markonline1

To be fair, I always have the thinner index lenses, so maybe the cost usually includes the basic lenses, I just pay extra for my lense upgrades. You pay extra for the Oakley lenses simply because they do such a variety of lenses.

scrubbedexpat091

I didn't go fancy so that might be it. I only need them when driving at night, so I had no reason to go beyond the basics.

Gillymonkey

I just ordered new glasses. My insurance covers basic eye test 100% and gives $150 toward frames. Ido have a co pay though. I then have an allowance for lenses. Like others I have to get my lenses specially thinned down so between that and the copay my total out of pocket is $107. I normally spend about 200 GBP so for me it is cheaper here with my insurance.

yellowroom

I found the eyetest in US vs UK to be virtually identical, except in the UK I got retinal imaging included in the cost. My US experience with glasses is mainly with lenscrafters - I found lenscrafters vs specsavers to be comparable in costs after copay, but the glasses from Specsavers are of a higher quality, eg non-reflective coating of the lenses for the same cost.

When I went for my last eye test in Specsavers and they looked at my then-current US glasses to get a basic idea of what my eyes are like, they noted that the US finish/cut/fitting of the lens in the frame would be rejected as unacceptable in their shop.

I think Specsavers to better offers too (eg 2-for1, buy one pair, get prescription sunglasses free, that kind of thing).

Bob

It gets worse because they don't price the whole lens pair, but the individual lenses down my way.

I almost shat a brick the first time I got some glasses done here

markonline1

Eyeglass Chain Stores Put to the Test - ABC News

kins

In both the UK and the US I've always been quoted one price for the frames then a separate price for the lenses.

Lord PercyPercy

Turns out that with my insurance I have 1 free vision exam every 12 months, and 1 pair of glasses every 24 months up to $100 for the frames.

I think my last trip cost me $10.70 and I came out with a new pair of glasses. Not too bad at all

TimFountain

Hmm, I paid $200 with insurance for varifocals with light-changing lenses (or whatever it's called). Vision insurance in the US is even more w@nk than health, at least for my company.