If you are still working and have health insurance at work, check to see what your benefits will cover. There’s a chance that your vision insurance will cover the full cost of your glasses, as well as eye exams.
Avoid Buying from the Optometrist’s Office or Boutique Opticians
Your eye doctor’s office likely has walls of glasses available for purchase. While there’s no harm in browsing the different frames to see what style best suits you, there is usually a significant mark up in prices if you purchase through them or from boutiques.
Paying extra for add-ons like scratch-resistant coating or blue light coating might not be necessary. Polycarbonate lenses, for example, already have UV-protection and are more durable than plastic lenses.
Buying more than one pair of new glasses can work to your advantage as many eyewear stores offer promotions like buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO). Having a back-up pair of glasses is smart, but you could also get a pair of prescription sunglasses with these sorts of deals.
Online retailers can sell prescription glasses, contacts, and sunglasses at a much lower cost than most offline retailers can. They don’t have the same overhead costs and often run their own manufacturing facilities, which means they can sell at lower prices.
Even if you’re buying glasses in-store, be sure to check online for discounts or promotional deals. For example, LensCrafters offers up to 50% off for AAA, CAA, and AARP members, and Zenni Optical offers 10% discounts for first responders, military, and healthcare workers.
With more options and popular styles available, less pressure from salespeople, and the convenience of taking your time while shopping from home, it’s easy to see why people choose to buy online.