How much an eye exam costs without insurance

Eye exam prices without insurance

This page does not give a dollar range, because we could not find a national price that we trust. We looked for a current price from a government agency, a research group or a health system. Many websites list averages, but we cannot tell where those numbers come from. Prices also change a lot from one city and one office to the next.

We can show you what moves the price up or down. Once you know the pieces, you can ask better questions on the phone.

• The base exam fee is the charge for being seen and having your vision checked.
• A contact lens fitting is a separate service. The eye doctor measures your eye and checks how a lens sits on it, and many offices bill it on top of the basic exam.
• Dilating your eyes means using drops that widen the pupil so the doctor can see the back of the eye. Some offices include this and some charge extra.
• Extra pictures or scans of the eye can be billed as separate items.
• A private office, a hospital eye clinic and a health center can each set different prices.

To find a fair price, ask each office for its self-pay price. That is the price for people who pay without insurance. Our guide on how to ask for the cash price has a phone script you can use.

Routine and medical eye exams

A routine eye exam checks how well you see and finds the prescription for glasses or contacts. A medical eye exam looks at a health problem, such as an eye infection, an injury, or eye changes linked to a condition like diabetes. Offices often bill these two kinds of visits differently, so tell the office which one you need when you call.

The difference also matters for older adults on Medicare. Medicare says Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams for glasses or contact lenses, so those costs fall on the person. Medicare Part B does cover a yearly eye exam for diabetic retinopathy, which is an eye problem caused by diabetes, for people who qualify. Some Medicare Advantage plans add vision benefits, and private insurers sell these plans. Check your plan if you have one.

Optometrist or ophthalmologist, and who to see

An optometrist is an eye care professional who tests your vision, writes prescriptions for glasses and contacts, and treats many common eye problems. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who treats eye disease and performs eye surgery. For a routine exam to update your glasses, many people start with an optometrist.

If you have a medical eye problem, a doctor can tell you which kind of eye specialist you need. A primary care doctor can often make that call and may know local offices with lower prices. Search for a cash-pay doctor near you and ask about this at your first visit.

Get a copy of your prescription

The Federal Trade Commission, a federal agency that protects shoppers, has a rule that helps you save money here. After a glasses exam, your eye doctor must give you a copy of your prescription right away. This is true even if you do not ask for it. The office cannot charge you extra for the copy or make you buy glasses from them to get it.

For contact lenses, the FTC says the office must also give you a copy of your contact lens prescription at the end of the fitting. That means you can take your prescription and compare prices for glasses or lenses at other stores. The exam itself is still a charge you pay.

Ways to pay less for an eye exam

1. Ask each office for the self-pay price and what it includes, such as dilation and any scans.
2. Find out if there is a lower price for paying the full amount on the day of your visit.
3. Check whether the office offers a payment plan, so you can spread the cost over a few months.
4. Call your local community health center to see whether it offers eye care or can refer you to a lower-cost eye office. Health centers charge on a sliding scale, which means your fee goes up or down with your income. Our guide on community health centers explains how they work.
5. Contact your local health department or call 2-1-1, a free helpline that connects you to local services, and ask about vision programs.

Children can get extra help, because federal Medicaid rules require vision services, including eyeglasses, for children who are enrolled in Medicaid. If your child is on Medicaid, ask your state program how to get an eye exam covered.

You can also ask for a written estimate if your visit is scheduled ahead of time. The good faith estimate guide explains your rights.

When an eye problem cannot wait

Sudden loss of vision, a serious eye injury, or a chemical splash in the eye are emergencies. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, and do not wait to compare prices. The guide on the ER without insurance explains what to expect. It also shows how to ask for help with the bill afterward.

General information is all this page offers, and it is not medical advice. A doctor can tell you how often you need an eye exam and which kind is right for you.