialty lines from brands you won’t find at chain stores—our optical team hand-selects every frame for craftsmanship, comfort, and individuality.
Beyond eyewear, we offer advanced treatments you won’t find at most Bristol optometry offices: IPL therapy and TempSure RF for dry eye, Neurolens for digital eye strain and headaches, and specialty contact lenses for complex prescriptions including astigmatism, presbyopia, and keratoconus.
Conveniently located within 30 minutes of every major city in the Tri-Cities area, Destination Eye Care serves patients from Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City, Abingdon, and beyond. Whether you’re looking for the best eye doctor near Bristol, TN, or searching for a new optometrist your whole family can trust, we invite you to experience the difference.
Schedule Your Eye Exam Today
New patients welcome. Experience the best optometrist Bristol, TN has to offer.
Common Questions
How often should I get an eye exam?▾
The American Optometric Association recommends a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years for adults. Children, seniors, and anyone with existing eye conditions may need more frequent visits.
Do you accept my insurance?▾
We accept most major vision and medical insurance including VSP, EyeMed, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Medicare. Contact our office to verify your coverage.
What should I bring to my first appointment?▾
Bring your insurance card, photo ID, current eyeglasses or contacts, and a list of medications. Arriving 10 minutes early helps us check you in smoothly.
What is IPL treatment for dry eye?▾
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a non-invasive treatment using controlled light pulses to reduce inflammation, improve oil gland function, and restore your natural tear film. It’s one of the most effective treatments for chronic dry eye.