I have not had my eyes checked since before the COVID pandemic. I have been to the same local optometrist for several years now. The last time I was there, they prescribed me two sets of glasses: one for driving and one for computer use. The total came out to almost $1,200. I fell for the sales pitch and added a bunch of stuff but ended up not even wearing the driving glasses. This time, I think I will juet get a set for computer/reading and keep using the old driving glasses.
The optometrist also likes to run a thousand tests on my eyes, even though I see an ophthalmologist and a retina specialist every year. It is all covered by my VSP vision insurance, so I let her do whatever she wants.
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Prescription eyeglasses are a total rip-off because there is a monopoly. A company called Luxottica owns the market and keeps prices high, much like DeBeers and diamonds. Mark-ups can be as high as 1,000%.
Here is a Los Angeles Times article.
I will probably get ripped-off today too on glasses, but I have over $1,000 left on my 2022 FSA and I need to spend it by end-of-March.
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I am back. It was not too bad. My prescription did not change that much but my eyesight is worse due to the beginning signs of cataracts. The optometrist said even with correction, my best eyesight is going to be 20/50. I also found out that they can correct your vision during cataract surgery by putting in a prescription lens in your eye. I was considering contacts again after 35 years but the optometrist suggested I wait until after the surgery, if I get it.
Anyway, I got one pair of glasses. With insurance, it was only $242. I am unsure why I paid over $1,000 last time for two pairs. That means I still have a lot of cash left on my FSA card that I need to burn before the end of March.
Life with chronic diseases 