6 Sneaky Ways Your Doctor Is Overcharging You for Glasses (2024)

FAQs

Why do optometrists charge so much for glasses? ›

Very much like automobiles, in general the more you pay, the more you get. Designer labels aside, more expensive frames are more complex, made from better materials, and handcrafted in countries that pay fair labor rates. This translates into a better quality, longer lasting products.

1. The average markup on frames is 250%. That hundred dollar pair of frames you think is a bargain? Your optometrist probably paid around $40 for it.

Ask for a price break.

“A lot of retailers will offer a break on a second pair,” says Vitale. “If you're looking to get one pair of prescription eyeglasses and one pair for the office, it never hurts to ask for a discount."

The frames are almost always going to be the most expensive part of buying glasses, so cutting down on how often you buy them will be the most cost-effective part of the process.

Using these numbers, you can see that, on average, a complete pair of glasses will run you between $200-$300+ if you don't have vision insurance. However, average cost of a complete pair of eyeglasses in the U.S. truly runs the gamut.

How To Calculate: (Eyewear gross revenue minus eyewear cost-of-goods) divided by eyewear gross revenue. What's Average: The median optical shop profit margin for independent opticals managed by ODs is 61 percent, according to Essilor MBA data. A high-performance eyewear gross profit margin is 66-75 percent.

Without any vision insurance I'd say you should set aside around $450 for single vision prescription glasses. If you need progressives then set aside around $850. That price will typically get you a good quality frame and high quality lenses and coatings that will last you years.

Many expensive eyeglasses are not at all worth the price and cheaper ones have performed far better. Some prominent characteristics of lenses that affect the cost are: Lens Type: There are several types of lenses available for specific needs. Each varies in its material, quality, weight, and purpose.

Is it cheaper to get glasses at Costco or Walmart? ›

Costco charges $130 for high-definition progressive lenses, which, as with all Costco lenses, include an anti-reflective coating. That's about half what you'd pay at many walk-in stores. But if you need basic, plastic single-vision lenses, you can pay as little as $29 at Walmart, about half as much as at Costco.

One reason progressive lenses cost more than other kinds is that they're harder to make. Cutting and shaping the gradient on progressive lenses is simply a more delicate and time-consuming process than cutting a lens with the same prescription throughout—or even one with multiple fixed prescriptions.

Relax. Your eyes are simply adjusting to a new way of seeing after previously compensating for less-than-perfect vision. With first-time corrective lenses or a stronger lens prescription, the brain is receiving images that are different from what it routinely processed prior to the change.

Lots of optometrists will give you a copy of your prescription but not include your PD. That's because they know that, armed with both, you can order your glasses online.

Poor vision from refractive errors can often be corrected with glasses, contacts or surgery. Treatments for other eye conditions depend on the cause and the level of severity. It may include eye drops, medications, laser treatments or surgery.

While expensive eyeglass lenses may offer better quality, many cheaper options offer comparable quality. Here are some factors to consider when deciding if it is worth spending more money on expensive eyeglass lenses: In exchange for something more cost-effective, you give up a more customized set of lenses.

Buying glasses from a professional optician ensures you get a tailored product that offers the best solution to your vision condition. If something isn't quite right or doesn't fit correctly, opticians can adjust them to ensure maximum comfort and accuracy.

Your prescription glasses' pricing depends on a variety of variables. Because of this, glasses prices for corrective eyewear can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000 or more. On average, prescription glasses cost around $200, though insurance can determine the final price.

GUIDELINES FOR PRICING YOUR EYEGLASSES

The Management & Business Academy reported that the median gross profit margin earned on eyewear is approximately 61 percent or 2.9 times the cost of goods.