This calculator gives estimates for education and planning. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; for decisions about your own situation, talk to a qualified financial professional.
A pair of glasses is made of frames, lenses and coatings, and the price of each varies widely. A vision plan or allowance pays part of it, and buying online can cut the price sharply. This calculator works out the price of a pair, what you pay after the allowance, your cost per year and the online price.
How the calculation works
- Price per pair = frames + lenses + coatings
- Your cost = price per pair + eye exam − allowance, never below zero
- Cost per year = your cost ÷ years you keep a pair
- Online price per pair = price per pair × (1 − online discount)
$150 frames, $120 single-vision lenses and $60 of anti-glare and blue-light coatings make a $330 pair. With a $100 eye exam and a $150 allowance, you pay $280. Kept for 2 years, that is $140 a year. The same pair at 40% off online costs about $198.
Typical US prices
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Eye exam | $75 to $200 |
| Frames | $50 to $400 |
| Single-vision lenses | $50 to $200 |
| Progressive lenses | $200 to $600 |
| Anti-glare coating | $30 to $120 |
| High-index lenses | add $50 to $200 |
Ways to save
- Ask for your pupillary distance with your prescription so you can order online.
- Use your vision plan allowance before it resets, and pay the rest with HSA or FSA money.
- Pick frames that fit the lens size: large frames need thicker, pricier lenses for strong prescriptions.
- Keep your old pair as a spare, or put old frames to use as prescription sunglasses.
When to pay more
Progressive lenses, high-index lenses for strong prescriptions and well-fitted frames are worth paying for if you wear glasses all day. A fitting by an optician matters most for progressives, where a small error in height makes them hard to use.