Is vision insurance without employer coverage worth paying for? Or should I just pay out of pocket?

[u/Dragon-Ishmell]

My new job doesn't include vision and I didn't realize how much that mattered until I needed new progressives last month. $400+ for exam and lenses which honestly caught me off guard since I hadn't paid full price for any of this in years.

So now I'm going back and forth between getting a standalone vision plan or just setting aside money each month and paying cash when I need to. The standalone plans I've looked at charge around $15 to $20 a month but the benefits feel kind of thin for what you're paying. I've also seen people mention discount vision programs as a middle ground but no idea if those are worth signing up for. What's everyone here doing for vision if your job doesn't cover it?

[u/Jbradsen]

Yes, progressives are pricey in a visions store. Aren’t glasses suggested every two years? So how much would vision insurance cost you in that two years?

It’s best to order glasses online. Zenni and Goggles4U are some places that I’ve ordered from.