Low-income people have fixed and limited incomes and they have to meet their basic needs with these earnings. When people have an uncertain problem, it becomes hard to manage that. When you have faced problems with your eyes such as eye exam and the need for glasses, you need to count an amount. This amount may not come from your pocket because you struggle to meet the other needs as well.
Surely everyone will see better and clearly as any simple complication may lead to more problems as well. When students don’t see clearly, they may have poor performance in their studies. People on the job may not perform well due to vision problems. So eyeglasses may be worth ensuring better vision and better performance. More importantly, eye exams also are important because it is as part of regular health checkups.
Eyeglasses and eye exams are expensive and so many people may not afford to go with such expenses. It is good news that some organizations stand beside the people feeling the need for free glasses and eye exams. So we are going to discuss the importance of eyeglasses and eye exams, the average cost, and how you can get such glasses when you are a low-income individual.
Content Outline
Importance Of Eye Exam And Eyeglasses
The eyes are organ of the visual system and it provides living organisms with vision and the ability to receive and process visual details. Also, it enables several photo response functions that are independent of vision. The eye is an important part of the human body through which people see and observe. Eyes may be damaged or ignored taking care. Such as people need proper nutrition for eye health but they don’t take it. Some may not go for any eye test even eyes are in good condition.
Eye care is really so important and it is alarming to know that 1.3 billion people in the world are living with vision complications. They also don’t get the care due to low income, distance, and other factors. There is a different aspect of life on why vision is important and people must need this care even if they don’t afford it.
For example, people having little vision power may face any bigger danger in the event of fire accidents and natural disasters. A Student may not perform better due to less vision power and having no treatment and glass. A single mom may go through the worst crisis due to the inability to read her job application and can’t apply for the job. Grandfathers and grandmothers who face this eye complication may stumble and fall down when they are outside and have no glass or eye treatment.
Surely people need to get eye care, even if it is simple in nature. Ignorance of eye care may turn into long-term problems as well. It is common to see that people having vision impairment must need eye care and eyeglass to see the world clearly and live well. Those types of people understand the pain of not seeing the world clearly. But it is important to ensure that everyone needs to see the world clearly and that there are also different assistance to support them.
Average Cost For Eyeglasses
Eye Glass may be in different sizes and features and it is available in the market. When someone needs an eyeglass, they first need to consult with the doctor, who will prescribe the glass after all eye exams and reports. Additionally, the U.S. average cost of eyeglasses may vary according to prescription, frames, lenses, and eyewear brand that you might opt for.
Eye Glass cost on average comes by $242 according to statistics from VSP. But this cost is only for frames and for single lenses it may cost you $113 and this may vary according to location as well. When you don’t have any insurance plan then you need to count this cost as well.
Average Cost Of An Eye Exam
The importance of an eye exam is really important for everyone. Doctors generally recommend taking such eye exams every one to two years. This depends on your age as well. Some people may not experience any vision problems but this should be taken seriously. Vision is something that may have a problem but some people don’t experience it.
When people get older, then they experience problems that can be treated and recovered early age. For this, Doctors emphasize eye exams to make sure your eyes are in good condition. Doctors take eye exams from different aspects and the cost of eye exams also depends on the process of eye exams. Additionally, Eye exams may include different types of vision problems and the cost depends on the complexity of the exams. So the eye exams cost may stand between $50 to $100 without any insurance.
Free Eye Exam And Glasses Programs Near You
Eye exams and eyeglasses are expensive and low-income people may face problems affording to buy such. But some benevolent activities are still going on by some organizations to make sure they can see the world clearly.
EyeCare America
EyeCare America aims to protect sight and empower them in their life. This is an academy named as American academy of ophthalmology. When you are 65 years old and have a low income, you may start with EyeCare America to get free eye exams. But you need to come with glaucoma as eye complications and you may not get any eyewear prescription.
Vision USA
Vision USA is going to be another platform for low-income people. This program comes with the American optometric association which helps low-income people with free eye exams from participating providers. But the glasses may be covered free of cost in some states.
Lions club international
Low-income people surely may face much-needed care for their eyes and they may not afford to buy eyeglasses. Luckily lions club international stands beside those low-income families to make sure they also can see better and clearly. This assistance may help them be financially successful as better eye power means better output and outcome. So Lions club international pays for eye care at local club locations and they also provide free eyeglasses as well.
New eyes
New eyes may be going to stand beside you when you are less fortunate people. The less fortunate people are the elderly, children, and low-income families, can get free eyeglasses from this platform. But eye exams and care may not be possible to get. As eligibility, you need an eye doctor, professional and social worker to recommend you to this program.
Insights onsite voucher program
This is another program for assisting people who need eye support. This is a program supported by Luxottica, a company of LensCrafters, target optical, sears optical, and Pearle vision. When you have a low income and don’t afford to buy eyeglasses, you may contact this program. But you need to be verified by your school, church, or red cross location about your income and the need for vision. After that, you should have a referral letter with a prescription and go to any store of the Luxottica family for free pair of eyeglasses.
Optometry school
Optometry school is going to be another resource for free eye exams and low-cost eye exams. There are students who want to have such exams conducted. When there are research purposes, the people may also join in this research to take free care of the eyes. So you may search for some Optometry schools near your location to know if such eye service is available.
Medicaid and Medicare
Medicaid and Medicare are one of the leading health insurance programs run by the government. When people have no scope to get insurance coverage for eye care, they may get coverage for vision on Medicaid. But it is important to check the state programs of Medicaid in your state. But eyeglasses and care for the eye are often available in the Medicaid program as vision coverage is included in Medicaid for people 21 and younger. On the other hand, Medicare is not going to pay for routine eye care and it is not possible to get eye exams and free eyeglasses as well. Medicare covers some of the vision care for the following condition.
- Cataracts
- Diabetes
- Dry eye
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
More importantly, some Medicare advantages plan cover vision. In this case, it is important to check the plans when you have coverage. You may check online or by calling your Medicare advantage plan company.
InfantSEE
InfantSEE is a national program from the American Optometric Association and it provides free eye exams for child’s first year of their life. Anyone can get help from this program as there is no income limit for this assistance.
VSP Global Sight for Students
This is another program for the students who are from school and are engaged with another community organization. Under this program, free glasses are available for children of low-income families.
Children’s health insurance program (CHIP)
When low-income families don’t qualify for Medicaid, they have another option for their children and it is CHIP. Children covered by this program can get free eye exams glasses, and other routine eye care.
Discount Programs On Eye Care
When there is no option for free eye exams and eyeglasses, one may find some ways on discounted eye exams and eyeglasses as well.
Americas best
America’s best is one of the platforms to get affordable eye exams and it may be helpful for low-income families. This discount may come by $45 at a flat rate. One may also get discounts on eyeglasses when they are going to join their club.
EyeCare America
EyeCare America is another place to get discounts on eye exams and this could be at $89 as a flat rate for eye exams. Additionally, one may join their membership programs for free exams and other discounts program as well.
Target optical
Target optical may be another place to get low-cost eye exams and it comes for only around $55. Additionally one may also get low-priced glasses that are offered by target optical.
Walmart vision center
When you are a low-income family and need eye exams, you might contact the Walmart vision center. Eye exams may be available for around $60. More importantly, one may also get a selection of low-cost glasses as well.
Costco and Sam’s club
Costco and Sam’s club are also other places to go for affordable eye exams. But you should be a member of Costco or Sam’s club. This cost comes with $80 from Costco and $50 from Sam’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
So there are some questions and these are important as well. We have listed some questions so that you can know more about free eye exams and eyeglasses.
Does Medicaid cover vision?
This depends on your state Medicaid agency that can provide you with details. But Children and teens who are enrolled in Medicaid are going to be eligible for vision screening and follow-up treatment. Additionally, eye exams and eyeglasses may be available as part of the coverage and you need to check out as well.
Does Medicare cover vision?
Medicare is for elderly people who may have also vision complications. But Medicare does not cover routine eye exams for prescription of lenses. This may come in a different way such as the Medicare advantage plan. This means Medicare Advantage plans as Medicare Part C plans provide vision coverage as well. More importantly, Medicare covers the treatment of eye conditions such as glaucoma or complication from diabetes.
Does CHIP insurance cover glasses?
This program is for children that cover routine eye exams and glasses. There is a state program for CHIP and you need to check out the state’s program information.
Is it possible to get free prescription glasses?
Surely low-income families struggle and don’t afford to go for Medication. Eye complications may be common and they may ignore them to low income. But some organizations such as VSP Eyes of Hope, New Eyes, and VSP Sight for Students come forward with those types of people. You may explain suffering and the need for your eye exams and glasses so that you can get assistance from there.
Final Verdict
Eyeglasses are worth ensuring a better and clear surrounding and it ensues satisfaction on what you do. But the problem is that one may not afford to go for such health care. As said, some organizations may help you get eyeglasses and eye exams, you need to check out their ongoing program and the availability of the program according to your location. Additionally, assistance may come in a different way and you may also qualify for eligibility criteria. So you study and research their programs and get started on the application process the right way.