How to get affordable eye exams, glasses and contacts without insurance

Looking after your vision health is just as important as looking after other aspects of physical health. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 93 million adults in the United States There is a high risk of developing severe vision loss. It also shows that only half of these people have consulted an eye doctor in the last 12 months. Vision care can be very expensive and may seem like something you can save by putting off until you need it. If this is not something you can manage, there are still options for affordable care.

According to the 2022 report, 63% of Americans There is no vision insurance that is not included in standard health plans. Uninsured, typical eye examination often expenses Over $100. Add in the cost of glasses or contacts, and it’s no wonder many Americans avoid visiting the eye doctor or renewing their prescriptions.

Getting an eye exam without insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. There are several ways to find cheap eye exams or cheap eye care, and we’ll explore them here.

More details: Best places to buy glasses online

Where is the best place to get an eye exam?

Some of the best places to look for an eye exam or glasses without insurance are discount eye exam centers or online eyeglass sellers. There are several options, but here are our favorites:

• America’s Best: This popular chain offers eye exams for $69, or you can buy two pairs of glasses for $80 and get a free eye exam.
• Costco: Not all Costco locations carry Costco Optical, but if the nearest Costco offers it, it may be a good option. Varies between exams 50 and 100 dollarsbut you’ll need a Costco membership first.
• EyeBuyDirect: Online eyeglass retailers have exploded in the last decade, and EyeBuyDirect offers some of the best deals on glasses without insurance. It starts as frames As low as $6and basic prescription lenses are very affordable.
• The World of Glasses: Another online retailer, Eyeglass World, offers cheap prices on glasses two pairs for $89. The company too offers eye exams At over 100 locations around the US.
• GlassesUSA: This online retailer offers similar deals to what you’ll find at Eyeglass World, with various discounts and sales to make uninsured glasses even more affordable.
• Jonas Paul: Eye care costs can add up quickly for families, but Jonas Paul aims to change that. Based on Warby Parker’s at-home test kits and model gift glasses For every pair you buy, Jonas Paul offers affordable, stylish eyewear for kids and teens starting at $59.
• Sam’s Club: As with Costco, you’ll need a Sam’s Club membership to get this benefit. It is for eye examinations Between 50 and 100 dollarson average.
• Target and Walmart: If you don’t want a Costco or Sam’s Club membership, you can still get cheap eye exams when you shop at Target or Walmart. Eye exams at these big retailers are also falling 50-100 dollars range.

More details: Give yourself an Eye Exam from your smartphone

If you just need new lenses for an existing frame, you can save money by checking out online options for lens replacement. Learn how to for contact lens wearers extend the life of your contacts to save money in the long run.

More details: The best places to buy contact lenses online

Programs that offer free or discounted eye exams

The above retailers may still be too expensive for some people, but they are not the only option for uninsured eye exams. Many programs offer free or low-cost eye care options for those who qualify, including:

See a student ophthalmologist

If you’re ready to receive care from optometry or ophthalmology students, many schools offer low-cost eye care and free eye exams for patients. Students who take the exam are supervised, so you can be sure that you will receive quality service. You’ll also find opportunities to participate in college research (for free).

Search for participating schools hereand call any school in your area for information on student testing programs and costs.

Medicare or Medicaid may help cover the costs

Medicare or Medicaid participants may have plan-friendly options for finding low-cost eye care.

Medicaid, which provides free health care for low-income children and some low-income adults, generally offers some level of vision care. All Medicaid plans includes eye exam and glasses For children under 21, but coverage for adults varies by state. You can get a free eye exam, glasses, or both. Contact your state to find out what Medicaid covers in your state state Medicaid agency. Children who are not eligible for Medicaid can get vision coverage through their state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Medicare is a program for adults over age 65 and some people with disabilities. It doesn’t generally offer vision coverage, but it does help certain eye diseasesincluding cataracts, dry eye, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

You can get more comprehensive vision coverage through the Medicare Advantage program. This Medicare-approved coverage is offered through private insurers and often includes vision coverage for eye exams and eyeglasses and contact lenses. contacts.

Where to buy affordable contacts and glasses without vision insurance

Once you’ve purchased a prescription for your glasses or contacts, it’s luckily easier than ever to find discount prices online thanks to the plethora of online companies that often hold sales and take some of the legwork out of vision correction. Most will give you simple options to upload or enter your recipe, and then the company does the rest.

Some of our favorites are:

• Zenny was chosen as the best budget option CNET prescription glasses list. As long as you have a prescription and know your pupil distance, you can get a pair of prescription glasses at a very low price with a very simple ordering process.
• Warby Parker glasses starting at $95 per prescription lenses and frames. This company has been voted the best shopping experience by CNET, a “try it at home” model that lets you try out multiple shots, as well as Warby Parker’s many store locations for people who want to chat while finding their glasses. Warby Parker also sells contactsand you get 20% off your first order.
• 1-800 Contact makes the contact lens ordering process seamless, which is why (like Warby Parker) it made our list. best places to order contact online.
• Retailer Target OpticsApart from being a good place for affordable eye exams, it also offers good discounts on various popular contact brands.
• GlassesUSA it’s a great place to shop if you don’t have vision insurance because of all the sales the company has going on. (For example, it’s currently running a “30% off and free shipping” sale on glasses and a coupon for 50% off your first set of frames. GlassesUSA.com also sells contacts at discounted prices.

If you don’t have insurance, the best way to make sure you’re getting the best deal on glasses and contacts is to shop around and look for deals. Check out or view our list for more options best places to buy contacts online and best places to buy prescription glasses.