Pearle Vision vs LensCrafters vs Visionworks

LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, and Visionworks are franchises that provide quick, affordable eye care.

Each location offers vision exams and a wide range of eyewear products, including frames, prescription lenses, contact lenses, and sunglasses.

Although individual prices for products and services will vary depending on your location and your needs as a patient, all three of these chains accept major vision insurance plans and frequently offer promotions to help make eye care more affordable.

Find a full breakdown of products, services, and payment information for each franchise below.

LensCrafters vs. Pearle Vision vs. Visionworks

Services and Policies

LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, and Visionworks offer eye exam services.

Even if you have perfect vision, eye exams are a part of routine health care and are covered under many vision insurance policies.

Routine checkups can help alert you to eye health issues like glaucoma and cataracts before they become a problem.^[1]

LensCrafters

• Services:
  • Assessment by a doctor of optometry using the latest technology^[2]
  • Eye exams for both adults and children^[2]
  • Custom-crafted prescription eyeglasses^[2]
• Return policy: 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee; allows returns of eyewear in its original condition, whether purchased in-store or online^[2]

Pearle Vision

• Services:
  • Works with Independent Doctors of Optometric Care, a nationwide network of qualified eye-care professionals^[3]
  • Exams for adults and children^[4]
  • State-of-the-art OptoMap system for retinal scans without dilation^[4]
  • Eyeglass and contact lens fitting available in-store^[4]
• Return policy: 30-Day Complete Satisfaction Guarantee offers repair or exchange up to 30 days after your purchase for free; doesn’t cover accidental damage, scratches, or breakage^[5]

Visionworks

• Services:
  • Works with Independent Doctors of Optometric Care^[3]
  • Utilizes high-quality digital imaging without dilation^[6][7]
  • Offers exams for adults and children^[8]
  • Offers walk-in service^[7]
• Return policy: 100-Day Guarantee offers an exchange or a refund within 100 days of the original purchase date^[8]

Lenses

LensCrafters

LensCrafters creates custom lenses from CR-39 plastic, polycarbonate, and high-index plastic.

A few of the most common types of lenses it offers include:^[9]

• Bifocal lenses
• Progressive or no-line bifocal lenses
• Single-vision lenses
• Trifocal lenses

LensCrafters also offers a range of lens features and enhancements, such as scratch-resistant coatings, digital eyestrain reduction technology, and more.^[9]

Pearle Vision

Pearle Vision has a variety of proprietary Pearlethin lenses with optional features such as an anti-reflective coating, eyestrain reduction, and more.

It also offers:^[10]

• High-definition lenses
• Plastic lenses
• Polarized lenses
• Polycarbonate lenses
• Transitions lenses

Visionworks

Visionworks creates hand-crafted lenses from a variety of high-quality materials, including polycarbonate, plastic, and high index.

A few of the most common types of lenses it offers are:^[11]

• Multifocal lenses
• No-line bifocal lenses
• Plano lenses
• Single-vision lenses

You can choose lens enhancements like scratch-resistant coating, mirror coating, and ultraviolet treatment.^[11]

Frames

LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, and Visionworks all carry frames from a number of stylish brands. Here’s how the stores compare:

You can filter by gender, face shape, style, color, and price when browsing LensCrafters’ frames online.

Eyewear brands available from Pearle Vision are listed online as well.

And you can search Visionworks’ frames online, and filter by gender, brand, style, face shape, and more.

Contacts

LensCrafters

From daily disposables to reusable models designed to be worn for up to two weeks, LensCrafters carries contact lenses for a variety of eye health needs.

Some of the contact lens brands offered by LensCrafters include:^[12]

• ACUVUE
• AIR OPTIX
• Biofinity
• SofLens
• DAILIES
• Proclear

Pearle Vision

Pearle Vision offers a range of contact lenses that vary by location.^[13] See your nearest Pearle Vision for full details.

Visionworks

Visionworks has a selection of daily, two-week, monthly, and color contact lenses.

Some of the contact lens brands offered by Visionworks include:^[14]

• ACUVUE
• AIR OPTIX
• AquaTech
• DAILIES
• Proclear
• PureVision

Insurance and Discounts

Although the cost of an eye exam, a pair of glasses, or a contact fitting will depend on your eye health and location, LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, and Visionworks all provide affordable self-pay options and accept most major vision insurance plans.

Each store also offers occasional promotions to help you save money on lenses, frames, and exams.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of insurance plans that are generally accepted at each store (though note that eligibility will vary depending on your location and coverage details):

LensCrafters

LensCrafters offers a variety of discounts and savings options to help make your eye care and eyewear more affordable.

For instance, AARP and AAA members get access to a variety of exclusive deals, such as 50% off eyeglass lenses, 30% off frames, and 10% off contact lenses.^[15][16]

LensCrafters also offers a store credit card, with no interest if paid off within six or 12 months (depending on your creditworthiness).^[17]

While current deals and promotions change frequently, you can find the latest information on the offers page on the LensCrafters website.

In addition, LensCrafters may accept insurance plans not listed above. For full details, visit the LensCrafters website or contact your local branch.

Pearle Vision

Pearle Vision has rotating promotions and coupons that you can find by visiting the Pearle Vision website.

For instance, at the time of writing, Pearle Vision was offering 40% off the price of lenses with the purchase of frames, 40% off your second pair of glasses, and 15% off the purchase of a 12-month supply of contacts.

Pearle Vision may accept insurance plans not listed in the table above. For full details, including a co-pay breakdown for EyeMed patients, visit the Pearle Vision website or contact your local branch.

Visionworks

Visionworks regularly features special offers like “buy one, get one free” on complete pairs of glasses or 40% off one complete pair of glasses (at the time of writing).^[18]

Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Health Care plans may also be accepted at your local Visionworks. For full details, visit the Visionworks website or contact your local branch.

See our related research for information about eye exams at BJ’s Wholesale Clubs.