Medically reviewed by Dr. Loi Thanh Mai, OD
Yes, you can get a full eye exam without vision insurance. In Bellflower, most people without coverage end up on one of three paths: paying the office directly, joining a membership like our Essential Vision Plan, which includes your first routine exam for $129 a year, or using Medi-Cal if their income qualifies. Here’s how each one works, and how to tell which makes sense for you.
Quick answer
- Paying out of pocket: prices vary from office to office, so ask what the exam includes before you book.
- Essential Vision Plan: $129 per person, per year at Radiant Optometry. Your first routine exam is included, plus savings on glasses and contacts for 12 months. It’s a discount membership, not insurance.
- Medi-Cal: if you qualify, use it. Adults get a routine eye exam and a pair of glasses once every 24 months, and we accept it.
Can I get an eye exam without insurance?
Absolutely. Insurance only changes who pays, not the exam itself. You get the same comprehensive eye exam either way: we check how clearly you see, measure your prescription for glasses, and look at the health of your eyes, including the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye.
That last part matters. A free vision screening at school, a health fair or the DMV only checks whether you can read letters on a chart. It can miss eye problems that a full exam would catch, which is why the American Optometric Association recommends a comprehensive exam rather than relying on screenings. Here’s what our comprehensive exam includes.
How much does an eye exam cost without insurance?
It depends on the office and on what’s included, which is why online price lists can be misleading. Two exams with the same price tag can cover very different things. When you call any office, ask:
- Is the prescription for glasses (the “refraction”) included in the exam price?
- Is a contact lens fitting extra? It usually is, because it takes extra measurements and a trial pair.
- Is retinal imaging or dilation included, or charged separately?
- If I need glasses too, can you give me a total before I commit?
At Radiant, our team will walk you through the cost on the phone before you book, so there are no surprises at checkout. If you plan to get glasses or contacts in the same year, ask about the Essential Vision Plan too. The math often works out in your favor.
How much do glasses cost without insurance?
The frame is only part of the price. What really moves the total is the lens:
- Lens type. Single-vision lenses cost the least. Bifocals and progressives cost more because they have more than one prescription built in.
- Material. Polycarbonate is light and impact-resistant. High-index lenses are thinner for strong prescriptions and cost more.
- Coatings. Anti-glare, blue-light filtering and light-adaptive (Transitions®) lenses each add to the price.
Two ways to keep costs down: start with single-vision polycarbonate lenses with anti-glare coating, which is a good, durable lens for most people, and ask whether your prescription qualifies for same-day glasses made in our Bellflower lab. Buying online can look cheaper, but poorly measured glasses are a common reason people come back to us with headaches. Here’s what to watch for.
Is a vision plan that isn’t insurance worth it?
We created the Essential Vision Plan for the many Bellflower families who don’t have vision coverage, or whose plan barely covers anything. It’s a yearly membership at our office, not an insurance policy:
- $129 per person, per year, and your first routine eye exam is included
- 20% off frames and lenses, including lens upgrades like anti-glare
- 10% off a year’s supply of contact lenses, with free shipping
- Savings start the day you enroll and last 12 months, with no claim forms or waiting periods
It tends to be a good fit if you need an exam and new glasses this year, if your family needs more than one pair, or if you want to choose any frame in our optical instead of picking from an insurance list. It’s probably not the right fit if you already have vision insurance (the two can’t be combined) or if you only need an exam every couple of years and nothing else. Not sure? Call us with your situation and we’ll do the math with you, no pressure.
Other low-cost options in and around Bellflower
Medi-Cal
If your income qualifies, adult members get a routine eye exam and eyeglasses once every 24 months, according to the California Department of Health Care Services. Contact lenses generally aren’t covered. We accept Medi-Cal plans including Molina, L.A. Care and Health Net. Don’t qualify? That’s who we built the Essential Vision Plan for.
Kids on Covered California plans
If your children are on a health plan through Covered California, check before paying out of pocket. Covered California says vision coverage is already built into the plan for children under 19. Adults on those plans usually need a separate vision plan.
Buying vision insurance on your own
You can buy individual vision insurance directly from companies like VSP or EyeMed, even without health insurance. It can be worth it if you need new glasses every year. Compare the yearly premium with what you’d actually use, and check which frames and lenses the allowance really covers.
HSA or FSA
Eye exams, prescription glasses and contact lenses are listed as eligible medical expenses in IRS Publication 502, so you can usually pay for them from a health savings or flexible spending account. If you have one, ask us about using that card at checkout.
How often do you need an eye exam?
The American Optometric Association recommends a comprehensive exam at least every two years for adults 18 to 64 without risk factors, and every year from age 65. Plan on a yearly exam if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, a family history of glaucoma, you wear contact lenses, or your prescription keeps changing.
Going without insurance is a common reason people stretch those years out. The trouble is that some of the most serious eye diseases are silent at first. The National Eye Institute notes that glaucoma usually has no symptoms at first, and treatment can’t undo vision that’s already been lost. A regular exam is how it gets caught early, while treatment can still protect your sight.
When not to wait, insurance or not
Some eye problems need to be seen the same day. Call us right away, or go to an emergency room if we’re closed, if you have:
- Sudden loss of vision or sudden blurry vision in one or both eyes
- A sudden shower of new floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow or curtain over part of your vision
- An eye injury, or a chemical splashed in your eye (rinse with clean water first)
- A painful red eye, especially with light sensitivity or blurry vision
See our urgent eye care page for more.
Frequently asked questions
Do you see patients without insurance?
Yes. Many of our patients pay directly or use the Essential Vision Plan. Just let us know when you book.
Is the Essential Vision Plan insurance?
No. It’s a discount membership offered only at Radiant Optometry. You pay the discounted price at your visit, and it can’t be combined with vision insurance.
Can my whole family join?
Each membership is for one person, and every family member can enroll. Each person’s membership includes their first routine exam.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Credit cards, debit cards and cash. If you have an HSA or FSA card, ask us about using it.
Get your eyes checked in Bellflower
No insurance shouldn’t mean no eye care. Call us at (562) 867-4716 and we’ll help you find the most affordable way to get your exam, or book online. Our team speaks English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for an eye exam.