If you wear glasses, then you know how expensive and inconvenient it can be to replace them. I’ve worn glasses for years and have gone way too long without replacing them in the past because I’ve wanted to avoid the hassle.
In this article, I’ll take a look at Walmart Vision Center, a convenient option for purchasing your glasses online or in the store.
This article was updated in February 2024 and I review it every three months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
5 Things To Know Before Visiting Walmart Vision Center
Whether you need an eye exam, new glasses or contact lenses, Walmart Vision Center may be one retailer to consider. I found a huge selection of frame styles and colors on the website at competitive prices.
To see if there’s a Walmart Vision Center near you, visit the store location page and enter your ZIP code. If there isn’t a location nearby, you can still shop for glasses and contacts online.
Before you place an order or book an eye exam, take a look at these five things to know about Walmart Vision Center:
- What’s Available at Walmart Vision Center?
- How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost at Walmart?
- How Much Do Glasses Cost at Walmart?
- What Insurance Does Walmart Vision Center Take?
- How Long Does It Take To Get Glasses From Walmart Vision Center?
1. What’s Available at Walmart Vision Center?
When I first visited Walmart Vision Center’s website, I saw that it offers prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, reading glasses, computer glasses and contact lenses. If you don’t already have a prescription, you can also get eye exams and contact lens fittings through independent optometrists whose offices are located next to select vision centers.
If you visit the website to shop online, you can find more than 600 styles with prices beginning at $9 for frames.
While on the website (screenshot below), I saw options along the top of the screen that let me filter my results further.
After looking at available frames, I found that Walmart is not the place to shop if you’re looking for brand-name frames. I clicked on a few high-end brands (Nautica, Calvin Klein and Converse), but there were only a few styles listed under each, and they were sold by third parties.
I found a much bigger (and more affordable) selection of generic frames sold directly from Walmart.com.
Depending on your prescription and preferences, you may need a specific type of lens. Single-vision lenses and progressive no-line lenses are available at Walmart Vision Center. You can choose from a variety of prescription lens types online or in-store including clear, basic tint, polarized tint and transition lenses.
All clear, plastic lenses are included for free and come with an anti-scratch coating. You can also choose from additional features including no-glare coating and impact-resistant lenses at an additional cost.
Walmart Vision Center also carries most popular brands of contact lenses including Acuvue, Air Optix and Biofinity.
2. How Much Does an Eye Exam Cost at Walmart?
If you have a Walmart Vision Center nearby and you need a new or updated prescription, you may be able to schedule your eye exam there. Select vision centers have independent doctors of optometry working in offices next to Walmart.
An eye exam at Walmart costs around $91; prices vary depending on location. I found that the cost for an eye exam at Walmart was pretty average compared to other popular optical centers.
You should call your nearest Walmart Vision Center to get an exact price for the eye exam before scheduling. If you’re being fitted for contacts or renewing your contacts prescription, you can expect an additional fee.
Note that while some optometrists are employed by Walmart, most eye exams are conducted by self-employed doctors who lease space in the stores near the vision centers.
You can book an exam by using the store finder online and calling the number for your nearest location. According to the website, an associate will help you set up an appointment.
3. How Much Do Glasses Cost at Walmart?
Frames vary in price based on the materials from which they’re made. Likewise, lens prices vary based on the features your prescription requires.
Walmart Vision Center offers frames online starting at just $9 and ranging up to $143. I used the filters online to narrow the price range and found that more than 400 prescription glasses are available for less than $100 including styles for men and women. You’ll find additional styles (including prescription glasses for children) in stores.
Prices vary depending on the type of lenses you choose and the frames you select. The base prices you’ll see for frames include clear, plastic, single-vision lenses with an anti-scratch coating.
In addition to the frames, you’ll also need to pay for prescription lenses. Single-vision lenses are available starting at $30 for adults, and progressive no-line lenses start at $100.
Once you’ve chosen your prescription type, you’ll be able to choose from the following options beginning at these prices (as of February 2024):
- Clear lenses: $30
- Basic tint: $20
- Polarized tint: $115 for single vision
- Transition lenses: $85
Note that for prescription sunglasses, you’ll be able to choose from only basic, polarized or transition tint options.
All lenses come with an anti-scratch coating at no extra charge. Additional features include no-glare coating beginning at $55 and impact-resistant lenses beginning at $60. Nikon Eyes Advanced and Customized lens options are also available for select frames beginning at $185 for single-vision.
Call your local Walmart Vision Center to ask about lens pricing on the glasses you’re interested in or to ask for starting prices on specific lens types. Prices may vary by location and change over time.
Contact lenses begin as low as $14 per box at Walmart Vision Center, but prices vary greatly depending on the brand. Be sure to check the prices at a few reliable online retailers to make sure you’re getting the best deal on contacts.
4. What Insurance Does Walmart Vision Center Take?
Walmart Vision Center accepts most major insurance providers — but only for eye exams and in-store purchases. To see if your insurance is accepted, call your nearest location.
According to the website, Walmart is an out-of-network provider for the following insurance companies:
- Cole Managed Vision
- Davis Vision
- EyeMed
- Spectra
- VSP
For more information on how to receive a reimbursement from one of these providers, visit this page on Walmart.com.
5. How Long Does It Take To Get Glasses From Walmart Vision Center?
When you’re ready to purchase your prescription glasses, you can order them online or visit a Walmart Vision Center in person.
On average, you can expect your glasses to take about a week to arrive whether you order frames online or prescription lenses in-store. Of course, the delivery time can vary greatly and may take up to three weeks for complex prescriptions.
According to Walmart’s website, contact lenses are typically delivered in 5-7 business days, though the website doesn’t mention specific delivery times for glasses.
Expedited shipping (3-4 business days) is also available for contact lenses for $11.95. I wasn’t able to find an expedited option online for glasses, though some glasses are labeled online with “1-day shipping,” “2-day shipping,” and “3+ day shipping.”
Final Thoughts
Overall, I found that Walmart Vision Center offers a great selection of affordable frames and lenses when it comes to prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. Comprehensive eye exams are also available at an average price compared to competitors like Target Optical, Sam’s Club and Costco.
When I looked at the cost of prescription lenses and frames, I found that the prices are comparable to those at EyeBuyDirect and America’s Best. If you take the time to comparison shop, you’ll likely find lower prices at an online competitor like Zenni Optical. Still, the prices at Walmart Vision Center are a little more competitive than what you’ll see on average at Target Optical or even Warby Parker.
For single-vision frames and lenses, I found that you can easily stay under $100 at Walmart Vision Center. You can shop for frames online; however, I recommend visiting the store to try on glasses, order prescription lenses and use any insurance benefits you have available.
Have you taken advantage of the optical services at Walmart? Let us know in our Clark.com Community!
Article Updates
- February 25, 2024: Updated available selection and pricing
