Back to School: Prescription Eyeglass Deals

You’ve already shelled out a chunk of money to get your kids ready for school--new clothes, backpacks, basic supplies, and payments for sports and other extra-curricular activities.

An important area that shouldn’t be overlooked is a good eye exam and new glasses. Vision can change quickly in growing kids.

Pearle Vision Center recommends that you watch for the following in your children:

• Rubbing of the eyes
• Frequent headaches
• Squinting
• Holding objects or books unusually close or far away
• Excessive blinking
• Favoring one eye by covering it or turning their head
• Eyes that are not aligned or are not working together
• Red, swollen or encrusted eyes
• Recurring sties or infections on eyelids

Some vision centers offer back-to-school specials, while others simply have low prices on kids’ glasses all year. Here’s a roundup:

J. C. Penney: $29 for a complete pair of glasses. Back to School special, ages 16 and under. Offer expires 9/15/2015.

Sears: $39.99 for a complete pair of glasses. Back to School special, ages 17 and under. Lens enhancements cost extra. Offer ends 9/12/2015. Void in La Jolla and El Cajon.

WalMart: $58 for frames and lenses including anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, impact resistant. Comes with a one year warranty. No coupon necessary.

Costco: $15 off coupon in the current circular. The company has a policy against providing prices as they change frequently.

LensCrafters: 50% off kids eyeglasses. Fine print: “Requires purchase of a frame and FeatherWates Plus, Complete, Invisibles, Polarized, Reactint, or Transitions lenses for children age 12 and under.” Consumer Reports warns that LensCrafters frames can be very expensive. On the plus side, same day service is frequently offered.

Pearle Vision: Free lenses for kids when purchasing a complete pair of glasses. Offer expires 10/3/2015. No coupon needed.

Target: Lenses cost $25 with the purchase of frames. Best selling frames cost $69 - $99.

• Related:
• Back to School: 5 Tips for Packing a Nutritious Lunch
• Ticket Involving a School Bus Could Cost You $695
• Does School Start Too Early?
• How Do California Schools Rank Compare to the Rest of the Nation?

--Photo via Morgue File