For those of us who require glasses or contact lenses to see, we know how important these tools are for our daily life. The difficulty with dealing with glasses is hoe expensive they can be when we need to replace them. After going through eye testing, an optometrist appointment and buying a new pair of glasses, you could end up spending hundreds of dollars on the whole process, leaving a big dent in your hip pocket. However, looking for cheaper options brings up the concern of whether the quality will be maintained on this essential item. Here we look at the best ways to save money when buying new eye glasses, and how to make sure the quality is maintained.

Buy Online

To really get the best value and price on a new pair of glasses, take a look at prescription glasses online to find some really amazing prices and savings on the glasses you really love and need. Buying glasses online can seem like a daunting task, but if you already have your prescription or know what style of glasses you want, buying glasses online can be much easier.

Online glasses stores can provide heavily discounted frames or glasses that are even free if you look in the right place. They are the perfect solution to finding your dream glasses if you know exactly what you want and just want it at a better price. Online stores are also a great place to get designer frames at reduced prices. It’s a great idea to look at your options online before you go in for an optometrist appointment, and then to check out what’s available for your prescription after you get it at your appointment.

Test Your Eyes for Free

Not sure if you need to go in to get new glasses or if you can continue with the lens strength you have? Want to get an idea of what you might need in your next pair of glasses? Now you can find out for yourself with a range of options to test your own eyes for very little or for free. Self eye tests can be performed using a range of tools such as phone applications and online tests.

Many eye clinics, optometrists and glasses stores can offer eye tests for much less than your regular optometrist or even give a free screening, saving you money on standard testing.

Shop Around

If you’ve been to your optometrist, done your testing, got the diagnosis and received your prescription, don’t feel pressured to have to buy your new glasses right there and then at the optometrist. Many optometrists prices are much higher than other glasses retailers, and if you have your prescription and recommendation, you have all the information you need to get the glasses you require, without having to make a decision right on the spot.

Once you know what you’re looking for, try other discount glasses stores, glasses outlets, sales and online glasses stores for a lower cost choice of glasses that fits your needs determined from the optometrist appointment and fits your style and taste from the design of the frames on offer. Taking the time to shop around, look at different options and wait for sales time when you can, means you can really save a lot of money on your new eye glasses.

Try Wholesale and Department Stores

These days many larger department and wholesale stores are getting in on the eyewear game, meaning that you can get glasses, prescriptions and eye treatment for much less than at conventional optometrists. Many optometrists are also becoming more competitive by listing package treatment deals or discounts and sales on frames, so keeping an ‘eye’ out for good discounts and competitive dealers is always helpful.

Wholesale and department stores such as Big W and Costco also have vision sections where optometrists can evaluate your eyesight and recommend a set of glasses to you based on the selection they have in store, which is much more competitively priced than many other smaller retailers.

With these innovative approaches to buying new glasses you can save hundreds of dollars on a pair of glasses that’s perfect for you!