What would you say the average price of eyeglass frames are at an eye doctors office?

[Prairie~Phlox]

I'm just trying to see how much we should set aside from our flexible spending, we have an allowance for $130 and then 20 % of the rest of the frames.  I wanted dd to stop & look at frames, but she doesn't want to & we need to get our flexible spending entered for next year by Monday. So if you've bought frames recently, what did you pay?

[Arcadia]

The frames that the shops with VSP offer tend to run $200 and up just for frames alone. For frames and lenses, we end up with a bill of about $700 before insurance per adult and $300 after insurance. Frame allowance is $170 per person for us regardless child or adult.

Kids frames cost from $100 and up but some stores did not have any under $150. Mine is a kid frame that cost $100 but I have a small head circumference. My DS10 and DS11 have to buy adult frames so it is $200 and up before insurance.

 

Lenscrafters is not covered by our VSP but their no insurance cost is low enough during promos to buy a 2nd pair for standby. My DS11 broke his eyeglass frame once and it took two weeks for repair. So he squinted at the white board for two weeks for his outside classes. His old pair was too small so couldn't be used as a standby pair.

Edited November 21, 2016 by Arcadia

[Guest]

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Edited September 10, 2020 by Æthelthryth the Texan

[SparklyUnicorn]

DH paid close to $450 after insurance and the "discounts".  I refuse to pay that much and went out of network to get a better deal.  I paid around $200 after insurance (Walmart).

 

I'm referring to frames and lenses.  I don't recall the breakdown. 

 

 

[Lanny]

If you buy from ZenniOptical.com (as our family did recently) will you get part or all of your costs reimbursed?  Their eyeglasses begin at $6.95 plus $4.95 for Standard Shipping to a U.S. address.  We paid $2.50 extra, for Priority Shipping, and we ordered on a Friday afternoon (ET). The USPS package was "Out for Delivery", 8 days later, on Saturday, in Miami, FL, USA.  My DD ordered glasses that begin at $27.95 if my memory is correct, and my wife ordered glasses that cost about $18. Extras: My wife needs Bifocals, which I think was $17 extra.  My DD got an upgraded type of lens. They both got Anti Glare/Reflective coating on their lenses. The total we paid, for 2 pairs of  prescription eyeglasses, including shipping to Miami, was (if my memory has not failed, completely) was about USD $81.02.    I sincerely doubt that you can buy locally and have the assurance of getting your lenses made correctly, as you can if you buy from Zenni Optical.  The next time my wife and DD order eyeglasses from Zenni, I am going to buy a pair of $6.95 glasses from them and have them made into non-prescription sunglasses. The Tint is $4.95.  Shipping is the same, whether it is one pair of a bunch of pairs.  The astonishing thing to me, when I read the "Reviews" of the $6.95 glasses I am going to order, is that some people compared them to glasses they paid $300 to $500 for, and wrote that they are the same quality or better, than what the bought locally for far more money.  GL with whatever you buy!

[Guest]

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Edited September 10, 2020 by Æthelthryth the Texan

[Lanny]

Follow on to my Post above (#4 in this thread):    I forgot that we had a 10% discount code for our first order.  The total I mentioned above was the total price we paid, after applying the discount code.  I'd signed up for the ZenniOptical email newsletter and they sent a code for the First Order discount, which was 10%     If you don't have that, look on RetailMeNot.com to see if you can find a discount code that gives you the lowest total price.  

 

ETA: After the eyeglasses from Zenni arrived, my wife said they are 10/5 where 5/5 is perfect. Great purchase for us.    Be sure you have the CORRECT "P.D." and there is also a "Frame Size" that I didn't know about when we placed that order (our first order, a test order, with Zenni).  The Prescription the Optometrist had given my wife was WRONG with respect to the "P.D."    We measured the "P.D." with a measuring thing we  printed from the ZenniOptical.com web site, a number of times, for my wife and my DD.  Exactly correct.  The previous glasses my wife  bought locally, the lenses were not made correctly. That is, I now believe, extremely common, when buying locally, because the Optical Labs they use simply do not have the same QC (Quality Control) procedures that ZenniOptical has.,

Edited November 21, 2016 by Lanny

[Guest]

We usually see $100-400 for adult frames, including my own (mid $200). For the kids, I'm much more likely to get budget frames, but for me they really have to be just right, I consider them facial jewelry first and foremost.

 

And yes, add in the lens fee if it applies. My no line/progressive bifocals and anti glare costing bump the cost of my lenses up, that's usually another $100-150.

Edited November 21, 2016 by Arctic Mama

[gardenmom5]

the average frame price at the drs office is roughly 2x more than at an opticians.

 

worn glasses most of my life.  never, ever, ever, would I buy glasses at an eye drs office.  when you care enough to pay the very most.

[TrixieB]

The frames that the shops with VSP offer tend to run $200 and up just for frames alone. For frames and lenses, we end up with a bill of about $700 before insurance per adult and $300 after insurance. Frame allowance is $170 per person for us regardless child or adult.

Kids frames cost from $100 and up but some stores did not have any under $150. Mine is a kid frame that cost $100 but I have a small head circumference. My DS10 and DS11 have to buy adult frames so it is $200 and up before insurance.

 

Similar tag price for the VSP shops here. 

 

Unfortunately I have progressive lenses now, which bumped the after-insurance cost from $300 up to $500. :(

 

[KungFuPanda]

I don't think I've purchased frames anywhere for more than $200. Usually it's closer to $100. It's the lenses that make mine expensive. Last time I bought glasses for my son, Costco's full price was less than the a Dr's office after insurance. The mark up is huge and the style choices aren't really different. For a stylish teen I'd do the trendy online shops (they're cheap and mail you frames to try) before I'd buy at the Drs office.

[MooCow]

Hubbie and I just ordered glasses. The frames were $70 and $100.

 

The lens were so expensive, it hurts to write it.

[ondreeuh]

I've used Zenni Optical for a few years. I replace my glasses every 1-2 years as the frames eventually break or get loose, or there is a bunch of crud trapped around the lenses. I buy a version with the expensive thin lenses ($30?) and then a cheap $10 pair with thick lenses as back-up. Honestly, comparing the expensive lenses to the cheap ones, they aren't much different.

[Um_2_4]

Dd and I just went on Friday. Mine were $112 just for frames. We have a $90 allowance so I paid $22. This was at a small independent optometrist.

Previous years I went to a large shop with like 6 drs and I never had a problem finding frames for $90 or less. This is why next year, I will be going back. It's farther away, but worth the drive.

Dds frames were more then mine. About $15 more. And she doesn't really "love" them.

I may get her a backup pair from the online place everyone recommends.

[katilac]

I don't know that there's an average amount - it's like clothing, which can be fairly cheap or quite expensive. 

[Wabi Sabi]

I've paid anywhere from $50-$400 for frames. Generally speaking, I'd say $150-$200 seems to typical for midrange frames. However, on my last several pairs, the lenses cost more than the actual frames. Yikes!

[Lady Florida.]

I've seen them for as little as $70 up to over $500. It depends on the kind of frames you want and whether or not you want designer frames. The main difference is going to be price. 

 

BTW, I posted this on fb a while back. Choice is an illusion. 

 

 

[TranquilMind]

I'm just trying to see how much we should set aside from our flexible spending, we have an allowance for $130 and then 20 % of the rest of the frames.  I wanted dd to stop & look at frames, but she doesn't want to & we need to get our flexible spending entered for next year by Monday. So if you've bought frames recently, what did you pay?

 

Well, as someone who has probably purchased 50-75 pairs, given the state of vision in this family, I would say our norm is $150-200 per frame.  It's ridiculous.  Thinking of trying zenni optical, or whatever that place is. 

 

[Lady Florida.]

All three of us got new frames this past summer. Ds and I got ones that came with three different sunglass clips - regular, blue blocking, and 3D. They're called Sunlights and I would not recommend them. If you lose or damage one of the clips you can only replace them by buying all three again. Ugh. The frames cost around $300 and I'm sorry I paid that much for them. Dh got transition lenses and light weight wire frames. His frames cost around $200. I'd have to look up the paperwork to find a more exact cost, but I think I have it right.

 

I didn't find that video I posted up thread until several months after we got ours. I will be more discerning next time we're due for new frames.

[TechWife]

I've now changed to an eye doctor that doesn't sell anything. It is a university affiliated practice and they write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contacts and send you on your way. If you wear contact lenses, they have a fitting specialist that figures out the brand and type of lenses you need before the prescription is written. With the script, I shopped around and purchased eyeglasses at Target and contact lenses through Walgreens.com. Now that we have a Costco, I will probably get my glasses there. I'm not sure about contact lenses because the Walgreens price was lower than the Costco price quoted over the phone for first time orders. I don't know if they have a deal for repeat customers or not. 

 

 

[wonderchica]

I bought my recent pair at Sams Club. Cheaper than using my insurance, even for my high prescription. I have been very pleased with my glasses and the service I got there.

[poppy]

You can get a decent pair with lenses for $250 or less, if you bargain hunt.

 

I've done Zenni multiple times. It's fine. The $18-$25 frame as not as nice as the ones you'll get at Target or Costco. I've had some problems with fit.  But it is a real  company, a legit businesses, the lenses seem just fine to me. I know some have had good luck with it. It's worth a shot if you want a backup  pair.

[Zinnia]

We have that type of coverage. We end up paying $100 for regular, $250-300 for bifocal/trifocals. The same price that we pay without insurance at the cheaper providers (coatco, walmart, warby parker, costco).

[Code Lyoko]

We found Costco was the most affordable for frames and the service was excellent but cost for frames varies really widely. At the drs office it has always been higher than at Costco, though.

[Lanny]

Well, as someone who has probably purchased 50-75 pairs, given the state of vision in this family, I would say our norm is $150-200 per frame.  It's ridiculous.  Thinking of trying zenni optical, or whatever that place is. 

 

 

Yes. It is ZenniOptical.com   My wife and DD purchased eyeglasses from them a couple of months ago. My wife said that if 5/5 is perfect, these are 10/5.  Very happy campers here and we will certainly order from ZenniOptical.com again. NOTE: It is critical that you have the CORRECT "P.D." (Pupilary distance). The Optometrist put the wrong P.D. for my wife on her last prescription and those glasses were horrible.  I now believe that few Optical Labs in the world can equal the QC (Quality Control) of ZennOptical.  After applying a 10% discount code, we paid a total of $81 something, including "Priority" USPS Shipping to a U.S. address. They were "out for delivery" in Miami FL 8 days after we placed the order. However, I think the Zenni web site said 10-14 days.  My wife uses Bifocals, DD has a rather strong prescription, DD started with glasses that were $27.95 and I think the ones my wife selected were about $18.  Each pair was approximately USD$40.50 including Shipping.  

[RootAnn]

Local dr's office runs 200+ for frames before insurance. 

Will probably go with backup pair from Zenni for dd#3 who still sometimes ruins hers. But, it is worth the extra $ for us locally because they adjust the frames all the time for free. My kids are rough on their glasses!

[Ottakee]

I just bought a new pair of glasses last week at Walmart. I went in on a Friday morning and the glasses were in by Saturday afternoon.

 

It was a whim purchase where I saw a sign for $38/pair and checked it out. I walked out the door paying $38 for my glasses with a 1 year breakage warranty.

 

I asked about various frames and how durable they were and the $9 frames I picked felt durable and the guy helping me said there was very little quality difference between frames, just tiny details or be brands that made some more expensive.

 

My prescription was such that paying extra for the thinner lenses wasn't worth the cost but would be for a stronger prescription. I had $14 clip on sunglasses from there that fit this pair as well.

 

I am very pleased and the cost is so much less than using my insurance.

[Storygirl]

I've found that it really varies. This spring I spend a considerable amount of time picking out frames at the doctor's office, including having DH run over on his lunch hour to give an opinion. Then when we asked them to price them out, they said $800 :svengo: . We left, and I went to Lenscrafters, where I got my glasses for something less than $400. I wear line-free bifocals.

 

We also took both DD's to Lenscrafters this fall. One was able to fit in a child's frame, and one had to get an adult size. Once we added the lenses, they were around $300 with an anti-glare coating. I think the coating cost around $50, so it would have been cheaper without that.

 

We didn't have glasses covered by insurance this year, but Lenscrafters was running a sale on their frames when we purchased, and I think they were about 40% off retail.

 

I've never ordered from them before, but I like the same-day service instead of having to wait two weeks to have glasses made.

[mamakelly]

We buy all of ours at Costco now. They are significantly less expensive. Our optometrists office wanted $150 per kid to just replace the lenses in their old frames and that didn't include scratch coating. Costco was $70 per kid including scratch coating. Also different Cosco's carry different frames so if you don't find any you like it one store, you can always go to another.

[Julie Smith]

If you are curious about eyeglass prices, and everything related to eyeglasses google, "Emily ruins glasses" and you will find a nice youtube video.

[SJ.]

At an eye doctor's office?  Too much.

 

Buy frames wherever you find what suits your dd and then go to walmart for the lenses.  We have found this to be the most economical option for in person purchasing.  I have also heard wonderful things about zenni optical.

[flyingiguana]

Single vision glasses + frames at Zenni optical: 6.95.  Unless you just HAVE to have those cute ones for 20.  They do charge extra for progressive lenses (40 last I checked?) and for strong prescriptions (maybe an extra 9 dollars?).

 

Next best bet is a place like Warby Parker where they'll send a selection of frames out for you to try.  I forget what they cost.  It's more, but not like a drs office.

 

After that, a place like Costco or Walmart.

 

Last we priced glasses, it was 800 for single vision reading glasses at the dr.  1000 or more for progressives. That was the cheapest frames without anything added on.  I only know that because my husband asked (I don't bother to even find out at the dr anymore).  He didn't quite believe the price differential was that much.  Now he's convinced.  

 

The eye drs give a song and dance about they aren't as good a quality (they're really no different) and how you "wouldn't buy shoes online, would you?" (in fact, I do).  They're fighting a losing battle.  Once insurance stopped paying for glasses, people didn't want to pay 1000 anymore.

 

This year, my husband's work started offering an optional eyeglass coverage insurance.  The cost of the insurance was WAY more than the cost of 10 pairs of glasses from Zenni.  And that doesn't even include the deductibles/copays etc.  We didn't sign up for it.

 

 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Oh and I learned not long ago that the eye glass industry is essentially monopolized by one major company.  It's not that the glasses actually cost anywhere near that amount to produce.  So all the major places around are mostly dominated by one company.  Walmart is outside of that.  Zenni of course is too.  I like Zenni.  I bought one pair for my kid I was happy with, but he has a very low strength straightforward prescription.  I don't so I'm afraid to order them for myself.  I can get away with buying glasses much less often though because I only wear them in the evening.  I wear contacts most of the time.

 

The insurance drives me batty.  The one we have is based on the monopolizing company.  It essentially forces you into paying a high price for eye glasses and makes it seem like you are getting some sort of deal.  You aren't.  You can get the glasses for the same price using a coupon or whatever special they are running.  In some cases the coupons were a better deal.  And these place offer no real insurance on the glasses.  They charge a fee and a deductible for repairs.  Walmart, on the other hand, doesn't charge extra and no deductible.  The insurance we have does allow one to go out of network. They reimburse very little, but it works out well if you go to a place that isn't too expensive to begin with.

 

 

 

[Lanny]

I've seen them for as little as $70 up to over $500. It depends on the kind of frames you want and whether or not you want designer frames. The main difference is going to be price. 

 

BTW, I posted this on fb a while back. Choice is an illusion. 

 

 

I watched the video. AWESOME.  Thank you for posting that link!    Thank God for ZenniOptical.com    :hurray:

[Lanny]

Oh and I learned not long ago that the eye glass industry is essentially monopolized by one major company.  It's not that the glasses actually cost anywhere near that amount to produce.  So all the major places around are mostly dominated by one company.  Walmart is outside of that.  Zenni of course is too.  I like Zenni.  I bought one pair for my kid I was happy with, but he has a very low strength straightforward prescription.  I don't so I'm afraid to order them for myself.  I can get away with buying glasses much less often though because I only wear them in the evening.  I wear contacts most of the time.

 

<snip>

 

I do not believe you have ANY reason to doubt the quality of lenses produced by ZenniOptical.com   Actually, I believe that if you send them the CORRECT prescription (accurate P.D., etc.) there is a MUCH higher probability of the lenses being made correctly. WHY? Because of their QC (Quality Control) procedures. I doubt very much that the Optical Labs typically used in the USA have that kind of QC.

 

Our first order from ZenniOptical.com was on October 7th (?) and the total for 2 pairs of eyeglasses, was $82.02 after applying their 10% discount code for first order. This was a TEST order for us.  My wife's glasses have Bifocal lenses.  The lenses for DD are pretty thick because of Myopia, which is a hereditary defect in my Father's family.   We will order from ZenniOpitcal.com again!   My wife said if 5 stars is perfect, she would give them 10 stars.  She had an old prescription and the Optometrist put the WRONG   P.D. on it.  They printed out a measuring thing from the ZenniOptical.com web site and measured their P.D.s, multiple times, to be sure that the P.D. they sent to ZenniOptical.com was correct.  

 

My wife needs to go to the Optometrist and get a new Prescription and DD needs to get another number, which the Optometrist did not indicate, but which Zenni needs, to include correction for Astigmatism on her next glasses from Zenni.

 

Both of them are very happy with their new eyeglasses from Zenni. No complaints at all.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Maybe I'll give that a try Lanny. 

[Lanny]

Maybe I'll give that a try Lanny. 

 

We hope you will do it.   Read all of the information on their web site.  The most important thing is that you have an accurate prescription, with the correct P.D.

I suggest that you print out their measuring thing, to double check that the P.D. you got from your Optometrist or Ophthalmologist is correct.  The P.D. my wife had was way off. The P.D. my DD had was only 1 number off, from what the Zenni thing said. I think that's the major reason my wife had such bad problems with her old glasses. Also, her Plastic  frame sort of disintegrated.  My wife purchased those glasses in the same Optical store where  we bought glasses for DD. The glasses for DD were perfect...    My wife didn't want to go back there, for obvious reasons.

 

The next time they order from Zenni, I am going to add a 10% tint to their lenses ($4.95 each pair) to cut down on eyestrain with lights and computer displays. On the ones in our first order, we paid $4.95 extra, each pair, for Anti Glare/Reflective.  I think they include Anti Scratch and UV   protection on all lenses, free?

 

There is also a "Frame Size".  If you have Plastic frames that fit well, you may see some numbers on the inside of the Temples. Some of the Zenni frames come in several colors and some come in different sizes.

 

When they order the next time, I am going to order a pair of $6.95 glasses and have them made into non-prescription sunglasses ($4.96 extra).  I read all of the Reviews for those glasses.  Some people compared them to glasses they'd paid between $300 to $500 for in the USA.  Some of those people prefer the glasses they got from Zenni to those expensive glasses.  I think it would be almost impossible to pay more than USD $100 extra for lenses from Zenni.  There will be several options for the lenses when you put in the frame and your prescription. I suggest that you go with the lens option their system selects for you. We did that on both pairs of glasses.

 

The Shipping charge is the same to USA Mailing Addresses, whether you buy one pair or multiple pairs for you and your family. We paid $2.50 extra for the Priority Shipping and the package was "out for delivery" by USPS in Miami 8 days after we placed our order, but they say 10-14 days on their web site.

 

Sign up for their mailing list!  I did that and they sent a 10% discount code for the first order. You can also find discount codes on RetailMeNot.com

 

This is the URL for the $6.95 glasses I am going to have made into non-prescription sunglasses.  Read some of the Reviews and you will probably see some that compare them to $300 to $500 glasses. Astonishing to me...  They come in Black and in Blue. I suspect Blue is better for women.

http://www.zennioptical.com/461821-metal-alloy-stainless-steel-half-rim-frame.html