Buying Glasses in Canada?

Question

I need new glasses. I've been making due with an old pair for way too long now reason being that I have no eyeglass coverage. That being said I need new glasses but I really have no idea how much im looking at for the eye exam, the glasses, or the frames. Really the last time I walked into a lensecrafters was 8 years ago and I was covered by my parents insurance.

Any ballpark numbers regarding the cost of lenses, frames and the exam is most appreciated.

Note: Im Canadian! I appreciate the input from America but im hoping theres some Canucks on here. Also I am near sighted, no bi-focals or anything...

Answer 1

Hiya :)  Don't know where you are exactly, but I might be able to provide some insight.  First of all, the cost of the eye exam will vary by province.  I practice in Ontario, so I can tell you for sure that the majority of people aged 20-64 are not covered by OHIP (Ontario health insurance plan), so they have to pay for their eye exams.  The exception to this rule is people with one of nine specific eye diseases (cataract, glaucoma, lazy eye, diabetes for example).  If you have to pay, the amount we are allowed to charge is regulated by the provincial Association of Optometrists, a governing body.  They tell us the upper limit of what we can charge.  I'd say the average in my area is around $85 for an eye exam.  If you buy your glasses from an optometrist (the one your prescription is from or otherwise) the fees for glasses are also regulated and the cost of each item will be broken down on a receipt.  You pay a 'professional fee', which would probably be $70-100. This is the 'markup' so to speak, since everything else must be quoted at cost (lenses, frame, coatings, accessories like clip-on sunglasses, etc.).  So prices at different optometrists should be comparable.  I'd say ballpark of $200 for a complete pair of glasses, but of course this will depend on variables like the lens material, amount of prescription, frame designer and material, and quality of coatings.  Any office should be happy to give you a price quote with no pressure to buy from them.  

And just to contrast, optical stores like lenscrafters, precision, hakim, and walmart are not regulated by the pricing guidelines I mentioned above.  They will tell you a total cost only, so you don't know how much is the markup vs how much the frames are (ie, is it a cheap/poor quality frame with a huge markup to balance the cost??) They usually do not have a warranty on frames either, to my knowledge.  

I guess the take home message it that it's okay to shop around for your glasses just like you would for anything else.  Staff should be happy to give you a quote to help you make the best decision for you; try to pay attention to what you're getting for the money though!  As someone once said: The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price fades away.  ;-)

Answer 2

I don't know about the socialized medicine in Canada. In the USA, eye exams can go from $40 to $80 US. An average pair of glasses can go from (crappy) $99 to good quality $400 US.

I do recommend anti reflective coating. This includes your scratch coat and uv400. It helps with night driving and computer work.