Boy, I should have become an optometrist
By rebelann1949
@rebelann (117209)
El Paso, Texas
October 15, 2017 12:13pm CST
Thursday morning I finally went to the optometrist to get my prescription renewed, I've run out of contacts.
The glasses I'll be getting might be expensive but boy what a shock when I was charged $180 for that visit ........... and that was with medicare and a 10% discount with one of the other benefits 
I recall the late 1990s before I started wearing contacts, it cost me over $600 between the optometrist and the eye ware. That really broke the bank back then.
How much do you pay when you go to the eye doctor?
Is your eye ware expensive?
I recall the late 1990s before I started wearing contacts, it cost me over $600 between the optometrist and the eye ware. That really broke the bank back then.
How much do you pay when you go to the eye doctor?
Is your eye ware expensive?8 people like this
8 responses
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
15 Oct 17
Varifocals and annual checks, last sets of lenses, both clear and dark tinted polarizing, reusing the existing frames, were almost $500. The year before, including frames, was almost 700bucks. Plus 15bucks a month Eyeplan, covers the test and gets a discount on frames and lenses.
Yeah, optometrists are second to dentists in what they charge, at times.
2 people like this
@rebelann (117209)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Oct 17
Damn, that's way too expensive for me. I haven't gotten my glasses or contacts yet so I'll have to wait to see how much that's going to run.
Just what does your Eyeplan cover? I only have Medicare which covered a little of the charge which is why it was reduced to $180.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
15 Oct 17
I have reading glasses only.I pay the dentist a fortune!
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91041)
• United States
15 Oct 17
Me too...the dentist has all my money 
2 people like this
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
20 Oct 17
I normally go to Walmart, no insurance coverage, cash/debit card on hand. Last time I went (2 years ago) Walmart was having a problem and did not have a doctor on site. I had to go to a local place for the exam. The exam was around $180 and I needed bifocals. I got the whole guided tour through their computerized program to find the right glasses for me. Ended up being close to $700 with the cheapest frames I could find. I took my script to the same Walmart and got a pair with all the bells and whistles, polarized lenses, bifocals, scratch resistance, etc for $482. Even though I probably needed to, I did not go last year. I will end up going again when we get our taxes back in Jan/Feb.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117209)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Oct 17
Yeah, I'll bet it would have cost me at least that much if I didn't have medicare. I stick to the same doc because I have Amblyopia and finding an optometrist familiar with that condition isn't easy, most of them want to correct the vision of my bad eye instead of simply concentrating on the good one.
@Marilynda1225 (91041)
• United States
15 Oct 17
I haven't been to the eye doctor in years and only wear store bought reading glasses. So far my sight is pretty good but I'm not surprised that the cost of an eye exam is so expensive
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117209)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Oct 17
You are so very lucky, I've worn glasses since I was 2 and it's never been cheap.
@rebelann (117209)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Oct 17
I think it depends on the severity, I need +3.75 plus I have astigmatism, it gets more expensive every year.
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
15 Oct 17
I need to go but yes I never get away under $300, usually its around $500 that is why I have not been in several years.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117209)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Oct 17
That sounds about right for my expenses as well, lucky for me Medicare covered some of the cost though.
The trouble is I see better with contacts and Medicare won't cover those.
