The Average Cost of an Eye Exam Without Insurance
A thorough eye exam is not only used to indicate a need for prescription eye wear to correct vision deficiencies, it is also used to check for common eye diseases and to assess your eyes as a gauge to your overall health. Many people forgo regular eye exams for themselves and their children due to the high cost of an eye exam without insurance coverage. Discounted prices for eye exams can be obtained from chain stores like Wal-Mart and Costco.
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Types
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The average cost of an eye exam without insurance coverage can vary significantly among the different locations. You can receive eye exams from independent optometrist (eye doctor) or ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) offices, a group eye care practice with optometrists, ophthalmologists or both and from multidisciplinary medical clinics with eye care departments. You can also visit an optical retailer or large retail store with an optical department that has an affiliated optometrist on staff.
Costs
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Nationally, the average cost of an eye exam without insurance is $114, as of 2010, according to CostHelper.com. Cost variances are due to the particular clinic and region of the country in which it is located. An average family eye care center may charge roughly $109 for an eye exam, and retailers like Wal-Mart may charge as little as $50 in their discount clinics. You may have to pay a separate charge for refraction--a test to determine a patient's eyeglass prescription--in some clinics, which ranges from $15 to $40.
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Features
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A routine eye exam should begin with the taking of your medical history, including family history and any current eye complaints. In addition, there should be an eye muscle test, where you are asked to track a light or object; a visual acuity test, where you name numbers or letters on a chart; a color vision test, where you look for patterns of colored dots; and a visual field test, which checks your peripheral vision. Eye exams may also include a test of your eye pressure and a thorough examination of the cornea through dilation of the pupil.
Additional Costs
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If a vision deficiency is discovered during your eye exam, the need for corrective lenses or eyeglasses will result in additional costs. Eyeglasses vary widely in cost, from $8 up to $600 for uninsured patients, with a national average of $196, according to CostHelper.com. Contact lenses range from $70 to $100 for a 90-day supply of disposable lenses and $170 to over $300 for a year's supply of extended-wear lenses. A contact lens fitting will result in a separate charge of $25 to more than $200.
Discounts
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A number of programs and foundations offer free or discounted eye exams. You can find a list of organizations that offer financial assistance for eye care on MDSupport.org. Sites like EyeExamCoupons.org offer listings of eye exam locations and discount coupons for exams.
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