By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
A complete pair of glasses in Singapore, frame plus single-vision lenses, starts from about S$40 to S$100 at budget chains, with progressive lenses, blue-light coatings and photochromic lenses adding from about S$100 to S$300 or more. Contact lenses are an ongoing cost that depends on the type and how often you replace them. LASIK at the Singapore National Eye Centre costs S$1,940.20 per eye with a named consultant, as of August 2026, including follow-ups and any enhancement within a year; SMILE costs S$2,384.92 per eye. SNEC says LASIK is treated as cosmetic, so MediSave cannot be used. You need to be at least 21 with a prescription that has been stable for 18 months.
Seeing clearly is worth every dollar. The trick is paying for what your eyes need, not for what the shop suggests.
Quick facts
- Budget glasses: from about S$40 to S$98 complete at chains, as of 2026.
- Eye test: often free with a purchase; a comprehensive clinical eye exam costs more.
- LASIK at SNEC: S$1,940.20 per eye (named consultant) or S$2,049.20 (named senior consultant).
- Before LASIK: a suitability assessment from S$114.45 plus a pre-operative consultation.
- Eligibility: aged 21 or above, prescription stable for at least 1.5 years, healthy eyes.
- MediSave: cannot be used for LASIK.
What glasses cost
Starting prices for a complete pair at some well-known chains, as compiled in January 2026. Shops change prices often, so treat these as a guide.
| Shop | From | What the price includes |
|---|---|---|
| Foptics | S$39.90 | Frame and 1.56 or 1.60 single-vision lenses |
| Eyecon Optical | S$54.80 | Frame from S$35 plus lenses from S$19.80 |
| New China Opticians | S$80 | Frame, prescription lenses and eye check |
| OWNDAYS | S$98 | Frame and high-index aspheric lenses, any power |
| Zoff | S$98 | Frame and standard lens set |
Where the bill climbs
- Progressive lenses for reading and distance in one pair: about S$100 extra at one chain, S$159.90 all-in at another.
- Blue-light and photochromic lenses: often S$200 to S$300 or more on top.
- High prescriptions: thinner, high-index lenses may cost extra at shops with tiered lens pricing.
- Designer frames: the frame alone can cost several hundred dollars.
Contact lenses
Daily disposables are the most hygienic and the dearest per year; monthly lenses cost less but need cleaning solution and careful care. Toric lenses for astigmatism and multifocal lenses cost more. Have lenses fitted by a registered optometrist, follow the replacement schedule, and never sleep in lenses unless they are made for it. Infections from poor lens care can cost far more than the lenses themselves.
LASIK and SMILE: the numbers
Fees at the SNEC Laser Vision Centre for Singapore Citizens, PRs and Work Permit holders; other pass holders pay a surcharge.
| Item | Named consultant | Named senior consultant |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK, per eye | S$1,940.20 | S$2,049.20 |
| SMILE, per eye | S$2,384.92 | S$2,493.92 |
| Pre-operative consultation | S$163.06 | Up to S$210.92 |
| LASIK suitability assessment | From S$114.45 | |
LASIK fees, current as of 24 August 2026, include post-operative reviews on the first day, first week and first month, and any enhancement within a year. The SMILE fee, listed from 1 March 2024, includes the first-day review and enhancement within two years if the surgeon recommends it.
A worked example
| LASIK, both eyes, named consultant | Cost |
|---|---|
| Suitability assessment | S$114.45 |
| Pre-operative consultation | S$163.06 |
| Surgery: 2 × S$1,940.20 | S$3,880.40 |
| Total | S$4,157.91 |
Set that against glasses: a S$98 pair replaced every two years comes to S$490 over ten years, before any contact lenses or prescription sunglasses. LASIK rarely wins on cost alone; it wins on convenience, sport and travel. Many people still need reading glasses in their 40s and beyond.
The WahLiao Verdict
Get a proper eye check every year or two, buy a well-made pair of glasses at a sensible price, and only pay for lens upgrades you will notice. Consider LASIK or SMILE once your prescription has been stable for at least 18 months and you have weighed the benefits with an eye surgeon, not a salesperson. Budget about S$4,200 for LASIK on both eyes at SNEC, and check whether your employer’s benefits cover any optical costs.
Questions people ask
Can I use MediSave for LASIK?
No. SNEC states that LASIK is considered cosmetic, so MediSave cannot be used. Instalment plans are available through its payment partners.
How old must I be for LASIK?
At least 21 at SNEC, with a prescription that has been stable for at least 1.5 years and no significant eye disease.
Is the eye test free?
Many optical shops include a basic eye test when you buy glasses. A comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or eye doctor is charged separately.
LASIK or SMILE?
Both correct short-sightedness with a laser. SMILE uses a smaller incision and costs more at SNEC. Your surgeon will advise which suits your eyes after the assessment.
Sources: Singapore National Eye Centre, LASIK fees; Singapore National Eye Centre, SMILE fees; Singapore National Eye Centre, refractive surgery FAQs, eligibility and MediSave; The MoneyBees, 2026 spectacle price guide. The Big Buy explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Sunglasses Explained: UV400, Polarised Lenses and Prescription Options · Dental Costs in Singapore: Scaling, Fillings, Braces and Subsidies · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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