How Much Do Glasses Cost Without Insurance?

Buying prescription eyeglasses without insurance can cost anywhere from $50 to over $500.¹ Additionally, this estimate doesn’t include the price of an eye exam, which can add another $50 to $200 to your overall expenses if you don’t have vision insurance.² Let’s dive deeper into what goes into the cost and how vision insurance from Aflac can help make glasses more affordable.

4 Min Read

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Glasses without insurance can be expensive, and may cost up to $700. Prices can vary based on your prescription, frame and lens choices, retailer, and location.
Aflac’s primary and supplemental vision insurance plans (additional insurance coverage for expenses your primary plan doesn’t cover) can help cover the cost of eye exams and glasses, allowing you to save money on vision care.

The cost of glasses without insurance

The cost of eyeglasses alone can range from as little as $50 to more than $500.¹ However, you typically need an eye exam to get prescription lenses, so you need to tack on another $50 to $200 to your total.² That means getting glasses without insurance can range from $100 to $700 or more.

Factors that affect the cost of glasses

The cost of eyeglasses can vary greatly depending on several factors:

Retailer

Where you get your glasses can greatly affect the price. A good example of this is buying eyeglasses from a major retailer instead of a boutique shop. Major retailers often purchase larger quantities of items, which sometimes means they can sell them for less, including eyeglasses. Online retailers may also be less expensive than smaller stores. Selling glasses and contracts online can require less overhead, and online shops may pass the savings on to their customers.

Prescription strength

People with weaker prescriptions can often use CR-39 plastic lenses. However, strong prescriptions often call for polycarbonate or high-index lenses. Both are thinner – and therefore lighter – than CR-39, but they can also be more expensive.³

Type of frames

The material used to make eyeglasses also influences the cost. For frames, these materials fall into three general categories:

Plastic
Metal
Composite (also called “combination frames)

Plastic and composite frames are typically less expensive than metal frames.⁴

Type of lenses

Lens makers need to precisely cut glasses to meet specific prescriptions, and the different requirements impact the cost. For example, depending on your prescription, you may need:³

Single-vision lenses, commonly used for nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Multifocal lenses, like bifocals, trifocals, and progressives.
Prism lenses, which help with double vision or eye strain.

Opticians may offer add-ons, such as scratch-resistant coating, UV protection, or blue-light filtering. These can also increase the cost of eyeglasses.

Location

Location might also contribute to the cost of glasses. Businesses need to factor in their costs when setting prices, and expenses like rent and employee salaries can vary by region.

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Does vision insurance cover the cost of glasses?

Vision insurance is a type of policy designed to help cover eye care that’s not part of your primary healthcare plan. A vision insurance policy may offer coverage for:⁵

Prescription glasses
Routine eye exams
Contact lenses
Expenses related to certain eye diseases and disorders

Aflac offers several vision coverage options, including network vision insurance and supplemental insurance, which are available through employers as a workplace benefit. You can also get Dental, Vision and Hearing (DVH) Insurance from Aflac, which combines three coverage types into one easy-to-understand policy.

Why vision insurance is worth it

Vision insurance can be beneficial if you can find a plan that suits your needs and budget. With Aflac, you can find coverage that:

Provides comprehensive protection for vision care costs.
Helps cover both routine care and unexpected expenses.
Comes with premium options that fit most budgets.
Pays benefits directly to the policyholder, unless assigned.

These and other coverage features can make vision insurance worth it.

How to get a vision insurance plan

Vision insurance plans are often available through employers. You can review your company’s benefit package or talk to your HR representative to see what’s available. Here’s how you can get a quote for Aflac supplemental vision insurance and learn more about coverage options:

Fill out the following online form. Enter your age and zip code, and select the people you want to insure.
Click the Get Started button.
Choose if you want to speak to an agent now or schedule a call for later.
Provide your contact information.

If you decide to schedule a call, you’ll also need to pick a day and time that works for you. Once you finish the process, an agent will get in touch with you.

Get a quote for vision insurance

The cost of glasses without insurance may be affordable when you have a simple prescription. However, expenses can rise if you need stronger lenses, want a particular type of frame, or work with certain kinds of retailers. Luckily, Aflac’s network vision insurance policy, supplemental vision insurance, and DVH insurance can help keep eyecare costs down. Speak with an agent about our coverage options or get a quote for a supplemental policy today.

Ready to get vision insurance?

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