Book An Appointment With Our Jax Eye Doctors Today
When you want to get an affordable eye exam, you need an appointment with an experienced eye doctor. At VAL-Uvision, we allow you to book an appointment online through our website or over the phone for your convenience.Keeping up with your visual health starts with regular exams and check-ups. At our clinics, we provide the services you need at affordable rates.
For more details about our special pricing options for an eye exam or to set up an appointment with an optometrist in Jacksonville, call us today.
Free Eye Exams For Children
Parents have few obstacles finding eyecare for their kids. There are too many public-health and charitable options to get kids tested, and doctors can detect vision abnormalities in babies and children through regular screening.
Infants between 6-12 months in age can benefit from InfantSEEs free vision screening, while children from low-income households that do not have medical or vision insurance can get help through Sight for Students.
You may also have local programs in place to get your childrens eyes tested. Contact the health department in your area. Elementary school nurses are also a good resource for information about healthcare benefits, including free eye exams for kids.
Does My Insurance Cover An Annual Eye Exam
Figuring out the specifics of your medical insurance can be tricky, especially your vision coverage. Depending on your individual policy, some routine annual eye exams can be covered, but unfortunately most are not.
Since vision coverage is an add-on to regular health insurance, it can be hard to understand what benefits are included and which ones have additional associated costs. To simplify this, insurance companies categorize your visits to the eye doctor into two groups: routine visits and medical visits.
These two types of visits are still considered to be full eye exams covering the same elements, and the type of eye doctor you see does not change. Either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist can perform a routine or medical eye exam and the price can range anywhere from $50 to over $250.
So, what is the difference between these exams and how does this difference determine the cost?
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Is A Contact Lens Exam Different Than An Eye Exam
A normal, comprehensive eye exam will allow your optometrist to determine if your eyes are healthy enough to wear contact lenses. During your contact lens fitting, detailed measurements of your eyes will be taken to determine the right contact lenses for you. There is an additional fee for a contact lens fitting and evaluation for all contact lens patients . Schedule your eye exam today to have all of your questions about contact lenses answered.
How Much Does An Eye Exam Cost In The United States
Estimates from FAIR Health suggest that eye exams are, in fact, the cheapest part of taking care of your eye health however, they are still not a small amount of money if vision insurance does not supply assistance. National average costs are:
- $200 for initial patient exams.
- $128 for established patient exams.
- $46 for refractive vision tests.
These costs are the overall average of the most expensive cities and least expensive towns across the United States. However, they indicate what you can expect, in general, from an optometrist. If you have an underlying vision issue or the risk of developing a more serious vision disease, you may need to go to more frequent visits, which can become expensive without insurance.
However, FAIR Health also found that 80 percent of the nations eye exams were at or below these costs:
- $250 for initial patient exams
- $155 for established patient exams
- $60 for refractive vision tests
Eye exam frequency can impact your overall costs too. For the most part, frequency is based on age:
- Birth to 24 months : every 6 months or as recommended
- 2 to 5 years old: at 3 years old on average
- 5 to 19 years old: once per year
- 19 to 60 years old: every one to two years or as recommended, depending on eye health and refractive error
- 61 and older: annually, or as recommended by optometrist
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Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams
Medicare covers a medical eye exam, which can be completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, but will not cover a refraction, which is part of a vision exam resulting in a prescription for glasses. You may be charged extra for a “refraction fee” if using Medicare coverage. Or, if you have a secondary provider, that may cover the refraction fee. This fee can vary by region and provider. Usually, your provider will inform you of this fee before the examination.
Best For Coupons And Discounts: Lenscrafters
Lens Crafters
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Pricey lens options
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High doctor turnover
LensCrafters is an international discount eye clinic with retail stores in North America, Hong Kong, and China. Its stores boast digital eye exams by independent optometrists and an Accufit system for an accurate fitting of frames.
Each of its store opticals includes top brands and styles, and they offer assistance in finding the perfect frame for your particular face shape and lifestyle. Founded in 1983, LensCrafters founder is credited with developing the idea for a while you wait eyeglass retail store.
Frame prices seem to run about average compared to other opticals. The company offers a nice variety of package deals to help bring your final cost down, and it claims to accept most insurance plans.
Particularly alluring is the companys 30-day Happiness Guarantee, which promises to make sure youre happy with what you buy within the first 30 days of your purchase. The company offers minor repairs at no extra cost. Most stores are open seven days per week, with reduced hours on the weekends.
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National Costs Stats: How Much Is An Eye Exam Without Insurance
The national average for an eye exam with and without insurance differ significantly.
For individuals without insurance, the average cost of an eye exam depends on the eye test, location and the type of eye doctor you choose to visit in your local area.
Combining national averages from FAIR Health and VSP, you can expect to pay:
- $171-$200 is the average cost of an eye exam without insurance
- $128 for recurring patient visits
- $46 for refractive vision tests
With that said, keep in mind these are averages.
Eye exams fees without insurance can start as low as $50.
Youll find big brand names like Walmart and 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.
Other important facts to remember:
- You can expect to pay slightly more on your 1st visit compared to future visits.
- People in large metropolitan areas can expect to pay more for eye care services than those inland.
According to VSP, 80% of initial eye exams are priced at or below $200. But keep in mind the cost of a contact lens exam will be more.
Of course, the average cost of an eye exam may be slightly lower and or higher per individual depending on the factors mentioned above.
To check the cost of an eye exam without insurance near you, check out FairHealth.
The Basics Of An Eye Exam
You can have your eye exam performed either by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. An ophthalmologist, according to allaboutvision.com, is an eye doctor with either an MD or OD credential to practice medicine and surgery an optometrist is an eye specialist with a Doctor of Optometry degree whos not a medical doctor. The cost of an eye exam is generally lowest , when you have it performed by an optometrist at a retail store or at an optical chain. Eye exam cost is highest when conducted by an ophthalmologist in a clinic or an office. Here, the cost of an eye exam can run well over $100.
Doctors generally recommend that you have your eyes examined every one to two years, depending on your age, according to allaboutvision.com. More specifically, if youre over 60, you should have annual eye exams, while if youre between the ages of six and 60, you should have an eye exam once every two years. Children under the age of six generally have eye exams at six months of age and then again at three and six.
During an eye exam, the ophthalmologist or optometrist will generally perform the following procedures, according to the Berkeley Eye Center:
The standard eye exam will detect many serious eye problems, including cataracts, which is clouding of the eyes lens and the main cause of blindness in the world. Also note that even if youve had vision-correction surgery, including LASIK, you still need to have a regular eye exam, preferably once a year.
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Your Local Clarkson Eyecare
If you are looking to get an eye exam without insurance, you have plenty of options. Don’t let a lack of insurance deter you from seeing an eye doctor who can help monitor your eye health and overall wellness.
Clarkson Eyecare offers affordable comprehensive eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses.
How Much Does A Cheap Eye Exam Cost
On average, you can expect to pay around $80 for an eye exam without insurance.
If youre being fitted for contacts or renewing your contact lens prescription, you could be looking at an additional fee ranging from $50 to $150.
The exact price of your eye exam will vary depending on where you live. I called optometrist offices near Lexington, Kentucky Atlanta, Georgia and Denver, Colorado, to get an idea of the average eye exam price at each store.
Here are the prices I found for a basic comprehensive eye exam in June 2022.
| $75 | $88 |
In addition to these stores, Americas Best offers a free eye exam when you buy two pairs of glasses, and 1-800-Contacts offers an online eye exam for $20.
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How To Buy Affordable Glasses Without Vision Insurance In 2022
Have you been squinting through old lenses because you dont have vision insurance? A low-cost eye exam and discount glasses can bring your world back into focus without breaking the bank. With a little legwork you can get affordable, stylish glasses even if you dont have vision insurance.
Heres how: Get a low-cost eye exam . Then shop for discount glasses online or at an optical store.
Can I Get A Contact Lenses Eye Exam Without Insurance
Yes, you can have an eye doctor perform an eye exam for contact lenses, even if you dont have insurance. However, this specialized eye exam is generally more expensive than a standard eye exam. Thats because a contact lenses eye exam involves different tests than a basic vision check or a comprehensive eye exam.
The procedures measure your eye surface to match you with the right type and size of contacts, as well as check for any pre-existing conditions such as dry eye syndrome that can interfere with comfort when wearing contact lenses. Your visual acuity with contact lenses will also be checked, because your vision prescription for contact lenses is not the same as your prescription for glasses.
If you dont have insurance but would like to book an eye exam, contact our Phoenix, Arizona, eye care center for assistance.
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Should I Visit An Optometrist Or An Ophthalmologist
Routine and medical visits are both full eye exams that cover the same elements and can be performed by either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
If a standard eye exam is needed, then visiting an optometrist will do the trick. They primarily perform vision exams, prescribe glasses or contact lenses, and can detect many eye conditions. Keep in mind that they are not medical doctors, and they may not be as familiar with all the health conditions that can affect the eyes as an ophthalmologist would. However, they can distinguish eye abnormalities and refer you to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation if necessary. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who can diagnose and treat eye diseases, perform surgery, and practice medicine.
Free Eye Exams For Infants
InfantSEE is a national public health program managed by the American Optometric Association . The program is funded through AOA’s charitable organization, Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation.
The InfantSEE program provides a one-time, free eye exam for infants.
InfantSEE provides a free eye exam for infants within the child’s first year of life, regardless of family income or insurance coverage.
The free exam is performed by an AOA member optometrist who donates their time in an effort to ensure that eye and vision care become a part of routine infant wellness care in the United States.
According to Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation, InfantSEE is just the first step to ensuring healthy eyes and clear vision for children. Parents should also schedule routine eye exams for children when their kids reach age 3. Kids should have their eyes examined again before they begin school and every two years thereafter, unless otherwise directed by their eye doctor, AOA says.
The InfantSEE program was developed in partnership with The Vision Care Institute, a Johnson & Johnson company. To learn more about InfantSEE and to find a participating optometrist, visit the InfantSEE website.
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Cheap And Free Eye Exams And Where To Get Them
As a culture, Americans are accustomed to paying for all kinds of healthcare, including eyecare. But some care came come free or at least inexpensively.
Many organizations offer free eye exams and eyeglasses to ensure children, seniors and low-income adults have access the care they need. Some retailers also offer inexpensive eye exams that may be easier to fit into your budget.
Getting regular eye exams is important to maintain good eye health. People experiencing problems with their vision need an eye exam to uncover the source of their sight issues.
In addition, anyone who wears glasses or contact lenses should have an annual eye exam to ensure that their lens prescription is still correct.
And children and seniors need regular eye exams even if they do not have any symptoms of vision problems. This is especially true for kids. Children rarely know how to tell if they are seeing, and parents can miss signs that there are issues.
Do I Have To Have My Eyes Examined By An Eye Doctor At Lenscrafters To Get A New Pair Of Glasses
We are happy to accept any current, valid prescription from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. You do not need to have an exam with an Independent Doctor at a LensCrafters location in order to purchase glasses. However, it is important to schedule an annual eye exam in order to ensure the health of your eyes.
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The Cost Of An Eye Exam At Different Retailers
The cost of an eye exam is often less expensive at major retailers than at a local optometrist. You can expect to pay between $50 to $100 when visiting a retailer, compared to nearly $200 when opting for a private physicianâs office.
Below are the average costs of eye exams at vision centers and retailers across the country.
| Retailer |
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Getting Your Eye Exam At My Eyelab
The eye exam process includes a thorough evaluation of your visual health. Whether you wear eyeglasses or contacts, we offer eye exams for both.
1. Patient Medical History
You can fill out your patient optical and medical history in-store on our digital tablet or in the comfort of your home by creating your online account. Filling it out at home only takes about 15 minutes and speeds up the process in-store. Click to log in or create My Account.
2. Pre-Screening Tests
Our technician will guide you through five screening tests to better understand your visual health. The complete eye exam will also look for early signs of serious eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts.
Below are the 5 Pre-Screening Tests included in your exam:
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Retinal Evaluation
After administering the tests, you will be guided to a private and sanitized room to test your prescription with an Acuities & Refraction Exam. This exam is performed virtually through our telehealth technology.
3. Slit Lamp Examination
This assessment is also performed by our technician, as required. Its goal is to evaluate the health of the front of the eye where cataracts and dry eye syndrome can develop.
4. Final Review & Prescription
An independent licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist will evaluate your test results in order to create your vision assessment and write your new prescription.
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Is It Ok To Visit A Discount Retailer Eye Clinic
If you have no insurance, going to one of the large retailers that offer eye care and eyewear may be a good option. Walmart, Costco, and Sams Club all run their own eye care clinics staffed by a qualified doctor of optometry. Prices vary at these stores, depending upon location but they are generally cheaper than private offices. However, they all employ professional optometrists to perform your eye exam and provide vision care, and they sell many popular brands of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Eye Care For All Ages With Lions Club International
Lions Club International has members around the world who are focused on helping others including helping to cover the cost of eye exams, donate free eyeglasses to those who can’t afford them, and host vision screening events.
You can search online for a Lions Club near you and ask about its local offerings.
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