On average, how much did your eye glasses cost you? Do you have insurance or not?

damn good question.

I needed glasses for the first time and spent a day going to different places with my prescription.

For the same glasses (and frames) I had prices that ranged from $175 (for TWO pair !) to over $600 for a single pair .

Typically the most expensive places were the ones that were part of my insurance program (participating offices).

My insurance pays about 60% for the non participating bill but even with that, applying to the other place I came out with a total of about $120 for the two pair. They lasted for over two years before I lost them so the quality was there too.

Moral: It pays to shop around and get the base prices without insurance.

If you're looking for cheap glasses, then there are Internet retailers that sell complete pairs for less than $10 (Zenni Optical, LBW Eyewear as examples). For $30, there are many more Internet choices. These are exceptional values for "spare pairs" or for experienced wearers that can choose an appropriate frame size and do not require the extra service of a brick & mortar optician.

The cost of glasses varies due to many factors:
1) Designer names: Fashion may come at a high price, taking a $25 frame to $400 or beyond. This doesn't necessarily mean better quality, though.

2) Warranty: Opticians may offer free remakes if your prescription changes quickly or was measured incorrectly-- things that aren't necessarily their fault. Others will remake scratched lenses for free or at reduced prices. Lenscrafters is pushing their "Unconditional Guarantee." The cost increase should correspond the service level, and the value of this "insurance" should be weighed in the buying decision.

3) Lens options:
a) Basic lenses in unusual or hard-to-make prescriptions (high powers, prisms) are often modestly surcharged.
b) Hi-index lenses that are thinner can add up to $300 to the price of the glasses for the most exotic lenses.
c) Scratch-resistant and/or UV coatings are usually inexpensive ($10) add-ons, but they are often not required. Polycarbonate and most hi-index lenses already include this.
d) Anti-reflective coatings are available in many quality and price ranges up to about $100.
e) Bifocals/trifocals/progressives, tinted, polarized, transition (sunlight-sensitive)? More $$$!

4) Speed: Lenses finished in-house tend to cost more than those finished in an off-site lab. This isn't always the case, however.

As for insurance, most plans are glorified discount plans good for a certain allowance towards vision care. The value of the insurance is usually in the lower negotiated rates for goods and services such that the allowance is applied towards a lower base cost.

To answer your question, though, I paid $78 for two pairs of glasses (without insurance).

mine cost $240 at walmart

No insurance and $120.00 a pair....exam included....at a shopping mall.

My daughter's were about $60 at Wal-mart vision center. You can get some nice ones for less than $100 there. No insurance here.

Mine were $275 - just for the frames (Tommy Hilfiger), the anti-reflective coating, and the lenses. My health insurance picked up the cost of the eye exam.

Mine cost $400 (Canadian) because I require special lenses. At the time I bought them I had insurance that covered most of the price.

OK, today my husband and I picked out new glasses for him. The cost to us was $358, for frames, special prescription strength, polymer lenses, and clip on shades. We do have insurance - insurance paid $160 of it, it would have been over $500.

Now, you CAN tell them, show me your cheap frames! And you get the frames that are under $100, which are usually fully covered by your insurance. But we didn't do that.

Consumer Reports heavily suggests that you bring your prescription to Sam's Club or Cosco or a wholesale place like that, to save up to 70% and get stylish frames in a timely manner. The CHEAPEST way to get frames is to find the style you like, and buy the frames (brand & style) off the internet, then bring them to Sam's & get the lenses ground & installed.

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