If you have a tight budget, you may be looking for ways to spend less on vision care. Some people try to cut costs by skipping an eye exam, but this is false economy. The early detection of eye problems can save you money on treatment and also prevent a serious loss of function. Here are some tips to reduce the cost of vision care without sacrificing the health of your eyes.
You may or may not know this, but you are not obligated to buy pricey eyeglasses from your eye doctor. The doctor is required to give you your prescription, and you have the right to get it filled wherever you want. Even if you plan to buy glasses from the doctor, you should get a written prescription in case you want to shop for an extra pair somewhere else.
There is plenty of room for savings when it comes to buying corrective lenses. This is because glasses are pretty much all the same. You don’t have to be afraid that a bad pair of glasses will ruin your eyesight. Sure, they may give you a headache if the lenses aren’t ground correctly, but they won’t harm your eyes. Should you happen to receive a pair of faulty glasses, return them to where you bought them and get the lenses fixed.
The lenses are almost always the most expensive part of your eyeglasses. Lens material and lens thickness are a factor in the price. If you have a strong prescription and you want the thinnest possible lens, you will pay more – sometimes a lot more. But if you want to economize, you can choose a thicker, less expensive lens. However, the thickness of the lens affects the weight and look of your eyeglasses, so you may have to make a tradeoff between comfort and cost.
Prices for eyeglass frames vary widely depending on where you shop. Even within the same store, you can find frames ranging in price from “free” (when you buy the lenses) to several hundred dollars.
The most expensive places to buy glasses are eye doctors and independent eyewear stores. You will usually get good service and personal attention from this source, but you could pay a premium for it.
Chain stores such as LensCrafters are not necessarily any cheaper than independents, but if you want your glasses fast then that could be the place to go. If you have any memberships, check to see whether you are eligible for discounts at one of the big chains. For really inexpensive glasses, you might try warehouse clubs such as Costco and BJ’s Optical.
Shopping online can save you even more money. The disadvantages are that you can’t try on the frames or get them adjusted to fit. This option works best if you know what type of frame you want and you have a fairly simple prescription, with no need for bifocals or trifocals.
Various lens treatments such as anti-reflective coatings and polished edges will make your glasses more expensive. Retailers often include them in the price quote they give you, but the treatments are optional. Ask to see glasses with and without the add-ons to see if they are worthwhile for you.
If you wear contact lenses, your doctor will fit you for a particular brand and type. Different lenses have different specifications for moisture retention and oxygen flow. That’s why one brand could be more comfortable for you than a competing brand. Once you have that information (plus the prescription strength, of course) you can purchase contact lenses online or anywhere you can find a good price. They will be identical to what you would buy from your doctor.
Corrective lenses are a necessary expense, but it pays to shop around and look for bargains. You could spend up to $1000 on a pair of glasses, but you certainly don’t have to. Above all, remember that everyone in your family needs to get a regular eye exam. Your eyes are irreplaceable – don’t neglect them!
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