Question:
I'm considering signing up for the vision coverage on my employer's
health plan next year. I'm lucky enough never to have needed glasses
and have little idea of how much glasses, contacts or vision tests
cost. My employer's plan will cost $234/year. Anyone want to guess
how much an eye test and a pair of reading/driving glasses will cost
for someone walking in off the street without insurance?
Answer:
Two things to consider:
1. After you estimate how much you will spend on medical care and
glasses, find out what limits your insurance plan puts on lenses and
frames. For example, VSP (a very popular plan around here) sets limits
that are lower than any glasses that I have ever bought!
2. Here are two extremes in price that I have encountered. At the low
end, I have patronized the "For Eyes" outlet at The Hub in Fremont. I
believe that I received very helpful and competent service. At the high
end, I spent over $900 for one pair of glasses at Peninsula Optical in
Palo Alto. These are the best eye glasses that I have ever owned, by
a wide margin. This kind of extravagence comes closer to being sensible
if you need (invisible) bifocals, or other complicated lenses.
