Getting Glasses in South Africa: Eye Tests, Prices and Medical Aid
Getting glasses in South Africa starts with one visit to an optical chain for an eye test and a prescription, then choosing frames and lenses to match your budget. Walk-in eye tests at chains like Spec-Savers, Execuspecs or Torga Optical usually cost roughly R300–R500 (prices vary by chain and promotions), take 20–30 minutes, and the resulting prescription is generally accepted for 1–2 years. Private medical aid (medical insurance) typically covers the eye test and pays part of the glasses from your savings or Personal Health Fund — public hospitals do not cover spectacles.
Get an eye test and a prescription
No referral is needed: book online or walk in at any optometrist. The three big chains are Spec-Savers (270+ stores across South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana), Execuspecs and Torga Optical; independent optometrists work the same way. A comprehensive eye test usually costs roughly R300–R500 (check the chain's current price) and checks both your vision and basic eye health. After the test you receive a written prescription listing your sphere, cylinder and axis — and, for online orders, your PD (pupillary distance, 瞳距). Prescriptions are generally accepted for 1–2 years; stores may refuse an older one and ask for a retest.
Choose lenses and frames
Common lens types:
- Single vision (单光): one prescription across the whole lens — for nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism at one distance.
- Bifocal (双光): two zones, distance on top and reading below, with a visible line between them.
- Progressive (渐进多焦): no-line multifocal that slides from distance to reading — popular after 40, but takes an adjustment period.
- Blue-light blocking (防蓝光): a coating that filters some blue light from screens; comfort varies from person to person.
- Photochromic (变色片): lenses that darken in sunlight — practical under the strong South African sun if you move between indoors and outdoors.
For high myopia, ask about high-index lenses: thinner and lighter than standard lenses for strong prescriptions, at a higher price. Common frame materials are metal (titanium is light and strong), acetate or plastic (colourful, chunky styles) and TR90 (flexible, sporty).
Contact lenses
Contacts are a separate product with a separate fitting. The main types are daily disposables (日抛) — worn once and thrown away, the most hygienic option — and monthly lenses (月抛) — cleaned and stored each night, cheaper per day for full-time wear. If you have astigmatism, look for toric lenses, available in both daily and monthly formats. In South Africa you can buy contacts online from SmartBuyGlasses South Africa or in person at the local optical chains. Online sellers need your prescription details, and your first pair should be fitted by an optometrist.
Ordering glasses online
Online ordering works well if you already hold a valid prescription. You will need your PD (pupillary distance, 瞳距) in millimetres — some stores measure it for you, or you can measure it at home with a ruler and a mirror. Delivery times vary by seller and by whether the lenses are custom-made; simple prescriptions ship faster. Check each merchant's returns policy before paying: many online sellers offer free returns or remakes within a window, but the terms differ from shop to shop.
Small anti-slip accessories
South African summers are hot and sweaty, and glasses slip down the nose. Cheap fixes: stick-on anti-slip nose pads, a glasses chain (cord around the neck), a sports strap for running or the gym, and an anti-fog cloth for masks or cold mornings. Amazon sells all of these through the Amazon.com system (there is no separate South African Amazon Associates programme); local optical stores stock them too.
Medical aid: what gets reimbursed?
Public healthcare in South Africa does not cover spectacles — glasses are a private expense unless your private medical aid (medical insurance) helps. This is the question Chinese expats and students in South Africa ask most often: "does medical aid actually cover glasses, and which stores settle the bill directly?" The answer depends on your scheme and plan:
- On many plans the eye test is a defined benefit. For example, Discovery's Smart plans cover one eye test per member per year at a network optometrist with an upfront payment of about R75–R130 (copayment, 自付额) depending on the exact plan — see the 2026 Smart Saver plan guide. Benefits change every year, so check your plan's current guide.
- Frames and lenses are typically paid from your Medical Savings Account (MSA) or Personal Health Fund, up to 100% of the scheme's rate (the Discovery Health Rate on Discovery plans), often subject to an annual optometry limit.
- Some plans offer a discount at network optometrists instead of a fund benefit.
Because schemes differ, check your own plan's benefit guide before you buy — and ask the store whether it bills your medical aid directly (direct billing), which the big chains commonly do. Bring your medical aid card or membership number.
Keep a spare pair
A second pair is cheap insurance: glasses break, get lost, or sit uselessly in a drawer while your eyes recover from a contact-lens irritation. The cheapest route is the chains' second-pair promotions — buy one, get the second at a discount — or a basic single-vision pair as a backup.
Frequently asked questions
Does medical aid in South Africa cover glasses?
Not automatically. Public healthcare does not cover spectacles. Private medical aid usually covers the eye test (sometimes with a copayment) and pays for frames and lenses from your savings or Personal Health Fund, subject to the plan's limits and rates. Check your scheme's benefit guide for your own plan.
Which stores bill medical aid directly?
The big chains — Spec-Savers, Execuspecs and Torga Optical — commonly bill medical aid directly at the till. Confirm with your branch before you order, and bring your medical aid card or membership number.
How much does an eye test cost?
Walk-in eye tests at the chains usually cost roughly R300–R500. On some medical aid plans the eye test is a covered benefit with only a small copayment.
How long is a glasses prescription valid?
Generally 1–2 years. Even if your eyes feel fine, stores usually want a prescription no older than two years; if your vision has changed, get retested.
What do I need to order glasses online?
A current prescription plus your PD (pupillary distance). Compare delivery times and return policies between sellers, and confirm the lenses can be remade if the prescription is entered incorrectly.
Are contact lenses cheaper than glasses?
It depends on how you wear them. Daily disposables cost more per year than a basic pair of glasses; monthlies are cheaper for full-time wear. Many people keep both — glasses as the daily driver and contacts for sport or events — plus a spare pair of glasses either way.
Sources
- https://www.discovery.co.za (Discovery — medical aid)
- https://www.discovery.co.za/wcm/discoverycoza/assets/faz/medical-aid/2026/health-plan-guides/discovery-health-medical-scheme-smart-saver-plan-guide.pdf (Discovery — 2026 Smart Saver plan guide, optometry benefit)
- https://www.specsavers.co.za (Spec-Savers South Africa)
- https://www.execuspecs.co.za (Execuspecs)
- https://www.torgaoptical.co.za (Torga Optical)
- https://www.smartbuyglasses.co.za (SmartBuyGlasses South Africa)