How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost

With all the stress and the habits of most people, we are not aware that we do things that can damage the eyes. There are instances where you notice some problems with your vision. Before you seek treatment and for you to have the right diagnosis, it is important that you undergo an eye exam. For people who will undergo eye exams, the common questions that most people would ask: how much does an eye exam cost? What should you expect when you have an eye treatment?

Varying Range of Eye Exam Prices

How much does an eye exam cost? It actually varies depending on various factors. Every person has different conditions and needs. The cost of eye exam can cost as low as $50. But if you look at the prices offered by other clinics or service providers, it could cost more. It can even be as high as $300. The national average prices for an eye exam vary depending on the type of exam. For an initial exam, the cost is $200. For an established patient, the eye exam cost is $128. For a refractive vision test, the cost of eye exam is $46. When you go to Walmart, the Walmart eye exam price is $60.

But if you are living in the metropolitan, you can expect a much higher price. For the initial exam, the cost is $250. For an established patient, the exam cost is $155. For a refractive vision test, it costs you $60.

If you want to avoid having to pay for the cost of eye exam, you can check the NHS to see if you are eligible for a free examination. You are eligible if you fulfill the following:

• Aged 60 or more
• You are partially sighted or blind.
• Diagnosed with glaucoma or diabetes
• If you receive income support, pension credit guarantee, income-based employment as well as support allowance, you are entitled to a free sight test.

Getting a Vision Insurance

To reduce for instance Walmart eye exam price, you may want to have a vision insurance. There are employers that give vision insurance which is different from a health insurance.  Although your health insurance can provide coverage for eye problem, it is better to have vision insurance so you know that it covers all eye exams. The price of having a vision insurance does not have to cost you that much. The cost of getting one is around $10 to $20 per month. So, for about a year, the cost is about $120 to $300. When getting a vision insurance policy, you can weigh your choices. Compare the different plans as well as the prices.

How often do you need an eye exam?

Apart from asking questions like how much is the Walmart eye exam price you should also know how often you should take an eye exam. The recommendation as to how often you should have an eye exam would vary. For parents, they may have their infants undergo eye exam at 6 months just to be sure that there are no problems.

On the other hand, if you are wearing contact lenses or glasses, you may have to take an eye exam 1 to 2 years. If you are not wearing any corrective lenses and you are in between 20 to 40, you can get an eye exam every 5 years unless you notice that there are changes in your vision. If that happens, it is strongly recommended that you consult a doctor right away. Be aware of the different risk factors including eye injuries, medical history and diabetes.

For older people, it is strongly recommended to have an eye exam every 2 to 4 years. This will still depend on your health and other risk factors. Then again, if you notice some changes, you need to have your eyes checked as soon as possible. People age 65 and older are at risk of macular degeneration and other eye diseases, it is a must to have a yearly eye exam.

Should you have an eye exam even if you have a 20/20 vision? Yes, you should still have a regular checkup. According to the American Optometric Association, you need to have it checked every 1 to 2 years.

When you undergo an eye exam, you get to know the health of your eyes. Eye exam is conducted by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Through the eye exam, you get to know if there are problems. This is a good way to prevent any eye problem from getting worse.

Who Should You See for Your Exam?

When it comes to eye health, there are 3 medical professionals including opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. The doctor you will have to visit will depend on your needs. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors specializing in eye care. They perform surgeries and treat various eye conditions. They also prescribe contacts and eye glasses. Ophthalmologists are doctors who have finished medical school.

On the other hand, optometrists are doctor who can diagnose problems and treat conditions using other medicines.They also prescribe vision therapy, low vision aid, contacts, glasses and the necessary medication for an eye disease. What separates an optometrist to an ophthalmologist is that they are not licensed to do eye surgeries.

The last one is the optician. Compared to the two, they are not eye doctors. What they do is that they repair glasses and teach patients when it comes to proper eye care and use of glasses or contacts.

What Should You Bring?

When having an eye exam, you need to be prepared and bring along with you the necessary information that will help your eye doctor. For instance, if you are taking certain medications, bring it with you and this includes even supplements. If you are wearing corrective lenses or contacts, bring a copy of the prescription. You should also bring with you a copy of your insurance card.