Maintaining healthy eyes is an essential part of health care, yet many Americans overlook or put off tending to this important aspect of their health and well-being. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 93 million adults in the US are at a high risk of developing serious vision loss, but only half of them have visited an eye doctor in the last year.
In many cases, that’s because vision care is too expensive. Roughly half of adults in the US go without vision insurance, which isn’t included in standard health plans. And without insurance, a typical eye exam costs about $184. Add in the cost of glasses or contacts, and it’s no surprise that many Americans avoid going to the eye doctor or keeping their prescription up to date.
Getting an eye exam without insurance doesn’t have to be overly costly, though. There are several ways to find cheap eye exams or low-cost eye care, and we’ll explore them here.
Some of the best places to look for eye exams or glasses without insurance are discount eye exam centers or online glasses retailers. There are quite a few options, but our favorites are:
America’s Best: This popular chain offers eye exams for $59, or you can buy two pairs of glasses for $80 and get the eye exam for free.
Costco: Not all Costco locations have a Costco Optical, but this can be a good option if your nearest Costco offers it. Exams range between $50 and $100, but you’ll need a Costco membership first.
EyeBuyDirect: Online glasses retailers have exploded over the past decade, and EyeBuyDirect offers some of the best deals for glasses without insurance. Frames start as low as $6, and basic prescription lenses are very affordable.
GlassesUSA: This online retailer offers similar deals to those you’ll find at Eyeglass World, with a variety of discounts and sales to make glasses without insurance even more affordable.
Jonas Paul: The costs of eye care can add up quickly for families, but Jonas Paul aims to change that. Based on Warby Parker’s model of home try-on kits and donating a pair of glasses for every pair you buy, Jonas Paul offers affordable, stylish glasses for children and teenagers, starting at $59.
Sam’s Club: As with Costco, you’ll need a Sam’s Club membership to access this benefit. Eye exams range between $50 and $100, on average.
Target and Walmart: If you’d rather not get a membership to Costco or Sam’s Club, you can still get cheap eye exams while you shop at Target or Walmart. Eye exams at these major retailers also fall in the $50 to $100 range.