What do you pay for an eye exam? And where do you go?

[traces7]

I've been going to the same eye dr for over 20 years. The eye exam there costs $123! (my health insurance will pay a small portion of it) They do a very thorough exam and check for everything, he uses lots of different machines to check your eyes for different things.
I called ShopKo and they charge $41 for an eye exam. Someone at work told me they're not as thorough though and they don't use all the different machines.
Still, I thought about going the cheaper way. But I suppose at my age (41) I should stick with the one who does all the tests.
Other people who have glasses or contacts, where do you go? How much do you pay for an eye exam? And, if you go to ShopKo or WalMart, are you happy with them? I've also wondered about LensCrafters, etc., but we don't have one close by.
Thanks for your help!

 

[msmayor]

Without insurance, my eye physician charges $65 for a regular exam. I have coverage, so I pay a $20 co-pay.

I personally have never worried about the cost, as the words that my eye doctor said to me back when I was a kid still resonate 35 years later:

You have one pair of eyes...for your entire life. Take the best care of them that you can, because there are no replacements.

Only you can decide if your current eye doctor is making you the most comfortable with respect to care.

 

[Lisa_M]

I paid $99 for eye exam with contact fitting. I don't know how much it would be without the contact's exam. Maybe about $65. I go to a local small chain eye place called Eyeland Optical.

A couple of years ago, I got an eye exam w/ contact exam at walmart and I think it was $65 or 70. They did a horrible job, bare bones exam, and somehow I ended up with the wrong prescription.

If you are happy where you are, stick with it. It's worth the extra piece of mind to know you are being properly and thoroughly examined.

 

[clh2]

DH's eye appointments are with an eye surgeon, since he had surgery way back when to fix something. The are out of network, and $165. He goes there because of the eye issues he has.

I go to a clinic, but do not know the cost, our vision ins. picks up the entire cost because the dr. is in network.

I would be concerned that something might be missed without all the machines. Personally, I don't think that would be worth it.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

We go to a local practice group with seven ophthalmologists (MDs) and two optometrists.

My daughter's visit to the optometrist was $75 for the exam with an additional $20 for (I think) a refraction exam. We pay a $25 co-pay under our insurance. I couldn't find my insurance documents so I'm not sure what is charged for me since I only pay the co-pay.

For all of my 20s and 30s I went to the local guy attached to LensCrafters or Pearle Vision - whoever I could find to get a new pair of frames! When I turned 40 I thought it would be a good idea to get a complete checkup so I went to our local practice.

When I was 41 my retina detached - it was wonderful already having a relationship at the practice. I was brought in immediately and referred out of town for the surgery I needed. It also is nice knowing the doctors, getting a relationship going, and feeling comfortable talking about issues.

I think as we are younger we "play the odds" and go with a quicker/cheaper option. But, as we get older we need to take better care of ourselves. It will be the only pair of eyes you have!

Good question!

 

[DianeV]

We go to Costco which here is $89 for a contacts exam, not sure about regular, I am sure its less. It depends on the doctor as the doctor is seperate from Costco

We have also gone to OptimEyes which is an eye place and the exam was pretty much the same as far as what they do (but they are more expensive)

 

[meandtheguys2]

I'm going to Mexico for mine next year. DH just had an exam, and purchased 2 pairs of glasses including titanium frames, progressive lenses, transition (1) polarized (1) for the grand total of $255. He was thrilled with the exam and the glasses are perfect.

And, even though we had to pay by check, the flex save comp. sent me reimbusement.

eta: My last pair of bi's cost me $345 at walmart.

 

[PlutoPony]

Sounds like you currently go to an ophthalmologist - these are the ones who have gone thru med school, prescribe medicine and do surgery. Optometrists (OD's) aren't medical doctors in the same sense of the word and are primarily focused on vision problems and correcting that, and refer patients when diseases of the eyes are involved. There's a pretty big difference in training and certification between the 2. "Vision Centers" like Costco, Wal-Mart, and places in the mall are going to be staffed by Optometrists.

In the end, it depends on what type eye care you're want / need. Because I have a family history of eye disease I've always gone to an ophthalmologist for routine eye exams. DH has always used an optometrist for exams when he needed contacts (mine also give me a contact prescription which I fill at Costco). BTW, our eye care insurance is very weak and only covers optometrists, so my routine exams are out of pocket at $145. IF I have a problem (like an eye infection) my insurance does cover it as a "medical visit". YMMV obviously..... HTH!

 

[4Seasons]

Now we only pay $15 copay for eye exams, but before we did I used to go to America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses.
Very good value and I always felt they were thorough.

http://www.twopair.com/

 

[ceecee]

I would think a lot would depend on if you go to an Optometrist or an Opthalmologist, then there are Opticians (EyeMart, etc.). I go to the MD and he charges $145.00, you can take your Rx for glasses anywhere and may be able to get a cheaper pair than your eye dr's office. Although by the time I "upgraded" frames (the set in the "special" EyeMart offered were bad) and got the scratch resistant on the lenses for $22.00, DD's cheap glasses ended up costing $145.00 although she did get 2 pair for that price. Our insurance paid for her contacts and therefore no benefit on glasses. They would have cost the same at both places and we really don't need 2 pair.

 

[Hedy]

When I paid OOP for my exam last year, it was around $75. This year it was covered by my insurance.
My former eye doctor I picked out of the book from my insurance, but I wasn't thrilled with him. I was referred to this year's doctor by my brother and sister-in-law-it's just a little local place, but it a)takes my insurance and b)offers LASIK, which I plan on getting somewhere down the line.

 

[keishashadow]

Sounds like you currently go to an ophthalmologist - these are the ones who have gone thru med school, prescribe medicine and do surgery. Optometrists (OD's) aren't medical doctors in the same sense of the word and are primarily focused on vision problems and correcting that, and refer patients when diseases of the eyes are involved. There's a pretty big difference in training and certification between the 2. "Vision Centers" like Costco, Wal-Mart, and places in the mall are going to be staffed by Optometrists.

In the end, it depends on what type eye care you're want / need. Because I have a family history of eye disease I've always gone to an ophthalmologist for routine eye exams. DH has always used an optometrist for exams when he needed contacts (mine also give me a contact prescription which I fill at Costco). BTW, our eye care insurance is very weak and only covers optometrists, so my routine exams are out of pocket at $145. IF I have a problem (like an eye infection) my insurance does cover it as a "medical visit". YMMV obviously..... HTH!

Our medical insurance covers DHs & my eye exams, evidently our need(s) qualify. less $10 co pay up to 2 X year.

Our vision coverage is another story...we have to go to "participating" sites thru insurance company (VBA). The exam is covered; small amount on frames & lenses (which have to be shipped out to their plant).

If you have vision insurance coverage, always call the issuer & ask if they have a provider list who either discounts or accepts the plan as payment.

Sams always seems to be advertising different specials in the store.

 

[traces7]

Thanks for all the responses! Yes, my dr. is an opthomologist (sp?). I am very happy there and I probably will continue going there. Like one of the posters said, you only have 1 set of eyes and it's worth it to me to get good care! I called around to other eye drs and could tell on the phone that they weren't as good. Thanks again everyone!

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I have seen both ophthamologists and optometrists. Optometrists specialize in general eye and vision care. Ophthomologists are MD's specializing in the eye. If you have any serious medical issues, especially if they can involve the eye or vision, see an ophthamologist. Otherwise, optometrists can be a great choice. It's like any other field, there are great ones and some not so good.

I had gestational diabetes with both pregnancies and went on insulin almost immediately. My endocrinologist referred me to an ophthamologist and I saw him 3 times with each pregnancy. I am now a type 2 diabetic and because of this my yearly eye exams are covered as a medical necessity. I see a optometrist in my town, but he is very familiar with diabetes and the latest in eye care for diabetics, as his wife and daughter are both Type 1. He takes the time to explain every test, and show me pictures of what problems can occur and how my exams compare. If I didn't get this extra level of support from him, I would probably return to an ophthamologist.

 

[Adi12982]

I go to America's Best - I joined the eye care club - $99 for three years worth of eye exams and other discounts - ends up being cheapest for me, because that includes the contacts exam that many charge extra for. You can also get two pair of glasses there and an eye exam for $69. I was afraid that they may not be as good, but the opthamologist was VERY through, got me on better contacts which he checked my eyes later - and they wer doing better (not being as smothered).

 

[mtblujeans]

We also go to Costco. The doctor, there, used to be the doctor at Walmart and she caught my DH's torn retina and sent him to a specialist to have a repair that was very successful. It is $51.00 for an eyeglass exam and $69.00 for a contact exam.

I also recently found out that you don't have to have a Costco membership to go to a Costco eye doctor. I don't know if that is just in my state but I have been told you can just tell them you are there for an eye exam and they have to let you in, even if you don't have a Costco membership card.

 

[disneyeyes]

I am a Doctor of Optometry. I have worked in ophthalmology offices, mall/retail offices and am currently in private practice. Here are some general observations on the different types of offices:

1) Ophthalmologist specialize in surgery and disease treatment. In many of the offices I have been in, the ophthalmologist will spend very little time with routine vision patients. In many of these offices a technician who has been hired and trained on the job is doing most of the exam including the measurements for the glasses prescription called a refraction. Optometrist spend four years learning these skills and I believe you will get the best refraction and glasses prescription if you visit an office where the optometrist or ophthalmologist personally does your refraction.

2) Many of the retail type optometry offices who advertise low priced exams do not include the cost of a dilation in the exam. Since ophthalmologist concentrate on eye health issues, they will include dilation in almost all of their exams. If you go to a doctor who adverises low prices ask if they charge extra for the dilation or other necessary test. This is an important part of a complete health check.

3)Beware of low priced ads for glasses. Particularly in offices that run low priced glasses advertising, the sales people are trained heavily in "sales". I have known patients to be told that they needed such and such option added to their glasses when indeed this was not true. Also as the previous poster said the low priced items offered are many times not the most appealing styles. The ads get you in the door and the salesman may try to give you many extras. Some extras are beneficial and valid reccomendations, but like the previous poster said, your best bet is to develop a relationship with a doctor and ask his/her recommendations.

4)Remember, you do not have to buy glasses at the time of your exam. If you want to shop around take your prescription and compare what you are told by different glasses salesman.

I hope this gives you some insight from someone "on the inside". Please don't assume that the problems above happen everywhere. I just want people to be aware of what to look for.

 

[Blessedw/boys]

bump

 

[marcyinPA]

I went to an opthamologist (the MD) in June. The exam was $100. I didn't get my glasses there (they have a very small selection). We don't have vision coverage, so everything is OOP for us.

 

[lisaross]

both my husband and i do not wear glasses, but my son who is 7 failed his eye exam at school, so i took him to an optomitrist which is covered in full through my vision insurance - they said he needs glasses all the time - think his vision was 20/25 and 20/40 - anyway i now want to take him to an Optomologist (dr.) for a thorough exam. Now how does it work w/getting the lenses for the glasses, do you need to get the presecription from the dr. - the 1st place my son went the optomitrist said we could only get the lenses from them they will not give us the prescription - is this the way it works? what if i want to buy the glasses elsewhere ?

thanx for any help

lisa

also - do you recommend i get to pair of glasses incase he looses or breaks them? what about sports? do i need to get him prescription goggle type?