Saving Money on Prescriptions, Glasses, & Contacts

I clearly remember the day that I finally got to have glasses. My whole family had glasses, and being the youngest, I desperately wanted to fit in. I liked how they got to go to a big store of all different shapes and styles, try on a bunch of cool frames, and then get to bring them home and wear them all the time. I was super excited about getting my glasses – even though I was told that they were “a pain” and “annoying” more than cool and sophisticated.

16 years and about a dozen frames later, wearing glasses is more than just physically annoying – it is downright expensive. Being a young twenty something living without benefits, going to an optician and buying new frames and lenses can add up quickly. It is not like I have an extra $500 lying around to get new lenses – even if my frames are out of date and my lenses don’t match my prescription. So here is how I’ve been affording my prescriptions, glasses, and contact lenses on a student’s budget.

Prescriptions

Seeing as I have moved at least once a year over the last 5 or so years, I haven’t gone to a regular optician for awhile. I’ve been to a couple different places, and to be frank, they all seem to cost the same. For me, it’s been around $70 for an eye exam, where they test my vision, and check my eyes for diseases and injuries. The biggest difference here has been the thoroughness of the exam, and the relationship with the optician. When I was younger, I always went to the same optician, and looking back, I don’t think that he was as extensive as my most recent visit. I’ve never had someone flip up my eyelids and check underneath them before. Uncomfortable, but comforting to know that they haven’t missed anything.

Glasses

Glasses are one of those things that always seem to cost way more than it should. Granted, there is something insanely magical about taking someone’s distorted vision and making everything appear crisp and clear. What’s also insane about glasses is their markup. A few years ago, I ran across a blog called Glassy Eyes. It first served as a chronicle for one man as he sought out a cheaper way of buying glasses – by getting them online. It avoids the retail markup that is present in brick and mortar stores, meaning that you can get your glasses for cheaper – much much cheaper.

There is a lot of debate surrounding the question of buying glasses online. Glassy Eyes tackles most of the questions that you might have.

For me, all I’m going to say is that I tried it, and it worked. Instead of spending $200 on new frames, and $200 on new glasses, I spent $50. I got new frames, which look good on me, in my exact prescription (just had them checked, and they were perfect), shipped to my door. It was nerve racking, I was worried they would look bad or would be the wrong prescription. I ended up deciding to try it, as I figured that the potential positives (cheaper glasses) would outweigh the negatives (out $50).

If you’re afraid to try buying glasses online – just think of the pair that you order as being a “backup” pair. I got mine from Zenni Optical. I paid $50, but depending on the frames you like and your prescription, you can get them as cheap as $10.

Contacts

One year ago, my girlfriend and I went on a trip to Hawaii. Just before the trip, I decided that I needed to get some new contacts, as I was almost out and wanted to wear them while on vacation. I went to a local brick & mortar store, gave them my prescription, and order some contacts – the same ones I had before.

About a month ago, I realized I was in the same situation. I’m going on my honeymoon soon, and I’m almost out of contacts. I should get another 6 months worth before I go – so that I’m covered for our vacation. This time, I went to Costco. Costco’s optometry department is surprisingly good. I actually got my prescription done there, as they have a third party optician come in three days a week to do eye exams. So she recommended I try a certain new brand of contacts – AirOptix or something like that.

A week later, I tried on the new lenses, and wow, are they ever good. I’ve just worn them for one day, but I can already tell the difference. I was told that they were going to be “a little more expensive” than the ones I was using (which were apparently absolute crap) – but because Costco doesn’t mark stuff up very much, I’ll probably end up paying the exact same as I did at the local store.

Another possibility goes along the same line as buying your glasses online. You can order contacts online, through retailers like ClearlyContacts.ca. While I was at Costco, however, it seemed that buying contacts is a little more complicated than glasses, as you have to “size down” on your prescription or something. I haven’t tried ClearlyContacts, so I can’t recommend them, but I am intrigued enough to consider using it 6 or 12 months from now when it come time to get new contacts – hopefully because I’m going on vacation!

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