Walmart Eye Exam Cost Without Insurance – Is it Worth it?
A Walmart eye test, like groceries, home products, and just about everything else under its roof, is usually among the most affordable in the area.
Most people who receive an eye test are concerned about the cost, especially if they are paying out of pocket. Store-based eye exams, such as those offered at a Walmart Vision Center, typically have lower prices than their private office-based competitors.
But does affordability come at a cost? Is Walmart Eye Exam Cost Without Insurance a thing? Let’s find out.
About Walmart Eye Exam
An international brand, Walmart Inc. operates a chain of grocery stores, hypermarkets, and inexpensive department stores, many of which have their own Walmart Vision Centers.
Because they provide a large selection of the best eyewear, from glasses and sunglasses to contact lenses, at reasonable costs, optical centers are extremely well-liked by customers.
Shoppers may shop for their items and pick up their eyewear in the same spot because there are hundreds of Walmart shops across the United States.
How Much Does a Walmart Eye Exam Cost?
Without insurance, an eye exam at a Walmart Vision Center will typically cost between $50 and $100. However, costs vary by location, so contact ahead of time.
- The average cost of an eye checkup at Walmart in the continental United States was $75, according to our survey of optical clinics and doctors’ offices across the country.
- Walmart was $35 less expensive than the national average of $110.
It never hurts to inquire. However, if cost is a priority, store-based optometrists at locations like Walmart, Target, Costco, and Sam’s Club can provide some of the most inexpensive prices.
During our survey, Walmart was significantly closer to the average than the tests at these types of sites.
If you have vision insurance and intend to use it, check in with your local Walmart before you go. Verifying your insurance eligibility assures that you will not be surprised at the checkout counter.
The costs listed below are simply estimates for Walmart’s eye exams.
| Procedure | Cost in US Dollars |
| Routine Eye Exam (Starting Price) | $75.00 |
| Routine + Contact Lens Fitting (Starting Price) | $125.00 |
| Visual Field Screening | $15.00 |
| Retinol Photo | $29.00 |
Are Eye Exams at Walmart the Same as Everywhere Else?
Yes, for the most part. A routine eye exam with one of Walmart’s independent optometrists will employ the same methods as practically any other routine eye exam to update your vision prescription and examine your eye health.
Walmart doctors, as well as doctors at other supermarkets with optical facilities, provide a full eye checkup. This painless procedure will put most or all of the following to the test:
- Vision sharpness
- At which distances objects appear clearly and where they appear blurry
- The health of the inside of your eyes
- Fluid pressure inside your eyes
- How well your eyes move together
- Your side (peripheral) vision
- Color vision
Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia are the four most common reasons people schedule an eye check with an optometrist.
Prescription glasses or contact lenses can easily fix most cases of mild or moderate refractive error. Following your eye test, you will be given your vision prescription.
More Serious or Long-term Conditions
People prefer a store-based site like Walmart for routine eye exams for two reasons: cost and convenience.
If you have uncommon eye-related symptoms, you should schedule an eye exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist at a private eye care clinic or medical institution.
From a training aspect, a Walmart optometrist is just as qualified as practically any other doctor of optometry. However, private offices and medical settings are frequently better prepared to diagnose and treat more serious or long-term eye disorders.
If a second opinion is required, eye doctors in group settings might consult with one another.
Alternatives to Walmart Vision Centers
A Walmart eye doctor can be an excellent way to have your eyes tested by a professional optometrist at a lower cost, but it is not the only option.
Target offers eye tests. Optical stores, whether inside or outside of a department store, may be the most convenient and widely available alternative to Walmart.
Target’s doctors, like Walmart’s, tend to work on their own. Another venue to consider is America’s Best.
Furthermore, wholesale clubs such as Sam’s Club and Costco are popular alternatives with comparable layouts.
Unlike Walmart and Target, however, you must have an active membership to purchase glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, or other eye care products.
Regular eye exams and prescriptions can also be obtained from optical stores such as LensCrafters and Pearle Eyecare.
Tips for Selecting Your Perfect Eyeglasses
Is the shape of your face oval? Because oval-shaped faces have subtle curves and balanced features, most frames fit your face.
Avoid big and small frames if you prefer a more natural appearance.
Opt for square or rectangular frames instead if you want to spice things up a bit. They will look great in contrast to your facial features.
Perhaps round faces? In that situation, choosing square, angular, or rectangular shapes is your best option.
You can play with your rounded chin and cheeks to draw attention to your eyes by using angular forms.
Do you have a square-shaped face? Oval and round frames work best with square faces.
Your face is more inclined to have straight lines since it has a wide forehead and a square chin.
It would help if you chose rounded, soft edges to counteract the facial pipes. Your entire appearance will stand out from the crowd if the edges are rounded.
Do you have a heart-shaped face? There isn’t a straightforward rule for this. Since balance is crucial, you could experiment with various widths to discover which works best.
By selecting bottom-heavy frames, you could try to narrow the lower portion of your face. To soften your chin, switch to (or mix with) oval forms.