When you buy glasses to see with, how much do you normally pay?

Question

for a pair?

I don't have any insurance except for an AARP card and I pay around $240 for reading glasses and $285 for driving glasses. This next time I may opt for bifocals and I have no idea what they will run?

Answer 1

I have good insurance, so I can't help you. You can find nice frames at Walmart or Costco for much less money. You can have your eyes tested there too. Good luck bottle-bottoms!

Answer 2

I got no line bifocals a few months ago, I went to an eye clinic and they were $300-400, but I had insurance so I didn't have to pay the whole amount.

However, I got a second pair of prescription no line bifocal sunglasses at Sears with a coupon for $99.00. I had bought my glasses at Sears many times in the past and will go back there next time. I had much better luck with them than the more expensive place. If there is one near you, they are always having coupons or specials. I've only had a problem once with a prescription and they fixed it right away. They are open long hours too which is more convenient for me. If you don't have a Sears, I've also used W-Mart before and they were fine too.

Answer 3

Hi Wally, I paid almost 400 for the last pair and that was with a legion auxilliary discount. Then I got 65 back from insurance. so right around 335 or so. Bifocals with no lines.

Answer 4

Actually, I noticed that the cost of glasses came down considerably between 1991 (when I had my next to last pair made) and 1999 when the last pair was bought.

In 1991 I paid $400 because I wanted the "new lightweight" lenses. My prescription is very strong and I wanted the least weight on my face as possible.

In 1999 I paid $275 for the next generation "featherweight" lenses in a designer frame.

I need to get new glasses again....this prescription has about run it's full shelf life, and I expect to pay just about the same as I did last time. I hope they have an even lighter lens though, to compensate, just like last time.

As to bifoculs...the doctor prescribed these to me the last time, even though I told her that I absolutely refused to wear them. She insisted on writing up the prescription as bifoculs, and I just took it to Lens Crafters and asked them to make the lens for distance viewing instead of the bifoculs. I ALWAYS have, and always will do most of my reading without any glasses on at all, because I like to get comfortable curled up on my couch or in my bed, and the book ends up 6 inches from my nose anyway.

Answer 5

My newest pair of glasses are the no-line bifocals and cost
around $300. I try to get the AARP discounts and whatever
other discounts I can. They're expensive.

Answer 6

I have trifocals. I can't use standard lenses because they are generally thicker and press on my sinuses. So I have to get microthin lenses, which add a lot to the cost. I also have the kind that change to dark lenses in the sun, but that's not all that costly of an extra. The lenses have a scratch resistant finish, which is important. Mine cost $500, with insurance, and I need to replace them over the next few months, but they'll have to be a heap cheaper than $500.

Answer 7

I spent almost $300 the last time I bought glasses. I have the no-line bifocals which cost more than those with lines.

Answer 8

I have insurance that pays $150 towards glasses and frames, but I still usually pay at least $350 out of my own pocket. I get the lenses that change to sunglasses outside, so I know that is extra.

Answer 9

So far I have only bought drugstore glasses to read with and they cost anywhere from $5 to $20. I have a pair in every room, in my purse and in my car. My long distance glasses cost around $200 or so.

Answer 10

I buy reading glasses at the 'Dollar Tree', so, I pay $1.00 a piece. They don't last very long, but for a buck, who cares?

I did have to buy a pair a safety-prescription glasses that cost almost $300, but I seldom where them.

Answer 11

Last spring I bought new readers and prescription sunglasses because I'm very short and the visor doesn't come down far enough...of course if it did I couldn't see out the windshield...but I digress; I spent not quite $500. I'm very happy I have a health care reimbursement account since I don't have vision coverage from work.