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
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