The True Cost of Glasses Over Time
The True Cost of Glasses Over Time
The average pair of prescription glasses can cost between $300–$800 depending on the frames, coatings, and lenses.
Many people update their prescription every 2 years, which means:
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$500 (average) × every 2 years × 40 years = $10,000 or more over a lifetime.
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Add in a second pair for emergencies or style changes, and you can easily double that number.
Prescription Sunglasses – The Luxury That Adds Up
Prescription sunglasses often cost $400–$600 per pair.
If you replace them every 3–5 years, that’s $3,000–$5,000 over your lifetime.
Contact Lenses – A Daily Expense
Contact lenses seem inexpensive month-to-month, but they’re one of the biggest lifetime costs. Average daily lenses: $1.50–$3 per day = $550–$1,000 per year. Over 40 years, that’s between $22,000–$40,000 and that doesn’t include cleaning solutions or eye drops.
More Than Just Savings –
It’s a Lifestyle Upgrade
Beyond the money saved, there’s the convenience. With modern laser eye surgery, your vision can be clearer, sharper, and more natural than ever beforewithout the maintenance and constant expenses of corrective eyewear.
Adding It All Up
For the average person, the lifetime cost of glasses, contacts, and prescription sunglasses can easily exceed $40,000–$50,000.
Laser eye surgery whether it’s SMILE, LASIK, or PRK is a one-time investment that can pay for itself within just a few years.
