You can’t drive without glasses. You can’t pass a job interview if you can’t see the interviewer clearly. You can’t read applications, safety signs, or your phone screen.
Vision is survival. And glasses don’t have to cost $200-400.
This guide shows you how to get eye exams for $50-75 and glasses for $10-50—plus free options if you’re completely broke.
If You Need Glasses Today and Have No Money
Free Eye Exam and Glasses Programs
New Eyes (NewEyesForTheNeedy.org)
- Provides vouchers for free glasses
- Must have low income and no vision insurance
- Application process takes 2-4 weeks
OneSight (OneSight.org)
- Free vision clinics in underserved communities
- Check their clinic schedule for locations near you
Lions Club International
- Local Lions Clubs offer free or low-cost vision programs
- Google “Lions Club + [your city]” and call to ask about vision assistance
- Some clubs provide free exams and glasses
VSP Eyes of Hope
- Free exams and glasses for qualified low-income individuals
- Check eligibility at VSP.com/eyes-of-hope
Local health departments
- Some offer sliding-scale vision services
- Call your county health department and ask about vision programs
Getting a Cheap Eye Exam ($0-75)
Free or Low-Cost Options
Medicaid (if you qualify):
- Covers eye exams
- Sometimes covers glasses (varies by state)
Community health centers:
- Sliding-scale fees based on income
- Eye exams often $20-50
- Find one at FindAHealthCenter.hrsa.gov
Vision schools:
- Optometry students perform exams supervised by professors
- 50-70% cheaper than retail
- Google “optometry school + [your city/state]”
Retail Options ($50-75)
Walmart Vision Center:
- Eye exams: $50-75
- No appointment needed in many locations
- Glasses sold separately (but you can take prescription elsewhere)
Costco Optical:
- Eye exams: $60-100
- Requires Costco membership ($60/year)
- Good option if you already have membership
Target Optical:
- Eye exams: $60-80
- Similar pricing to Walmart
Get a written prescription:
Federal law requires eye doctors to give you a copy of your prescription. They cannot charge extra for this. Take it and shop elsewhere for glasses.
Getting Glasses for $10-50
Zenni Optical (Zenni.com) — Best Overall Value
How it works:
- Order glasses online using your prescription
- Prices start at $6.95 + $4.95 shipping
- Most functional glasses: $15-30
What you need:
- Your prescription (get a written copy from your eye exam)
- PD (pupillary distance) measurement — ask your eye doctor or measure yourself using Zenni’s app/guide
Basic glasses cost breakdown:
- Frames: $6.95-12.95
- Standard lenses: Included
- Shipping: $4.95
- Total: $12-18
Upgrades (optional):
- Anti-scratch coating: +$4.95
- Anti-glare: +$9.00
- Blue light blocking: +$16.95 (skip this unless you stare at screens 8+ hours/day)
Recommended first order:
Basic frames ($6.95-12.95) + anti-scratch coating ($4.95) + shipping ($4.95) = $17-23 total
EyeBuyDirect.com — Similar to Zenni
Pricing:
- Glasses start at $7 + shipping
- Frequent sales (20-40% off)
- Average pair costs $20-40
Pros:
- More stylish frame options than Zenni
- Try-at-home program available
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than Zenni
- Shipping takes 1-2 weeks
Warby Parker — Mid-Range Budget Option
Pricing:
- All glasses: $95 (frames + lenses)
- No hidden fees
Pros:
- Free home try-on (order 5 frames, try for 5 days, send back)
- Higher quality frames than Zenni
- Fast shipping (1 week)
Cons:
- More expensive than Zenni/EyeBuyDirect
- Still cheaper than LensCrafters/Pearle Vision ($200-400)
Best for: If you have $95 to spend and want better quality/style.
How to Measure Your PD (Pupillary Distance)
What it is:
Distance between your pupils in millimeters. Needed for glasses to align properly.
How to measure:
- Stand in front of a mirror with a ruler
- Hold ruler across your nose, lining up 0 with your left pupil
- Measure to your right pupil
- Average PD for adults: 54-68mm
Or use apps:
- Zenni has a PD measurement tool in their app (free)
- GlassifyMe app (free)
Or ask your eye doctor:
They measure this during your exam. Request it in writing with your prescription.
What to Expect When Ordering Online
Timeline
Order placed: Day 1
Glasses made: 3-7 days
Shipping: 7-14 days
Total: 10-21 days from order to delivery
If you need glasses faster:
Order from Warby Parker (7-10 days) or pay for expedited shipping at Zenni ($12-20 extra).
What If They Don’t Fit?
Most online retailers offer:
- 30-60 day returns
- Free exchanges for different frames
- Full refund if prescription is wrong
Zenni:
- 30-day return window
- 50% refund on returns (you pay return shipping)
Warby Parker:
- 30-day free returns and exchanges
Tip: Order your first pair with cheap frames ($7-15). If they work, order nicer ones next time.
Reading Your Prescription
Your prescription looks like this:
| OD (Right Eye) | OS (Left Eye) | |
|---|---|---|
| SPH (Sphere) | -2.50 | -3.00 |
| CYL (Cylinder) | -0.75 | -1.00 |
| Axis | 90 | 85 |
| PD | 63 |
What it means:
SPH (Sphere):
- Negative number (-) = nearsighted (can’t see far)
- Positive number (+) = farsighted (can’t see close)
- Higher number = stronger prescription
CYL (Cylinder) and Axis:
For astigmatism. Not everyone has these.
PD (Pupillary Distance):
Distance between pupils.
You need all of this information to order glasses online.
Types of Lenses (What to Choose)
Single Vision (Most Common)
For: Distance OR reading (not both)
Cost: Included in Zenni’s base price
Best for: Most people under 40 who need glasses for distance (driving, watching TV) or reading.
Bifocals
For: Distance AND reading in one lens (visible line across lens)
Cost: +$20-40 at Zenni
Best for: People over 40 who need help with both distance and close-up vision.
Progressive (No-Line Bifocals)
For: Distance, intermediate, AND reading (no visible line)
Cost: +$30-70 at Zenni
Best for: People over 40 who want bifocals without the visible line.
First time buying progressives?
Start with single vision and upgrade later. Progressives take time to adjust to.
Lens Coatings: What to Skip, What to Buy
Anti-Scratch Coating (+$5)
Worth it: YES
Cheap glasses scratch easily. $5 coating prevents replacing them every 6 months.
Anti-Glare/Anti-Reflective (+$9-20)
Worth it: Maybe
Helps with night driving and computer use. Not essential, but nice to have.
Skip if: You’re on a tight budget and this is your first pair.
Blue Light Blocking (+$17-30)
Worth it: No (for most people)
Marketing hype. Blue light from screens isn’t proven to damage eyes significantly.
Skip it unless you stare at screens 10+ hours/day and notice eye strain.
Transition Lenses (Turn Dark in Sunlight) (+$40-80)
Worth it: No (for budget buyers)
Just buy cheap sunglasses separately ($5-15 at gas stations or Dollar Tree).
Sunglasses on a Budget
Don’t spend $200 on Oakleys or Ray-Bans.
Cheap options:
- Dollar Tree: $1 sunglasses (functional, not stylish)
- Gas stations: $5-15 (decent quality)
- Zenni: $15-25 (prescription sunglasses)
What matters:
UV protection. Look for labels that say “UV400” or “100% UVA/UVB protection.”
Expensive sunglasses are paying for brand names, not better protection.
Contact Lenses vs. Glasses
Glasses are cheaper long-term.
Contacts:
- Cost: $20-80/month (ongoing)
- Require replacement every day/week/month
- Need contact solution ($8-15/month)
- Risk of eye infections if not cleaned properly
Glasses:
- One-time cost: $15-50
- Last 1-3 years
- No maintenance beyond cleaning
If you hate glasses:
Start with glasses. Once you’re financially stable, switch to contacts.
What to Do If Your Vision Is Really Bad
If your prescription is extremely strong (over -6.00 or +6.00):
Online glasses will work, but:
- Lenses will be thicker and heavier
- Cost more due to high-index lens upgrades (+$30-60)
Better option:
Visit a local optician who can help with high prescriptions. It’ll cost more ($150-300), but high prescriptions are harder to get right online.
Or: Order cheap glasses from Zenni first to see if they work. If they don’t, return and go local.
Local Assistance Programs (State-Specific)
Most states have vision assistance programs:
Search:
“[Your state] vision assistance program”
“[Your state] free glasses low income”
Examples:
- California: Vision To Learn (free eye exams and glasses for kids, some adult programs)
- Texas: Mission Cataract USA (free surgeries and glasses)
- New York: Vision Care Assistance Program (VCAP)
Ask your local:
- Department of Social Services
- Community health centers
- Churches (many run vision clinics)
Why Vision Matters More Than You Think
You can’t work most jobs without seeing clearly:
- Driving jobs (obvious)
- Construction (safety risk)
- Warehouse work (reading labels, operating machinery)
- Retail (reading registers, helping customers)
You can’t navigate reentry without vision:
- Reading housing applications
- Filling out job applications
- Reading parole paperwork
- Driving to appointments
Glasses aren’t optional. They’re survival tools.
The Bottom Line
Getting glasses doesn’t have to cost $300.
Fast action plan:
- Get an eye exam ($50-75 at Walmart or free through Lions Club)
- Get a written prescription (required by law)
- Measure your PD (use Zenni’s app or ask your doctor)
- Order glasses from Zenni ($15-30)
- Wait 10-14 days for delivery
Total cost: $65-105
If you’re completely broke, apply for free glasses through New Eyes, Lions Club, or VSP Eyes of Hope.
You deserve to see clearly. Now you can afford it.