The cost of an eye examination varies and depends on the State, vision insurance, and the type of exam. According to FAIR Health, initial patient examinations cost $200 while established patients pay $128. Refractive vision tests cost an average of $46. However, the costs will vary depending on the eye specialist or the number of times the individual needs to go for these tests. Some people opt for the cheaper online test options for visual acuity, color vision, or contrast. However, these are not recommended because they may not diagnose serious eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.