How Much Is A Contact Lens Exam
- Average price range: $40 to $240
Before you can wear contacts, you have to get a prescription. The cost depends on whether you are getting a basic or comprehensive eye exam.
Factors such as where you get the exam also influence their prices. Some doctors charge an additional fee for procedures.
Retail outlets and discount stores
These places exclusively offer prescription glasses and contact lenses. Optometrists that work in discount chains usually charge $45 to $150 for an eye exam.
You can get a discount if you buy contacts or eyeglasses with your prescription. America’s Best, LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Stanton Optical, and Visionworks are some popular chains.
Vision centers
These are eye clinics located inside or nearby big-box retail stores. Some examples include JCPenney Optical, Target Optical, and Walmart Vision Center.
An eye exam at a vision center typically costs $80.
Private clinics
Optometrists with their own clinics can charge anywhere from $40 to $240, depending on your location.
If you live in the Midwestern or Southern U.S. you can get a comprehensive eye exam for $90. But if you are located in the Northern and Western U.S., an eye exam usually costs $110.
An examination may cost you up to $240 in some Northwest states and high-rise cities like Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C.
Dilation and imaging tests costs
Doctors may prescribe either but never both at the same time. They can cost you $24 to $33 each when charged separately.
Other Cost Factors To Keep In Mind
In figuring cost, don’t forget about possible offsets that may bring the price down.
Check to see if your regular health insurance has an optical benefit that may cover a part of the lens cost. A supplemental vision plan is also another option. Such plans may run between $150 to $180 annually depending on where you live. In addition to covering around $120 for either contact lenses or frames for spectacles, they may also include the full amount of a standard eye exam, as well as prescription lens costs for glasses.
At Nationwide Vision our major insurers include Blue Cross Blue Shield, VSP, United Healthcare and Eyemed. Our team is always happy to answer any insurance questions and help you determine what services are covered. View our full list of accepted vision insurance plans and information.
After you receive your lenses and wear them successfully, keep in mind that getting a new prescription the next time should be easier. Once you and your Nationwide Vision doctor confirm the fit is still comfortable and your eyes are healthy, future visits may simply involve checking your prescription and updating if necessary.
Always be open and honest about how your contact lenses are working for you, and your eye doctor will work with you to find the right option for your vision!
How Much Does An Eye Exam Cost With Insurance
If you have vision insurance, then your eye exam will cost you much less out-of-pocket. Its common to have a copay for a comprehensive eye examand thats if your insurance doesnt cover it entirely.
But, having vision insurance also means paying monthly premiums, and those can add up to around $150$200 a year, depending on your plan. Many plans will help you pay for prescription eyewear, and that bonus makes insurance worth it for people who plan on buying new glasses and/or contacts each year.
Most healthcare plans dont have a built-in vision component, and wont cover your routine eye exams if youre an adult.
If you want vision insurance, youll probably have to enroll in a standalone plan thats separate from your medical health plan.
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What Happens At Your Eye Exam
During a comprehensive eye exam for contact lenses, your eye care professional can tell you if contacts are right for you. When scheduling your appointment, be sure to mention the following points so you book the correct appointment:
- Your vision history Describe any new issues youre experiencing and let them know if you currently wear glasses or contact lenses.
- You want contact lenses Let them know youre interested in contacts and be sure to specify that you want a contact lens fitting appointment.
- Your current contact lenses or eye glasses prescription, if you have them.
- Your vision insurance card information, if you have that.
At your appointment, your doctor will ask you questions about your hobbies, activities, and lifestyle to determine the best types of contacts for you.
Then, your doctor will take measurements to determine the diameter, curvature, and health of your eyes.
Next, youll discuss the types of contact lenses that may be right for you. Once youve been fitted, theyll check your vision once more.
Finally, youll learn how to care for lenses. Youll be taught how to put in, take out, and properly care for your contacts. You most likely will have to put them in and remove them before you leave.
Lenscrafters Discounts And Deals
AARP membership
LensCrafters can save you money on eye exams and prescription costs. So, if youre a member of AARP, then check with LensCrafters to see how much theyll reduce your total costs.
AAA membership
For eye exams, AAA members can save 30% off at the participating LensCrafters locations.
Official website
To save money, visit the Savings and Offers page on LensCrafters.com before your appointment to see if any current promotions are available for you. To make things even cheaper, talk with a local representative about whether or not they can give you additional discounts based on what is listed online.
Check out websites like Groupon
Check Groupon.com and similar websites before you visit the optometrist to see if there are any deals on eye exams and eyeglasses/eyewear that can help you save a few extra dollars.
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Where To Get An Eye Exam
If you need an eye exam, there are several options to choose from. You could schedule an appointment at a local eye doctors office or visit an eyewear chain store location. Some large retailers, such as Walmart or Target, may sometimes include vision centers at their locations.
Typically, if you have vision insurance, you will have access to a network of vision care providers where you can receive an eye exam. Since exams are routine preventive care, they are usually covered or subject to a small copayment in vision insurance plans.10
How Much Does A Costco Eye Exam Cost
A basic eye exam at Costco usually costs between $50 and $100 for a comprehensive eye exam for glasses. Prices will vary based on location.
Services such as dilation, retinal imaging and contact lens fittings, if needed, can all increase the final price. Some doctors include dilation or retinal imaging in the cost of the exam, but contact lens fittings will always be at an additional fee.
The optometrist at your local Costco will be happy to answer any pricing questions you have before your appointment.
According to our survey of 100 optical centers across the country:
-
Independent optometrists associated with wholesale clubs charged $61 for an eye exam, on average.
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All locations, including non-retail locations, charged $95 on average for an eye exam $34 more than the average wholesale club.
If you have vision insurance, your plan could cover most or all of this fee just be sure to verify your eligibility before your appointment.
Without insurance, its hard to go wrong with an eye exam at a store-based vision center.
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Financial Help To Get Regular Eye Exams And Corrective Wear
After the passage of the Affordable Care Act , vision insurance was slowly phased in as one of the health care marketplaces options. However, oral and vision care are not considered essential health benefits for adults that standard health insurance must cover. Instead, the marketplace offers these types of insurance separately, with a tax credit as applicable based on income. For children, pediatric health insurance covers vision and dental care, as required by the ACA.
If you still cannot get vision insurance or missed the ACA application window, there are other options to get lower cost eye exams, financial aid for eye exams, and even free exams.
If inexpensive or low-cost eye exams are out of reach, the National Eye Institute maintains a list of organizations that provide free eye exams and, often, free glasses.
- Lions Club International offers a vision screening program.
- Older adults may qualify for Medicares vision screenings to prevent diabetes-related eye conditions, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
What Affects The Cost
When shopping for contacts, seemingly similar products often come with widely different price tags.
Factors that increase the cost include the brand prescribed by your eye doctor, the strength of your prescription, conditions like astigmatism, and special features like eye color enhancement.
On the other hand, insurance coverage, manufacturers rebates, retailer coupons, bulk-buying options, and opting for yearly contacts can reduce the price.
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Are Costco Lenses Good
Yes! Lenses are Kirkland Signature HD progressive lenses, transitions photochromic lenses, polarized sun lenses, anti-reflective treatment, and computer treatment. Shipping and handling are free for many of these items. Their contact lens brands include Acuvue 2, Acuvue 1-Day MOIST, Air Optix Aqua, Air Optix Night & Day Aqua, Biofinity, Focus DAILIES, Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus, and Oasys. The lens materials are 1.67 high indexes, polycarbonate aspheric, polycarbonate, and hard resin .
Does Telehealth Services Work For Eye Exams
For the same reasons that online eye exams arent a good choice, telehealth services dont work for eye exams.
If you have early stages of several serious vision conditions, you may still be able to see well enough, or you may treat the condition like a refractive error, believing you simply need stronger glasses. While you may qualify for an updated prescription, a telehealth eye exam doesnt give the doctor the opportunity to fully examine your eyes and potentially detect concerning eye conditions or diseases.
Ultimately, self-diagnosis and telemedicine do not work as well for vision exams as they might for other conditions. So many eye conditions can be caught early and treated with routine exams.
Saving up and going in person to see an optometrist makes a huge difference. With the ACAs introduction of vision insurance to the health insurance marketplace, affordable insurance coverage can help reduce your costs for eye exams, new glasses, and more.
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How Does The 1
Youll answer a few questions to determine if youre eligible. Then, youll take some pictures of your eyes and stand 10 feet back from your phone or computer to read a series of letters. Finally, youll answer some questions about the contacts you were wearing as you took the test.
A licensed ophthalmologist in your state will look at everything and your renewed prescription will be ready within a few business hours.
Welcome To My Eyelab Houston
Theres nothing more satisfying than perfect vision! The team at My Eyelab delivers the easiest, most comprehensive eye exam. Our streamlined telehealth eye care experience gives you the opportunity to get a complete exam and choose from thousands of stylish, affordable frames quickly and efficiently.
We are near Walmart, next to Capital One Bank and the AT& T Store.
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Costco Eye Exam Services
- Shipping & Terms The Gift Messaging option is available at the checkout process. The standard shipment is through UPS Ground, and you can expect to receive your order within 3 to 5 business days from the time you purchased the item. The shipping and handling are free for standard shipment. Additional fees will apply if you opt for express shipment . Their website will quote the cost during checkout.
- Returns & Warranty To quickly get a refund , you can go to any Costco warehouse near you and return your purchase to the store. If going there in person isnt an option, contact their Customer Service. You will need to provide your order number.
Average Cost Of Eye Exam For Uninsured Patients
Comprehensive Eye Exams with Refraction :
· Start at $75
Patients receive a complete vision and eye health check, including glaucoma and retina screenings for diabetics and immediately get their prescription for glasses. Many single vision glasses can be made in less than an hour!
Comprehensive Eye Exam with Refraction AND Fitting of Soft Contact Lenses:
Contact Lens Fittings are additional to the comprehensive eye exam. Following the comprehensive eye exam, the doctor perform special tests during a contact lens exam to evaluate your vision with contacts. The first test will measure your eye surface to determine what size and type of contacts are best for you. The second test will verify that the contact lenses fit correctly on the eye.
The prices below reflect the self pay full comprehensive eye exam including a contact lens fitting of soft contacts.
· New Contact Lens Wearers Standard Fitting: $200
· New Contact Lens Wearers Premium Fitting: $260
· New Contact Lens Wearers Myopia Control Fitting: $350
· Previous Contact Lens Wearers Standard Fitting: $120
· Previous Contact Lens Wearers Premium Fitting: $180
· Previous Contact Lens Wearers Myopia Control Fitting: $300
– Premium contact lenses are basically more complex types of lenses and include but are not limited to toric, multifocal/monovision, and those used for extended/overnight wear. If you are prescribed premium contact lenses, your eye doctor will perform a premium fitting.
Contact Lens Fitting only:
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What To Expect At Your Eye Exam
First of all, it is important to know that a correct ophthalmological examination begins with a dialogue between the doctor and the patient, in which the doctor finds out the purpose for which the individual requested the consultation. It can be a routine check-up, periodically, to prevent certain eye diseases and check the health of your eyes or it can be about certain vision problems that you want to solve.
You might also like our articles about the cost an eye exam at Sams Club, VisionWorks, or Walmart.
The anamnesis is the first step of the consultation, in which the doctor finds information about your pathological and heredo-collateral history, associated diseases, treatments performed, possible allergies, and symptoms that bother you .
After the anamnesis, the actual examination will follow. Usually, a complete eye examination lasts an average of 2030 minutes but may take longer if you need additional tests.
How Much Does A Contact Lens Exam Cost
Contact lens exams typically cost somewhere between $100 and $250. At Warby Parker stores, eye exams for glasses and contacts start at $130 .
Contact lens exams involve highly detailed measurements of your eye and an optometrists expertise in fitting you with the right size lens and the right prescription. Its a multi-step process that can kick off a lifelong relationship with contact lensesthe cost correlates with the effort and knowledge necessary for the optometrist to complete the exam.
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Average Cost Of A Contact Lens Exam Without Insurance
Typically, the average cost of a contact lens exam ranges between $120-$250.
The average cost of a regular eye exam will vary depending on where you live and the type of optometry office you visit.
With that said, keep in mind these are averages.
Contact lens fittings without insurance can start as low as $100. Youll find big brand names like Americas Best will offer the cheapest options. We suggest calling several optical/optometry offices near you to find the best eye exam rates for your needs.
Cost Shouldnt Stand In The Way Of Your Eye Care
Looking after your eyes and your eyesight is hugely important. No one should have to forgo eye care because of a lack of funds.
Thankfully, there are resources available for those who dont have the finances for an out-of-pocket eye exam: The National Eye Institute has a list of programs that can reduce or eliminate the cost of both exams and prescription eyewear. Warby Parkers exams are also priced below the approximate national average, starting at $85.
Your eyes deserve top-notch treatment that also respects your budget. Now that you know the average cost of an eye exam, we hope you feel empowered to choose the right optometrist for youand if you need any guidance, we happen to know a couple.
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Your Eye Exam: Fast Easy & Affordable
Many people dont realize the importance of eye care. However, many ophthalmologists and optometrists advise to get an eye exam at least once a year. With the fast-paced environment we live in today and the fact that we use screens everywhere, its no wonder why.
Eye exams are one of the most overlooked health procedures. However, frequent vision tests are one of the best ways to prevent serious diseases and detect any changes in your vision quality before these affect your health, safety, and wellbeing. In fact, ophthalmologists and optometrists recommend annual eye exams.
At Stanton Optical, our mission is to make eye care easy, and that includes your eye exam experience provided by our independent eye doctors.
Easy to Schedule or Reschedule: You can book your appointment online, via phone , or in-store. Modify your appointment by creating your account or logging-in. Creating your account takes just 2 minutes. You will have access to all your information including your contact details, appointment, order history and prescription. Access My Account now.
Walk-ins Available: If you need an exam now, simply walk-in and get your exam. No prior appointment is necessary. Its that easy. Find your nearest store now.
Affordable: Your eye exam is completely free when you purchase 2 pairs of glasses. If you only need an eye exam, its only $59 without insurance or $99 for contacts, which also includes a prescription for glasses.