The average adult needs some form of vision correction. However, the same gear designed to give vision correction—prescription glasses—can be startlingly expensive. According to the Evening Standard, the average price of glasses in the UK is £120, with some designer models costing much more. Even for something as vital as eye care, this can put a strain on your wallet, especially during the cost of living crisis.
Luckily, you can get the eye equipment you need without compromising quality. If you’ve already followed our DIY Glasses Case instructions and now just need the glasses to go in them, you’re in luck! Here are 5 tips to save money on your next pair of eyeglasses.
Buy your eyewear online
Glasses retailers on the web don’t have the same costs as those who offer their wares at a brick-and-mortar store. As a result, you can save as much as up to 40% by buying your glasses online. That’s not the only benefit, either—you’ll also get a more comprehensive array of styles and colours with the entire catalogue of different eye care providers at your fingertips, meaning it’ll be easier to compare prices and benefits. Many websites also have a dedicated customer service team ready to answer any questions you have about glasses without requiring you to go all the way to the store. Make sure you buy from reliable retailers to ensure you’re getting top-quality glasses and enjoy perks like 2-day shipping and free premium cases.
Use insurance plans to purchase
Before you make a concrete choice on where you’ll get your glasses, check if your insurance plan can cover the costs. Regular insurance plans often include a basic eye care plan that covers particular eyewear retailers. These can include allowances for frames and lenses or an option to reimburse you if you pay out of pocket. LensCrafters is one retailer that accepts insurance plans both online and in-store, but you’ll have to check which plans are accepted in each channel. For example, insurance plans from MES are accepted in-store only, while Anthem clients are accepted online and offline without needing to fill out a claim form. You’re already paying for your insurance—ensure you get your money’s worth.
Be selective about add-ons
Your choices don’t end with the frames and lenses. Once you’ve got those picked out, you’re offered options like transition lenses, blue light blockers, and scratch-resistant coating, to name a few, although this can add up to £100 to your bill. Not to say it isn’t worth it—some features might genuinely be useful to you. Before you hand over your credit card, though, think critically about the add-ons you actually need. Blue light is something of a trendy concern at the moment, but a Health article suggests there is some debate over the usefulness of blue light glasses. However, if you’re an athlete with glasses prone to wear and tear, perhaps that extra scratch-resistant coating is worth it. Alternatively, if you don’t like wearing glasses while walking outdoors, maybe skip out the supplementary UV protection and opt for shades instead.
Check out sales
Going designer doesn’t mean going broke at the same time. Some eyeglasses from designer brands have price tags that make your eyes water, but often a bargain can be had if you look closely at their website. For instance, Oakley glasses are fashionable but often come at a premium. However, their website has a sale section where models such as Objector and Spindrift are available with a 50% discount. They’re not alone – Ray-Ban has a similar section on their site where big savings can be found on Clubround and State Street models, to name just two.
Reuse your frames
If you still like your old frames, there’s no need to fix what isn’t broken. You can save some costs if you use a lens replacement service instead. If you’ve purchased from the previously mentioned LensCrafters, they can swap out your old lenses with your new prescription in-store. Another option is Boomerang, an eyeglass lens replacement company that provides you with a shipping kit that you enclose your glasses in and back to them. They’ll return your beloved frames with new lenses within 7 to 10 days.
While at times pricey, eye care is essential. Make sure you get the gear your eyes need while making smart money decisions.
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