Key takeaways:
Contact lenses can cost $200 to more than $1,000 a year, depending on the lens type, prescription strength, and brand.
Vision discount plans, coupons, and pretax accounts like FSAs and HSAs all offer ways to save money on contact lenses and related expenses.
Check with your eye doctor or lens manufacturer about trial contacts that let you try out the contacts for free before committing to ordering more.
Contact lenses can be a convenient way to correct your vision, but they can cost more than eyeglasses over the long term. Most contacts cost $200 to $500 per year, but they can be more than $1,000.
Insurance policies usually won’t cover all the costs of having contacts, so your expenses can quickly add up. But there are steps you can take to save money and get discount contact lenses.
How to get discounts on contact lenses
There are ways to get discounts on contact lenses. Here are five things to look into.
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1. Vision discount plans
With a vision discount plan, you won’t have to worry about paying full price for contact lenses.
Vision discount plans, also known as savings plans, let you receive discounts on eye care without committing to a vision insurance plan. When buying contact lenses or visiting an eye doctor, you’ll typically pay more out of pocket than you would with insurance. But the annual membership for a vision discount plan is generally less than insurance premiums.
With a vision discount plan, you’ll typically receive a membership card that gives you access to discounts and benefits from a list of participating providers. These plans can help with certain costs related to basic vision care and some optional procedures by providing prenegotiated, discounted prices with providers, who typically accept payment at the time of service.
2. Buy lenses in bulk
You might be able to save money by buying lenses in bulk from membership warehouse clubs, like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s, instead of paying to ship repeated orders. At these retailers, you can order different types of lenses, including daily lenses, lenses for astigmatism, and 2-week disposables. These clubs often offer lower prices, and members sometimes get additional savings through instant rebates and promos like free shipping.
Some retail pharmacies also offer sales and discounts. When this happens, you may want to consider stocking up.
Many people who use contacts prefer disposable lenses, which come in various types that last different amounts of time:
Dailies: onetime-use contacts that are discarded at the end of the day
Biweekly: can be worn for up to 2 weeks
Monthly: can be reused for up to 30 days
Got a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible savings account (FSA)? Here’s how to use your health account to pay for contact lenses and other vision expenses.
Need prescription eyeglasses? Here are some tips to help you save money.
Are contact lenses and eyeglasses tax-deductible? You may be able to deduct the cost of vision expenses on your tax return if you meet these requirements.
There are also contacts that last as long as a year. Daily disposable lenses are very popular, but they tend to cost more than biweekly and monthly lenses.
3. Use your FSA or HSA to buy contact lenses
You can often use pretax dollars from a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA) to pay for eligible vision expenses, including contact lenses and eye exams. FSAs and HSAs can also help cover out-of-pocket costs of items related to contacts, including:
Contact lens cleaning solution
Contact lens cases
Saline solution
Rewetting drops
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4. Take advantage of coupons
Coupons for contact lenses are an easy way to find savings. You can find them online or from:
Contact lens suppliers
Pharmacies
Vision insurers
Online coupon companies
Some lens manufacturers and sellers also offer coupon codes that can be added during the online checkout process. Other retailers offer mail-in rebates.
5. Shop around for savings
If you have the time (and patience), consider shopping around online and in retail stores to find the best prices. Be sure to ask questions about other chances to save, such as:
Do you offer a price-match guarantee for online retailers and other competitors?
What is your price adjustment policy if the item I purchase later goes on sale?
Do you offer an exchange program if my prescription changes within 6 months?
Other ideas for savings
Additional ways to save on contacts include:
Trial offers: Check with lens manufacturers and online retailers, or ask your eye doctor for starter packs, which are usually free.
Rewards programs: Look for rewards programs that offer promos, discounts, and money back for repeat customers.
Discounts: If you belong to professional associations or membership organizations like AARP, ask if they offer discounts on contact lenses and related services like lens fittings. Retailers might offer their own discounts as well.
First-time customer deals: Some retailers offer savings on your first order of contacts.
What factors affect the cost of contact lenses?
Many factors can affect the total price you pay for contact lenses, including:
Brand
Complexity of the vision problem the lenses are meant to address
Eye care supplies (like lens solution and contact lens cases)
Follow-up visits with an eye doctor
Prescription strength
Type of contact lenses (for example, hard contacts or extended wear)
Where you buy them
What you need to know before buying discount contact lenses
To get contact lenses, you first need to meet with an eye doctor for an eye exam and lens fitting. Compared with glasses, contacts may require a more extensive exam, according to the American Optometric Association. That’s because contact lens exams require additional tests to measure things like tear production. If an eye doctor finds you have certain eye conditions, such as presbyopia or astigmatism, you may need special lenses that are more expensive.
Once an eye doctor has given you a prescription, you’re ready to buy lenses. It’s important to understand that there are different types of contacts, including:
Soft contact lenses: typically extended-wear contact lenses that can last 7 or 30 days
Rigid, gas-permeable contact lenses: usually last longer than soft contact lenses and may be less expensive over the life of the lens
How much you pay out of pocket will depend on the type of contact lens you need. For example, progressive contacts cost more because they provide multiple prescriptions in one lens, don’t have visible lines that separate different prescriptions, and are prescribed for multiple eye conditions.
Remember, health insurance — including Medicare — typically doesn’t cover contact lenses and related eye exams except in a limited number of special circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
The least expensive place to get contact lenses is often through online retailers. Prices are usually lower than what you would find at an optometrist’s office. Ordering in bulk can bring down the cost even more. Be sure to compare prices across trusted sellers, factor in shipping, and check if your insurance or discount programs apply. You’ll need a valid prescription to make sure the lenses are safe and fit your eyes property.
It’s usually less expensive to buy contacts online than from an optometrist’s office. Online sellers can usually offer lower base prices and discounts, while an optometrist’s office may charge more because they also provide exam and fitting services. But buying directly from your optometrist can be more convenient and may include certain benefits, including trial lenses and easier returns. It’s important to compare total costs, such as shipping, rebates, and follow-up care, to decide which option makes the most sense for you.
The least expensive place to get contact lenses is often through online retailers. Prices are usually lower than what you would find at an optometrist’s office. Ordering in bulk can bring down the cost even more. Be sure to compare prices across trusted sellers, factor in shipping, and check if your insurance or discount programs apply. You’ll need a valid prescription to make sure the lenses are safe and fit your eyes property.
It’s usually less expensive to buy contacts online than from an optometrist’s office. Online sellers can usually offer lower base prices and discounts, while an optometrist’s office may charge more because they also provide exam and fitting services. But buying directly from your optometrist can be more convenient and may include certain benefits, including trial lenses and easier returns. It’s important to compare total costs, such as shipping, rebates, and follow-up care, to decide which option makes the most sense for you.
The bottom line
Prescription contact lenses can be expensive, costing hundreds of dollars a year. Still, there are ways to save money. Enrolling in a vision insurance plan, buying in bulk from warehouse clubs, or using an HSA or an FSA can help lower the costs related to getting contact lenses. Taking advantage of coupons and special programs for freebies, discounts, and rewards can also help.
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References
AARP. (n.d.). Membership & benefits.
American Optometric Association. (n.d.). Types of contact lenses.
Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Buying prescription glasses or contact lenses: Your rights.
Mukamal, R. (2023). Pros and cons of progressive lenses. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Types of contact lenses.
