Yearly Costs of Glasses and Contacts | NewView Eye Center | Reston (2024)


The average eyeglass wearer will buy a new pair of glasses every 1-2 years and spend an average of $200 to $600 per pair. Eyeglass prices vary tremendously, depending upon the type of frame and type of lenses. You may also need to have more than one pair of glasses. Many people have separate glasses for computer use, prescription sunglasses, or just a spare pair as a backup.

Contact lenses are typically even more expensive than glasses. The average amount spent annually on contact lenses is around $250, but this price can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the type of lenses prescribed and the wear schedule. Non-disposable contacts tend to cost a little less than disposable contacts. However, you will also need to buy cleaning solution, lens cases, etc. The average annual cost of non-disposable contacts is $150 to $375. The average annual cost of disposable contacts is $170 to $400. You don’t have to buy cleaning supplies for disposables, however, so they are usually cheaper.

Prescriptions are often updated every year or two. Annual eye doctor visits are an additional cost. And basic eye exams won’t fit you for contact lenses, that is an additional expense as well. Be prepared to pay extra if you need exams for both glasses and contacts.

The Cost of LASIK Compared to Glasses and Contacts

On the surface you may think that LASIK is expensive, and while it isn’t cheap you may be surprised to learn how much money you save when compared to a lifetime of buying glasses or contacts.

The average cost for LASIK is between $1,000 to $4,000 per eye. This includes the pre-surgery consultations and post-surgery care. In reality, LASIK is less expensive over time than contacts or glasses.

If you’re wondering if you can afford LASIK, we offer a variety of payment options. Care Credit monthly financing plans, Health Spending Accounts and other options may help you pay with a monthly payment for a length of time that fits your budget.

If you’re ready to invest in LASIK, contact NewView Eye Center at 703-834-9777 or website to schedule your LASIK consultation today!

Yearly Costs of Glasses and Contacts | NewView Eye Center | Reston (2024)

FAQs

How much does a 1 year supply of contacts cost? ›

Table of Contents. Generally, they cost between $20 and $30 a box. Most people with average prescriptions should be able to get a year's worth of contact lenses for $200 to $500. The price range for contacts can feel broad, but they have a highly variable price tag depending on a lot of factors.

How much does the average American spend on glasses per year? ›

The average eyeglass wearer will buy a new pair of glasses every 1-2 years and spend an average of $200 to $600 per pair. Eyeglass prices vary tremendously, depending upon the type of frame and type of lenses. You may also need to have more than one pair of glasses.

How much are daily contacts for a year without insurance? ›

Contact lenses can be a convenient alternative to eyeglasses but are more expensive. Instead of making a one-time purchase, you commit to spending money regularly over time. Without insurance, the average cost of contact lenses is around $150-$1000 per year.

How much are eye contacts per month? ›

What You Can Expect To Pay. Disposable contact lenses cost approximately $200 to $1,000 per year or $15 to $85 per month for regular wearers, if you're buying for both eyes.

Are monthly contacts cheaper than yearly? ›

Cost. Monthly lenses are usually considered the cheaper option because you buy fewer of them. It takes 24 monthly lenses (12 per eye) to supply a years' worth of monthly disposable contacts, while a year's worth of dailies is 720 lenses (or 360 pairs a year). So, monthlies are cheaper.

How many boxes of monthly contacts do I need for a year? ›

Based on the average recommended wearing schedule of daily use for one month, and assuming no loss or damage to the contacts, a person would need 12 boxes of monthly contacts for a year.

Are contacts cheaper than glasses? ›

Contacts have a higher upfront cost than regular eyeglasses. That is because you can always buy glasses off-the-shelf at a lower cost. But of course, if you decide to buy designer eyewear, eyeglasses might turn out to be a lot more expensive when it comes to upfront costs.

Are biweekly contacts cheaper than dailies? ›

Biweekly Contact Lenses

They do require regular cleaning and disinfecting, but they're less costly than daily lenses. These lenses come in various types, including toric lenses for those with astigmatism or multifocal lenses for those dealing with presbyopia.

Why are dailies total 1 so expensive? ›

How much do Dailies Total1 cost? There's no getting around it — Alcon's Dailies Total1 contacts are more expensive than many other daily disposable contact lenses on the market. Alcon claims that the price difference is due to the advanced tech used in their lenses to ensure comfort and enhanced vision.

Are contact lenses better than glasses? ›

They give you more natural vision than glasses. They move with your eye, and nothing blocks what you see. They don't fog up or get wet when it's cold or rainy. Contacts don't get in the way when you play sports.

What is better, daily or monthly contacts? ›

For those who don't mind the occasional cleaning, monthly contacts can be extremely convenient for longer-term wear. Whether it's the type of prescription you need, the maintenance, or the convenience, daily contacts seem to be a much better choice for most people.

Why are astigmatism contacts so expensive? ›

It generally takes more expertise for an eye doctor to fit a patient for toric contacts than it does for regular lenses. For this reason, a toric lens fitting may cost more than a regular contact lens fitting. Since torics are more complex in design, the cost of replacing them will be higher than most regular contacts.

Is a 24 pack of contacts a year supply? ›

Daily disposable lenses have 30 lenses in one box so you need 12 boxes for each eye in one year. Fifteen days disposable have 6 lenses in one box so you need 4 boxes for each eye in one year. Yearly disposable lenses have one pair lenses for one year so you need one pair of lenses for one year .

Are there 1 year contact lenses? ›

Annually Disposable Contacts

The lenses, apart from being sturdy, are also convenient to use. For example, Optima 38 is annually disposable contact lenses from Bausch + Lomb are manufactured using 'Reverse Process III' technology and are thinner than daily-wear soft lenses with low water content.

How many boxes of 90 contacts is a year supply? ›

Contact Lens Annual Supply Discounts
BrandWearing ScheduleAnnual Supply
1-Day Acuvue Moist for AstigmatismDailies8 Boxes (90-pack)
1-Day Acuvue Moist MultifocalDailies8 Boxes (90-pack)
1-Day Acuvue TruEyeDailies8 Boxes (90-pack)
Acuvue 21-2 Weeks8 Boxes (6-pack)
67 more rows
Sep 6, 2020

How long does a 6 pack of contacts last? ›

This means that a 6 pack provides a six-month supply of lenses when one pair is used per month. It's essential to adhere to this monthly replacement schedule to maintain eye health and lens performance.

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