The Sams Club Optical Difference
One of the biggest differences you will get when shopping with Samâs Club is the exclusivity of shopping at a members-only eye center.
What this provides is a quicker shopping experience and a better one-on-one appointment with a highly trained optician.
Samâs Club Optical also has a quick turnaround and makes building your custom set of glasses super easy so you get your glasses sooner.
How Much Does A Target Eye Exam Cost
The cost of an eye exam will vary from store to store, since most of Targets eye doctors operate independently and set their own rates.
You can find out how much your Target optometrist charges by checking with them ahead of time, either by phone or website, or asking in person.
-
At Target, you can generally expect an eye exam for glasses to cost between $60 and $100, without insurance. If available, most vision insurance plans will reduce this cost .
-
According to our 2020 survey of exam costs in the United States, the average Target Optical eye doctor charged $81 for a comprehensive eye exam for glasses.
Services like eye dilation and contact lens fitting can increase the final cost of the visit for patients who need them.
Some locations include dilation in their exam fee, while others charge extra . A contact lens fitting, however, will always be an additional fee.
Target Optical Eye Exams
Target Optical offers eye exams through independent optometrists who lease space inside the companys stores or neighboring stores. The company also employs doctors in some locations.
People can go to Target Opticals website to schedule an eye exam from their preferred store location. Learn more here.
Don’t Miss: Who Has Cheapest Car Insurance
What Does Target Optical Offer
Like Walmart or Costcoâs vision centers, Target Optical offers an all-in-one solution for your eyewear needs.
Schedule an appointment with a professional optometrist for an eye exam to figure out what prescription you will need.
After you have had your exam, you can build out your glasses to fit your style and budget.
Target offers a wide variety of frames from designer, high-end frames to the most budget-friendly, affordable glasses.
How To Renew Prescription

Target Optical does not renew prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses if your prescription has expired, then you will need a new eye exam and prescription.
Eye exams can be done in-store by most Target Optical locations, or you can get an eye exam done at another location and then purchase your glasses and lenses from Target Optical.
You May Like: Tesla Model X Insurance Cost
Why Is The Cost Of A Contact Lens Exam More
Simply put because a contact lens exam involves additional testing.
A typical contact lens exam will include:
- Several tests to determine what size and type of contacts are best for you
- Verify that the contact lenses fit correctly
- A contact lens prescription
- A follow up visit after your appointment to make sure the lenses are fitting properly
Ready To Visit A Target Optical Center
In case you are planning on visiting a Target Vision center for an Eye exam, or to buy a pair of contact lenses or glasses, then you are in luck because we have all the information you need. If you are looking to get a pair of contact lenses or glasses, you can either visit your local Target Vision center our buy your glasses online on target.com . If this is your visit you will be required to have your prescription in order to make the purchase. However, if you are looking to get an eye exam with a Target Eye doctor, its pretty simple, you will need to call the Target eye doctor and schedule an appointment. Getting an appointment is much more convenient than having to wait for the doctor to see you in case they are busy with other appointments. You can also schedule an appointment online, all you need to do is visit their website by , enter your zip code and select your nearest local Target Optical center.
Also Check: Will Insurance Pay For Colonoscopy Before 50
How To Lower The Cost Of Your Next Eye Exam
If you have vision insurance, your total cost will probably be less than what you see here.
Vision insurance can be a great way to reduce your expenses, but youll need to pay a monthly premium to enroll. The amount will vary depending on your plan, insurance provider and employer, if youre enrolling through your job.
Without insurance, there are still plenty of ways to save money:
-
If cost is your number-one concern, calling around is the best way to get an eye exam at the lowest possible price. Find the eye doctors in your area and ask them how much they charge for an eye exam without insurance.
-
Avoid any surprises Before you book your exam, ask which tests are included and which are billed separately. Two locations might charge the same exam fee, but one includes dilation while the other charges $20.
-
Use HSA or FSA funds These health-related accounts wont make your exam cheaper on the surface, but they will save you money behind the scenes. All of your account contributions are tax-free, which slashes a nice percentage off any eligible expenses .
-
If you need new glasses, look for bundle deals Some retail chains offer package deals that include an eye exam and prescription glasses. These deals might restrict you to limited frame options, but they may still be worth considering.
-
Ask about new-patient or return-patient discounts They may reduce the price of first or future exams at a private practice.
The Ambr Eyewear Difference
Because Ambr Eyewear is an online-only eyewear store, you get the convenience of free worldwide delivery and returns.
With a 24/7 customer support team, you will never have to wait for questions to be answered.
The biggest difference you will notice with Ambr Eyewear is that its glasses are built and designed for those who spend more time in front of computers, TVs, or phones.
These specially built lenses are available in prescription, non-prescription, and ready readers to fit a variety of needs.
You May Like: Insurance Companies New York City
Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams
Medicare covers a medical eye exam, which can be completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, but will not cover a refraction, which is part of a vision exam resulting in a prescription for glasses. You may be charged extra for a “refraction fee” if using Medicare coverage. Or, if you have a secondary provider, that may cover the refraction fee. This fee can vary by region and provider. Usually, your provider will inform you of this fee before the examination.
The Glasses Usa Difference
Much like any strictly-online eyeglasses store, GlassesUSA.com allows you to take advantage of low prices due to low overhead costs.
The savings from not having physical stores gets passed down to the consumer to allow for affordable glasses.
As the largest online eyewear retailer of designer and in-house brands, GlassesUSA.com offers something for just about everyone.
Recommended Reading: Does Health Insurance Cover Vasectomy
How Much Does An Eye Exam Cost
Getting routine eye exams can be an important part of protecting the health of your eyes and catching early signs of disease.1 offers members a comprehensive eye exam once every 12 months with a $15 copay at participating providers.2 But if you dont have insurance, youll likely pay more for an exam than you would with vision coverage.
What Is An Eye Exam

An eye exam consists of a series of tests that measure how well you can see and how healthy your eyes are. During an eye exam, a doctor of optometry or ophthalmology will look for problems that might affect the overall health of your eyes and quality of vision. These can include eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and cataracts. How often you should have an eye exam depends on a variety of factors, including your overall risk for specific problems.
Read Also: Cost For Whole Life Insurance
What Does Glassesusacom Offer
GlassesUSA.com offers some of the best prices on the most popular designer eyewear in the industry.
You can choose from a wide selection of prescription contact lenses up to 25% off.
GlassesUSA.com uses a virtual mirror to allow you to see how any pair of glasses will look on you before you order.
You can also purchase sunglasses and progressive lenses. No matter what type of budget you are on, GlassesUSA .com has a pair of glasses for you.
It accepts vision insurance, offers a student discount, and offers affordable glasses for those without insurance.
What Does Glassesshopcom Offer
GlassesShop.com offers just about the same items as EyeBuyDirect, including eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses.
One downfall here is that GlassesShop.com doesnât offer contact lenses, which could be a deal-breaker for some.
The low prices from shipping directly from the manufacturer allows GlassesShop.com to offer affordable eyeglasses for those with and without insurance.
If you need to get more information about the best types of glasses for you, check out the tips and guide section to learn more from the eye experts at GlassesShop.
Also Check: No Down Payment Commercial Truck Insurance
Use Target Redcard For 5% Off Glasses And Contacts
Target RedCard holders get 5% off their Target purchases, and that includes almost everything at Target Optical
In store, simply pay with your RedCard for 5% off on glasses and contacts. For online Target Optical purchases, you cant pay with your RedCard, but you have the option to check off a box for RedCard owners to get the 5% off.
How Much Does Insurance Cover In An Eye Exam
Traditional health insurance usually does not cover eye exams unless theyre considered medical exams. Your health insurance might cover you if you have a medical eye problem.
For example, a routine vision exam may diagnose you with nearsightedness. A medical eye exam could give you a diagnosis like “conjunctivitis.”
If your health insurance does not cover regular eye exams, you can purchase additional vision insurance that can help. Depending on the company and plan, your vision insurance may cover some or all of your eye exam. The cost of your co-pay will also vary.
Recommended Reading: Citizen Insurance Company Of America
The Factors That Influence Exam Prices
Youre overdue for an annual eye exam where do you go?
Do you drive to a wholesale club optical center or call the eye doctor whos had a private practice for decades? Or instead, maybe youll stop by that chain eyeglass shop next time youre at the mall.
Where you schedule your eye exam, along with a few other factors, could have a big impact on your receipt.
Heres what you can expect based on:
Dilation And Retinal Imaging
Both of these in-office tests let the optometrist see more of your retina, the thin layer of cells that lines the back of each eye. Retinal problems can cause irreversible vision loss, so the sooner any problems are diagnosed, the better.
Dilation uses special eye drops to temporarily widen your pupils, while retinal imaging takes a wide-angle photo of the retina without dilating your eyes. An eye doctor may recommend one test or the other, but not both.
Most surveyed practices included dilation in their eye exam fees, but some billed separately. When billed separately, expect to pay around $20 or $25.
If retinal imaging isnt bundled into the exam, it might cost a little more likely between $25 and $50.
You May Like: Pet Insurance Cover Pre Existing Conditions
What Does Felix + Iris Offer
At Felix + iris, you get to choose from a wide selection of womenâs and menâs glasses.
With the sophisticated filtering system, you can build out the perfect set of glasses for your style and face shape.
Felix + iris offers more than a dozen in-house collections to choose from that will set you apart from other eyeglass wearers.
You can also get an at-home fit kit that will allow you to test frames before you buy. This lets you see exactly how a set of glasses will fit on your face before committing to a purchase.
What Does A Costco Eye Exam Cost

At my local Costco a regular eye exam costs $65 and a contact lenses exam costs $99.
Your $65 gets you an eye exam as well as a copy of your Eye Health Evaluation and Prescription.
You are under NO obligation to buy eyewear from Costco and can take your prescription anywhere you want.
Its also worth noting that dilation and visual fields may require an additional fee.
Recommended Reading: American Heritage Life Insurance Company
Is Target Optical Expensive
Target Optical isnt expensive, but it depends on the lenses you choose. If you require bifocals or progressive lenses, these will cost more than single vision lenses. For example, the cost of glasses with a standard frame and single vision plastic lenses at Target Optical ranges from $69$99.
Target Optical centers generally charge between $60 and $100 for an eye exam to see if you need glasses. The average cost is $81. If you have vision insurance, you may be able to get the fees reduced significantly. Check your plan to find out if youre eligible.
You Have 90 Days To Return Your Target Optical Purchases
Like most cases with the Target return policy, everything under Target Optical has a 90-day return policy. If your items get damaged in transit, you can still return for a full refund, but not if youve damaged them yourself.
When it comes to contacts, the box has to be unopened, unexpired, and unmarked for returns.
Read Also: Life Insurance Over 60 No Medical Exam
Do They Accept All Vision Insurance
Costco accepts most vision insurance plans.
Their website says to ask your local Costco Optical department for details.
I decided to dig a little deeper and discovered that Costco accepts the following insurance plans:
Most Costco locations will also accept regional vision insurance plans.
Unfortunately Discount Plans are not accepted.
I found it interesting that a comment in this Reddit thread made the point that even without insurance, Costco Optical is often cheaper.
Contact Lens Fitting Price
Target Optical offers a combined price of $125 for the eye exam and initial contact lens fitting. This is not like glasses in which you purchase the frames separately and can try the ones available for free.
The contact lens fitting is an additional cost, but it does help prepare the eyes for the lenses that will be created. The fitting may also spot issues that need to be addressed. While it is an additional cost, the fitting must be performed to ensure that the lenses will work in this manner.
Read Also: How To Save Money On Car Insurance
Best Budget: Americas Best
Americas Best
-
Examination feels rushed
-
Low quality control
Founded in 1978, America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses is a discount optical chain with more than 700 retail locations throughout the United States. The company offers a wide assortment of frames for the cost-conscious family. A basic eye exam averages about $50, with a contact lens exam starting around $90.
Perhaps one of the biggest perks of the company is the free eye exam that comes with the purchase of two pairs of eyeglasses. The company claims to accept many vision insurance plans, including regional plans.
Customers have the option of joining The Eyecare Club. Membership to this includes three years of free eye exams , three years of contact lens exams for about $99, and a 10% savings on all other purchases. Most locations are open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses offers the lowest price for eye exams, Eyecare Club memberships for savings, several discounts on purchases, and enticing package deals.
How To Make An Appointment
There are different methods you can use to make an appointment at Target Optical. If you know the location of a Target store that has eye exams as part of its services, you can call or make the appointment in person.
However, many people choose to make the appointment online, taking advantage of the easy, convenient setup that makes creating an appointment a snap.
Start by visiting the main webpage for Target Optical and clicking on Eye Exams in the upper right corner.
Related: How Much is an Eye Exam at Sams Club?
Also Check: Dental Insurance Major Services No Waiting Period
Target Contact Lenses Prices
Target Optical sells most major brands of prescription contact lenses, ranging in price from $40 $188 depending on how often you want to replace them and what type of prescription you have.
Type Of Contact Lens | |
Multifocal | $40 $188 |
Brands available from Target Optical include Acuvue, Air Optix, DAILIES, Biofinity, Ray-Ban, Clariti, Proclear, Prevision 1, and Myday.
You can purchase in-store or online but do need a valid prescription before you can get them.