Cost of an Eye Exam - 2024 Healthcare Costs

Typical costs:

The national average charge for an eye exam is $114 for those without insurance, according to the Vision Service Plan[1] . The cost varies depending upon the clinic and region of the country. Lakewood Family Eye Care[2] clinic, in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., charges $109 for an eye exam for those without insurance. Discount clinics, such as those at WalMart[3] , can charge as little as $50 for an eye exam.
For patients with vision insurance coverage, the typical copay will apply. For some, the vision plan covers the full cost of a regular annual eye exam. Other plans charge a copay of $5 to $35.
Some clinics have a separate charge for retraction, a test that determines the patient's prescription. This varies by clinic, ranging from $15 to $40 at the Main Line Eye Specialists. In many cases, this charge will not be covered by insurance.

What should be included:

There are many tests included in a routine eye exam, beginning with taking the patient's medical history, asking about everything from family history to current eye issues. Then there will be an eye muscle test, visual acuity test, color vision test and visual field test. An eye muscle test involves the patient tracking a light or object throughout their visual field, to make sure the eyes are responding appropriately and in unison. During a visual acuity test, patients will be asked to name numbers or letters on a chart from a distance of 20 feet. For the color vision test, the patient will be asked if he or she can see patterns of colored dots on a page. And the visual field test checks peripheral vision. The Mayo Clinic[4] describes the specific tests conducted during an eye exam.
Refraction assessment should be part of the exam, unless the patient requests that the assessment not be included. During this test, the practitioner tests out different prescriptions while asking the patient which lenses promote the best vision.
Some eye exams also include examining the patient's cornea and eye pressure, often using a special eye drop to dilate the eye. This allows the practitioner to see deep into the cornea. The patient's eye pressure should be tested if there is a family history of glaucoma

Related Costs: Eyeglasses, Contact Lenses, Prescription Sunglasses, Colored Contacts, LASIK Eye Surgery

Additional costs:

If the patient's vision needs correcting, corrective lenses or eyeglasses may be recommended. See How Much Do Contacts Cost?, How Much Does a Contact Lens Fitting Cost and How Much Do Eyeglasses Cost.
If the eye doctor noticed a more serious eye condition, such as developing glaucoma, additional visits may be required. Serious eye conditions are uncommon among those under age 50.
Because a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses is only valid for 12 months, patients who wish to purchases lenses will need to return annually for an updated prescription.

Discounts:

Discounted and free eye exams are available through a variety of programs and foundations. The National Eye Institute[5] maintains a list of many of these programs.

Shopping for an eye exam:

Before setting up an appointment, call different eye clinics to compare prices. If the patient anticipates needing eyeglasses or contact lenses, ask if the exam will be included in the purchase price.
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[6] or search for an optometrist through the Optometrist Network[7] .
WebMD.com[8] lists tips on how to choose an eye doctor.
Consumers with insurance should check with their providers about their coverage. Some companies regulate which providers a patient can see for their eye care.

Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.

What People Are Paying - Recent Comments husband and I had eye exams and got each got glasses
Amount: $1,488.59
Posted by: D & T
From: Dothan, AL
Posted On: May 13th, 2021 12:05PM

That was $679.47 for the two of us initially, which also included comprehensive exams. We got VSP individual insurance which premiums for the two of us for this 12 month period will equal $610.56. Because my husband has diabetes, his eye exam was submitted to Medicare, and that $201.56 was put to his deductible for this year. So total that will be paid out for the two of us will be $1488.59 when you add in the premiums for the year. This included designer frames, his RayBan, mine Dulce & Gabanna, both/ Varilux comfort polycarb lenses, and Crizal Sapphire non glare and UV protection with scratch coat. These lenses are warranted for 2 years. What gets me is the VSP insurance does not align with what we were charged on the doctor's invoice. The doctor's office charged combined $122 more, and the insurance says, "that can happen because how they bill does not necessarily match up with the invoice". This does not happen with any other medical insurance explanation of benefits.

Eye exam(pressure, muscle, peripheral), refraction, retinal exam, contact lens evaulation
Amount: $342.00
Posted by: Evelyn
From: Las vegas, NV
Posted On: March 23rd, 2020 06:03PM

Using dad's insurance blue cross blue shield and mom's culinary. Refraction not covered, retinal exam not covered

Comprehensive eye exam
Amount: $1,058.00
Posted by: Monique Chantal
From: Denver, CO
Posted On: June 27th, 2019 07:06PM

Exam without new scleral lenses.

Over Charged for Eye Exam for my son
Amount: $435.00
Posted by: Sayid Axmed
From: St. Louis Park, MN
Posted On: June 24th, 2019 12:06PM

Hello,
Thank you for your time. I was wondering if you have any numbers for what would be a fair price for eye exam in Hennepin county, Minnesota. My hospital is wanting me to pay the full price for an eye exam that my insurance refused to pay.

Cost of yearly eye exam
Amount: $285.00
Posted by: S.A.
From: Irmo, SC
Posted On: November 25th, 2017 09:11PM

Routine yearly eye exam in Irmo SC

Exam including pressure test and dilation
Amount: $285.00
Posted by: [email protected]
From: Tewkesbury, MA
Posted On: November 29th, 2016 06:11AM

Contact lens exam would have been additional. This fee did not include corrective eyewear.

Eye exam , frames, pro. Gras. Lens
Amount: $630.00
Posted by: Charles R. Trapp
From: Idabel, OK
Posted On: October 5th, 2016 09:10PM

Do not go to Dr. Srepurt in Idabel, ok. HE will rip you off. For as am concerned he needs to be o be turned in to somebody. Am a mason & he suppose To be. If he will do this to a brother mason, don't know what he would cost an other person. My god have mercy on his thieving soul.

Eye Exam without insurance
Amount: $210.00
Posted by: Chatkat
From: RAPID CITY, SD
Posted On: June 10th, 2016 04:06PM

Wow! If the national average for eye exams is about 115 dollars I really took it in the bank account. Exam at Rapid City Medical Ctr was fine but I sensed they tried to push shopping at their optical center even though I said I went elsewhere.

Cost
Amount: $264.00
Posted by: JayJay14
From: bellingham, WA
Posted On: April 18th, 2016 08:04AM

Optometrist office.
$150 eye exam
$79 Refraction
$35 for a retinal photo
all this and they now what more for glasses.

eyeglasses with exam
Amount: $550.00
Posted by: NA
From: Salisbury, NC
Posted On: March 2nd, 2016 02:03PM

designer frames plus exam, bifocals. I believe this optometrist is extremely expensive- Dr. Denton in Salisbury, North Carolina

Eye Exam + Retina/Cornea photos
Amount: $66.00
Posted by: EmPear
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Posted On: February 2nd, 2016 08:02PM

Feb.2016
Eye exam (included glaucoma & refractive testing) cost without insurance: $39
Upsell to include digital photos of cornea and retina: $27

Contact Lens Exam
Amount: $120.00
Posted by: Pguy
From: Corpus Chrsiti, TX
Posted On: December 2nd, 2015 03:12PM

Saw Dr. Trevino at Eyeland View Eye Care for a contact lens exam. Great Doc and staff! Located in Walmart in Flour Bluff. I've always been leary of going to Walmart for an eye exam, but glad I did. Comparing prices listed here, not too bad.

Contact Lens Exam
Amount: $187.20
Posted by: E.D.
From: Douglasville, GA
Posted On: August 16th, 2015 02:08PM

Blatt Eye Center
Comp Exam $195
Refraction $39
20% discount with Insurance

Contact Lens Exam
Amount: $120.00
Posted by: E.D.
From: Powder Springs, GA
Posted On: August 16th, 2015 02:08PM

Brilliant Eyes
Exam $130 (only $15 with my insurance discount)
Toric Contact Lens Fitting $85
Screening (optional) $20

Contact Lens Exam
Amount: $110.00
Posted by: E.D.
From: Douglasville, GA
Posted On: August 16th, 2015 01:08PM

Visionworks
Promo exam $39
Toric evaluation for contacts $59
Visualfield (optional) $12

Found a great pair of eyeglasses and got contacts too
Amount: $250.00
Posted by: Vman
From: Fort Lauderdal, FL
Posted On: September 9th, 2011 06:09AM

Dr. Gary Enker and staff are great. My eye exam was quick and efficient because he has the newest equipment and had problems getting good contacts before but he made it easy and no problem. Found a great pair of eyeglasses and got contacts too. Their personal care and help made me fell like they really cared about me as a patient and not just a number walking in the door.

had our contact lens exams and chose our new eye glasses frames
Amount: $420.00
Posted by: taylor213
From: Fort Lauderdal, FL
Posted On: August 2nd, 2011 05:08AM

We've been customers of America's Best and Eyeglass World and had no complaints but my eyes are bad, but a friend recommended Dr. Enker at World Eyeglasses and I'm delighted we switched. World Eyeglasses is a small, friendly eye center in Fort Lauderdale with an excellent selection of eyewear and glasses and an optician onsite. And Dr. Enker is an experienced eye doctor with a great no-nonsense approach, some might find offensive because it is really a very efficient office but it is very very organized. My husband and I had our contact lens exams and chose our new eye glasses frames in half the time we expected. And for half what we expected to pay!

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Eye Exam Cost

How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost?

	Insurance Coppays: $5-$50
	Discount Clinics: $50+
	National Average (Without Insurance): $114