Vision Savings: How to Spend Less on Glasses, Exams, and LASIK
Updated: Sep 13, 2025
Clear vision shouldn’t come with a blurry price tag. Learn how to cut costs on eye exams, prescription eyewear, and even LASIK surgery while still getting the quality care and products you need.
Why Vision Costs Add Up
Even if you only need an exam every year or two, the price of vision care can pile up quickly. A basic eye exam can run $75–$150 without insurance, prescription glasses often cost hundreds of dollars, and LASIK can be several thousand per eye. For families, these costs multiply fast.
The good news is there are multiple ways to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, whether you have vision insurance or not.
Use Vision Insurance to Your Advantage
If you have vision coverage through work or an individual plan, make sure you’re getting the full value from your benefits. Many plans include one eye exam per year, an allowance toward frames or contact lenses, and discounts on LASIK through partner providers.
Check your plan’s network—using in-network optometrists and retailers usually means lower copays and bigger frame allowances. If you don’t have insurance, you can still find affordable options through discount programs like VSP Vision Savings Pass or membership clubs like Costco.
Shop Online for Eyewear
Online eyewear retailers have made it much cheaper to buy glasses and contacts without sacrificing style or quality. Sites like Zenni Optical and EyeBuyDirect offer prescription glasses starting under $20, while Warby Parker provides stylish frames with free at-home try-ons.
You’ll need a current prescription, which you can get from any licensed optometrist. Make sure to measure your pupillary distance (PD) or have it included on your prescription to ensure the lenses are made correctly.
Take Advantage of Retailer Promotions
Many optical chains run seasonal sales, buy-one-get-one deals, or student and senior discounts. If you can wait for a promotion, you may be able to cut the cost of frames and lenses in half.
Warehouse clubs like Costco Optical and Sam’s Club Optical offer competitive everyday pricing on exams, frames, and contact lenses, often with no membership requirement for exams.
Save on LASIK Surgery
LASIK and other corrective surgeries are a big upfront expense, but you can still save in several ways:
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Look for providers offering seasonal discounts or financing specials.
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Check if your vision insurance plan offers LASIK benefits or partner discounts.
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Use pre-tax dollars from a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay, reducing your taxable income.
When comparing providers, don’t just choose the lowest advertised price—make sure the cost includes pre-op exams, the procedure, and follow-up visits.
Use Your HSA or FSA for All Vision Expenses
Both HSAs and FSAs can be used for eye exams, prescription glasses, contact lenses, and corrective surgeries. This lets you pay for these expenses with pre-tax dollars, effectively giving you a discount equal to your income tax rate.
If you have an FSA, keep in mind that most plans have a “use it or lose it” rule, so schedule your vision care before the year ends to avoid forfeiting funds.
Consider Community and Nonprofit Clinics
If you’re uninsured or on a tight budget, check local nonprofit clinics and community health centers for free or low-cost exams and glasses. Organizations like Lions Club International often run vision assistance programs, and some schools or public health departments host free screening events.
Bundle Purchases and Plan Ahead
If you know you’ll need multiple pairs of glasses or both glasses and contacts, you can often save by buying them together. Some retailers offer deep discounts when you purchase a second pair or combine products in the same order.
Also, schedule your annual exam near the start of your insurance year so you have the maximum time to use your benefits, especially if you think you might need a second pair or an upgrade later on.
Final Thoughts
Vision care doesn’t have to drain your wallet. By combining insurance benefits, online shopping, strategic timing, and tax-advantaged accounts, you can significantly cut the cost of glasses, exams, and even LASIK surgery. With a little planning, you can keep your eyes—and your budget—in sharp focus.
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