If you've ever been surprised at the checkout counter of an optical shop, you're not alone. A pair of prescription glasses at many stores can easily run several hundred dollars. So why are glasses so expensive, and how can you get cheap eyeglasses that are still good?
1. Retail overhead
A store has rent, staff, displays and inventory on the wall. Those costs get built into the price of every pair. Ordering online skips most of them.
2. Brand names and licensing
Many designer frames are made under license, and part of what you pay goes to the name on the temple. The frame itself may not be any better made than an unbranded one.
3. Lens add-ons
A low "frames from" price often doesn't include lenses. Then come add-ons: thinner materials, coatings, tints. Each one can add a lot. With us, single vision lenses are included in the $79 price, and every upgrade is priced up front: polycarbonate +$15, anti-glare from +$35, hi-index 1.67 +$45.
4. Insurance and pricing confusion
Vision insurance allowances and copays can make it hard to know what glasses really cost. Sometimes paying out of pocket for affordable glasses costs less than your copay plus overages. If you have an FSA or HSA, prescription glasses are generally an eligible expense. Check your plan.
How to get cheap eyeglasses that are still good
- Look for an all-in price that includes prescription lenses, not just the frame.
- Check the lab. We work with one of the best labs in the country for quality, affordable eyeglasses, and most single vision pairs are made in one business day.
- Use the numbers you already have: your prescription, your PD and your frame size.
- Know the policies. Read the return policy and warranty before you buy.
- Skip upgrades you don't need. For a mild prescription, standard lenses are excellent.
More tips in cheap prescription glasses: what to look for.
When a store makes sense
An optical shop is still the right choice for eye exams, progressive and bifocal lenses, and hands-on fittings. For single vision glasses with a prescription you already have, buying online is usually the cheaper, faster way.
Prescription glasses from $79 with lenses, made fast and shipped free to Michigan, Oregon, Montana and Delaware. Shop cheap eyeglasses.
