A significant number of people in the US need glasses to see clearly—Warby Parker estimates this population at around 166.5 million people, or nearly 63.4% of American adults. Yet despite that, these corrective aids can be costly and difficult to access. By 2025, the average cost of glasses is expected to go up to $171. That amount can hit $500 or even $1000 depending on factors like the brand you’re buying from, the frame and lens materials you choose, and whether or not you have insurance. As a result, KFF finds that glasses are the second most common healthcare product or service Americans delay getting because of how expensive they are.
If you have similar hesitations about getting your first pair of specs or replacing your old ones, don’t worry. With a few simple tricks, anyone can get the eyewear they need. Here’s how you can get glasses for cheaper.
Only buy new lenses
One of the most effective ways to save? If you’ve still got a pair of sturdy frames but need a new prescription, just replace your lenses. Retailers like RX Safety offer such services for as little as $30, a far cry from the $171 mentioned above. That’s because frames alone can run you anywhere between $50 to $1000, depending on whether they’re manufactured for an entry-level or designer brand.
Shop for glasses online
In cases where you need both new frames and lenses, shopping online is the better option. The affordability mainly stems from the fact that eyewear sites don’t need to pay rent like brick-and-mortar optical stores do. As a result, you can save as much as 40% compared to shopping in person. Online retailers also make it convenient to browse by categories like brand, lens type, style, and frame material—go for durable ones like titanium or polycarbonate if you want to try the previous tip in the future—to maximize your savings. Want to ensure the frames will look good on you like you would in-store? Plenty of sites, like Zenni Optical and even Walmart, offer virtual try-on features. And as we’ll discuss below, promos and discounts can make it even easier to get glasses for cheaper.
Look for promos and discounts
Certain retailers offer better deals than others, so you’ll want to do your research and check which places can slash your costs the most. Take LensCrafters: it cuts prices for occasions like Mother’s Day and exclusive events like Customer Appreciation Week. For promos like the latter, you only need to subscribe to its emails to access limited-time savings. Another great place to look is the Glasses website, where you can get cheap eyeglasses of guaranteed quality via clearance sale. The great thing about this selection is that you can get up to 50% off on pairs from designer brands—with models like Ray-Ban’s RB6466 Optics and Vogue Eyewear’s VO5275B going from $191 to $95 and an eye-watering $205 to just $102.50. Finally, don’t forget BOGOs! Sites like Eyebuydirect offer discount codes like TWOCOOL so you can get an extra pair of specs, meaning you can wait a little longer before having to buy new glasses altogether.
Take advantage of health benefits
If you’ve got insurance, you can cut costs even further. Certain plans under Medicare can partially or completely cover annual or biennial prescription purchases. You can also sign up for dedicated vision insurance plans for better coverage. Just make sure the site you want to buy from accepts your provider. Target Optical, for example, only accepts carriers like EyeMed, Aetna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare Vision, and Cigna Healthcare—so be sure to do your research. Want another option for getting affordable eyewear? Make your employer pay for it. That’s right: you can use your FSA or HSA dollars to pay for your glasses. We note that these funds are already great for people with minimal healthcare needs who want to save on premiums, and they can help you save even more when buying specs. In fact, you can use them to purchase not just prescription glasses, but reading glasses and even prescription sunglasses. Some retailers that accept FSA and HSA include GlassesUSA and YesGlasses.
Though many people need glasses to improve their quality of life, their costs mean they’re not necessarily accessible. Fortunately, these tips can help make eyewear more attainable for all—so try them the next time you need to get glasses for cheaper.
