How Much Does a Visionworks Eye Exam Cost?

Last Updated on January 3, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Taking care of your eyes and vision is incredibly important for overall health and well-being. That’s why routine eye exams are so important – they can detect vision problems and eye diseases early.

Here, we’ll break down the typical cost of an eye exam at Visionworks with and without insurance, and give you some tips for keeping your eyes healthy on a budget.

Getting a comprehensive eye exam periodically is one of the best ways to protect your vision and eye health. An exam goes beyond a simple vision test to thoroughly check your eyes for signs of problems.

An eye doctor looks at your inner eye, tests visual acuity and focus, screens for diseases like glaucoma and cataracts, and more.

How Much Does a Visionworks Eye Exam Cost Without Insurance?

At Visionworks locations across the United States, an eye exam typically starts at around $70-$80 without insurance. This covers a basic screening exam to check your vision and eye health. You’ll get a vision test, retinal imaging, glaucoma test, and more.

A few things to keep in mind about basic eye exam costs at Visionworks:

• The starting price can range from $60 to $90+ depending on the location. Pricing varies a bit between different Visionworks stores.
• Discounts may apply if you buy a certain amount of glasses. For example, some locations offer free eye exams when purchasing two pairs of glasses.
• Contact your local Visionworks to ask about current pricing and discounts for eye exams without insurance.

So in general, you can expect to pay around $70-$90 out-of-pocket for a basic eye screening exam at Visionworks if you don’t have insurance. It may be less with special offers or coupons.

Eye exam prices in different Visionworks locations

What About a Contact Lens Exam at Visionworks?

If you wear contact lenses, you’ll need a more specialized contact lens exam. This comprehensive exam includes extra tests and measurements specific to contact lens prescribing and fitting.

A contact lens exam at Visionworks typically costs between $90-$120 without vision insurance. The price depends somewhat on the location. This covers the detailed exam and usually a pair of trial contact lenses to test comfort and fit.

Like eyeglass exams, Visionworks runs periodic discounts on contact lens exams for uninsured patients. Offers like $20 off or coupons can make a contact lens exam more affordable.

Does Vision Insurance Cover Eye Exams at Visionworks?

If you have a vision insurance plan through a provider like VSP, EyeMed, or Aetna, it can greatly reduce your out-of-pocket exam cost at Visionworks. Covered eye exams are usually $10-$30 with insurance.

But coverage varies widely between different vision plans. Be sure to check your specific insurance details to confirm:

• Is Visionworks an in-network provider for your plan? If so, exams will be cheaper.
• How frequent are covered exams – every 6 months, 12 months, etc?
• Are contact lens exams covered, or just eyeglass exams?
• What is the exact copay cost for your plan’s covered eye exam?

Some insurance providers only cover one eye exam every year or two. But contact lens wearers need more frequent exams. If you have coverage gaps, the uninsured exam costs above apply during those times.

Tips for Affordable Eye Exams Without Insurance

If you don’t have any vision benefits, there are still ways to keep your eye exams affordable:

• Use Visionworks exam discounts: Take advantage of current promotions for $10-$20 off eye exams Visionworks offers on their website or in-store.
• Find coupons online: Check sites like Groupon, GoodRx, RetailMeNot, etc. for Visionworks eye exam coupons and promo codes. These can take $20, $30, or more off the cost.
• Buy glasses to get free exams: Purchasing 2 pairs of glasses at Visionworks will often qualify you for a free eye exam.
• Compare costs at other optical chains: Shopping around at Costco Optical, America’s Best, and others can uncover lower exam prices in your area.
• Prioritize exams every 2-3 years if needed: If you’re healthy with no vision issues, you may be able to safely wait 2-3 years between eye exams rather than yearly. This saves quite a bit over time.
• Learn about financial assistance programs: Some offer discounted exams based on income if you qualify. Check with local options and Visionworks.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Walmart eye exams, LASIK eye surgeries, or Strabismus surgeries.

While eye exams are very for eye health, they can fit into almost any budget with some smart shopping. Use these tips to maximize savings on exams at Visionworks and other eye care providers. Protecting your vision doesn’t have to be expensive.

What Does an Eye Exam at Visionworks Include?

When you get an eye exam at your local Visionworks store, here are some of the eye health components that will be covered:

• Visual acuity test – checks how well you see at various distances
• Refraction test – determines eyeglass prescription by testing focus ability
• Tonometry – measures your eye pressure to screen for glaucoma
• Ophthalmoscopy – examines inside your eyes including retina, lens, etc.
• Eye muscle movement check – how well your eyes work together
• Peripheral vision assessment – screens for vision loss around the edges of eyes
• Digital retinal imaging – captures detailed images of the back of the eyes
• Discussion of eye health history and concerns with the optometrist
• Guidance on prescription eyeglasses, contacts, or other treatments needed

The exam will be tailored to your specific needs and reasons for visit. For example, contact lens wearers will receive additional measurements and fitting evaluations. The eye doctor will discuss any eye disease risk factors and answer your questions.

With a comprehensive exam, you’ll get a full picture of your current visual acuity, refractive errors like nearsightedness, overall eye health, and more. This provides a baseline for tracking any future changes.

Why Are Eye Exams Important?

Routine eye exams serve many crucial purposes beyond just vision correction:

• Detect vision problems: Exams catch nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia and other focus issues early so they can be corrected.
• Check eye health: The doctor screens for signs of eye diseases and conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy during the exam. These often show no symptoms in early stages when treatment is most effective.
• Assess need for prescription updates: Glasses and contact lens prescriptions need to be renewed and updated periodically as your vision changes. Exams ensure you always have the right prescription.
• Monitor eye disease risks: For those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or other conditions that pose eye health risks, exams detect any related eye damage.
• Maintain clear vision: With a new glasses prescription or updated contact lens fit, your eyes stay able to focus properly for crisp, comfortable vision.

The comprehensive eye health evaluation you receive during an exam can end up saving your vision and identifying serious problems. Don’t skip your recommended eye exams just because of cost. There are plenty of ways to make them accessible.

How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?

Here are some general eye exam frequency guidelines, although your personal needs may vary:

• Adults without vision issues: Every 1-3 years. Once between ages 20-29, twice between 30-39, etc.
• Contact lens wearers: Every 6-12 months.
• People with diabetes: At least annually. Closer monitoring is usually needed for diabetic retinopathy.
• Kids: Around age 6, and annually starting around age 10.
• Seniors: Every 1-2 years. More frequent as vision changes accelerate.
• Those with eye conditions: As recommended by your optometrist. May be every 3-6 months or more.

Discuss the ideal exam schedule for your situation with your eye doctor. Increased frequency is often needed if you have certain medical conditions or faster changing vision. Stay on top of your eye health with regular eye exams, and don’t let cost hold you back. Your eyes are invaluable.

Summary of Important Points:

• A basic eye exam at Visionworks typically costs $70-$90 without insurance. Contact lens exams range from $90-$120.
• Take advantage of Visionworks discounts, coupons, and insurance coverage to save on eye exam costs when possible.
• Vision insurance can lower exam prices to $10-$30, but benefits vary widely. Review your plan details.
• Even without coverage, you can keep exams affordable through promotional offers and shopping around.
• Comprehensive eye exams are very important for detecting vision problems and early signs of serious eye diseases. Don’t skip them, even if uninsured.
• Most adults should get full eye exams every 1-3 years. More frequent exams are often needed for contact lens wearers, kids, seniors, and high eye disease risk groups.

Final Words

Keeping your eyes healthy and your vision sharp doesn’t have to be a financial challenge. Use this breakdown of Visionworks eye exam costs, insurance tips, and frequency guidelines to take control of your eye care. Consistent exams are one of the best investments for your long-term health and quality of life.