Money Saving Tips

Eyeglasses Edition

If you find yourself waking up in the morning to greet your furry four-legged friend only to discover you brought in a raccoon last night and left poor Snowball outside, it might be time to toss those old eyeglasses out. But not without first getting a new pair! After all, it’s better to bring in a raccoon than a skunk! Yikes!

Although senior moments may be more common now, we’ve found some wonderful online sites and places that offer free or low cost eyeglasses to seniors. If you don’t already have vision insurance or a special Medicare-eligible eye health condition, check out the below list of resources that can help you tell the difference between your Snowball and a raccoon from fifty feet away.

1. Lions Club International

Helen Keller was the driving force in challenging the Lions Club in 1925 to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Lions Club is one of the best places to start and has provided eye exams and eyeglasses for over 100 million people around the world.

2. Vision USA

If you are low-income or uninsured, contact Vision USA at 1-800-766-4466 or visit their website.

3. AAA and AARP

Utilize well-known senior discounts such as AAA or AARP when going in for your eye exam. You can save an additional 30% on select glasses.

4. Costco and Walmart

These retailers offer excellent value for those of us without vision insurance and almost make it worth it to forego having vision insurance with their bargain basement pricing on eyeglasses. Wal-Mart has eyeglasses that start at $9.00 for frames.

5. LensesRX.com

This site has helpful guides on what to look for in eyeglasses and how to shop online for the right fit for your face. It also has a live online help section and is very user-friendly in guiding you to find the eyeglasses that you need (bi-focals and everything!).

One of the great things about getting older is that you’re automatically entitled to random silly senior moments with or without your permission! Here’s to making the most of those senior moments and having a greater degree of control over your eyesight. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There are people and caring non-profits that would love to help you in the process.

Locate affordable assisted living in Minneapolis and other cities at SeniorAdvisor.com.

SeniorAdvisor.com Staff

Senior Advisor's knowledgeable writers blog about senior care services, trends and more.