Pearle Vision or Lenscrafters?

[Melrosgirl]

I need an eye exam. I'm sure I'll need a prescription for something also. (Right now I don't wear glasses or contacts.) My health insurance doesn't cover eye exams, etc.

Have you been to Pearle Vision or Lenscrafters for an exam? Are they usually cheaper than going to an optometrist's office? Any info is appreciated! Thanks!

I've been putting off this visit forever.

 

[Sleepy]

Are they usually cheaper than going to an optometrist's office? Any info is appreciated! Thanks!

I've been putting off this visit forever.

First of all, those people at Lenscrafters, etc ARE optometrists. Maybe you are thinking opthalmologist. If it has been a really long time since going for an exam, I would actually suggest finding a really good Opthalmologist and spending the extra money for a full health eye exam. Some would say you can get just as good an exam from an optometrist, but I disagree. JMO.

 

[Marseeya]

They're not cheaper and I think their glasses might be more expensive. I believe Pearl is more expensive than Lenscrafters.

I like Lenscrafters quite a bit. You can get a discount through AAA with them as well, if you have that.

Walmart seems to be hit or miss. I know people like Walmart and they have decent prices, but they've screwed up our prescriptions a few times.

 

[tar heel]

Lenscrafters is VERY EXPENSIVE in relationship to MOST of the optometrists, Walmart, etc. in my area. When I priced my son's new contact lenses prescription Lens Crafters was the only one that was more than our opthamologist. We ended up getting them from an optometrist practice for about half the price. I like the service there a lot and have since bought glasses there. You'll probably do much better with a private practice optometrist or opthamologist. You might want to look at glasses (if that's what you think you'll be getting) ahead a time at places like Walmart, BJs or Sam's Club (if you have a membership), etc. You don't have to buy glasses where you have the exam and legally, they have to give you a copy of the prescription -- don't leave without it! We bought my son's previous contact prescription at BJs, but the new one isn't available there.

 

[ChristmasElf]

We have been going to LENSCRAFTERS for years. Several years ago, I couldn't get an appointmnt with the eye Doctor we were using, so I tried LENSCRAFTERS and was surprised at how thorough they were in checking my eyes. They did tests that check for eye diseases that our other Dr. never did.

The cost was not that much higher. PLUS, the great thing about them is that if you happen to be in another state and need your eye Rx, you can stop in at any LENSCRAFTERS and they can pull up your script in 2 seconds!

Also wanted to add: that if you have a AAA card they will give you a 20% discount. PLUS, they WILL match prices of Costco, BJ's and others if you provide them with a phone number they can call and verify the lower prices.
I just saved a LOT on my Day and Night contacts a couple weeks ago when they matched the price from Costco.

 

[golfgal]

I have used Pearle and similar places in the past and find that I don't pay any less then I do at our Opthamologist now. Perle and such places sound like a good deal but their glasses are more expensive and I don't think they live up to the quality of what we get at our eye doctor. I have had glasses from our eye dr that over 5+ years of wearing never get a scratch on them, the last glasses I got at a Perle type place were FULL of scratches, with the same care as the others, in a matter of months even with the scratch coating.

I would also double check your insurance coverage, while they might not cover glasses and contacts, often they will cover and exam with an opthamologist because they are medical doctors where and optometrist is not.

 

[yeartolate]

After pricing my no line bifocals at Pearle and Lenscrafters.....

$99 special

I am extremely happy with them. They had a good frame selection.

 

[caitycaity]

i use lenscrafters with the aaa discount (which is 30%, at least where i live). this discount makes it cheaper than going through my health insurance to get the actual glasses (though i get my prescription through my doctor because eye exams are covered).

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I am biased because DH is an optometrist. But, after comparing prices, he is no more expensive than the chains, and probably cheaper for frames and lenses. But, because he doesn't have the flashy advertisements, people think the chains are cheaper. And as far as checking the health of your eyes, he tests for glaucoma and other things and will refer you out if you need an opthalmologist.

My brother is an opthalmologist and he, as well as many other opthalmologists, uses an optometrist in his office for the routine exam. The main difference is that an optometrist can not do surgery. He can treat many common eye problems such as pink eye, allergies, etc.

 

[disneynutt1225]

I used WalMart for a couple of years because they took my insurance and I was on a tight budget. I hated the frames they carried there - I always felt they were way too cheaply made. But, you get what you pay for.

This year, I went to LensCrafters (without insurance). The eye Dr. was great! Very friendly, and I was seen quickly even though I walked in without an appointment. The glasses wound up costing me around $400 because I fell in love with these frames. However, I have AAA so I did get a 30% discount on them and I believe after taxes they were around $300. Overall I'm happy with them.

 

[Melrosgirl]

thanks for the info! I will verify with my insurance today regarding eye coverage. I'm pretty sure I'm not covered, sadly. I have AAA, so I'll check into lenscrafters too. I will also call a local optometrist (yes I know the people at the other stores are optometrists, too), to compare exam prices. It's all about price at this point.

 

[nowellsl]

In my area there are always coupons for Pearl Optical. I took DD21 not long ago. They also price match, so I got the contacts much cheaper than I would have by bringing in a printout of what I would have paid at visiondirect.com.

 

[Disney Doll]

Never used pearle Visiosn. Have been with lenscrafters for many years for glasses. I like the fact that you can get glasses repaired anywhere they have a store...very handy a few years ago in Orlando when DH's sunglasses broke!!!