Last Updated on March 2, 2024 by Ellen Christian
Wondering how to save money on eyeglasses? Find out more about how to save on vision wear with these simple tips and suggestions.
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10 Ways to Save Money on Eyeglasses
Did you know that more than 150 million Americans need eyeglasses? So, if you need them too, you are not alone. Lots of famous celebrities like Demi Lovato, Emma Stone, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, and Ariana Grande are rocking the fashionable eyeglass trend.
As stylish as they are, a new pair of eyeglasses can really destroy your budget. Plus, once you add on the extras like protective coatings, special lenses and name brand frames, the total cost can be close to a thousand dollars or more.
Check on your insurance
Once the doctor tells you that you need eyeglasses, the next thing you need to do is check to see what your insurance covers. You may not have a separate vision insurance plan, but many health insurance plans will cover eye care too.
Your insurance may not cover the actual eyeglasses. But, it might cover the frames, eye exams, and or laser surgery.
Whether it covers some or all of the cost, it will help reduce your out of pocket expense. Check with your insurance company to see what types of coverage you have.
It’s also important to see if the eyeglass store accepts your insurance coverage. If they don’t, ask your insurance company if they will reimburse you if you pay out of your own pocket.
If they won’t, choose a different store to get your glasses from.
Use Flexible Spending Accounts
If you have a flexible spending account (also known as FSA), you can put your pretax money in it and use it to pay for medical expenses like prescription glasses, vision exams, and even your contact lenses.
But, it’s very important for you to find out how much you will spend every year based on what you’ve spent in the past. You don’t want the money you’ve saved to expire.
Save money on eyeglasses needing a prescription
Before you buy your glasses, you’ll need two things – the pupillary distance and a prescription matching your vision needs. That means that you need to see an optometrist and go through an eye exam.
Once the exam is done, your optometrist will be able to provide glasses you need to fit your prescription. Or, if you’d rather buy them somewhere else, they can give you a written prescription for you to fill somewhere else.
Did you know that prescriptions last for two years for people under 70 years of age?
Save money on eyeglasses by shopping online
Online companies buy glasses in bulk from manufacturers and get special discounts. And it costs much less to run an online business compared to a brick and mortar store.
So, they can offer the same quality for a much lower price. So the best way to save money on your glasses is to buy glasses online from online retailers like Warby Parker, EyeBuyDirect, Zenni Optical, and Vision Direct.
Warby Parker
Warby Parker offers stylish eyeglasses priced below $100 that come with the prescription lenses as well. They design their own frames and have a Home Try-On program that lets customers try them free of charge.
You can choose up to 5 frames, they ship them and you have 5 days to return them free of charge.
EyeBuyDirect
EyeBuyDirect offers inexpensive designer eyeglass frames for as little as $6. You can upload your picture and try on the frames virtually to see how they look on.
They have lots of discounts and coupons on their site. Plus, they have a referral program and a 12-month warranty. This is a great site to save money on eyeglasses.
Zenni Optical
Zenni Optical has a wide range of prescription lenses and frames that start at $6.95. They are well known for affordable, high-quality glasses (not name brand).
Their single-vision glasses cost less than $100. Plus, they have a blog that offers useful information about eye care in general.
Vision Direct
Vision Direct offers discounted prices, online rebates and free shipping on a wide variety of affordable lenses. Plus, they have a price match policy that offers an extra 5%.
If you find cheaper contacts, they’ll match the price and give you a 5% discount.
What You Need To Know About Online Eyeglasses
Not all lenses are created equally. They vary in quality. And, you need to find out if there is a warranty if they scratch and whether they have a return policy.
You should see what other customers have to say about their eyeglasses. People with eye conditions like astigmatism shouldn’t buy glasses online.
They will need to spend more money and make sure a doctor custom fits the lenses to fit them properly. It’s much more difficult to save money on eyeglasses with an eye condition.
See if they will price match
If you hate the idea of buying glasses online but still want to get a great price, you should ask if your local store offers a price match.
Many stores prefer to offer a discount on a single pair of eyeglasses than lose you as a customer. Getting a discount is a great way to save money on eyeglasses.
Look into free trial offers to save money on eyeglasses
We all know that the lenses are the most expensive and important part of eyeglasses. Some lens providers, like Dailies and Acuvue offer free trial lenses, so you can use them to see whether lenses fit you properly.
Look for free adjustments and repairs
If you choose to buy glasses in person, then ask if they offer free adjustments, repairs or replacements if you need them. Places like Lens Crafters offer unlimited adjustments and cleaning when their customers need it.
Some stores like Walmart will replace kids’ lenses for free of charge for up to a year. That’s a great way to save money on eyeglasses.
Don’t waste money on add ons you don’t need
Depending on your lifestyle and prescription you might want some add-ons like light-adjusting lenses or anti-reflective coating. But be sure to only get the ones that you really need.
That is a simple way to save money on eyeglasses.
Skip the name brands to save money on eyeglasses
Glasses are a hot fashion accessory and many well-known brands like Versace, Prada, and Chanel are selling expensive name brand frames.
But, the frames are usually made by companies that license the names. So, they might not be any better than the store-brand frames.
So basically, people are paying a lot more for a logo and not better quality.
Save money on eyeglasses by shopping at warehouse stores
Warehouse clubs sell affordable prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, so you should consider checking their prices. You never know until you look into it.
Finally, if you want to save money on eyeglasses, learn how to update your eyeglasses without breaking the bank.
Find out how to choose a pair of glasses for summer.
Ellen believes you can feel beautiful at any age and size. She shares healthy beauty and fashion information geared toward women over 40. She is a direct sales rep for several fashion and beauty businesses.