Eye Exam Cost

How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost?

Insurance Coppays: $5-$50

Discount Clinics: $50+

National Average (Without Insurance): $114

An eye exam is required for patients who would like to purchase eyeglasses or contact lenses from a U.S. retailer. The American Optometric Association recommends that children and adults ages 6 through 60 have an eye exam every two years. For patients over age 61, the association recommends an eye exam every year to maintain eye wellness.

Typical costs:

The national average charge for an eye exam is $114 for those without insurance, according to the Vision Service Plan[1] . The cost varies depending upon the clinic and region of the country. Lakewood Family Eye Care[2] clinic, in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., charges $109 for an eye exam for those without insurance. Discount clinics, such as those at WalMart[3] , can charge as little as $50 for an eye exam.
For patients with vision insurance coverage, the typical copay will apply. For some, the vision plan covers the full cost of a regular annual eye exam. Other plans charge a copay of $5 to $35.
Some clinics have a separate charge for retraction, a test that determines the patient's prescription. This varies by clinic, ranging from $15 to $40 at the Main Line Eye Specialists. In many cases, this charge will not be covered by insurance.

What should be included:

There are many tests included in a routine eye exam, beginning with taking the patient's medical history, asking about everything from family history to current eye issues. Then there will be an eye muscle test, visual acuity test, color vision test and visual field test. An eye muscle test involves the patient tracking a light or object throughout their visual field, to make sure the eyes are responding appropriately and in unison. During a visual acuity test, patients will be asked to name numbers or letters on a chart from a distance of 20 feet. For the color vision test, the patient will be asked if he or she can see patterns of colored dots on a page. And the visual field test checks peripheral vision. The Mayo Clinic[4] describes the specific tests conducted during an eye exam.
Refraction assessment should be part of the exam, unless the patient requests that the assessment not be included. During this test, the practitioner tests out different prescriptions while asking the patient which lenses promote the best vision.
Some eye exams also include examining the patient's cornea and eye pressure, often using a special eye drop to dilate the eye. This allows the practitioner to see deep into the cornea. The patient's eye pressure should be tested if there is a family history of glaucoma

Additional costs:

If the patient's vision needs correcting, corrective lenses or eyeglasses may be recommended. See How Much Do Contacts Cost?, How Much Does a Contact Lens Fitting Cost and How Much Do Eyeglasses Cost.
If the eye doctor noticed a more serious eye condition, such as developing glaucoma, additional visits may be required. Serious eye conditions are uncommon among those under age 50.
Because a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses is only valid for 12 months, patients who wish to purchases lenses will need to return annually for an updated prescription.

Discounts:

Discounted and free eye exams are available through a variety of programs and foundations. The National Eye Institute[5] maintains a list of many of these programs.

Shopping for an eye exam:

Before setting up an appointment, call different eye clinics to compare prices. If the patient anticipates needing eyeglasses or contact lenses, ask if the exam will be included in the purchase price.
Patients with a personal or family history of eye conditions should consider seeing an ophthalmologist instead of an optometrist for their eye exam. Find a list of ophthalmologists through theAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology[6] or search for an optometrist through the Optometrist Network[7] .
WebMD.com[8] lists tips on how to choose an eye doctor.
Consumers with insurance should check with their providers about their coverage. Some companies regulate which providers a patient can see for their eye care.

Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.

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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

husband and I had eye exams and got each got glasses

Amount: $1,488.59

Posted by: D & T in Dothan, AL.

Posted: May 13th, 2021 12:05PM

That was $679.47 for the two of us initially, which also included comprehensive exams. We got VSP individual insurance which premiums for the two of us for this 12 month period will equal $610.56. Because my husband has diabetes, his eye exam was submitted to Medicare, and that $201.56 was put to his deductible for this year. So total that will be paid out for the two of us will be $1488.59 when you add in the premiums for the year. This included designer frames, his RayBan, mine Dulce & Gabanna, both/ Varilux comfort polycarb lenses, and Crizal Sapphire non glare and UV protection with scratch coat. These lenses are warranted for 2 years. What gets me is the VSP insurance does not align with what we were charged on the doctor's invoice. The doctor's office charged combined $122 more, and the insurance says, "that can happen because how they bill does not necessarily match up with the invoice". This does not happen with any other medical insurance explanation of benefits.

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