Vision is our most important sense, which makes taking care of it essential. 93 million American adults are at high risk for serious vision loss, but only half of them have visited an eye doctor's office in the last 12 months, according to the CDC. This makes more sense once you consider a 2022 study that found 63% of Americans don't have vision insurance, as an eye exam, glasses and contact lenses can add up without it. If you don't have one either and are wondering if paying out of pocket for any of these services is worth it, you are not alone -- several Reddit users have been asking the same thing.
Fortunately, there are companies and programs out there that can help you get more affordable or free eye care without vision insurance. Here's what we recommend.
Where is the most affordable place to get an eye exam and glasses?
Some of the best places to look for eye exams or glasses without insurance are discount eye exam centers or online glasses retailers. There are quite a few options, but our favorites are:
If you just need new lenses for an existing frame, you can save money by checking out online options for replacement lenses. For contact lens-wearers, learn how to extend the life of your contacts to save money in the long run.
Read more: Best Places to Buy Contact Lenses Online
Programs that offer free or discounted eye exams
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The above retailers may still be too costly for some folks, but they aren't the only options for eye exams without insurance. Many programs offer free eye care or low-cost options for those who qualify, including:
See a student eye doctor
If you're willing to receive care from optometry or ophthalmology students, many schools offer cheap eye care and free eye exams for patients. Students conducting the exam are supervised, so you can still be confident you're getting quality care. You may also find opportunities to participate (for free) in college research studies.
Look for participating schools here, and call any schools in your area to inquire about student exam programs and costs.
Medicare or Medicaid may help cover costs
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There are nearly 78.5 million people enrolled in Medicaid and about 68.5 million enrolled in Medicare as of early 2025. People who participate in both Medicare and Medicaid may have plan-specific options when it comes to finding low-cost eye care.
Medicaid, which provides free health care for low-income children and some low-income adults, generally offers some level of vision care. All Medicaid plans include eye exams and glasses for children under age 21, but coverage for adults varies by state. You may be able to get free eye exams, glasses or both. To find out what Medicaid covers in your state, contact your state Medicaid agency. Children who are ineligible for Medicaid may be able to get vision coverage through their state's Children's Health Insurance Program.
Medicare is a program for adults over 65 and some people with disabilities. It generally doesn't offer vision coverage, but it does help with certain eye conditions, including cataracts, dry eye, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
You may be able to get more extensive vision coverage through a Medicare Advantage program. This Medicare-approved coverage is offered through private insurers and often includes vision coverage for eye exams, glasses and contacts.
Where to buy affordable contacts and glasses without vision insurance
Once you have a prescription for your glasses or contacts, getting discounted prices online is fortunately easier than ever, thanks to the plethora of online companies that frequently run sales and take some of the legwork out of vision correction. Most will give you straightforward options for uploading or entering your prescription, and then the company does the rest.
A few of our favorites include:
The best way to ensure you're getting the best deal on glasses and contacts if you don't have insurance is to shop around and look for deals. For more options, check out our list of the best places to buy contacts online and the best places to buy prescription glasses.