Let's Talk About: Moody Eyes Eyeglass Pricing
Confused by Eyeglass Pricing? You are not alone.
Moody Eyes Eyeglass Pricing – it is different because we help you understand what you are buying and how your new glasses will help you see and function better. This guide shows you how we’ve eliminated the confusion with our simplified approach = the Moody Eyes Eyeglass Pricing philosophy. Let’s dig in…
_________________________________________
First, let’s review what you’re actually buying…
Before we talk about eyeglass pricing, let’s start with your eye exam, then a complete pair of eyeglasses. This process actually consists of four separate purchase decisions that are often bundled together. Let’s separate them so you can see the complete process.
1. The Eye Exam
Checking the health of your eyes and updating your glasses and/or contact lens prescription. There is usually a co-payment when you have vision insurance. The confusion starts when the eye exam is bundled into the price for new glasses.
2. The Frames
Your frames are both functional (they hold your lenses in place) and fashionable (you wear them where everyone sees them). Prices can vary wildly, based on brand, materials, designer brands, retailer markup, etc. Confusion can arise when they are bundled into “deals.”
3. The Lenses
Your lenses also have two aspects:
- Your prescription – what helps you see clearly
- The lens type/design – single-vision, bifocals, progressives, or special use lenses.
Single-vision lenses are relatively straightforward – your eyes do the focusing for viewing different distances. Progressives (no-lines) and bifocals (with lines) help you see clearly at multiple distances because your eyes can’t. They also cost more.
4. Lens Treatments and Coatings
Options can make your glasses more comfortable to wear: anti-reflective (AR) coating, scratch guard, UV protection, and blue light filtering. Many patients see these as essential for a comfortable pair of glasses. Photochromic (aka Transitions), and polarized sunglasses are for reducing glare when outdoors; only polarized sunglasses reduce glare when driving.
_________________________________________
Eyeglass Pricing Can Feel Like a “Shell Game”
When you walk past any optical store or scroll through online ads, you’ll see promises that seem too good to be true: “$59 complete glasses!” “Two pairs and an exam for $99!” “Buy One Get One Free!” But when you actually go to buy glasses, the final price rarely matches the advertisement. Here’s why…
My Experience with The Anatomy of a Misleading Ad
Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Moody worked at an optical chain store. Their ads consistently read “$59 for two complete pairs and an exam.” But here’s what actually happened when customers came in to buy:
- A basic eye exam
- Two frames from a very limited selection (typically older styles few people wanted to wear)
- Single-vision plastic lenses with your prescription—basic lenses with no treatments
Here’s what it didn’t include—and what most people wanted:
- Anti-reflective coating ($80-120 per pair)
- Scratch-resistant coating ($30-50 per pair)
- Thinner lenses for higher prescriptions ($60-150 per pair)
- UV (Ultra-Violet light) protection (sometimes $20-40 extra)
- Stylish frames you wanted to wear ($100-200+ each)
- Progressive lenses, if you needed bifocals ($150-400 extra per pair)
The typical customer who came in for “$59 two pairs and an exam” walked out having spent $300-400. The advertised price was used to get patients in the door.
The Moody Eyes Solution – Our Simplified Eyeglass Pricing Approach
We have eliminated the shell game. Our pricing includes what you actually need:
Quality frames from independent manufacturers = great styles and pricing;
Lenses – all types, including thinner, lighter, & essential coatings (anti-reflective and scratch-resistant);
Progressive lenses – digital design for better clarity (if your prescription requires them);
A one-year warranty.
No Surprises! You know what you’re paying for before you commit.
___________________________________________
Why This Happens: “Unbundling” the Bundling Problem
When you buy a car, the advertised price includes the basics: engine, transmission, seats, steering wheel, etc. — everything you need for it your new car to function properly. But you don’t want a “basic” car. You want comfortable transportation with some extras…heated seats, sunroof, better stereo system, etc.
Eyeglass advertising often works in much the same way. The advertised price typically covers only the bare minimums — limited selection of frames and basic lenses with your prescription. The “extras” that make life with your new glasses more enjoyable an “upgrade” or “add-on.”
This tactic can create a number of problems when shopping for new glasses:
You can’t compare prices. One store’s “$100 complete glasses” might include anti-reflective coating, while another’s $100 price requires a $100 upgrade for the same coating. You’re not comparing the same product. Many times you won’t know that until you’re already committed to the buying process.
You feel pressured to upgrade. Once you’ve selected frames, had your exam, and invested time in the process, the pressure to buy can mount. Saying “no thanks” can make you feel like you’ve wasted your time and effort.
The terminology is deliberately unclear. “Premium anti-reflective coating” vs. “standard AR coating”—what’s the actual difference? Is it worth $50 more? Different providers use different terms for similar or identical products. This can make it nearly impossible to make an accurate comparison.
The Moody Eyes Solution – Our Simplified Eyeglass Pricing Approach
We have eliminated the bundling issue. Your out-of-pocket will be clearly explained to you, including what you need and options you may want.
Your eye exam…you pay only the co-payment from your vision plan;
Your new frames…we use your vision plan’s frame allowance and copays to help you get frames you will love to wear;
Your lenses…single vision, bifocals, trifocals, and progressives…we have them all;
Your lens treatments…we have them all: AR (anti-reflective), scratch guard, Retina Shield (blue-light protection), Transitions, polarized sunglasses;
Your one-year warranty…protects you in case of accidents.
No Surprises! You know what you’re paying for before you commit.
___________________________________________
How “Deals” Obscure Real Costs
The most misleading promotions bundle these four components in ways that often hide the true cost:
“$99 for Two Pairs and an Exam”
Sounds like everything you need, right? But, when you look closer, it’s typically two pairs of basic single-vision lenses with no coatings in limited frame selections. If you’re looking for stylish frames, AR and other lens treatments for comfort, or sunglasses, that “deal” becomes irrelevant. That could be several hundred dollars more per pair. The key is to understand your prescription and how you want your new glasses to help you see and look.
“Buy One Get One Free”
You rarely get the second of anything for “free’. This is also true for glasses. You are paying more for one pair to cover the costs of the second pair. The retailer is not going to lose money on the deal; they have just structured their pricing to make you feel like you’re getting something for free when you aren’t.
“50% Off All Frames”
Frames might be half-price, but what about the lenses? They often cost as much or more than the frames. Plus, you really can’t wear frames without your prescription lenses. The “50% off” is intended to create a psychological anchor that makes you feel you’re saving money, even when your total cost isn’t much different that other eye care practices.
The Moody Eyes Solution – Our Simplified Eyeglass Pricing Approach
We will go over your actual vision benefits and copays in a systematic way. You will understand what the fees cover, what you will need to pay for, and what options you can choose. There’s no “sleight of hand” – we believe in full transparency.
No Surprises! You know what you’re paying for before you commit.
___________________________________________
Let’s Talk About: Progressive Lenses
While transparent pricing issues can exist across all eyeglass purchases, they seem to peak with progressive lenses. Here are the main reasons why this happens:
- The most expensive component of any eyeglass purchase are usually the lenses;
- Progressives are the most technically complex, with meaningful quality differences between the available options;
- These can be the most difficult to comparison shop because of the wide variety of lenses (over 150 different designs!) and inconsistent terminology between brands.
- A common source of buyer’s remorse and confusion about how the lenses are supposed to work.
The Moody Eyes Solution – Our Simplified Eyeglass Pricing Approach
We’ve used our lens expertise to make getting progressive lenses easy on our patients. First, we reviewed the different available progressive designs. Then we selected a digital design that’s easy to wear, provides clear vision at all distances, and is affordable. Our patients have given us very positive feedback on these lenses.
When Dr. Moody got his first pair his optician said to him at the end of day one, “Stop complaining. Just wear them. You’ll be fine.” He was right. It took him 3 days to fully adjust. Even if you’ve worn progressives before, a new pair can take a day or two to fully adjust.
_________________________________________