How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost?
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s time for an eye exam—or how much it might cost—you’re not alone. Eye exams are a crucial part of maintaining your overall health, and understanding what they involve (and what they cost) can help you plan ahead.
Why Eye Exams Are Important
Obviously, the most immediate benefit of an eye exams is diagnosing issues with your eyes. However, since your eyes are connected to blood vessels and nerves in the rest of your body, they can also detect early signs of other serious health conditions, like:
- Diabetes
- Brain tumors
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Lyme disease
What Happens During an Eye Exam?
A comprehensive eye exam usually takes 30–60 minutes and includes2:
- Visual acuity test: Reading letters on a chart to check sharpness of vision.
- Prescription test: Your doctor will have you look at a chart through a device called a phoropter. This will help determine what prescription is right for you.
- Eye movement test: Your doctor will evaluate the movement of your eyes in order to see if your eyes are out of alignment, a condition called Adult Strabismus.
- Pupil reaction test: Your doctor will shine a bright light into your eye—annoying!—and see if your pupils respond correctly.
- Front eye test: Using a microscope, your doctor will check the surface of your eye to see if you have any scratches or scrapes on your cornea.
- Retinal exam: To examine your retina and optic nerve, your doctor might put eye drops in your eyes in order to widen your pupil.
These tests help your eye doctor assess both your vision and the overall health of your eyes.
How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost?
The cost of an eye exam can vary depending on where you go and whether you have insurance. There are three primary kinds of eye care providers where you can get an eye exam. If you’re getting an eye exam without insurance, their prices can vary3:
- Big-box stores (e.g., Walmart, Costco): $75–$105
- Retail optical chains (e.g., Visionworks): $70–$100
- Private optometry offices: $100–$200+
These prices can also change based on location: if you live in a city, for example, instead of a rural area, your costs might be higher.
With Insurance:
While most conventional health insurance plans don’t cover eye exams, a standard vision insurance plan will generally cover them, and the most you’ll have to pay is usually a co-pay of $40-$50.
VSP insurance, for example, usually covers one comprehensive eye exam per year—the WellVision exam, offered by VSP network doctors, which includes a thorough assessment of your eyes.
If you go out-of-network, however, your benefits may be different, and your reimbursement amount might change.
What if I don’t have vision insurance?
If you don’t have vision insurance, you can still usually save by using Medicaid, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
Final Thoughts
Eye exams are a small investment with big benefits. They help you see clearly, detect health issues early, and keep your eyes in top shape. Whether you’re due for a checkup or just curious about costs, knowing what to expect can help you make smart, informed choices.
Need new glasses after your exam? We’ve got stylish, affordable frames waiting for you.
- https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/surprising-health-conditions-eye-exam-detects
- https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eye-exams-101
- https://www.visioncenter.org/pricing/eye-exam-without-insurance/
Information received through VSP Vision Care's social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.