Eye Exam Cost and Eye Exam Financing Options

A comprehensive eye exam, involves a series of tests to evaluate your vision and check the health of your eyes. Eyecare professionals use a range of instruments to test various aspects of your vision care health and to detect any eye problems that may be developing as early as possible. Eye tests, performed by your optometrist may include an eye muscle test to evaluate muscle condition and control, a visual acuity test to measure how clearly you are able to see, a refraction assessment to determine refractive error, visual field test to check your overall field of vision, color testing, a retinal exam, and a glaucoma and cataract screening. Additional specialized tests may be required based on your age, medical history and risk of developing eye disease. Below we dive into eye exam costs, financing options, and what insurance coverage may look like if you’re deciding to have an eye exam done.

How much do Eye Exam cost?

The average cost of an eye exam depends on whether you have medical or vision insurance and if so, how much of the exam is covered. The cost of the exam can also vary based on whether it is performed by an optometrist (OD) or an ophthalmologist (MD). In 2020, the average cost for an eye exam without insurance coverage varied by as much as $200 across the country.¹ The type of vision store (or office) and its geographic location do make a difference in how much you will likely pay for your next routine eye exam. Also, the cost of an eye exam for contact lenses is usually more than a routine exam to check general eye health and updating an eyeglass prescription.

Does insurance cover Eye Exam costs?

Most vision insurance plans provide coverage for eye exams. In fact, most insurers pay a significant portion of the eye exam with the average co-pay being $10 to $15 or no co-pay at all.¹ The exact amount of coverage and what co-pay if any you will pay depends on your plan and provider.

How can I pay for an Eye Exam?

If you don’t have vision insurance there are a few options, you can consider paying for an eye exam. If you have the funds readily available, of course you can pay for the exam directly. You may also be able to use funds from a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to cover the cost. If you are interested in paying over time, it’s important to know that very few vision care providers extend credit through their practice where patients would receive bills from and pay the eye doctor directly. But almost all accept general purpose credit cards, and many accept the CareCredit credit card, which may be a convenient way to pay for your eye exam.

Can I use my CareCredit credit card to pay for an Eye Exam?

Yes. If approved, you can use your CareCredit credit card at locations within the CareCredit network to finance exams, prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses or contacts lenses and other vision care products. The benefit of using a CareCredit credit card is the opportunity to use promotional financing.* If approved, you can pay for the care you need immediately. You can also use your CareCredit card again and again to pay for other health, wellness and vision care needs. Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find an eyecare professional near you who accepts the CareCredit credit card.