Cost of Glasses Vs. Contacts

When choosing between glasses and contacts, cost may be a deciding factor. Although contact lenses may cost less that glasses up front, contacts usually need frequent replacement and care, while glasses may last for years without any additional expense.

Cost of Glasses

• Designer frames sold at optometry offices usually cost upward of $100 (as of 2010) although some online shops sell glasses for as little as $8 a pair.

Cost of Contact Lenses

• One box of eight contact lenses usually costs between $15 and $25, depending on where you buy. Some insurance companies view contacts as cosmetic and do not cover them.

Expensive Contacts

• Daily disposable contact lenses, which you replace with a new pair daily, are the most expensive kind of contacts, costing at least $30 a month if worn every day.

Contact Lens Care

• Unless you wear daily disposables or extended wear contacts, you will need cleaning solution and a case for your contacts. Solution usually costs between $5 and $10 and will need replacing frequently as it runs out.

Cost Over Time

• Because contact lenses usually need frequent replacement and cleaning, over time they are more expensive than glasses, which require little or no additional expense.