That’s where Walmart Vision Center comes in.
Walmart has everything from auto to beauty products.
So it’s no surprise the mega-giant retailer offers eyeglasses andcontact lenses.
Getty Images / Tim Boyle
Even more, they provideeye examsby licensed doctors of optometry (eye doctors).
And you may question if using Walmart puts you at risk of budget-rate care.
The answer may surprise you.
This article goes over what you should probably know about Walmart Vision Center.
They have a good selection of eyewear at fair prices, including many varieties of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
On top of that, the centers are tastefully decorated, which might make you more comfortable.
Many people like being able to walk in without an appointment and find a popular name-brand frame.
Yet you might have a hard time placing a special order for certain items.
These include some brand nameprogressive lensesor high-profile brand frames.
Recap
Since Walmart is a discount retailer, they emphasize value-for-price over high quality.
That’s why many of their less popular brands and some of the lenses are lower in quality.
Independent optometrists at private practices might charge more than Walmart-employed optometrists.
But both give complete eye exams to diagnose vision conditions and eye diseases.
Every doctor Walmart hires or contracts is a licensed and fully certified optometrist.
Sometimes they’re evenophthalmologists.
Still, there are some instances when you might want to see your current eye doctor instead.
Having a detailed prescription is one of those cases.
Your current provider knows your history.
Plus, you already tested (and hopefully approved) their ability to take accurate measurements.
Because healthcare laws vary from state to state, the way Walmart employs or contracts eye doctors also varies.
Some doctors at the vision centers are technically employees of Walmart.
But most are independent eye doctors who lease their equipment, staff, and office space from Walmart.
While the optometry staff at Walmart are in no way lacking in expertise, the turnover rate is high.
If you prefer a relationship with your eye doctor, Walmart may not be right for you.
But their primary aim is to provide routine eye care.
Private eye care practices might be better at treating more complicated eye conditions.
A bigger concern is that Walmart might not take yourvision insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare.
Some do and some don’t, and many Walmart optometrists work on a cash or credit-only basis.
Pricing
You may think of Walmart as a leader for low prices.
But their prices for eyeglass lenses and frames are often the same as many private practices.
In fact, Walmart once bragged about having extremely low contact lens prices.
But their prices were only slightly lower than at private practices or other commercial practices, like Lenscrafters.
While glasses at Walmart start as low as $16, you get what you pay for.
They are also one of the leading retailers of eye care products.
On top of that, they offer affordable basic eye exams.
The prices and quality of the frames and lenses at Walmart’s Vision Center vary greatly.
Keeping your prescription up to date is also important to maintain clear vision throughout your entire life.
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Cleveland Clinic.Nonprescription ‘cheaters’ vs. prescription glasses.
