The short answer
The cost of new prescription glasses typically comprises the eye examination, frame, and lenses, with the final amount determined by your prescription, lens design, frame choice, and any additional lens features. If you use medical aid, your available benefit and scheme rules may also affect what you pay. Request a clear and current quotation before making a decision.
It is understandable to look for one number before booking. In practice, a useful quote has to reflect what your eyes need and the glasses you choose. That is why two pairs of glasses can have different totals.
What is normally included in the cost of new glasses?
For most people, the total has three main parts: the eye examination, the frame, and the prescription lenses. These parts are connected, but they are not interchangeable.
An eye examination establishes whether glasses are needed or whether your prescription has changed. A frame is the part you wear and fit to your face. The lenses are made to the prescription, and the visual task is discussed with the optometrist. The HPCSA for Optometrists notes that a prescription should be explained together with the type of lenses recommended.
The final quotation may change after the examination or during frame and lens selection, because the prescription and the chosen frame can affect which lens options are appropriate. That is a reason to ask for the quotation after the relevant choices have been discussed, not a reason to feel rushed.
Why does the frame affect the quotation?
Frames vary in material, construction, brand, size, and design. The best choice is not automatically the most expensive one. It needs to sit comfortably, suit the intended use, and work with the lens choice.
Frame shape and size can matter when lenses are made. Public guidance from Look After Your Eyes explains that lens thickness and weight can be influenced by a person’s prescription, lens material, frame size and shape, and measurements such as the distance between the pupils. Discuss both frame comfort and how it will work with the lenses.
If you are working to a budget, say so early. It is easier to compare suitable frames while you have a clear view of the likely lens requirements than after you have chosen a frame solely on appearance.
What makes prescription-lens costs different?
Lenses are made for the prescription and the way you need to use your glasses. Our optometrists will explain why a particular lens type is being suggested and what it is intended to help with.
Several factors can affect a lens quotation:
- The prescription itself and whether the lenses need a particular design;
- The lens material, thickness, or weight that may be suitable for the prescription and frame;
- The frame size and shape;
- Fitting and dispensing measurements; and
- Lens treatments or features are discussed for a particular visual need or lifestyle.
Treatments and features will be explained in plain language by our optometrists. They will explain what each one does, whether it is recommended for your circumstances, and what changes if you choose not to include it.
Should you choose extra lens features straight away?
Not necessarily. A feature may suit regular driving, outdoor time, screen work, or a particular occupation, while another person may prefer a simpler option. Ask: “What problem is this intended to solve for me?”
Ask for the practical benefit, trade-off, and cost difference. It is also reasonable to ask whether an option is a clinical recommendation, a comfort choice, or one of several suitable possibilities.
How can medical aid change what you pay?
Medical aid can be helpful, but it is not a single standard glasses benefit. Your option, available benefits, scheme rules, limits, authorisation requirements, and the timing of your last claim can all matter. The Council for Medical Schemes publishes approved benefit options and reminds members to understand the rules and benefits of their particular scheme.
Before approving a quotation, ask what the practice can check and what you should confirm with your scheme. A benefit check can show available information at that point; it is not a promise that every item will be paid in full. You may still have an amount to pay yourself, depending on the scheme’s rules and the final claim.
At Pierre van Ryneveld Optometrist, cash and medical-aid options are accepted. The practice can contact a patient’s medical aid to confirm available benefits, and the quotation is discussed in detail before submission. No price, benefit, or payment outcome should be assumed until the current quotation and benefit information have been checked.
What should a clear glasses quotation show?
A good quotation lets you see what you are comparing. Before you decide, ask for a clear breakdown and make sure you understand which choices have been included.
Useful questions include:
- Is the eye examination shown separately from the glasses?
- Which frame has been included?
- What lens type and material have been quoted?
- Which lens treatments or features are included, and why?
- Has the quotation allowed for the selected frame and dispensing measurements?
- What medical-aid benefit information has been checked, if applicable?
- Is there an expected amount that I may need to pay myself?
You do not need to know the technical names before asking. If anything in a quote is unclear, ask for it to be explained before authorising it.
How can you plan without choosing on price alone?
Start with the purpose of the glasses. Are they for everyday distance vision, reading, computer work, driving, a spare pair, or a specific activity? Then explain what matters most to you: comfort, durability, weight, appearance, a particular task, or a firm budget.
This helps our optometrists and dispensing team discuss suitable options in the right order. If you need time to consider the quote, take it.
For guidance on comparing care, fees, and quotations before you book, see our related article, How to Choose a Good Optometrist in Centurion. If you are due for an examination, What Happens During a Comprehensive Eye Examination? explains the usual process.
Request an eye examination and discuss your options clearly
Pierre van Ryneveld Optometrist is an independent, family-focused practice in Pierre van Ryneveld, Centurion. An eye examination normally takes about 30 minutes, with additional time needed for frame and lens dispensing. The exact sequence varies with your age, symptoms, history, and professional judgement.
To request an eye examination or ask about the quotation process, call 012 662 0188, WhatsApp 061 592 8356, or visit the practice at Shop 9, Ryneveld Lifestyle Centre, corner of Pieter Botha Street and Van Ryneveld Avenue, Pierre van Ryneveld, 0157. Tell the team if you would like medical-aid benefits checked or if you have a budget in mind before choosing frames and lenses.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no single price for new prescription glasses?
The total depends on the eye examination, selected frame, prescription lenses, and any suitable lens features. Your prescription, measurements, frame choice, and medical-aid position can all affect the final quotation. A current, itemised quote is more useful than a general estimate.
Does medical aid pay for new glasses?
It may contribute, but this depends on your individual scheme option, available benefit, and scheme rules. Ask for a benefit check and discuss the quotation before it is submitted. Do not assume a benefit check confirms full payment.
Can I choose a frame before my eye examination?
You can look at frames, but it is usually better to confirm the prescription and lens needs before making a final choice. Frame size and shape can affect how suitable lenses are made and fitted.
Are thinner or treated lenses always necessary?
No. Whether a lens material, design, or treatment is useful depends on your prescription, frame, and visual needs. Ask what the option is intended to do, its cost difference, and whether there are other suitable choices.
What should I bring when asking for a quotation?
Bring your current glasses if you have them, your medical-aid details if relevant, and any questions about the tasks your glasses need to support. Be clear about your budget and priorities so the discussion can focus on suitable options.
This article provides general eye-health information and does not replace an eye examination or individual medical advice. If you are concerned about your vision or eye health, consult an appropriately registered healthcare professional.
