How Much Do Glasses Cost?
By Anna Barden
Prescription eyewear varies in price depending on the lens type, lens features, and frame cost. Here’s a look at the average prices of eyeglasses, sunglasses, and readers, and how the different parts of each pair factor into the total cost.
Cost of Prescription Glasses
When you order new prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses, you pay for the frames, lenses, any added frame or lens upgrades, a case, and a cleaning cloth.
The total cost will vary based on whether you:
- Use vision insurance or pay completely (or partially) out of pocket
- Choose a high-end designer frame or a style from the retailer’s in-house brand
- Need multifocal, progressive, or single-vision lenses
- Select the standard lens material and thickness or need thinner high-index lenses for a strong prescription
- Stick with the included lens features or add premium lens technology options such as polarization, anti-reflective coating, photochromic lenses, or tints
In-house or generic eyeglass frames made with very basic materials can cost as little as $8 each (not including the lenses). Brand-name and designer frames can range from a few hundred dollars to up in the $1,000 range.
Using vision insurance, the average cost for a pair of prescription eyeglass lenses is about $120 (not including the frames). However, this price can increase quickly if you start adding upgrades and premium features.
Vision insurance policies typically provide an allowance toward the cost of your new prescription eyewear each year, whether you get prescription eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, or prescription contact lenses. This annual allowance — which many plans cap at $200 — may cover your entire cost or contribute a nice sum toward your overall total.
Be sure to check your policy or contact your plan administrator to find out exactly what (and how much) your vision insurance policy covers each year.
Cost of Glasses Without Insurance
You don’t need insurance to purchase prescription glasses, but buying specs without insurance is going to be more expensive. Here’s what you can expect to pay for a few different categories of eyewear:
Eyeglasses
So, how much do prescription glasses usually cost? Without insurance, a complete pair of eyeglasses (including frames and prescription lenses) averages around $350. Note that progressives are more expensive than single-vision lenses. It also costs more to add extra coatings and tints to your lenses.
Sunglasses
The price range for prescription sunglasses is around $150 to $500. The final cost is determined by the brand of the frames, lens options and coatings, and your vision prescription. Prescription sunglasses are customized to suit your vision needs, so they’re more expensive than buying off the rack.
How Much Do Reading Glasses Cost?
Overall, the average cost of reading glasses bought without a prescription (over the counter) is about $25 per pair. But, as with other eyewear, readers can be higher in price if you choose a designer frame.
Reading glasses can be bought over the counter (OTC) in local stores and online. You don’t need a prescription to buy them, but you do need to know what lens power will help you see (and read) more clearly. If you aren’t sure, you can use our guide to find your reading strength.
Foster Grant readers start at +1.00 and increase in increments of 0.25, ranging all the way up to +3.50 in select styles. Our products include:
If you think you need a stronger reading power or if you have more complex vision needs, make an appointment with your eye doctor. You may benefit from prescription reading glasses or progressive lenses, though these will be more expensive than OTC readers, especially without insurance.
Are More Expensive Glasses Better?
Having a higher price does not always mean something is a better choice. In some cases, more expensive eyewear may be higher quality or have additional features — it depends on what is driving the higher cost. Some people find more value in a designer label and are willing to pay more for it. Others put their stock in the craftsmanship and materials that go into making the frames.
Ask your optician for guidance when choosing your frames and lenses. Ask about their experiences with different brands and retailers. Talk to them about your lifestyle and vision needs — are there certain features and upgrades that you can live without? Which options would be most beneficial to you?
Is $200 Expensive for Glasses?
Some may find $200 an expensive price for glasses, but it’s actually about average. You can find prescription eyewear for much less than $200, but you may have to sacrifice some quality to get that lower price. The average cost of prescription eyeglasses is $200 with insurance and $350 without.
If you paid $400 for a pair of glasses with non-designer frames, that may seem a bit above average. So, consider what kinds of lens options and upgrades you selected. If you have a strong vision prescription, the more expensive high-index lenses may be a must-have for you. The important thing is to find glasses that you like and that you’ll wear.
If you’re looking for lower-priced glasses, be sure to check sales, offers, and discounted frames. This can be especially helpful if you aren’t using vision insurance to pay for your eyewear. But when the average price for prescription glasses is $200 with insurance and $350 without, $400 doesn’t seem that bad.
Why Are Glasses So Expensive?
From designer frame brands and add-on lens features to extended warranties and expedited shipping, the cost of new glasses can add up quickly. If you aren’t careful, your new pair may end up being much more expensive than you anticipated.
But if you need to, it’s possible to buy glasses on a budget. With so many options out there, you can find high-quality, feature-flattering frames that don't break the bank. You can also make the choice to get only the lenses and features you need to correct your vision and to say no to any unnecessary extras.
And remember: Your prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses are medical devices that you probably only need to replace every one to two years. When you consider that each pair enables you to see clearly and comfortably for such a long time, they are well worth the expense.
Sources
- How much do glasses cost? All About Vision. September 2019.*
- How much do glasses cost? Glasses.com. December 2022.*
- Prescription sunglasses buying guide. FramesDirect. Accessed September 2024.*
- Reading glasses: How they help with up-close vision. All About Vision. February 2019.*
The sources listed here have been provided for informational purposes only. The citation of a particular source does not constitute an endorsement or approval of EssilorLuxottica products, services, or opinions by such source.
*Like Foster Grant, All About Vision, Glasses.com, FramesDirect, and AAV Media, LLC are affiliates of EssilorLuxottica.
