I’m a little embarrassed to share with you that the last time I had my vision checked was when I was in college. I wore glasses and contacts in middle school and high school, but at some point I just stopped wearing them because my glasses were a horribly outdated style and I struggled with recurring eye infections from the contacts. My vision wasn’t that bad, so I’ve managed just fine until now.
Recently, however, Walmart asked if I’d be interested in trying out the Walmart Vision Center at my local store, and this was just the little nudge that I needed to make an appointment with an optometrist. Actually, I made appointments for both my husband and myself, as he was in pretty much the same situation.
We weren’t sure what to expect since neither of us have had our eyes checked in so many years, but the associate that greeted us put us right at ease. She was super friendly and helpful and remembered talking with me on the phone to setup our appointments, and I especially appreciated how great she was with my 5 year old who was along for the ride. She allowed him to observe all of my tests and to look at my eyes through the equipment, which he obviously thought was super cool.
My husband had been hoping for contacts, but as it turns out, for various reasons neither of us are very good candidates for contact lenses. We both opted to pick out a new set of frames from Walmart Vision Center’s large selection. With prices starting at just $9, I was totally impressed by how easy choosing an affordable yet stylish pair of glasses was. We were so surprised at checkout to find that my cute purple frames were just $18, and the silver wire frames my husband chose were just $9!
The prices for exams were equally affordable — $54 for an exam for glasses and $100 for an exam for contacts. Note that the price does vary slightly by location.
Because the exams and frames were so inexpensive, my husband and I were able to splurge a bit and add the antiglare coating to our lenses for $50 per set. And since we made our purchases at the same time, my husband’s frames and lenses were an additional 20% off! It will take about a week for our new glasses to come in, and we’re both really looking forward clearer vision.
If we had been good candidates for contact lenses, Walmart Vision Center carries some really affordable options for contacts as well, like these new Equate 1-day disposable contact lenses. At just $30 for a 30-day supply, these would have been a great easy care option that might have helped with the infections issue I experienced when I was younger.
Altogether, I would highly recommend the Walmart Vision Center for great customer service, convenience and affordability. We’ll definitely be taking the rest of the family over for a vision screening very soon!
As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I’ve received compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Emily
I honestly have had bad experiences with Walmart vision centers and have recently changed to Americas Best. They have a deal for $99 and cover people with glasses or contacts. They also give a discount on their glasses and contacts while you’re with the eye club. 3 years of eye exams plus no charge if you have to go in and see the doctor!!! They also price match!!! There contacts for my brand (acuvue oasis for astigmatism) were $45 a box while sams had them for $30!!!! Big savings!!!!
Saul
Problem is that Walmart gets their glasses made in China, so it takes several weeks to get them. I find that online companies are cheaper and quicker. Take for example 39DollarGlasses.com. They make ALL their glasses in New York and you get them in just days (rather than week). And they are actually cheaper too!
RT
“takes several weeks to get them”, I have no idea where you’ve gotten that info. I had an exam & purchased lenses & frames on 11-25-13 and my glasses were in the very next Mon (12-2-13). This being the wk of Thanksgiving btw.
bluestocking74
Perhaps your frame said ‘made in China’? Both my son and I had our new glasses within a week.
Steven
Unless you have the riches=$$$$ than all vision centers get there frames from China. Everything is made in China you IDIOT!
lindsey
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Maria
I went to our local Walmart vision Center today. I have my own fashionable nerdy-looking frame which I ordered online from China. The doctor (I presumed she’s an eye doctor as she is in white robe) said that my frame won’t do as they are not made of plastic. It felt and looked plastic to me, but since she is the authority, I decided to buy the frame from them. I chose a frame priced at $48.00. I paid by credit card and as I was in a hurry I did not check the itemized prices. I noticed later that there were double entries of $44.50. I went back to the doctor and asked about it, and I was informed the two entries of $44.50 were for the left eye and for the right eye, respectively. Seriously? Was I scammed?
Maria
I searched my old receipts from last year, and I realized that eyeglasses are priced by left and right eye lenses. I apologize for the above comment. It’s just I was shocked of the increase in prices. Last year, it was $24.50 each for lined bifocals, and not it had jumped to $44.50 each!
Steven
That is a good price. My no line Bifocals were $280, but are a high quality lenses by Carl Zeiss and is an excellent price considering that I have no coverage, like all who posted about price. Stupid people complain that the frames are made in China. This is true for every vision store that sells frames unless, u want to dig out a $200+ for a frame that is made in Italy or the USA or other.
roger peach
I only got one thing to say if you need eyeglasses stay away from Walmart .
Ron
DON’T GET GLASSES AT WALMART!!! I went to Walmart for glasses… Had my eye exam… received the glasses and they were the worst glasses I have ever gotten… Went back and had another exam and they changed the prescription… Waited for another pair of glasses and again was dissatisfied but was leaving the next day for a 2 1/2 month trip so I figured maybe it was just me and I would get “used” to them… Well after returning home I went back with “useless” glasses and was told that they will not change the lenses after 90 days… So I am SOL writing this with a blurry computer screen… DON’T GET GLASSES AT WALMART!!!!