On average, a routine eye exam costs between $50 and $250, but this can vary depending on your location, the type of exam you receive, and your vision insurance. If you have vision insurance, your exam might be 100% covered by your plan. In some cases, you may pay a copayment or deductible, but it’s typically more affordable than paying without insurance.
A comprehensive eye exam typically includes tests to assess overall eye health and detect potential problems. Read on to learn more about the cost of an eye exam and what can affect the final price.
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Sight Issues Common Among Americans
Around 12 million adults aged 40 and over have vision impairment, from needing corrective lenses to more serious conditions. That’s a significant portion of the population, highlighting the importance of regular eye exams to maintain healthy vision.
Unfortunately, 93 million adults are at high risk for serious vision loss, yet only 50% visited an eye doctor last year. This includes conditions like diabetes, which can cause vision loss over time from diabetic retinopathy. When caught early enough, 90% of the blindness caused by diabetes is preventable, meaning that eye exams are extremely important for these vulnerable populations.
No matter the state of your eye health, getting an eye exam can catch problems before they become permanent issues and help improve your vision.
Understanding Eye Exams
Eye exams are crucial for maintaining good vision throughout life. There are two types of eye exams:
- Basic eye exam: A basic eye exam focuses primarily on vision testing and a basic assessment of eye health.
- Comprehensive exam: A comprehensive exam includes a wider range of tests to check for eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Vision insurance typically covers both routine and comprehensive exams, although some plans may have additional copays depending on the exam type.
What Eye Exams Can Tell You
A good eye exam can reveal a lot about your overall health. Beyond determining your need for glasses or contacts, it can detect common eye conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The exam can also identify early signs of more serious issues like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. In some cases, eye exams can even provide clues about underlying health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Other surprising health problems an eye exam can catch include:
- Brain tumors
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Thyroid disease
When Do You Need an Exam?
How often you need an eye exam depends on your age:
- Birth through 2 years: At 6 or 12 months
- 3 to 5 years: Once
- 6 to 17 years: Annually
- 18 to 64 years: Every two years for low-risk patients and annually for at-risk patients
- 65 and older: Annually
Common Retail Chains for Affordable Eye Exams
Retailer | Exam Cost (no insurance) |
|---|---|
America’s Best | $69 |
Costco | $70+ |
Lenscrafters | $79 |
Pearle Vision | $50-$200 |
Target | $70-$100 |
Visionworks | $75+ |
Walmart | $75+ |
You do not need to go to a specific optician’s office to get an eye exam. Many retail chains offer convenient and often affordable eye exam prices. For example, Walmart’s eye exam cost without insurance can be as low as $75. These chains can be a great choice for those seeking a familiar and accessible environment.
Retail chains often have multiple locations, making it easier to find one near you. They frequently advertise competitive pricing for eye exams that are potentially lower than traditional optometrist offices. Some chains even allow walk-in appointments so you do not have to schedule your exam in advance.
Do Retail Chains Accept Insurance?
Many retail chains accept major vision insurance plans, allowing you to potentially use your insurance benefits to cover a portion or all of the exam cost. Always check with your specific vision plan and the chosen retailer beforehand to confirm coverage details.
Following your exam, retail chains typically have on-site optical departments where you can browse and purchase glasses or contact lenses based on the doctor’s recommendations. However, you do not have to buy your glasses or contacts there. You can take your prescription elsewhere to shop around for frames or lenses that better suit your style and budget.
Simplifying Vision Insurance
Vision insurance is separate from your regular health insurance. It focuses specifically on eye care. Like standard health insurance, vision insurance usually requires a monthly premium to maintain your benefits. You might also pay a copay when you get an exam or pick out a new pair of glasses. In many cases, vision insurance plans set limits on what they pay for glasses or contacts each year. If you exceed that amount, you have to pay the rest out of pocket.
Many vision insurance providers have a curated network of providers they’ve negotiated rates with. Seeing these opticians ensures you get lower prices for your care.
Because vision insurance is a stand-alone plan, it does not matter what type of health insurance you have. However, your current health insurance provider may offer you a discount if you add vision benefits with them.
What Vision Insurance Covers
Each plan is unique, but many generally cover the following:
- Eye exams: Routine eye exams are usually covered partially or entirely, with some plans requiring a copay.
- Eyewear: If you need new corrective supplies, you may be able to get discounts on eyeglasses, contact lenses, and sometimes lens treatments like anti-reflective coating.
- Allowances: Many plans offer a set amount of money you can use towards glasses or contacts. If your eyewear costs more than the allowance, then you would pay the remaining cost out of pocket.
- Corrective surgeries: Most vision plans do not cover corrective surgeries like the LASIK procedure in full, but they may offer a discount. However, check with your specific insurance provider for details.
Who Needs Vision Insurance?
If you have a history of farsightedness or nearsightedness that requires corrective lenses, having vision insurance is a great way to make buying new glasses or contact lenses more affordable. It’s also a good option for people who need regular eye exams, including those with vision conditions or a family history of eye problems. Because the American Optometric Association recommends annual eye exams for people aged 65 and over, it can also be a good idea if you’re in that age range.
Even if your eyes are in good health, you might consider vision insurance if your job requires a lot of screen time or close-up work. Over time, this type of work can strain your eyes. Vision insurance can help offset the cost of regular exams to monitor your eye health.
How to Enroll
Many employers offer vision insurance as a perk. Check with your human resources department to see if this is an option and how to enroll.
Some traditional health insurance plans offered on the Health Insurance Marketplace include vision benefits, but the majority do not. The Marketplace does not offer stand-alone vision plans, so you need to shop around with individual insurance companies, or work with a licensed agent or broker to review your options.
Additionally, clubs like Costco or AAA sometimes offer discounted vision plans to members. Explore these options if you’re already a member and want a potentially more affordable plan.
Once you’ve chosen a plan, follow the enrollment instructions provided by your employer, insurance company, or discount provider. This might involve completing an online application or submitting a paper form. Always review plan details carefully, paying close attention to coverage specifics, network limitations, and out-of-pocket costs.
Managing Eye Exam and Vision Health Costs
If you’re looking for ways to lower your vision health costs, consider some of these options:
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): If you have an FSA through your employer, you can use pre-tax dollars to cover eligible eye exam and vision care costs, including glasses or contacts.
- Medicaid: For eligible individuals and families with low income, Medicaid may cover your eye care expenses. Individual state Medicaid program benefits vary, so contact your state’s Medicaid office to check.
- Discounts: Look for discounts on eye exams and eyewear offered by vision insurance plans, AARP memberships, or student organizations. Optometrists may even offer discount plans for uninsured patients.
- Compare prices: Get quotes from different optometrists and retail chains before scheduling your exam. Consider online retailers for contact lenses, but prioritize in-person eye exams for proper eye health assessment.
- Local health clinics: If you need a basic vision check and have no pressing eye concerns, some charities or student clinics might offer free or low-cost eye screenings.
What It All Means
The cost of eye exams can vary, but regular checkups are crucial for maintaining good vision. Even if you think your vision is fine, an eye exam can catch preventable problems early on so they do not worsen.
While average costs for an eye exam can range from $50 to $250, vision insurance is one way to help this. With a vision insurance plan, you may pay far less for an eye exam than you would without insurance. Whether you utilize vision benefits, explore cost-saving strategies, or take advantage of free screenings when appropriate, prioritize regular eye exams to safeguard your sight throughout your life.