Target has built its brand on being a sizable but no-frills one-stop shop that gives you exactly what you’re looking for. In addition to everything else they offer (including the popular Bullseye’s Playground for seasonal dollar deals), you can also walk in to certain locations and find a Target Optical waiting to service you.
Target Optical is a vision center that offers eye exams, vision care, glasses, and contacts. If you’d rather not physically go into a Target location, you can order glasses online at your convenience.
Whether you’re a Target enthusiast or a casual visitor, let’s take a peep at how Target Optical swims in the deep eye care service pool.
Quick verdict
Target Optical offers eye exams in-store, with the option of purchasing eyewear online or in-store. They take most types of vision insurance and offer several ways to get in touch with customer service, but you have to pay extra for a year of protection against scratches and damage. If you’re already a Target shopper, the convenience of using Target Optical is tough to overlook.
Zooming in on Target Optical
Here’s a breakdown of the main services offered by Target Optical and how you can take advantage of them:
Eye exams
- In-store Target Optical locations offer eye exams from unaffiliated eye doctors who rent their office space from Target, in most cases (but some are employees of Target Optical).
- You can call your local Target Optical to make an appointment for an eye exam or schedule online.
- The price of your exam will depend on your insurance, and you may pay more if you need a contact lens fitting.
Online and in-store purchasing
- With Target Optical, you can buy glasses and contacts online or in store. And yes, they can take your insurance online.
- In-store, an employee can help you pick your frames and place your order. Make sure your prescription is in-hand, especially if you had your eye exam done elsewhere.
- Online, you can pick your frames and the type of lens or the contacts you want, and add them to your cart. You’ll have the option to verify your insurance instantly, and you’ll need to submit a copy of your prescription after checking out so your order can be processed.
- You can’t find bifocals online through Target Optical, so you’ll have to go in store for those. Darn… better swing by home decor and grab a cappuccino while you’re there.
Cost
- Prices vary depending on what frames (or contacts) you choose, and the cost of your eye exam will depend mostly on your insurance. Contacts start at about $30 per box, and frames start at about $80.
- You’ll also need to account for the cost of the lenses you choose, because it isn’t included in the base price you see on the shopping pages.
- Target Optical also does promos regularly, so keep your bespectacled eyes peeled for those.
- Target stan? Make sure to click the “Target RedCard” box at checkout or flash your RedCard in store so you can get that sweet 5 percent discount.
Accepted insurance
- Target Optical accepts 48 different types of vision insurance, including heavy hitters like Humana, Aetna, Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Tricare.
- Some types of insurance are only accepted in-store, and Target Optical accepts out of network plans from VSP and Metlife — but you’ll need to connect with customer service over the phone if you have one of these plans.
- You can check their insurance page to see if they accept your vision insurance.
- Target Optical also accepts Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) funds.
Warranty/return policy
- While there’s no traditional warranty on Target Optical products, they do offer the Worry-Free Protection Plan for $35.
- The Worry-Free Protection Plan covers defects, unlimited repairs (beginning at 3 months), protection from wear and tear failures, cracked frames, and cracked or scratched lenses for 1 year.
- Target Optical also boasts a 90-day “unconditional” guarantee, so they’ll replace your glasses within that time period if the lenses get scratched, or the frames break.
Shipping
- Ground shipping is free for Target Optical orders, but you can pay extra for 2-day air or next day air shipping.
Customer service
- You can connect with Target Optical customer service online via email or live chat, in-store, or over the phone.
- For online orders, you’ll probably want to either call or chat, especially if you need help quick. If you had your eye exam and/or purchased eyewear at a retail location, your best bet will be to either call or visit that location.
What are customers saying?
Like any other healthcare service, overall customer feedback is wide-ranging.
Target Optical’s frames can be on the pricier side, but reviewers find it super nice that everything can be taken care of online if you’ve already got a prescription.
Most Target Optical reviews focus on specific locations — but of course, your experience at a retail location is going to heavily depend on where you go.
Some negative reviews of Target Optical’s online service talk about slow shipping and poor communication from customer service.
Target Optical alternatives
While Target aims to be your top choice, there’s a seesea of Target Optical competitors for eye care and eye wear. Here are the top alternatives:
Best for buying glasses online: Zenni Optical
According to their website, Zenni Optical’s frames start at just $6.95 — so they’re great if you need a deal. They also offer blue-light-blocking glasses, online ordering for bifocals, and a virtual try-on tool. They don’t offer exams, so you’ll need a prescription from an eye doctor.
Best for buying contacts online: LensDirect
And LensDirect is to contacts as Zenni Optical is to glasses (although LensDirect sells glasses too). With your prescription, you can order contacts directly from their website. They offer regular promos and auto-ship discounts, too.
Best for customer service: your local eye doctor
Looking for a less corporate experience? We recommended your local eye doctor. Do some digging for the highest rated eye doc in your area. They can be a one-stop shop for your vision needs, providing eye exams and glasses or contacts, or you can snag your scrip from them to order online.
Best chain vision center: Warby Parker
Target Optical isn’t the only chain vision center, either. There’s also Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, and others. Warby Parker is one such chain, although they’re usually free-standing and not attached to a larger retailer. They’re a bit more expensive, but Warby Parker offers home try-on of up to five frames, eye exams at most locations, and a complimentary 1-year warranty against scratches.
In addition to all these, we’ve done reviews of 1-800 Contacts, Eyeconic, GlassesUSA, EyeBuyDirect, Blenders, Hubble, Felix Gray, and DIFF for your *viewing* pleasure (and daily dose of eye-related puns).
Does Target Optical hit the mark?
All in all, Target Optical — much like Target itself — is a solid, but not sparkling option for eye care.
If you’ve been meaning to schedule an eye exam, and making Target runs are a regular part of your routine anyway, it may be most convenient for you to take advantage of Target Optical. However, Target only offers 90 days of protection for free, and you have to pay extra for a year’s worth of protection.
There are also several Target Optical competitors, all with their own pros and cons, so it’ll likely come down to preference (and pocketbook) to decide what’s best for you.
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