I knew that eyeglasses, like everything else connected with medical care, have risen greatly in price in recent years. But I was in for a shock when I had my eye exam a couple of weeks ago and got a price for new frames and lenses. The first price they quoted me was around $1,000. When I gulped in disbelief, the assistant started offering me “discounts,” which brought the price down to around $800.
I knew that the local Costco had a discount optometrist. Even though I’ve never been a Costco guy (I have no need for things like five-gallon tubs of mustard that make Costco so attractive to many) I figured I’d check it out.
Bottom line: For new frames and lenses with the exact same specifications as the retail optometrist was offering me (thinnest possible progressive lenses with protective coating) I ended up spending just under $300 including my $55 Costco membership, saving $500!
I’m posting this anecdote not just to remind folks that they should definitely comparison shop for eyewear, but also to pose a question: How do retail optometrists get away with this kind of thing? I suppose a partial answer may be that some people have insurance that somewhat insulates them from the true cost. (This was the case with me until recently, when I switched jobs.) But even so, a $500 mark up? You’ve got to wonder how much longer retail optometrists can survive before the word gets out and they either have to compete with the discount houses or go out of business.