The question of whether glasses or contact lenses are cheaper lacks a single, simple answer because the total cost is heavily influenced by personal choices, prescription complexity, and replacement frequency. Calculating the true expense requires separating the initial costs of the physical product and fitting from the recurring annual expenses. The long-term financial comparison depends significantly on the product type selected, such as designer frames versus budget lenses or daily disposable contacts versus monthly lenses.
Upfront Costs for Eyeglasses
The initial purchase price of eyeglasses is a one-time outlay that fluctuates dramatically based on material and brand. Frames are a major variable, with budget options starting around $50, while designer brands can quickly push the cost into the hundreds or even over $1,000. On average, a complete pair of glasses without insurance costs approximately $350.
The lenses themselves present a wide price spectrum based on the type of vision correction needed. Standard single-vision lenses, which correct for one distance, are the most affordable, averaging around $107 to $130 per pair. For those requiring correction for multiple distances, progressive lenses are necessary and substantially increase the cost. These advanced multifocal lenses often range from $175 to $500, and sometimes exceed $1,000 per pair, due to the complexity of the lens design.
Adding premium lens enhancements further contributes to the upfront expenditure. Features like anti-glare coatings, which reduce reflections, or blue light filters, are added fees and are not always covered by insurance. Furthermore, a strong prescription may necessitate high-index lenses, which are thinner and lighter than standard plastic but come at a higher price point. These material and coating choices all factor into the final initial price of the eyewear.
Upfront and Fitting Costs for Contact Lenses
The process of beginning to wear contact lenses carries unique initial expenses, most notably the specialized contact lens exam and fitting. This procedure is performed in addition to the standard eye health examination because it involves specific measurements of the cornea’s curvature and an evaluation of the fit on the eye’s surface. Without insurance, this mandatory fitting fee typically ranges from $100 to $250. The cost will be higher for specialized lenses like toric for astigmatism or multifocal lenses.
The initial purchase of the lenses themselves also factors into the upfront cost. While the annual expense for monthly lenses is relatively low, the cost of an initial supply of daily disposable lenses, which are used once and thrown away, can be quite high. Daily disposables are the most expensive type of lens on a yearly basis, making the first three to six months’ supply a significant initial cost. Optometrists often provide trial lenses, but the patient must still purchase the first bulk supply after the prescription is finalized.
Ongoing Annual Expenses
The disparity in ongoing costs is the main financial differentiator between glasses and contacts over time. Eyeglasses represent a durable purchase that is typically replaced only every two to three years, either because of a prescription change or damage. The recurring maintenance costs for glasses are minimal, usually limited to inexpensive cleaning solutions and occasional minor repairs. This infrequency of purchase makes the long-term annual cost of glasses low.
Contact lenses are a recurring consumable product, making the yearly outlay a high and unavoidable expense. The cost varies significantly based on the lens type chosen. Monthly and bi-weekly lenses are the most cost-effective option, with an annual expense ranging from $180 to $600 for the lenses. Users of these reusable lenses must also factor in the mandatory annual cost of contact lens solution and cleaning supplies, which can add another $100 to $150 to the yearly total.
Daily disposable lenses offer maximum convenience and hygiene but come with the highest recurring expense, costing between $600 and $1,200 for a full year’s supply. This higher price is because a fresh pair must be used every day, greatly increasing the volume of product consumed. Individuals who wear contacts only occasionally, however, might find dailies more economical than monthly lenses, which must be discarded after 30 days regardless of how often they were worn.
Determining the Cheaper Option
When integrating the initial and ongoing expenses, the cheaper option ultimately depends on the length of ownership and the stability of the wearer’s prescription. Eyeglasses are almost always the less expensive choice over a period of several years because the high initial cost is amortized over a long period with minimal maintenance fees. Contacts, conversely, are a continuous, high annual expenditure that quickly surpasses the cost of all but the most expensive pairs of glasses.
Vision insurance plays a powerful role in altering the net cost of both options, though it rarely covers the full price. Most vision plans offer a fixed annual or biennial allowance that patients must choose to apply toward either glasses or contact lenses. For example, a plan might offer a $150 allowance for frames or a $150 allowance for a year’s supply of contacts. Crucially, the mandatory contact lens fitting fee is often not fully covered by the allowance and may require a separate co-pay, while the cost of a basic eyeglass lens is more frequently covered by the plan.