I need a new eye exam and a new pair of glasses. Who is less of a rip off? Pearle Vision or LensCrafters? (insurance, how much)

[Abrie79]

What do the going rates for a new pair of basic glasses go for these days for people with astigmatism?

[missnic]

Try Costco. I just went for a contact exam (astigmatism) and they were by far the cheapest - $100. Their lenses are quite a bit cheaper as well. You don't need a membership to use them, either.

For just a cheap pair of glasses, I would try VisionWorks. I think I paid less than $50 for a complete pair a few years ago. Emphasis on the cheap though - they were perfect for me because I wear them maybe 2 hours a day. Not sure how they would hold up to everyday wear.

[Dappleganger]

Costco or Walmart.

[projectmaximus]

Originally Posted by Abrie79

What do the going rates for a new pair of basic glasses go for these days for people with astigmatism?

Just check out both stores. They'll tell you the price for the exams and lenses, and you can see what frames you like and how much they are. I think the quality is about the same.

[riveree]

I agree, Costco is a good choice for glasses.

I also really like United Optical Outlet. There are a few of them around town and it is a privately owned local business. They have a deal where you can get glasses for $50. Their stores aren't fancy, but they still have designer frames (Ralph Lauren, etc.). You can get a good eye exam from them as well.

I had an eye issue recently and had to go to Pearl at the Avenues Mall and I was pleasantly suprised. After treating my "emergency" eye issue, I decided to go ahead and try them out for a basic contact lens prescription exam. I have eye care insurance, so my out of pocket was the same as it would be anywhere. I did decline their "special offer" of an optional reading by some new machine they have. They make a hard sell on that one, so that was the only part of dealing with them that annoyed me. They will also offer you a special offer on their glasses, but it's still too expensive IMO (about $200, even after all their "discounts").

I've gotten the $50 glasses from United Optical Outlet over the years and I still have all those frames, they are very good quality for daily wear. You might want to give them a try. If you have eye insurance, you'll just have to mail the receipt in to your provider for a rebate.

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They provide their price list on their website too:

Products and Prices

[titaniummd]

Walmart and Sears also have optometrists. You can get the prescription filled at Sears.

I opted for Lasik since I have worn contacts for 28 years and was finally tired of eye irritation.

[amy_sk]

i second costco. i have been using them for 4 yrs now.

[travelingfood]

Do you have vision insurance? Warehouse clubs don't accept insurance.
If you feel adventurous, prescription glasses can be bought from reliable oversea websites on the cheap.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by travelingfood

Do you have vision insurance? Warehouse clubs don't accept insurance.
If you feel adventurous, prescription glasses can be bought from reliable oversea websites on the cheap.

Costco accepts insurance. I have United Healthcare and they accepted it last year - which was awesome, I only had the co-pay to cover - but this year they could not come to an agreement with United. If you have another insurer, like Aetna or something, Costco may work with them.

As long as you have a receipt, you can always mail it in to your insurer. You won't get as much coverage, but you'll at least have some of it repaid.

[damo8587]

i paid 129 $ at sears regency mall for what lenscrafters wanted to charge me 350!!!!

sure u can get cheaper ones, but i chose designer classes