Key takeaways:
Buying prescription eyeglasses online is often more affordable than shopping in person at a store. Online retailers usually offer lower prices, discounts, and bundle deals.
Using vision insurance, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts can lower your out-of-pocket costs for prescription eyeglasses.
Comparing retailers and timing your purchase around major sales can also lead to savings.
More than 80% of U.S. adults use some form of vision correction, such as prescription eyeglasses. And for most people, prescription glasses can be costly. Between frames, lenses, and extra features, the cost can quickly add up. About 25% of adults said they delayed or went without vision services, including eyeglasses, because of the cost, according to the KFF Health Tracking Poll of March 2022.
But there are simple ways to save. From shopping online to using vision insurance, we break down how to save money on prescription glasses without giving up quality.
What is the average cost of prescription glasses?
Prices for prescription eyeglasses vary widely. According to a 2022 Consumer Reports survey, the median price people paid for eyeglasses was $205 after insurance. But your out-of-pocket cost depends on where you shop, which features you choose, and whether you have a vision plan.
Search and compare options
If you don’t have vision insurance, the cost of eyeglasses can vary based on:
Frames: Designer and name-brand frames usually cost more than budget and store-brand options.
Lenses: Single-vision lenses are typically more affordable than progressive and bifocal lenses, which combine multiple prescription strengths in one lens.
Lens upgrades: Add-on features like anti-glare, blue-light filtering, and scratch resistance can increase the total price.
Where you shop: People who bought glasses online paid less overall, with a median cost of $111 online compared with $215 in-store.
7 ways to save money on prescription eyeglasses
Prescription glasses can cost hundreds of dollars without insurance or discounts, but there are simple ways to save. Below, we review seven ways to save money when shopping for your next pair. You might even be able to use multiple tips at once for more savings.
1. Buy prescription glasses online
Buying prescription glasses online is often more affordable than buying them in person. A 2022 Consumer Reports study found that people spent about $111 online per pair, compared with $215 in a store.
Online retailers charge less because they sell directly to customers and skip the intermediaries. You may also be eligible to use promo codes online that won’t work for purchases in the same retailer’s stores.
Here are a few ways to save even more when buying online:
Try frames at home or online: Many sites let you try frames at home or use virtual try-on tools.
Review shipping and return policies: Look for free shipping and free returns.
Use a valid prescription: Most prescriptions expire after 1 to 2 years, so check the date before ordering.
You can get a prescription from an eyecare professional, typically an optometrist. Some online retailers offer quick vision tests, but these do not replace a full eye exam.
2. Use your vision insurance benefits
Many vision insurance plans offer frame allowances, lens discounts, and free or lower-cost eye exams.
Most plans include a frame allowance, which is a set dollar amount your plan will cover during a certain time period. There’s typically also a lens allowance. If your frames or lenses cost more than the price limits, you’ll pay the difference out of pocket. Frame allowances typically range from $120 to $200. For example, VSP and EyeMed plans include a frame allowance of about $150. The Aetna frame allowance is around $160, but the exact amount depends on your plan.
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Here’s how to make the most of your vision benefits:
Use your benefits every time they’re available
Use your benefits before they expire; note that you may have a more frequent lens allowance — since prescriptions can change — while frames may be covered less often
Choose frames that are fully covered by your plan with no out-of-pocket cost
Compare in-network and out-of-network pricing
Ask about lens discounts, especially for progressives or specialty lenses
Some vision plans offer out-of-network reimbursement. This lets you buy glasses from a retailer that doesn’t accept your insurance. You would pay up front and get part of the cost reimbursed after you submit a claim. It’s important to note that reimbursement amounts are usually lower than what you get back when using in-network benefits.
3. Compare prices online and in-store
Prices for prescription glasses can vary depending on where you shop. Comparing online retailers and local stores can help you spot price differences and find the best deal.
Before you buy your next pair of prescription glasses, ask these questions:
Are discounts available online or in-store?
Is there a promotion? How long does it last?
What is the retail price without discounts for just the frames? What about with lenses?
Is there a discount for buying two or more pairs?
Promotions and discounts can change, so it’s a good idea to confirm pricing and savings with the retailer.
4. Use student, teacher, military, and senior discounts
Some eyewear retailers offer special discounts for people in certain groups. For example, FramesDirect offers a 10% discount to eligible shoppers who verify their status in some groups, including:
First responders
Government employees
Medical professionals
Military members
Nurses
Older adults
Students
Teachers
These discounts can vary by retailer and may apply to frames, lenses, and eye exams, so it’s a good idea to confirm eligibility and terms before you buy.
5. Watch for seasonal sales and promo codes
Eyeglass retailers often run limited-time promotions, including holiday sales, back-to-school deals, and discount codes. Free shipping may also be available. Timing your purchase around these sales may help lower your out-of-pocket costs.
6. Use your HSA or FSA to buy prescription glasses
You can save money on glasses by using a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA). These accounts let you pay for qualified vision care expenses using tax-free dollars, which can lower your overall cost. Also, if you have leftover FSA money near the end of the year, buying prescription glasses is one way to avoid losing unused funds that don’t roll over.
You can use HSA or FSA money for many qualified vision-related expenses, including:
Bifocals
Blue-light glasses
Eye exams
Progressive multifocals
Reading glasses
Safety goggles
Single-vision glasses
Sports masks
7. Take advantage of buy-one-get-one-free glasses discounts
If you need more than one pair of glasses, buying several at once can help you save. Many retailers offer buy-one-get-one-free deals or discounts when you purchase multiple pairs.
These deals are often available for a limited time, so check the promotion end date before your purchase. Buy-one-get-one-free deals are a good way to save on backup pairs, such as glasses for work, driving, travel, or emergencies.
Other ways to save on prescription glasses
Beyond the tips above, there are a few other simple ways to lower the cost of prescription glasses.
Look into vision discount plans (not just insurance). If you don’t need vision care often, a discount plan may cost less than insurance and still offer savings on routine care and eyewear.
Check whether your Medicare Advantage plan includes vision benefits. Unlike traditional Medicare, many Medicare Advantage plans cover routine eye exams and may help pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses (often up to a set yearly amount).
Reuse your frames when possible. If your frames are still in good condition, you may be able to replace just the lenses instead of buying everything new.
Skip unnecessary lens add-ons. Optional upgrades can raise your cost, so stick to features you actually need.
Taking a few minutes to compare options and avoiding add-ons you don’t need can make a noticeable difference in what you’ll pay for prescription glasses.
Frequently asked questions
The best month to buy eyeglasses is usually November, especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when many retailers run major sales on prescription glasses online and in-store. You can also often find good deals in late summer and early fall during back-to-school promotions and around major holidays.
The 20/20/20 rule is a simple way to reduce digital eye strain: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It gives your eyes a quick break from focusing up close and can help relieve screen-related discomfort.
According to ratings from Consumer Reports, Costco Optical is one of the highest-rated eyeglass retailers. But the best option for you depends on what you value most among factors such as price, product quality, service, and follow-up. In the same report, Consumer Reports notes that Costco is among the retailers with the highest overall scores. (You need a membership to buy from Costco Optical.)
The best month to buy eyeglasses is usually November, especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when many retailers run major sales on prescription glasses online and in-store. You can also often find good deals in late summer and early fall during back-to-school promotions and around major holidays.
The 20/20/20 rule is a simple way to reduce digital eye strain: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It gives your eyes a quick break from focusing up close and can help relieve screen-related discomfort.
According to ratings from Consumer Reports, Costco Optical is one of the highest-rated eyeglass retailers. But the best option for you depends on what you value most among factors such as price, product quality, service, and follow-up. In the same report, Consumer Reports notes that Costco is among the retailers with the highest overall scores. (You need a membership to buy from Costco Optical.)
The bottom line
Depending on your vision needs, buying prescription eyeglasses could cost several hundred dollars — even with insurance and discounts. But there are ways to save, even if you don’t have vision insurance. Consider buying prescription glasses online, setting aside money in an FSA or HSA, looking for special deals and promotions, or signing up for a vision insurance plan. Some of these strategies can be used together. These tips can help you see your savings — and your next text — more clearly.
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References
Aetna. (n.d.). Vision plans made for you.
American Optometric Association. (n.d.). Computer vision syndrome.
EyeMed. (n.d.). EyeMed individual and family vision plans.
Frames Direct. (n.d.). ID.me: Easy, secure, rewarding.
Horovitz, B. (2025). Eight tricks to shop for new glasses if you’re over 50. Kiplinger.
Johnson, A. (2025). The best time of year to get deals on glasses and sunglasses. All About Vision.
Kirzinger, A., et al. (2022). KFF Health Tracking Poll — March 2022: Economic concerns and health policy, the ACA, and views of long-term care facilities. KFF.
Lee, R. (2025). VSP vision insurance questions and answers. VSP.
Maybee, M. (2021). Vision insurance FAQ & testimonial: Frame allowance. VSP.
Roberts, C. (2023). Eyeglasses stores buying guide. Consumer Reports.
The Vision Council. (n.d.). Consumer insights Q4 2025. .
Warby Parker. (2024). How long do glasses prescriptions last?
