Glasses without Insurance

Author: Madison Rivera 

 If you don’t have vision insurance, it may feel overwhelming to try and manage your eye care costs and glasses purchases each year. However, budget-friendly options are available for exams and eyewear. In this article, we will explore costs, ways to find affordable eye care, and how to buy low-cost reading glasses and sunglasses. 

Vision care is essential for maintaining your overall health and well-being. With the right tools and strategies, you can find quality eyewear and eye exams that fit your budget. You can even do this without insurance. 

The cost of prescription glasses without insurance can vary widely, depending on your choice of: 

• Frames 
• Lenses 
• Additional features and upgrades  

On average, the cost of glasses — including frames and prescription lenses — without insurance is around $350. However, if you opt for premium lenses, multiple add-on features, and/or designer frames, prices may be higher. 

But before you can order new Rx glasses, you need an eye exam to get an updated vision prescription from your eye doctor. The average cost of an eye exam without insurance typically ranges from $50 to $250. Exam cost depends on how in-depth the exam is and who the provider is.  

Non-prescription eyewear — like over-the-counter reading glasses and reading sunglasses — is not usually covered by vision insurance. However, you can use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) funds to pay for reading glasses. Refer to our Help Center & FAQ for more information or contact your account administrator about product eligibility.  

Our reading glasses are available in various magnifications without a prescription. Ranging in price from under $10 to just over $40, they’re ideal for occasional or task-specific use. 

Without insurance, both eye exams and eyeglasses can be costly. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce costs and find affordable eye care, including:  

• Free and low-cost vision programs – Organizations like EyeCare America provide free eye exams to eligible individuals, particularly those aged 65 and older. These programs aim to make eye care more accessible to those who can't afford it. 
• Community health centers and clinics – Many charge for eye exams using a sliding-scale fee structure based on income. This ensures affordable access to care. Federally funded health centers and local clinics often provide vision screenings and eye exams as part of their health services. 
• Nonprofit organizations – Groups like the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation offer free and reduced-cost eye exams and eyeglasses to underserved communities, helping them access critical eye care services with less financial strain. 
• Budget-friendly options – An eye exam at an optical chain or vision center typically costs around $50 less than at a private practice. When shopping for eyewear, in-house frame brands tend to be much less expensive than premium luxury brands (sometimes by hundreds of dollars).   

If you need reading glasses or reading sunglasses, check out the high-quality options at Readers.com. 

If you’re looking for more proactive ways to stay under budget, here’s how to get glasses without insurance while maximizing your savings:  

• Utilize bundle deals – Discounts, sales, and bundles are great options if you need multiple pairs of readers for different locations or activities. 
• Cut back on premium designs and upgrades – Many retailers offer special lens coatings and other extra features at a higher cost. It’s possible to save money if you’re able to order only what you really need. 
• Online shopping convenience – Readers.com makes it easy to shop online for glasses. You can compare prices, styles, magnifications, and more. With free shipping on orders over $40 and a 90-day limited warranty, it’s easy to find plenty of great options. 

We’re pleased to offer an extensive selection of budget-friendly reading glasses and reading sunglasses to our customers.  

Selecting the right glasses or sunglasses involves more than just functionality. Comfort, style, and specific use cases should guide your choice:

Match the Glasses to Your Activities  

If you need glasses only for reading, opt for readers with the appropriate magnification. When buying readers online, you can use a printable diopter chart to determine which reading power is right for you.  

If your distance vision is blurry, you should schedule an eye exam so your eye doctor can check your vision and eye health. If needed, they will prescribe glasses to help you see better far away. These can be especially useful for activities like driving and watching TV. 

If you have trouble seeing up close and far away, your eye doctor may prescribe progressive lenses. These are a type of multifocal lenses that provide near, intermediate, and distance vision correction in each lens. This way you don’t need separate pairs of glasses to see clearly when reading, doing computer work, and driving. 

Select the Frame that Makes You Look and Feel Great  

Highlight your features in the most positive ways with frames that truly flatter your face shape. And don’t forget to get them in a color or pattern to complement your hair color and skin tone. 

Choose a Style that Reflects Your Personality  

Whether you’re a trend setter, a bookworm, or a first-time wearer, we have the perfect pair of readers for you. You'll feel confident and comfortable wearing it.   

Navigating eye care and the cost of glasses without insurance is achievable with the right strategies. Many low-cost solutions exist, making it possible for you to maintain your vision without hurting your finances. 

At Readers.com, we provide high-quality reading glasses and reading sunglasses at prices that fit your budget. Browse our best sellers to find stylish, high-quality, and affordable glasses that meet your vision needs.

SOURCES: 

1. How much do glasses cost. Glasses.com. December 2022.* 
2. How much do glasses cost? All About Vision. September 2019.* 
3. Get discount glasses without insurance? Here’s how. All About Vision. September 2019.* 
4. Get free or low-cost eye care. Courtesy: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH). April 2022. 
5. See more and be more with OneSight. All About Vision. January 2024.* 
6. Eye exam costs in 2024: Just as expensive as everything else? All About Vision. April 2022.* 
7. Myopia (nearsightedness). American Optometric Association. Accessed November 2024. 
8. Progressive lenses. Cleveland Clinic. October 2023.  

The sources listed here have been provided for informational purposes only. The citation of a particular source does not constitute an endorsement or approval of EssilorLuxottica products, services, or opinions by such source.   

*Like Foster Grant, Glasses.com, All About Vision, and AAV Media, LLC are affiliates of EssilorLuxottica.