Eye Care Costs Are Ballooning — Here’s How to Save Without Sacrificing Quality Care
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Millions of Brits are buckling under the strain of the cost of living crisis. To help ease some of the financial burden, we previously compiled a list of useful resources that cover benefit-checking, debt support, mental health support, and more.
Unfortunately, many still sacrifice their eye health to deal with rising consumer prices.
In a public poll cited by the Association of Optometrists, 62% of over 1,000 respondents who wear glasses admitted they’ve been putting off a visit to the optician as a result of the cost of living crisis—another 36% wear out-of-date prescriptions.
Your vision is invaluable. Fortunately, caring for it doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Below are four tips you can try to maintain optimal eye health while keeping your finances in focus.
4 Tips for getting quality eyecare without breaking the bank
Maximise NHS vision benefits
The first step you can take to save money on eye care is to check if you or your family members qualify for a free NHS sight test.
In some cases, the NHS also provides an optical voucher to cover glasses or contact lens purchases. If you have kids under 16 years old, they automatically qualify for a free sight test and optical voucher.
Those aged 16-18 in full-time education, adults aged 60 and over, and anyone receiving income support qualify, as well. If you’ve already paid for an eye test only to find out that you qualify for this NHS benefit, you can even claim refunds.
That said, it’s best to refer to the NHS’s website for full details on eligibility.
Always ask for a copy of your prescription
By law, opticians must provide you with a copy of your prescription after they conduct an eye test.
You are also not obliged to purchase glasses from the optician where you had the test done. High street optical retailers usually try to persuade you to buy your glasses or contact lenses from their store.
But an Evening Standard article notes that at such places, the average cost of a pair of glasses can set you back by £120.
By ensuring you get a copy of your prescription–and only that–after an eye exam, you can avoid cornering yourself into paying more than needed for glasses and make use of this next tip:
Make smart shopping decisions
With a copy of your prescription, you can shop around to compare prices. You won’t be limited to brick-and-mortar stores, either. Reputable online retailers sell glasses at affordable prices–you just have to know where to find them.
On Glasses Direct’s website, you can find a wide array of affordable, high-quality options for glasses frames that sell for as low as £9.
That means you can get a complete glasses package for just under £30. You can also find bundle deals like 2-for-1 frames starting at £49 and free 7-day home trials that let you try glasses before you buy them. Be sure to take advantage of such discounts when you find them.
Don’t put off regular eye exams
While you might assume that attending regular eye checks is just an additional expense, it can actually save you money in the long run.
That’s because comprehensive eye exams look at the internal structures of the eyes and can catch certain conditions, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, which have symptoms you can’t detect on your own.
Regular eye exams can thus detect them early on before they require more expensive treatment.
That’s an especially crucial factor given that more than 75% of cases of blindness are preventable if they are identified in time.
Prioritising smart choices in eye care doesn’t mean compromising quality; it’s about making informed decisions that align with both your visual health and financial well-being.
With this guide, you can ensure that your eyes remain healthy and your budget stays intact.
For more tips on saving money, making more of it, and getting the most out of the cash you have, visit the Savvy in Somerset website!
