What’s the cost of an eye exam? It’s an important question to answer. Annual eye exams are crucial for keeping your eyes healthy. But many people skip them due to cost.
So, how much does an eye exam cost exactly? And are there ways to bring the price down? Let’s get into it!
According to the CDC, many people think their eyesight is fine, not realizing that they may need glasses or contacts. About 11 million Americans over age 12 need vision correction.
An eye exam can help you determine if you need glasses. In addition, eye exams can help detect eye diseases in their early stages. Some eye diseases don’t have symptoms in these beginning stages, and so you may not realize anything is wrong. A full dilated eye exam can help identify these diseases and allow you to create a treatment plan early.
How often should you get an eye exam?
Generally, adults from ages 18 to 64 will want to get an eye exam every one to two years. It’s typically best for seniors aged 65 and above to get an eye exam annually.
Of course, this is just a general guideline; every individual’s circumstances are different. For instance, if you have diabetes, a family history of eye diseases, high blood pressure, or other health conditions that could affect your vision, you may want to get eye exams more frequently. Talk to your eye doctor about the best plan for you.
Children and eye exams
If you have kids, it’s typically recommended that they get an eye exam at six months, at three years old, before starting school, and then every one to two years until they’re 18. This can help detect any eye issues early.
Real Experience With Eye Exam Costs
Over on Reddit, many users have asked questions about how much an eye exam should cost. The answers are varied.
“When you’re considering value for your money and quality of the product, where should I go for glasses? Is it better to get an eye exam at a place different from where you’re buying the glasses? Should I be looking for specific coupons or discounts? I prefer store locations instead of online options but figure it’s good to know experiences with both. Right now I don’t have vision insurance.”
Many Redditors recommended retail stores like Costco or Walmart. However, one Redditor gave a caveat for this:
“If you have an extremely difficult prescription your best bet is a good eye doctor a top notch optometry shop.
If you have an easy prescription (best bet single vision lens and not progressives) Costco comes out on top for quality/price.
I have a difficult prescription, Costco cut my lenses four times and failed to get it right.”
“How much does an Eye Exam cost without insurance? And would I need a specific kind?
I’ve recently graduated college and moved to another state, and its about that time where I need to get an eye exam. Problem is, its been a while and I need to find a new optometrist…
Also, the last time I scheduled myself for an eye exam, not only do I remember just getting the one, I remember it not costing that much…but I could be wrong…I didn’t have insurance, or at least I didn’t use insurance the last time I had my eye exam and paid cash. I think maybe it was around the 100-200$ mark? Is that the standard I could be looking at?”
A Redditor named MakinBacon321 explained:
“Prices vary depending on where you’re located, and the type of practice. For example, I work in a private optometrist’s office in a major US city, a ‘basic/regular’ eye exam is $150 private pay (glasses Rx/dilation health check). A ‘basic exam w contact lens evaluation(already a contact lens wearer) is $300 (glasses rx, contact rx, dilation).
It’s even more $ if you’re a completely new contact wearer since we have to teach how to safely insert and remove the contacts. Your contact Rx is completely different from a glasses Rx. Contacts must be checked for proper fit, vision, comfort, etc.(which is why it costs more). Call around and ask, offices can give you pricing estimates over the phone.”
As you can see, the answer to the question ‘how much does an eye exam cost’ can vary greatly, and it can lead to a lot of confusion for many people. So, let’s break it down and discuss what you might pay for an eye exam.
How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost Without Insurance?
Woman Getting Glasses Fitted at Eye Exam
First, let’s talk about what an eye exam might cost if you don’t have insurance. The average cost is around $100. This number varies based on different sources, though.
VSP Vision, who are one of the most prominent vision insurers in the U.S., lists the average price at around $194. However, FAIR Health suggests that a basic eye exam costs around $135, and a refractive test costs about $54. And so, according to them, a comprehensive exam would cost $189.
This is a bit high, though, and probably more the price you’d pay at an optometry clinic. If you go to a big retail store like Sam’s Club, Walmart, Costco, or Target, you’d pay less. Eye exams at these retailers typically start at around $70 for a standard exam.
Factors That Determine How Much an Eye Exam Without Insurance Costs
Where You Live
The city you live in affects how much your eye exam costs. If you’re in a high-cost-of-living city, prices for an eye exam will typically be higher.
The Clinic You Choose
As mentioned above, prices vary widely between independent eye doctors, optical chains, and big retail stores. Retail stores like Walmart and Costco will typically offer the cheapest eye exams.
Optical chains, like Visionworks, LensCrafter, America’s Best, or Pearle Vision, also provide eye exams. Prices vary, but some of these stores will also offer discounted glasses with an exam. For example, America’s Best often offers free exams with their 2-pair-of-glasses deals.
Independent eye doctors will often be the most expensive to go to without insurance. However, if you become a regular patient, the price may go down.
The Type of Eye Exam
The numbers above are for a standard comprehensive eye exam. If you need a more specialized exam, it will typically cost more. For instance, if you want to buy contacts and need a fitting, that will be an additional fee. Or, if you need specialized care for a condition like glaucoma, that could also cost extra.
What’s the Average Cost of an Eye Exam With Insurance?
If you have vision insurance, your eye exam will usually cost a lot less out-of-pocket. Some plans will cover the whole cost of the eye exam. With others, you’ll have a co-pay. This co-pay varies by plan; it can range from $10 to $40 per exam.
On top of the co-pay, you’ll also usually have to pay a monthly premium for your vision plan. Most health insurance plans don’t include vision. It’s an add-on you’ll have to pay for separately. Vision insurance typically ranges from around $15 to $30 a month, or about $180 to $360 a year.
On top of your eye exam, your vision insurance may also help you pay for prescription eyewear. This can make the monthly premiums worth it. Make sure to look through your plan and see what it offers. If you have any questions, reach out to your insurance provider.
Programs to Help Decrease the Cost of Eye Exams
Girl Getting an Eye Exam
If cost is stopping you from getting an eye exam, there are some programs that can help you out. The National Eye Institute lists many free or low-cost eye care options on its website. Also, note that under the Affordable Care Act, many health insurance plans are required to cover the full cost of vision screenings for children and teens (up to age 19).
Eye exams are important for ensuring your eyes are healthy. If you have more questions about eye exams and their costs, reach out to a local eye doctor.
TL;DR
Regular eye exams ensure your eyes are healthy. They also help catch eye diseases in their early stages.
Adults ages 18 to 64 should generally get an eye exam every one to two years. Seniors age 65 and above should typically get an eye exam annually. It’s best for children to get an eye exam at six months, at three years old, before starting school, and then every one to two years until they’re 18.
Many people on Reddit shared questions and concerns about how much an eye exam should cost. This shows that this is a confusing issue for many.
If you don’t have insurance, the average cost of an eye exam is about $100. This could be a bit less if you go to a big retail store, or it could be more if you go to an independent eye doctor.
Some other factors that determine the cost include where you live and the type of exam you’re getting.
If you have insurance, your eye exam may be fully covered, or you may have a $10 to $40 co-pay. You’ll also have to pay a monthly premium, which will usually cost between $15 to $30.
There are free and low-cost programs that can help you pay for eye exams.
I’m a Florida-based lifestyle and content creator who writes about the latest in eyewear, from smart lenses to sustainable frames. I have a Bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Edinburgh. I’ve previously worked for Gemini Literary Magazine, Featured, Brainfall, Shareably, and The Feed. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me exploring museums, hiking new trails, or soaking up the sun at the beach (always with great sunglasses, of course).
