Eyeglasses Cost

• Prices vary tremendously, depending upon the type of frame, lenses and type of retailer. Glasses can cost just $8 or up to $600 for those without insurance. For name brands, prices can range between $50 and $1,000 or more. At an eye doctor's clinic, prices for eyeglasses will vary depending upon the frames, lenses and region of the country. The average price for eyeglasses nationally is $196, according to Vision Service Plan.
• Discount retailers, such as LensCrafters or Pearle Vision, offer a range of options. Prices range from $159 for standard, metal-alloy frames to more than $500 for designer frames.
• Patients can also purchase eyeglasses online, through discount merchants, like Eyeglasses.com and ZenniOptical.com. Prices for discount lenses purchased online range from plain metal alloy frames with lenses for $8 to designer eyeglasses with lenses for $535.
• Insurance coverage for eyeglasses varies depending upon the company. Copays range from $0 to $50 for lenses. Some insurance companies put a cap on the amount a patient can spend on lenses. The Lia Health Alliance plan will pay up to $120 a year for glasses, and the patient must pay any additional cost.

• Eyeglass purchases should include metal frames, nose pads and lenses. In some cases, the retailers may list separate charges for the frames and the lenses. The listing may also include care information for the lenses and frames. AllAboutVision.com describes different types of frame styles and lenses.

• Most experts recommend that patients purchase eyeglasses through a U.S. retailer because overseas merchants are not bound by Food and Drug Administration regulations. Patients must have an annual eye exam to purchase eye glasses through a U.S. retailer, at an average national cost of $114. See How Much Does An Eye Exam Cost.
• Specialized lens materials and lens coatings will be an extra cost. These upgrades can range between $20 for a UV coating on the lenses to $300 for light-weight frames. The cost for these items will vary tremendously. AllAboutVision.com describes the different lens materials and coating options.

• Discounted and free eye exams are available through a variety of programs and foundations. The National Eye Institute maintains a list of many of these programs.

• Patients with a personal or family history of eye conditions should consider seeing an ophthalmologist instead of an optometrist for their eye exam. Find a list of ophthalmologists through theAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology or search for an optometrist through the Optometrist Network.
• If face-to-face interaction and an establishment to visit with questions is preferred, then an eye care clinic or boutique might be the best place to make a purchase. If time is a factor and the patient does not need a new prescription, eyeglasses can be purchased online.
• AllAboutVision.com provides a primer on choosing the best frame for a patient's face shape. Some online retailers allow customers to upload a picture to see how the frames look on their face. Try it out free via Frames Direct.
• Buying online is not necessarily the cheapest option; always check all possible sources before buying. Often eye doctors will offer a free eye exam with the purchase of eyeglasses.
• When shopping online, investigate the company, making sure the lenses are FDA-approved. AllAboutVision.com recommends that patients check with the Better Business Bureau before making a purchase.

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