Average Cost of Spectacles in Singapore

How much do spectacles cost in Singapore? Here's your guide to spectacles prices in Singapore.

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How much does it cost to do glasses in Singapore

What's the market average, and how much should you be paying? Check out our reference guide!

Glasses used to be sold ala-carte, i.e. you add the frame and lens prices together. As an article by TheSmartLocal noted, "frames can cost as much as $300, and most of the time, these don’t include lenses".

But gone are those days! Now you have a choice - glasses packages that include the necessary basics at one flat price, or ala-carte your way with atas lens options.

If you're looking for progressive lens prices, scroll down towards the bottom of this article.

Package Glasses Prices - Simple, easy, transparent pricing!

Under $50 - Very Budget

You can usually find sub-$50 glasses by going online. These usually have a smaller range of prescriptions available, with various top ups necessary. Shops based overseas typically have a longer waiting time. Some of the frames used in this price range could be 'fashion-stock' meant for the night markets or street vendors. Another way to lower cost is to put as much of the fulfillment in a country where it's cheaper, i.e. your order is fulfilled overseas.

$50 to $100 - Acceptable

In this price range, you will be able to find reasonably decent glasses in some neighbourhood shops - especially those that focus less on branded goods. Look out for good plastic frames, like those made of TR90 material which is flexible and lightweight, making it durable and comfortable to wear. New generation optical shops (like Otago Optical) have pretty decent glasses at this price range, inclusive of multicoated lenses, and a wide selection of styles to choose from too!

$101 to $200 - Best Value

This range is where you will find the best value - the perfect balance between price and quality. Most shops, including the larger chain stores would typically stock glasses that are in this price bracket, although the selection may not be huge. Going to a less expensive store, you should be able to find decent titanium alloy frames, as well as some more unique materials like polyetherimide (also known as PEI or ultem) that can offer excellent flexibility and material memory, making it good for those of us who tend to abuse our glasses a bit more. Shops in malls including the fast retailing chains tend to start with a base price in this range, with add-ons on the lenses potentially making the cost go up significantly.

Above $200 - Premium

Here is where you can find premium products, such as branded frames and branded lenses. While not common, there are shops that package such branded products together to give a simple pricing, making it easy for the consumer. We find that these tend to be the fashion brands, with the truly designer brands being sold ala-carte. Note that there is a huge range of brands available, and there can be different product ranges within a brand itself, so if you're comparing prices, keep this in mind.

Ala-Carte Prices for Frames

Typically, for frames, expect to pay about $150 ala carte for a popular high-street brand, and $400 or more for a designer handmade brand that has less supply and may only be available at a small handful of select stores. Limited edition frames can go up to $1000 or even more.

Unbranded frames are typically cheaper, starting anywhere from about $20 per frame to about $200 or so. At this end of the market, the pricing often is a reflection of the cost to produce the frame (of course, excluding the shops that exist to intentionally overcharge and chop unwary consumers). Some designs, materials, or manufacturing processes are more costly, producing unique designs in smaller quantities will result in a higher cost, and so on.

Check out this article on why some frames cost more to manufacture.

Frames that are designed locally, or made with quality-first in mind in order to match with good branded frames, would fall on the higher end of the scale.

Some frames are licensed with a brand, i.e. the supplier or distributor has bought the license to use the brand on the frame. Depending on the popularity and value of the brand, the frame can be as cheap as a normal unbranded frame, or as much as a designer glasses.

Ala-Carte Prices for Lenses

For lenses, expect to fork out about $140 and above for basic lenses by the major premium brands (the Big 3 - your Crizal, Hoya, Zeiss). These lenses can run up to well over $1000 depending on the lens type and features.

As a general rule, 'stock lenses' which are pre-made and are more commonly used tend to be cheaper, while 'rx lenses' which are made-to-order are more expensive. 'Rx lenses' are there to meet all you folks who have high astigmatism or degree, or expect some additional features, say if you want the lenses to be compensated for the specific frame and wearing position on your face.

For unbranded lenses, our research has shown the typical price of ala-carte prescriptive lenses in Singapore:

​Multicoated Lenses with UV Protection
​1.50	$50 to $70
1.56	$50 to $90
1.60	$90 to $140
1.67	$150 to $200
1.74	$250 to $450

(Last updated May 2024)

Prices vary as different businesses have different concepts - some offer a low price for a certain index lens, but have a very limited prescription range, hence the user ends up having to upgrade the index. Some stores may charge the same whether you do just the lenses, or the glasses as a package (i.e. free frame).

We also note that some shops have absurdly low prices, especially for the higher index lenses. Use caution. The prices we have listed are based on what we believe are legit and authentic.

Also check out the article on the thickness of your lenses VS the index. There are many other factors to consider - thickness isn't always just about lens index!

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1-for-1, Trade-In, Second-Pair Half-Price Promotions

Some optical stores frequently run promotions, or have memberships that can you can sign up for, in order to get a better price. In this case, you would have to monitor the on-going sale mechanics to score the best deal and avoid buying it when prices are high. Also note the terms and conditions that have to be fulfilled for the promotion, and any minimum spending required.

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Prescription Ranges and Higher Powers or High Astigmatism Lenses

For package glasses, most good shops would keep a range of about +400 to -600. This means 400 degrees of hyperopia/presbyopia and 600 degrees of myopia. Astigmatism would be -200 and under.

For the cheaper price points, the range is usually smaller, e.g. +200 to -400, with additional top-up required if you fall outside the range.

For Otago Optical, as at this writing, we keep a range of +400 to -800, astigmatism up to 200. This covers the large majority of spectacle wearers we see.

High astigmatism, i.e. above 200 degrees, will usually cost more, as they are not typically kept in stock, and the store would either have to order from a lab that keeps stock, or have it made-to-order. These also usually take more time - which is why if you have a higher astigmatism, it's best to have a spare pair of glasses.

High astigmatism lenses can cost as little as $30 more, or up to $100 and more, depending on the specifics of lenses you are ordering, i.e. are they high-index, do you need photochromic function, etc.

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How much do progressive lenses cost in Singapore?

$200 to $2000, depending on the specific requirements and features the lenses offer.

While there are lenses going for under $100, those are rare. There are stock progressive lenses that are pre-made with common prescriptions, and are simply cut to fit the frame - just like how we can cut single vision lenses on the spot so customers are able to collect their glasses within a short period of time. Some of these stock progressive lenses do not come with astigmatism, and they have limited parameters. Of course, these are not customisable.

A decent pair of progressive lenses should cost about $200 and up. This should include the multicoating, which gives you the anti-reflective (AR) coating as well as the ultra-violet (UV) blocking feature. Add on a frame and you should be paying in the high $200 to mid $300 range.

We wrote an article about why you shouldn't spend over your budget for progressive lenses.

Branded lenses typically start from $350 for the budget range, all the way up to $2000 for the most individualised range with add-ons.

The final price depends on:

- what index, i.e. how thin you want the lenses to be, if you have a higher prescription

- what functions you want, e.g. photochromic, blue/violet light blocking

- the design of the lenses - think wider corridor or usable space with less distortion

- how personalised the lenses are to your needs

- if the lenses are branded

Since most good progressive lenses are made-to-order, high astigmatism isn't an issue, i.e. typically shops do not charge extra for it. However, expect to pay more for high-index lenses if your prescription is higher, and also any fancy add-ons like blue or violet light blocking, photochromic (photosensitive) function, and so on.

There can be quite a significant difference between unbranded and branded lenses here. Fast-retailing and newer 'package pricing' stores tend to have an add-on price for functions like photochromic or violet light blocking, which is about $100 or so, while for branded lenses some these additional functions can cost an additional $200 or more. The price premium could be worth it in some cases, which depends on your expectations, and also as some brands are well-known for certain functions or features.

Office lenses work similar to progressive lenses, but additional inputs are done in order to customise the prescriptions and usage areas, in order to make it individualised for the wearer's workspace. For instance, office lenses can be made to work for both near objects at 35cm at the downward gaze, and up to 1metre in the straight gaze which would make it suitable for desktop computer work as well. These usually cost about the same as a progressive lens, or sometimes a little more, due to the additional time it takes to personalise the lenses for the wearer.

The important thing to note for progressives is: There is no one-size-fits-all. It requires a good balance between your expectations and needs in terms of your lifestyle and visual requirements, your budget, while also considering other factors like the frame type, if you have other glasses (e.g. single vision reading glasses), and so on.

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How much should you spend for progressives, and why not to go over your budget

Read this before buying progressives, multifocals, varifocal lenses!

Inspired to write this after seeing one too many customers coming in with progressives they've done somewhere at some amazing low price, that turned out to be single vision reading glasses (huh!), or with no knowledge of how to actually use the progressives.

Why you should not spend more than your budget for progressives, and how much you should be spending:

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The Market Price

How much do you think progressive lenses should cost? If you've asked around, chances are your family, friends, or colleagues would have given you a widely varying number - from $200 to $2000, with a smaller percentage of folks going below $200, or above $2000.

First things first - be cautious about getting lenses under $200. It's easy to be enticed by low-priced offers - we've seen progressive lenses with frame going for quite a bit under $150, some even under $100, together with various features and claims - but you've gotta look at the bigger picture and be realistic.

We like to tell new progressive wearers that they should budget 200 plus to 300 plus bucks for their progressive glasses - at least. This is a good range to work with, for a decent but basic pair of progressives without all the bells and whistles.

Without all the bells and whistles, because not putting in additional features lowers the risk in the event that it doesn't work out for you, and also helps with expectations too -- not going over budget is important, more about this later.

The fast-retailing stores which are known to provide affordable options generally go well above $200 for their progressive options, and in more recent times, the big lens brands have released budget ranges for progressive lenses, but they are still well over $300 - note that these are made to target wearers who just want the most basic stuff.

That should convince you what the reasonable market price is - $200 plus plus and above.

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What You Also Pay For

We all know there's a link between price and quality. But besides that;

When you buy a pair of progressive glasses, you are also paying for the practitioner to advise you on how to use it, the pros and cons, and to customise the lenses according to your visual requirements, lifestyle, and habits.

Yes, we earn your money in return for that! Reality of business - we need to pay rent, labour, and everything else right?

Guess what happens when you pay some super low price and the business earns peanuts? Go look at the start of this article on the inspiration for this blog post.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are places you can charge your phone, sip a cup of tea, and choose your frame. Not surprisingly, the customers there pay a premium for the additional service.

So, find a practice that best suits what you want! Here, we like to balance things out, to give you decent stuff at a reasonable price, in a simple setting. Therefore, no el cheapo single-vision "progressives", and no free-range truffle-infused gold-foil eco-friendly coffee either.

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Expectations

Why is a progressives budget starting from $200+ important?

We have noticed that when people spend over their budget, they tend to have very much higher expectations, some of which cannot be fulfilled by the progressive lenses.

If someone wanted to spend $120 for their progressives, and ended up spending double of that, they would end up expecting a lot from it.

(P.S. the converse can be true too - someone who spent $1000 on their previous progressives may be positively surprised at how well a $300 progressive lens performs, although there can also be wearers that base their experience solely by the money they pay, i.e. $300 must be crap if I used to spend $1000 and above.)

Unfortunately, there's nothing very 'wow' about getting progressives and the lens can't go the extra mile for you just because you've paid 100% more than what you intended to spend. It cannot magically adjust the power to whatever you're seeing, or come with night-vision like some futuristic action movie.

Yeah nah, it's still going to be a pair of lenses that have multiple prescriptions within them, to correct your distant and near vision. That's it - that is what progressive lenses are!

When you overspend, the lenses will not meet your increased expectations. You'll end up an unhappy buyer.

So,

- Have a reasonable budget within the market range (no peanuts),

- Find a store that works within your budget.

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Frame Choice

Frame choice is also an important factor. When your budget is very limited, you also limit yourself to a smaller range of suitable frames, which, after choosing the styles that you like, you may end up with less-than-ideal frames.

The ideal frame should be lightweight, comfortable, come with nosepads if you have a less-prominent nosebridge, that is suitably large in size from top to bottom, not excessively curved, and provide a reasonably snug fit. Since you'll likely be using the pair of progressive glasses all day, we also prefer it to be durable.

We sometimes also take into consideration your existing pair of glasses - for instance if you are used to wearing thinner, minimalist metal frames, then using a thick plastic frame might give a very much different feel, potentially making it more difficult to adapt to the progressives which is also something new and different.

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Set a reasonable budget, know what you're looking for, and you'll be a happy buyer.

Now you know a little more, go check out our Shop, or read more interesting articles in our Blog.

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More Articles

Glasses and Prices

From factory to you: Why some spectacles cost more than others, what goes into making your glasses, and what optical stores consider when filling their shelves with frames.

You could get a pair of glasses online for under $10. Our glasses package starts at $60. A mall store may offer theirs upwards of $300. Why the difference? Besides the better-known reasons like rental costs differences and higher cost of branded products, we explore what makes some products cost more (or less).

Click to skip to:

[ The slippery slope of pricing ]

[ Gimmicky pricing ]

[ Same same but different - the little hidden intricacies of a more expensive frame ]

[ Optical frames VS fashion frames ]

[ Conclusion ]

Optical Store Prices

The Inspiration

If you’re someone who diligently checks the prices or searches around in order to find the best value, this article is for you! Or if you are looking for a bedtime story, I guess this is also for you, since it’s quite a detailed post.

We were inspired to write this as we had a customer who texted us about how another store was selling ‘the exact same’ product at ‘half the price’. So we sent someone down to buy a few frames. Plot twist: it isn’t the same product – expectedly – and the price came with conditions that had to be met (the gimmicky stuff, you know).

People who don’t see the value in a product often would then find other issues to justify the ‘bad purchase’. Which leads to the customer being dissatisfied – something we try very much to avoid. We want people to be happy with their purchases here.

So we decided to write this, to better explain optical store pricing strategies and answer the question “why do some glasses cost more than others”, and to better help people compare not just the prices, but the value of what they have purchased or are intending to buy.

Is it branded?

Branded eyewear come with a brand premium – and that’s fair, since brand owners and suppliers have to fork out a sum to get the brand to where it is today, such as getting products featured on fashion runways, collaborations with celebrities, and so on. You get the prestige of the brand when you buy such a product.

We focus on quality non-branded frames simply because it has a better value proposition for the customers we are serving. This is something we focus a lot on, and what we are known for as reviewed by trusted websites. Pairing the most common lenses to the frame into a complete glasses package simplifies the buying process for the large majority of spectacle wearers, although we also carry branded lenses. Hence, a titanium frame with multicoated lenses that come with UV protection can go at the 100-plus dollar range – a fraction of the price you’ll pay at large chain stores selling branded goods.

While it’s easy to see the proposition here, the problem with non-branded frames is that there is no ‘price-anchor’. We can estimate how much a Masunaga frame paired with Hoya lenses might cost, but what about an ultem material frame that is lightweight and flexible, paired with basic multicoated lenses that provide UV protection?

And this means that any optical shop selling ‘unbranded eyewear packages’ can be deemed cheap...or expensive. It’s all a matter of perception, depending on what one is comparing to.

The slippery slope of pricing

If we only looked at and compared prices, it’s a slope all the way down, and it never ends.

You see a package deal, let’s say at Otago Optical, offering a complete pair of glasses at $90. This includes the frame and lenses. But hey, what if you got yourself a frame from another shop at $35, and then do the lenses at another shop for maybe $50 – wouldn’t you then save $5?

Oh wait, but somewhere is offering $30 for the whole set of glasses if you buy 3 sets at a go – but do you need three pairs of glasses? How about sharing with a friend? But is your friend within the prescription range of the offer? And what about that other store offering a trade-in discount – should you sacrifice your current glasses for that $50 off?

But dang, you then see a similar frame on Shopee or Lazada for half the price! It takes a little longer to arrive, but maybe it’s worth the try? Are you gonna take the plunge?

Making your choices more difficult is the wide variety of frames available; unlike more comparable goods like contact lenses and brand-name sunglasses that can easily be compared.

No two frames are the same

Usually!

Going back to one of our customer’s feedback about the exact same product being sold at half price, some frames can look similar, but it’s a case of same same but different. We will elaborate about this further down the article (click here to jump there).

That being said, it is not impossible that an exact same product can have widely varying prices. Some optical shops may choose to focus on a niche area, and that can drive prices up or down.

For instance, a shop specialising in myopia control with various equipment to test and monitor myopia progression as well as a full-time optometrist to attend to patients would naturally charge more compared to a shop with a very basic set up, even though they may be selling the same lens. The premium can also be charged into the prices of the frames.

On the other hand, an optical shop in a neighbourhood area specialising in cheap reading glasses would, expectedly, sell cheap reading glasses, perhaps in larger volumes by having a 2-for-1 offer. Since they sell in larger volumes, they may be able to drive costs (and thus retail prices) down.

More price strategies

The use of gimmicks isn’t uncommon in the retail industry either – besides the typical offer when you get more than one pair of glasses, there are also trade-in offers, frame at a low price with purchase of lenses and vice versa, bring-a-friend discounts, memberships, coupons, and so on.

Such pricing systems are usually complicated, leading to some consumers paying much less, and others paying much more. We don’t like these because it leads to a more difficult buying process for the customer, and ‘punishes’ those who do not ‘follow the offer’ - such as if you just want one pair of glasses instead of two, or if you prefer to keep your current glasses rather than trade it in. Or if you just don't want to download an app to redeem the offer.

What goes into the cost of a pair of glasses?

Understanding what goes into making a pair of glasses may make you think twice about the price levels of spectacles these days.

The journey of the frame to you

We only elaborate on frames, as lens options tends to be more clear-cut (branded VS non-branded, sorted by functions).

The manufacturing of a spectacle frame starts out as a design – taking into account factors like the styles that are trendy or are in demand, the intended market, as well as the material properties versus the design. For example, if we wanted a thinner style, we might use a stiffer material to ensure that it fits well if the design is more sporty looking, as it is more likely that the end consumer will correspondingly lead a more sporty lifestyle.

The advancement of technology, especially in 3D drawing and 3D printing, has allowed processes to be more efficient, as designs can be more easily visualised, and test-printed so we can ‘have a feel’ of it.

For the production, there is a need to source for and compare materials and parts, as well as to consider the processes required, such surface treatment of metals. A test run may be done, with quality checks and testing, such as whether the materials and functionality are performing up to standard, and to identify and correct any potential issues or flaws.

Throughout the production, manpower requirements are intensive, hence the management of manpower is essential, together with the logistics of getting everything in order, at the right time.

Even after the frames arrive at the retailer, less damages and parcels lost in transit (yes, these are a thing for us too), manpower and expertise is needed to get images of the products online, e.g. onto a website, like what we do for Otago Optical – listing all our styles online for consumers to browse at their convenience.

You’ll realise through the above, that spectacle frames aren’t just pieces of metal and plastic. While the raw materials can cost just a few dollars, the entire process can multiply that initial cost very quickly.

Same same but different

Let us also explore the little intricacies of options on an optical frame that would increase or decrease the manufacturing cost:

Single turn nosepads-arm (left) VS double turn nosepads-arm (right).

To bend the metal rod once takes half the time. Double turn nosepads give a larger leeway for adjustments.

Drill and put a pointed-tip tapping screw directly (left) VS drill a hole, thread the hole, and put in a flat-tip screw (right).

Triple the timing!

From left to right: Basic easily-spoilt plastic nosepads VS silicone-wrapped plastic nosepads VS metal-core nosepads VS silicone-wrapped metal-core nosepads

There are even full-metal nosepads. It's all about the cost!

Direct/exposed screw (right) VS hidden/recessed screw.

Better aesthetics, but an extra step to drill the recess.

Thinner rims (left) VS thicker rims (right).

Using a lighter material (such as titanium) means that a thicker design can be achieved without making the frame excessively heavy.

The use of better materials or ion-plating a protective layer onto the metal surface can help resist corrosion and colour changes (left) and removes the need to use a plastic-sleeve design (right), the former being more aesthetically appealing for certain frame designs that aim to look sleek/professional/office style.

These are the little secrets that consumers are often not aware of.

But do take caution not to simply base the value of a frame on just one of the factors above. We often have to find ways to bring costs down to the budgeted level, or work around a less-easily available size of screw at the time of production. Hence, an expensive-looking nosepad does not mean the frame is good, and a plastic sleeve does not mean the frame is bad - it could just be to match the overall look and feel of the frame too. Look at the frame as a whole instead.

There can also be ways to keep within expected costs without compomising on quality - such as by intentionally limiting colour options, usually to the popular choices, or using the same type of arms on different fronts, to produce multiple designs. These help to drive economics of scale.

There is a delicate balance of cost VS the final product – one little detail or decision can determine if the final costs exceed the budgeted amount, or if a series is produced that isn't up to the quality expectations.

Different business, different stock

So, seeing the above, we realise that while some frames can look the same, the manufacturing can be very much different. There will be some shops that sell similar styles at lower prices, just like how I have styles that look very similar to what others offer, but at half the price. This isn’t something new and shouldn’t be unexpected.

It all boils down to each individual store’s pricing and stock strategy, if they want to focus on a niche area, and so on, as we have also mentioned earlier in this article.

Optical Frames VS Fashion Frames

A spectacles frame that goes through the full process from design to retail can cost significantly more than a frame that is a ‘balance stock’ from a large distributor’s million-piece order that is targeted at night market consumers. Some of these balance stock are sold at or even below cost, since the profits have already been made from the initial large sale.

Frames that are properly designed and made for optical shops go through stricter manufacturing processes and have better quality – needless to say that this is because the frames are meant for every day use, are sold at a premium compared to ‘night market’ stock, and need to go through the glazing/edging process of fitting lenses, etc. This is also due to the majority of consumers who want frames that are lightweight, flexible, comfortable, etc.

Getting What The Consumer Wants

The prices can also differ depending on what the shop specialises in. For instance, our consumers come from all age groups, and hence we do have a decent volume of progressive lenses. As we are closer to the city centre, we have the ‘office-crowd’ segment who tend to look for better quality frames such as lightweight titanium frames, with a more modest design. We also have a younger crowd who are used to browsing online before making a purchase. Thus, we are able to offer a lower price on these better quality frames as well as progressive lenses, and stock more designs that cater to these segments.

If one were to open an optical business in Tekong, surely no one would be able to win them on their pricing for black-coloured plastic frames, a.k.a. NS glasses. Wouldn’t be stocking the thin minimalist ‘korean-style’ frames in that case!

Pricing Strategies

There can be various methods of pricing and selling. We work with a standard glasses package with the most-demanded lens options as add-ons, and an ala-carte style for all the other lens options. Some shops choose to price either the frame or lens higher, and the other lower. This can cause a big difference in prices when a consumer compares an individual product between shops (e.g. the frame but not the lens).

In addition, some online stores may fulfil the order through partner shops, while others fulfil the order from their overseas factory. This brings about a few disadvantages for the consumer, which is difficult to put an amount of cost on, making it pointless to compare prices. How much are the disadvantages worth to each individual?

Bigger Players Advantage

Some optical shops and brands, especially bigger players who are able to purchase at large volumes or shops that belong to a group, can shorten the supply chain or even own the supply chain itself. This, unsurprisingly, can reduce costs significantly. Larger volumes can bring about savings in efficiency in not just manufacturing but also logistics. This is a factor that a small optical store would find difficult to compete in.

Bigger players often would have less wastage of stock that eventually does not get sold, as they are able to move stock between outlets (noting that they may also have outlets serving different segments of the market under different brand names). Smaller shops, like us, have to be more prudent when ordering stock, in order to keep prices low for consumers.

Conclusion – What This Means For You, The Consumer

While this article just scrapes the surface about how an optical store functions, it is clear that ultimately, you get what you pay for – which is why you should avoid dirt-cheap pasar malam glasses, unless you're just getting it for a cosplay event.

Optical shops in Singapore will always have a minimum cost that is needed to cover overheads like rental, utilities, manpower, machinery, and so on. Deduct that from the retail prices and you’ll know how many dollars go into manufacturing your glasses, and from there you can estimate the quality.

Also, it should be quite clear that price comparisons may not serve much purpose. Look at the value instead – what are you getting for how much you fork out in terms of money, time, and effort.

Most importantly;

Buy happy, don’t lose sleep over it, and enjoy life.

Ciao!