• kiterios@lemmy.world
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    4 days ago

    Glasses usually have obscene markups. Imo, the most cost effective way is often lasik (or similar), but it’s an up front cost.

    I think I paid 4k usd for both eyes, but that was something like 10 years ago and with no assistance from insurance.

    I still get an eye exam every few years just to make sure everything is okay, but I am expecting another 10 years before I need too start thinking about vision correction again. Also, I’m fairly certain the provider that performed my lasik offered a warranty and would perform additional corrections as I age, but I don’t live anywhere near the location anymore.

    When I compare that to the combined cost of insurance, exams, glasses, contacts, and prescription sunglasses that my wife pays… lasik was a significant cost savings for me (and that’s not counting any quality of life benefits).

    • lemmyman@lemmy.world
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      4 days ago

      I use my 14-year-old prescription to get a couple pairs of glasses from Zenni every couple years. Averages about $75/yr.

      • grue@lemmy.world
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        4 days ago

        $75/year seems expensive for Zenni, unless you’re going all-out on the fancy features. For that budget, I think it’s worth spending some on the optometrist to update your Rx.

    • huginn@feddit.it
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      4 days ago

      I pay $100 for my eye exam and $150 for my glasses every couple years.

      It would take 30+ years for that cost to reach the Lasik levels you paid, and that’s assuming I’m not doing anything with the $3750 remaining after the first appointment.

      • metallic_z3r0@infosec.pub
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        3 days ago

        And 30 years after LASIK, you’d be incredibly lucky if your eyes hadn’t gotten worse to the point you’d need glasses anyway.

    • WolfLink
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      4 days ago

      I don’t see how lasik could possibly be a cost savings. I’ve gotten fairly nice glasses for $150 without insurance. I’ve gotten glasses for less than that with insurance.

      One pair of glasses can last a long time if you take care of them (and if your eyes don’t get worse).

      LASIK isn’t a permanent solution and eventually you’ll need glasses again.

      • BuckyVanBuren@lemmy.world
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        3 days ago

        I didn’t need glasses for 40 years.

        My glasses were costing $500 plus in the 1980s. They needed replacing annually.