The True Cost of Glasses and Contacts

If you have ever had to buy prescription glasses or contacts to correct your vision, you know how expensive it can be! This is especially true for people who do not have any insurance through their workplace, or supplemental income to help finance their eye health costs. With an estimated 150 million Americans who wear vision correction aides, and spend approximately 15 billion dollars a year on eyewear (AAO), it is easy to see how the costs of vision correction can add up over time.

Save money with an investment in LASIK!

For Canadians, our plight is much the same, in terms of cost, when discussing vision correction. Often times government healthcare doesn’t cover the cost of a visit to an optometrist, glasses, or contacts and individuals are forced to rely on private insurance, should they have any. Unlike prescription glasses or contacts, LASIK is a one-time lump sum investment. Investing in LASIK is much more feasible than paying for new glasses or contacts each year, or to replace broken or misplaced ones.

Calculating the True Cost of Glasses and Contacts:

·       Visit to Optometrist = $125 every two years

·       Prescription glasses (one pair) =  $300 every two years

·       Prescription sunglasses  = $300 every two years

·       Contacts  = $48 a month

·       Contact Supplies = $12 a month

What is your vision worth?

The cost of glasses alone, not including any additional costs of contacts, would be approximately $720 for the average 20 year old. Add forty-five years of living to that, and for a glasses-only person, they will have spent approximately $29,750 by the time they are 65 years old! Please note that this is a rough estimate, and the cost may actually increase as you age and your eyes undergo more changes. In comparison to glasses, LASIK is a fraction of the cost and can be easily financed. Spend your years free from glasses and contacts—it’s a priceless experience!