Finding Affordable Eyewear in Lakeland FL - Eyeglass World & More

Finding Quality, Affordable Eyewear in Lakeland, FL

Getting a new pair of eyeglasses can be an expensive endeavor, especially if you need bifocals or progressives lenses. However, just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style or quality. Lakeland, FL has several excellent options for finding discount eyeglasses and contacts while still getting all the bells and whistles of designer brands. Keep reading to learn some tips for scoring deals on eyewear in Lakeland.

Try the Eyeglass World Store

One of the best places to find discount eyeglasses in Lakeland is the Eyeglass World location on South Florida Avenue. This national optical retailer offers a huge selection of designer frames and lenses at prices up to 60% off what you would pay at other retailers. Some of the designer brands available at Eyeglass World include Ray-Ban, Oakley, Coach and Dolce & Gabbana.

In addition to great prices on frames, Eyeglass World also offers deals on lenses. You can get standard single vision lenses starting at just $69 or pay a little more for specialty lenses like progressives, high-index and transition lenses. Eyeglass World also offers lens upgrades like anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings for very reasonable prices.

The Eyeglass World store in Lakeland uses state-of-the-art technology to ensure you get the most accurate prescription possible. Their in-store LensCrafters lab can fill many prescriptions in about an hour. This means you can walk out with new glasses the same day in many cases. The knowledgeable opticians at Eyeglass World can help you find the perfect frames to fit your face, style and budget.

Take Advantage of 2-for-1 Specials

Another way to save on eyeglasses in Lakeland is to take advantage of 2-for-1 deals and BOGO (buy one, get one) sales. Many national optical retailers like America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses run these promotions frequently. You can essentially buy one pair of eyeglasses at full price and then get a second pair for free.

To find the best 2-for-1 and BOGO deals, sign up for email alerts from retailers like America's Best and Eyeglass World. You'll get notified whenever they are running a 2-for-1 special. This allows you to stock up on backup pairs of glasses or get glasses with two different frame styles or lens options. You can also share the spare pair with your spouse or another family member to maximize the savings.

Shop Online for Discounts

In addition to local optical shops, you can also score discounts on eyewear by shopping online. Many online retailers like Zenni Optical, GlassesUSA.com and Warby Parker offer prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses at low prices. Here are some benefits of buying eyewear online:

• Huge selection of frames and lens options
• Frequent discounts and coupon codes
• Ability to upload your prescription from your eye doctor
• Try frames on virtually with app features
• Delivered right to your door

The best part about online eyewear retailers is that you can often find designer-quality frames for as little as $6-$10 when buying in bulk. Just be sure to get accurate measurements of your pupillary distance so the glasses you order fit properly.

Buy Store Brands

If you prefer to shop in person instead of online, consider buying store brands instead of designer labels. Many optical shops like Walmart Vision Center, Costco Optical and Sam's Club Optical carry their own brand of budget-friendly eyewear.

While you won't get names like Ray-Ban or Oakley, the quality is often just as good at a fraction of the cost. Store brands like Costco's Kirkland Signature line offer frames made from lightweight titanium, acetate and other quality materials. You also get high-definition lenses, anti-reflective coatings and other lens enhancements for much less.

Shopping the store brand eyewear selection at big box stores and warehouse clubs is a proven way to save 50-75% off what you would pay for similar designer glasses. If you want the cheapest way to get new spectacles with all the corrective features you need, house brands are the way to go.

Use Flexible Spending and Insurance

One of the smartest ways to reduce what you pay out of pocket for new eyeglasses is to use tax-advantaged flexible spending accounts and vision insurance benefits. Most full-time jobs offer benefits like:

• FSA - Set aside pre-tax dollars to use on approved healthcare expenses like glasses and contacts. You can allocate $500-$2,500+ per year.
• HSA - If you have a high deductible health plan, a health savings account allows similar tax-free spending on healthcare items when used with a debit card.
• Vision insurance - Plans often cover a free eye exam plus discounted glasses and contacts every 12 months. This can save you hundreds per year.

Always check with your benefits administrator to see what vision-related offerings are available. The tax savings and discounted eyewear can slash what you pay for glasses, lenses and more.

Ask About Discounts and Sales

Don't be afraid to simply ask for discounts on eyeglasses, either. Many optometrists and vision retailers are willing to work with you to make eyewear more affordable. You may be able to score discounts on frames, lenses and coatings just by inquiring.

It never hurts to say something like "Are there any discounts or promotions I can take advantage of?" You may get 10-20% off just for asking. It's also worth asking when they have sales on frames or package deals.

Vision centers at Costco, Walmart and Sam's Club often run specials like "$20 off frames when you get lenses too." So it pays to keep your eye out for deals and have someone explain all your options for saving.

Comparing Eyeglass Stores in Lakeland, FL

Lakeland has no shortage of optical retailers and independent optometrists to choose from. Here's a quick rundown of where to find discounts on eyewear in the area:

America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses

With several locations in the Lakeland area, this national discount chain lives up to its name. America's Best is known for deals like 2 pairs of glasses for $69.95 including a free eye exam. They also boast an in-house lab so you can get glasses fast. While selection is more limited than a private practice, the prices can't be beat if you want cheap glasses in a hurry.

Cohen's Fashion Optical

Founded right in Lakeland 50 years ago, Cohen's has multiple locations focused on trendy, fashionable frames. They carry designers like Calvin Klein, Ted Baker London and more. While not the cheapest, Cohen's runs frequent BOGO sales and other discounts. So you can often score designer eyewear here for less than mall prices.

Dr. A's Eye Care

For a quality professional eye exam plus eyewear, check out Dr. A's Eye Care. Dr. Andria Williams founded this Lakeland vision clinic to provide exceptional service paired with the latest technology. If you want high-end progressives and specialty lenses, this is the place to shop. Not the cheapest option but competitive pricing and quality are worth it.

Eyeglass World

As mentioned above, the Eyeglass World store on S. Florida Ave. is a prime place to shop for discounted designer eyewear. They boast over 2,000 frames in stock from brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. Lenses also start at just $69. Eyeglass World frequently advertises specials like buy one pair, get one free. So if you want quality at low prices, this national chain is worth a look.

Visionworks

With multiple locations around Lakeland, Visionworks is another reliable national optical retailer. Shop premium brands like Coach, Kate Spade New York, Converse and Nike. Visionworks has frequent sales plus coupons to help you save on eye exam costs. Their in-house lab means quick fulfillment for glasses, contacts and more.

Getting the Best Deals on Eyewear

As you can see, Lakeland offers plenty of options when you're looking for discounted prescription eyeglasses and contacts. Here are a few final tips to keep in mind as you shop:

• Compare prices online before choosing an optical retailer
• Sign up for email alerts to receive coupons and notices about sales
• Ask each store you visit about possible discounts, specials and price matching
• Consider buying 2 pairs at once to maximize BOGO and 2-for-1 deals
• Use FSA, HSA, vision benefits or insurance if possible to lower out-of-pocket costs
• Don't overpay for brand names - quality generics are just as good
• Carefully measure and submit your pupillary distance when ordering glasses online

With this advice, you can save big on eyewear costs without sacrificing quality, style or vision performance. Do some comparison shopping and take advantage of deals to find the perfect new glasses or contacts at the lowest prices in Lakeland.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.