How much are glasses

How Much Should You Spend on Glasses?

Last Updated May 4, 2022

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Wearing glasses is necessary when you have certain vision deficiencies. They allow you to see clearly from a variety of distances. With so many glasses on the market, it can feel overwhelming when you are trying to find the perfect pair.

The first thing to do is evaluate both expensive glasses and cheap glasses. Compare and contrast the pros and cons of each pair.

Looking at the different price ranges helps you to establish your budget. Consider the features you want with your glasses to assess the right price range for you.

After you gather all this information, you can determine how much you need to spend on a pair of glasses that will fit your vision needs and personal preferences.

Average Price Ranges for Glasses

If you do not have vision insurance, you should expect to pay the full cost unless you can find a reputable retailer that offers coupons or other discounts. If you have insurance, you can call them to determine how much coverage they offer for eyeglasses.

You also have to consider the average price for eye examinations in the U.S. You will need an eye exam before your doctor can write a prescription for eyeglasses. The following are U.S. averages:

Depending on where you live in the U.S., these costs can be considerably higher. If you have vision insurance, they may cover some of the costs for you.

If you have a pre-existing eye condition, you may need more than just a basic eye examination before getting a prescription for eyeglasses. You also need to take into account the costs associated with this.

Pros and Cons of Cheap vs. Expensive Glasses

With so many retailers and manufacturers on the market, it is easy to find a variety of eyeglasses at different price ranges. The price of your glasses is only one consideration when you are looking for the perfect pair.

In most cases, what differentiates cheap from expensive glasses are the special added features. However, more cheap glasses retailers are starting to offer these features too. These features include:

Cheap glasses tend to use plastic lenses where expensive pairs use glass lenses. Glass lenses are usually more resistant to scratching. They can also be made thinner than plastic without risking their structural integrity. However, glass lenses can also shatter easier; they absorb less ultraviolet light, offering less UV protection; and they tend to be heavier.

Plastic lenses are more common today. Not only do they tend to be less expensive, but they also have the following benefits:

Plastic does scratch easier. Plastic is also more prone to fingerprints and dust compared to glass, so you will need to clean them more frequently.

You can also consider polarized or polycarbonate lenses. These tend to be more expensive even though they are not made of glass.

Polarized lenses are good when you spend a lot of time outdoors. They provide complete protection against ultraviolet light. You might also consider this type of lens if your eyes are sensitive to light, or you have recently had LASIK or cataract surgery.

Polycarbonate lenses are resistant to shattering and scratches. This makes them a good choice for kids who are getting used to wearing glasses. Adults who live active lifestyles may also consider this type of lens.

How Much Should You Spend on Glasses?

You will need to create a budget to determine how much you can afford for your glasses. If you have vision insurance, they may cover at least part of the cost of one pair of eyeglasses every year. If you want to add any additional features, like anti-reflective coating, these might not be covered. Your insurance company may also only cover glasses in a specific price range.

There are retailers that specialize in offering discount eyeglasses. It is best to read reviews and their terms and conditions before you make a purchase. You can also ask your eye doctor if they recommend any discount retailers to ensure your glasses are high in quality.

The right pair of glasses should be comfortable and the right prescription. This ensures that you can wear them throughout the day and get the vision enhancement you need.

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How Much Do Glasses Cost?

In this article

How Much Do Prescription Glasses Cost Without Insurance?

Prescription glasses can be budget frames or expensive. Designer frames like Ray-Ban will be more expensive independent retailers like Warby Parker. Budget frames from Zenni, Walmart or Costco will be the cheapest.

How Much Do Prescription Glasses Cost With Insurance?

Your vision insurance may or may not cover the cost of your prescription glasses. Some insurance plans will pay up to a certain amount.

How Much Do Non-Prescription Glasses Cost?

Non-prescription glasses are generally cheaper than prescription glasses. They can cost as little as a few dollars. For example, there are hundreds of non-prescription glasses available for sale on Etsy, and they cost $27.87 on average.

People buy non-Rx glasses for a few reasons, including:

Does Insurance Cover Non-Prescription Glasses?

No, vision insurance does not cover non-prescription glasses.

Different Types of Eyeglasses

There are many different types of eyeglasses to choose from. It’s important to find a pair of glasses that not only fits your vision needs but also fits your budget. An eye exam from your optometrist will help determine the best eyewear for your needs.

The six main types of eyeglass lenses include the following:

Once you have the correct lenses for your needs, you can choose a lens material for your eyeglasses. Some lens materials include:

Once you choose your lenses and frames, you can include an add on, like a protective coating for the lenses. Here are some of the coatings that may be available to you:

Which Factors Affect The Cost of Eyeglasses?

The price of your pair of glasses depends on the type of lenses and frames you choose and any add ons you buy. It also depends on where you purchase them and whether or not you have vision insurance.

Here are the main factors that affect the cost of eyeglasses:

Cost of Glasses vs. Contacts

There are many benefits of switching to contact lenses from glasses. They give you a fuller field of focused vision, and they don’t fog up, get wet in the rain, or distort light. Plus, they could give you a confidence boost and be more convenient if you live an active lifestyle.

However, contacts can be more expensive than glasses. You’ll need to buy them more frequently, so the cost adds up over time. You’ll also need to buy a contact lens solution to keep your contacts clean.

How much do glasses cost?

By Jennifer Nelson

What is the average cost of eyeglasses?

Eyewear prescription in hand, you’re ready for the fun part: buying the perfect lenses and frames. How do you find reasonably priced eyeglasses that you love without skimping on style and quality?

A good place to start is the average cost of prescription glasses in the United States:

Eyeglasses from a discount retailer had a median out-of-pocket cost of $184, according to Consumer Reports.

Eyeglasses from a top eyewear chain had a median out-of-pocket cost of $369, according to the same report.

But the price you actually pay can vary widely. Frames can range from a rock-bottom $8 for metal-alloy versions to $600 for their brand-name counterparts.

Designer eyeglasses from the likes of Calvin Klein or Valentino can command up to $1,000.

Lenses are another matter. Specialty lenses, protective coatings and bifocal or progressive options affect the final price tag. Variables like the cost of production, research and development, manufacturing and dispensing can change the price, too.

Will vision insurance lower the cost of glasses? It certainly could, if you have it.

If you’re among those who crave the most stylish brands and every lens option in the book, money may not be an issue. But if you’re looking for cheap eyeglasses, you’ll want to keep an eye out for a few important factors.

Which factors affect the cost of eyeglasses?

Eyeglass costs typically include lenses, frames, nose pads (if the frame uses them), a case and a microfiber cleaning cloth.

Your out-of-pocket expense depends on your insurance coverage (if available), the nature of your prescription and your personal preferences.

Single-vision lenses cost the least, while multifocal lenses like bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses cost more. If you have anything unusual or problematic about your prescription, like a particularly strong vision prescription, you might pay a little more, too.

Technology offers more eyeglass lens choices than ever. But with more options comes more ways to affect the final price.

Lens types include:

Conventional plastic – A popular, low-cost option.

Aspheric – Slim and attractive lenses that sharpen peripheral vision.

High-index plastic – Thinner, lighter lenses with better built-in UV protection.

Wavefront technology – Vision-sharpening lenses fabricated based on how light travels through the eyes.

Polycarbonate and Trivex – Thinner and lighter than conventional lenses with up to 10 times higher impact resistance.

Special lens treatments may also add to the final cost. They include:

Polarized lenses that reduce glare while driving

UV protection to shield the eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays

How do frame materials affect eyeglass costs?

Plastic frames may be cheaper than metal ones, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Plastic is tough, lightweight and comes in a lot of color choices.

If you plan on steering clear of designer frames, plastic glasses may be your best bet for budget.

Metal frames cost a bit more. They’re strong and lightweight, thanks to alloys like titanium and aluminum. Higher quality metal frames can even resist corrosion.

But keep in mind that not all frames are hypoallergenic. Read the specifics to learn what your frames are made of, especially if you’re allergic to nickel or plastics.

What if your prescription is difficult?

If you have vastly different prescriptions in each eye or need a high degree of vision correction, you’ll want to leave a little more room in your eyeglass budget. People with these conditions can expect to pay a bit more for glasses.

If you’ve had trouble getting the right lenses, you might be able to reduce costs by buying your frames online and having your optician insert the lenses into them.

Where should you shop for glasses?

An eye doctor’s office. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist office is the likely first stop. This used to be the only place you could get lenses after an eye exam. Buyers were at the mercy of the optician and frame selections were limited — but not anymore.

Retail vision stores. These one-stop shops for eyewear offer all kinds of frame styles and customizations. Offerings like having lenses ready in one hour attract scores of eyeglass shoppers.

Vision centers. Pick up paper towels and a new door mat along with your prescription glasses. Stores like Walmart and Target usually have optical centers with a good selection of reasonably priced frames.

Warehouse clubs. Fans of deep discounts and bulk-buying flock to Costco, Sam’s Club and similar optical departments for cut-rate designer glasses and regular frames.

Online. You can find lenses and frames at all price points at online eyewear retailers, which let you shop for glasses by color, gender, style, material, size and shape. Buying eyeglasses online can be convenient and cost-effective, though you can’t try them on like you would in a brick-and-mortar store. Luckily, many online retailers have generous return policies to help you find the best fit.

What else should you look for?

Wherever you buy glasses, check out the retailer’s reviews and return policies. If most reviews are positive, chances are your experience will be too.

Return policies should include a money-back guarantee or provide a free replacement within 14 to 30 days. If you buy online, look for fit and style guarantees including no-questions-asked returns or exchanges.

It’s also a good idea to shop with U.S. retailers, since overseas sellers don’t have to adhere to FDA regulations.

Now that you know what factors into a pair of glasses’ overall cost, you can start checking out frames, styles and types that will make you look like a million bucks — at a much more manageable price.

Page published on Monday, September 30, 2019

How many pairs of glasses do you need?

How many pairs of eyeglasses do you need? That depends on your vision needs, your vision insurance, your budget – and even your fashion sense.

Most people get prescription eyeglasses to correct their vision, but other specialty eyewear includes computer glasses to reduce digital eye strain, polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and block harmful ultraviolet rays, readers to help you see up close, and ski goggles and sports glasses for when you’re on the slopes or riding your motorcycle.

So, how many glasses do you need?

“There are a lot more options available than there were before,” says Clifford W. Brooks, OD, FAAO, of the Indiana University School of Optometry. “But people don’t consider specialty eyeglasses because they don’t recognize that they would be helped by them.”

Meet some people who have more than one pair of spectacles — and in one case nearly as many glasses as some people have shoes.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are more than just a fashion accessory. Sunglasses are your first line of defense to protect your eyes against the damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun.

“No matter the season or the location, people should protect their eyes with good quality sunglasses that block out UV light,” says American Optometric Association President Samuel D. Pierce, OD. “Even prescription glasses can be made with tints and full UV protection.”

But fashion appeal is important, too — because it’s often what drives a sunglasses purchase.

Bob Matsuoka of New York City is a sunglasses devotee. “They are like shoes for me!” He stores a couple of dozen non-prescription pairs in a repurposed cigar humidor, ready to pop on over his contact lenses for everyday wear.

“If I see a nice pair of sunglasses, I tend to get them. They’re an expression of personality and fashion — nothing practical about them,” he says.

Matsuoka’s spectacles collection also extends to several more functional pairs of shades for his outdoor activities. Two pair are side-shielded to block the wind when he’s riding his electric skateboard, and he has three sets of snowboarding goggles.

Reading Glasses

Leigh Ann Newman, who had trouble reading, now has eight pairs of readers. (Photo provided by Leigh Ann Newman)

When Leigh Ann Newman of Cavendish, Idaho, first had trouble reading, she consulted her eye doctor. Though a prescription was not yet necessary, the doctor suggested over-the-counter reading glasses.

Available virtually everywhere, these reading glasses are typically inexpensive and come in a wide range of magnifications, colors and styles.

“Deciding to accessorize with my glasses has made the transition fun rather than depressing.”

Vivian Young, of Los Angeles, confesses to a “mild obsession” with readers that developed after she lost her first (and only) pair of prescription reading glasses in less than a week.

“My eyeglass wardrobe is extensive and makes quite a sartorial statement,” Young says. “My readers include cat eye, rimless, aviator, rectangular tortoise shell, plastic, round, half-eye — and all different colors!”

Computer glasses

It is possible to use single vision lenses for computer glasses that are specially prescribed for the one viewing distance you typically use, Indiana University’s Brooks says. A much better solution, he adds, is occupational progressive lenses that are especially designed for digital devices and your computer screen.

Occupational, or «office,» progressive lenses will allow the wearer to see clearly at the intermediate and new viewing distances needed to relieve the discomfort of digital eye strain (also called computer vision syndrome).

Clifford W. Brooks says he was surprised at the difference his own pair of computer glasses has made in his comfort level. (Photo provided by Clifford W. Brooks)

For greater comfort, computer glasses should include anti-reflective coating. Many eye care professionals also recommend including a blue light screening component that protects against UV radiation and high-energy visible blue light emitted by device screens.

Brooks points out that specially prescribed computer glasses provide significantly greater comfort than regular progressive lenses or bifocals when viewing a computer screen..

“The only way that screen is going to be clear (with regular progressives or bifocals) is if you tilt your head back to see it. That’s uncomfortable and you can’t really get a good, clear view,” Brooks says.

Brooks says he was surprised at the difference his own pair of computer glasses has made in his comfort level, and he recommends them for people who spend a lot of time working in front of a screen.

Sports glasses

Approximately 30,000 individuals end up in emergency departments in the U.S. each year with sports-related eye injuries, according to a study published by JAMA Ophthalmology. Some of the injuries result from people wearing everyday eyewear that does not meet the safety and performance standards required for sports and athletic use

Many of these potentially sight-threatening injuries could be prevented with eyeglasses that enhance sports performance.

Raja Hamid relies on glacier glasses with photochromic lenses that block out the sun along the edges for mountain biking. (Photo provided by Raja Hamid)

The protective sports glasses category includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields and eye guards designed for a particular sport.

“Sports eyewear is made of stronger materials and designed for ultimate impact resistance and durability,” says Pierce. “It is also designed for ultimate comfort, fit and coverage to protect from elements, such as sun, water or wind.”

New York City resident Raja Hamid relies on three different types of protective glasses while sporting.

For biking at night, he wears clear, wrap-around lenses to protect his eyes from airborne dust and debris. While mountain biking, he sports pricey glacier glasses with photochromic lenses and sun-blocking side shields.

For rock climbing, Hamid uses belay glasses — sport glasses with special prism lenses that expand the wearer’s vertical field of view.

“I use the belay glasses when I’m on the ground and my partner is climbing up a rock face or gym wall, rather than craning my neck up to watch them as I feed out rope,” Hamid says.

Fashion

Finally, eyeglasses as a fashion statement is a definite fad, one that even The Wall Street Journal weighed in on recently.

In Atlanta, Danica Kombol has assembled a collection of on-trend glasses for different occasions that reflects her inner fashionista.

“My daily specs are large, geeky glasses. I work in social media, so it matches my brand,” she says. “For evening, I have a pretty pair of blue-tinted Prada glasses that are much softer and signal a more glam look.

“I even have glasses for gardening — ­an old pair that I don’t mind getting splattered by dirt,” Kombol adds.

Carol Wallace never wants to scramble to find her glasses, so she has multiple pairs stashed around her home and office. (Photo provided by Carol Wallace)

One final reason some people have more than one pair of glasses? They want to have a spare.

“I grew up with a wonderful mother who spent 15 minutes every morning asking, ‘Where are my glasses?’ I wanted to make sure I was never that person!” says Carol Wallace of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Wallace now has a dozen inexpensive readers in five different styles and multiple colors stashed around her home and office that she can grab as needed.

Can one or more of these specialty eyewear options work for you? If you work on a computer screen all day, computer glasses can protect your vision as well as make it easier to read what’s on your screen. If you spend a lot of time outside — or your kids do — sunglasses are a must to safeguard your sight.

Check with your eye doctor and ask for recommendations about which lenses, coatings and frames are the best choices for your specific needs. And don’t forget to ask if your vision insurance will help you save money on your eyewear purchases.

What’s the average cost of prescription sunglasses?

Prescription sunglasses allow you to protect your eyes from the sun while keeping your vision crystal clear. But how much do prescription sunglasses cost?

For example, the more customized you make your sunglasses frames or lenses, the more expensive your prescription shades will be.

Let’s take a look at some of the factors affecting the cost of prescription sunglasses:

How much are the frames?

Today’s sunglasses frames come in many different styles, and prescription lenses can fit into almost any shape you can imagine.

Here are some factors that determine the cost of sunglasses frames:

BRAND: Some brand names carry more clout with consumers. Brands that have been around longer and served more customers tend to be trusted more. Luxury brands that add sunglass lines extend the aura to their sunnies. That longevity, brand loyalty and sense of luxury will cost you.

POPULARITY: Certain trendy sunglass frame styles (such as sunglasses seen on Instagram) are more in demand. Sunglasses from celebrities, such as Rihanna, create a lot of buzz. Popular, hot and designer sunglasses almost always carry a higher price tag.

SIZE: Because adult frames are larger than children’s frames, they require additional materials. More metal, plastic or other frame material adds up to a higher sunglasses price.

MATERIAL: The material of the frames also plays a role in cost. Plastic (acetate) frames are usually less expensive than metal frames, unless a certain style of plastic frames has become particularly popular. Unusual frame materials also will be more expensive.

How much are the lenses?

Sunglass lenses can be customized as much as frames — even moreso, depending on the intensity of your prescription and your vision needs.

Some factors that can raise the cost of prescription sunglasses include:

TINT: The color of the sunglasses tint can have an impact on the price. Yellow- and orange-tinted sunglasses are typically better at blocking blue light, an added feature that can have an impact on demand and price.

UV PROTECTION: The more you allow the sun to access your eyes, the more your eyes can be damaged by UV rays. UV protection level could play a role in the cost for your sunglasses, but you can find inexpensive pairs with UV 400 protection if you know where to look.

LENS TREATMENTS: The reason the sunglasses at your local drugstore are so inexpensive is because they aren’t built to last. Having scratch-resistant, anti-glare or polarized lens treatments added to your sunglasses will incur an additional cost.

What is the average price for a pair of prescription sunglasses?

Can I get prescription lenses put into my sunglasses?

Not every set of frames is equipped to fit prescription sunglass lenses. If the frames you’re considering aren’t optical grade, it means they don’t have the grooves necessary to hold prescription lenses in place.

However, it’s easy to find and purchase prescription sunglasses. Stores that offer these services (online and in-person) include: