Vision is an important part of everyone’s overall health and well-being. However, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 93 million adults in the U.S. are at high risk of experiencing severe vision loss, but only half of them have seen an eye doctor in the past 12 months. In many cases, this is because eye care is too expensive.
According to a 2022 report, 63% of Americans do not have vision insurance, which is not included in standard health insurance plans. Without insurance, a typical eye exam often costs more than $100. Add in the cost of glasses or contact lenses, and it’s no surprise that many Americans avoid going to the eye doctor or keeping their prescriptions up to date.
However, an eye exam without insurance doesn’t have to be overly expensive. There are several ways to find cheap eye exams or low-cost eye treatments, and we’ll explore them here.
Read more: The best places to buy glasses online
Where is the cheapest place to have an eye examination?
Some of the best places to look for eye exams or glasses without insurance are discount eye exam centers or online eyeglass retailers. There are quite a few options, but our favorites are:
- America’s Best: This popular chain offers vision exams for $69, or you can buy two pairs of glasses for $80 and get the vision exam free.
- Costco: Not all Costco stores have a Costco Optical, but this can be a good option if your nearest Costco offers it. Examinations cost between $50 and $100, but you’ll need a Costco membership first.
- EyeBuyDirect: Online eyewear retail has exploded in the last decade, and EyeBuyDirect offers some of the best deals on glasses without insurance. Frames start at just $6, and basic prescription lenses are very affordable.
- Eyewear world: Another online retailer, Eyeglass World, offers glasses starting at two pairs for $89. The company also offers vision testing at over 100 locations across the U.S.
- GlassesUSA: This online retailer offers similar deals to Eyeglass World, with a variety of discounts and special offers to make glasses without insurance even more affordable.
- Jonas Paul: The cost of eye care can add up quickly for families, but Jonas Paul wants to change that. Based on Warby Parker’s model of at-home try-on kits and donating a pair of glasses for every pair purchased, Jonas Paul offers affordable, fashionable eyewear for kids and teens starting at $59.
- Sam’s Club: Like Costco, you’ll need a Sam’s Club membership to take advantage of this benefit. Eye exams cost between $50 and $100 on average.
- Goal And Walmart: If you don’t want to sign up for a membership at Costco or Sam’s Club, you can still get inexpensive eye exams while shopping at Target or Walmart. Eye exams at these major retailers also range in the $50-$100 range.
Read more: Take an eye test directly from your smartphone
If you just need new lenses for an existing frame, you can save money by searching for replacement lenses online. Contact lens wearers can learn how to extend the life of their contact lenses and save money in the long run.
Read more: Best places to buy contact lenses online
Programs that offer free or discounted eye exams
The retailers above may still be too expensive for some people, but they aren’t the only options for eye exams without insurance. Many programs offer free eye care or low-cost options for those who qualify, including:
- EyeCare America: This program, run by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, offers free or reduced-cost eye exams to people over age 65 and those at higher risk for glaucoma.
- ToddlerSEE: The American Optometric Association offers free eye exams for all children between the ages of six and twelve months, regardless of income.
- Lions Club International: The Lions Club offers free or discounted eye care and provides eyeglasses at many of its locations.
- New eyes: Although this program does not offer free eye exams, New Eyes does provide free eyeglasses to qualified low-income applicants. It is best to have your eye doctor or a social worker apply on your behalf.
- OneSight OnSite Voucher Program: OneSight is a foundation of EssilorLuxottica, which also includes brands such as Lens Crafters and Target Optical. To qualify for the free glasses, you must have your eyes examined at a local nonprofit organization such as a church, school or Red Cross. Once they confirm your need for financial assistance, they can connect you with OneSight.
- Vision USA: Another service of the American Optometric Association that, through various partners, provides free eye exams—and in some states, eyeglasses—to uninsured, low-income families.
- VSP Eyes of Hope: Similar to Vision USA, this program provides free eye care to uninsured families below a certain income limit.
Go to an ophthalmologist in training
If you’re willing to seek treatment from optometry or ophthalmology students, many schools offer affordable eye care and free eye exams for patients. The students performing the exam are supervised, so you can still be confident you’re getting quality care. You may also find opportunities to participate (for free) in college research studies.
Search for participating schools here and call schools in your area to inquire about testing programs and costs for students.
Medicare or Medicaid can help cover the costs
Medicare or Medicaid enrollees may have plan-specific options when seeking affordable eye care.
Medicaid, which provides free health care for children and some low-income adults, generally provides some level of vision care. All Medicaid plans cover eye exams and glasses for children under 21, but coverage for adults varies by state. You may be able to get free eye exams, glasses, or both. To find out what Medicaid covers in your state, contact your state Medicaid agency. Children who don’t qualify for Medicaid may be able to get vision care coverage through their state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Medicare is a program for adults over 65 and some people with disabilities. It generally does not provide vision care, but it does help with certain eye conditions, including cataracts, dry eye, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
You may be able to get more comprehensive vision insurance through a Medicare Advantage program. This Medicare-approved insurance is offered by private insurers and often includes vision insurance for eye exams, glasses and contact lenses.
Where you can buy cheap contact lenses and glasses without vision insurance
Fortunately, once you have a prescription for your glasses or contact lenses, it’s easier than ever to get discounts online thanks to the multitude of online companies that often have special offers and take some of the work out of vision correction for you. Most give you hassle-free options to upload or enter your prescription and then the company does the rest.
Our favorites include:
- Zenni was voted the cheapest option on CNET’s list of prescription glasses. You can get prescription glasses at a very discounted price through a very straightforward ordering process, provided you have your prescription and know your pupil distance.
- Warby Parker glasses start at $95 for prescription lenses and frames. This company was voted the best shopping experience by CNET thanks to its “try it at home” model that lets you test out multiple frames, as well as the fact that Warby Parker has many stores for people who prefer to talk to an associate while they find their glasses. Warby Parker also sells contactsand you will receive 20% off your first order.
- 1-800 contacts makes the contact lens ordering process seamless, which is why (like Warby Parker) it landed on our list of the best places to order contact lenses online.
- Retailers Target opticsis not only a good place to go for affordable eye tests, but also offers good discounts on many popular contact lens brands.
- GlassesUSA is a great place to shop if you don’t have vision insurance because the company has many special offers. (For example, right now they have a buy one get one free sale and a coupon for 50% off your first pair of glasses. GlassesUSA.com also sells contacts at reduced prices.
If you don’t have insurance, the best way to make sure you get the best deal on glasses and contact lenses is to shop around and look for deals. For more options, check out our list of the best places to buy contact lenses online and the best places to buy prescription glasses.
