Target Eye Exam Cost

According to the official Target website, eye exams are available via Independent Doctors of Optometry next to Target Optical in most states, but in California, Target does not provide eye exams nor do they employ Doctors of Optometry.

These doctors, who lease space inside of Target, will charge their own prices, meaning it will not be standard across the United States.

“Target Mays Landing, NJ 2” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by MikeKalasnik

How much does an eye exam cost at Target?

The cost of an eye exam inside of a Target Optical Center, as per the official website, will depend on the tests included in the exam and whether the exam includes a contact lens fitting or contact lens-related services.  Much like the other retailers that have optical centers within their building, such as Costco, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, to name a few, the prices will be set by the independent eye doctor’s office as they are simply using Target as their landlord.

Based on the information we found online, however, we did notice the average price for an eye exam at a Target Optical Center often was within the $55 to $75 range without any vision insurance and about $30+ more for a contact lens exam.  Again, this is highly dependent upon the location you choose as all doctors will have their own pricing tiers. The prices, like most optical centers, would increase if you had other vision conditions and/or an astigmatism, for example.

As for vision insurance, most locations will accept various vision plans, including Aetna, Humana, and EyeMed, however, as we proclaimed, since each location is independetly owned, it will be decided upon your local optical office.

According to this Yelp review for the Fullerton, California location, for instance, one reviewer stated they paid $95 for a contact exam and another $89 for new glasses.

Tips to know

Be sure to look for any special coupons and/or promotions before making an appointment as the official Target website, as well the app, often have coupons readily available.  For example, at the time of this publishing, the official website had a $25 off coupon if you signed up for their e-mail newsletter.

To find the nearest Target Optical near you and to be certain your location has one, refer to the official website’s search tool.  Using this tool, you can book your eye exam, but it will not display the prices, so to be certain, it’s best to call the exact location you plan on having your eye exam to know what you’re going to be charged.  You may be eligible for other discounts as well.  For example, AARP members can receive an additional $10 off their eyewear purchase.

If you do decide to purchase glasses at Target, although optional, the most people will receive their order within 10 days.

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Sam’s Club Eye Exam Cost

Sam’s Club, just like Costco, and other retailers, offers an in-house vision center for its members.

Offering a wide range of optical care equipment and supplies, members are able to choose from a large assortment of frames and lenses for a lower-than-average cost.

“Sam’s Club exterior” (CC BY 2.0) by Walmart Corporate

How much does an eye exam cost at Sam’s Club?

Like the vision center at Costco, almost all vision centers inside of a local Sam’s Club are employed by an independent doctor of optometry, which essentially means they are using Sam’s Club as their landlord and are able to set their own prices.  What this means for you, in the end, is that you will find the prices for a routine eye exam can greatly vary, all depending on the local Sam’s Club location you visit.

According to our research from multiple customers who posted the prices they paid online, the costs of a routine eye exam seems to be in the $48 to $60+ range for a basic eye exam to as much as $80+ for a contact lens exam.

Depending on the exact location you choose, it seems as if most locations will accept both vision and medical plans, but keep in mind that some medical plans may cover the routine eye examinations, while others may have restrictions.  Since there are thousands of health insurance plans on the market, it’s best to talk to your local Sam’s Club and health/vision insurance plan to see what your restrictions are.

Eyedocshakopee.com, an independent doctor of optometry who chose to locate their practice inside of a Sam’s Club, starts their pricing at $80 for a basic wellness eye exam and $50 for a basic contact lens exam.  If you needed a bifocal correction and/or have an astigmatism, then there would be an additional “modest” cost, which is not defined.

Tips to know

You do not need a membership to use the doctor for eyecare services and/or an exam; however, if you want to purchase anything in the optical department, as this is owned by Sam’s Club, you will need a membership to shop there.  In most cases, according to an eye doctor who does work inside of a Sam’s Club, they feel the cost of a membership still outweighs the savings of the frames and lenses.

By law, no matter where you receive your eye exam prescription in the United States, you are able to take your prescription anywhere you want to purchase your eyewear, either online or at another retailer of choice.

If you do decide to purchase from Sam’s Club, the company will custom-make your glasses using one of its six modern optical labs, only using a higher-quality lens and frame materials.  And because they can purchase these materials in bulk, just like its sister company, Walmart, you can be assured you’re paying one of the lowest prices on the market.

Look for coupons and/or special offers as the club does offer coupons for the frames and lenses, while some doctors will offer coupons, either in the paper, online or in-store for you to take advantage of.

To know for certain your local Sam’s Club location has a vision center, refer to the official search tool via the official website.

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Pearle Vision Eye Exam Cost

Opening its doors in 1961, the franchise, today, has expanded to more than 800+ stores nationwide, and according to the fine print of the official site, eye exams are available by Independent Doctors of Optometry at or next to Pearle Vision in most states.  In some cases, the doctors will be employed by Pearle Vision, all meaning the prices will vary when you receive an eye exam quote.

“read line 5” (CC BY 2.0) by Robert Couse-Baker

How much does an eye exam cost at Pearle Vision?

The cost of an eye exam, as per the official Pearle Vision website, will depend on your geographical region, the reason for your visit and what type of exam you need.  While the website does not go into specifics as to what you should be prepared to pay, we did research various unconfirmed third-party websites to come up with a consensus as to what you may be charged, and according to most, the prices ranged anywhere from as little as $48 to $95 for a basic eye exam, with a contact lens exam retailing for $85 to $115+.  This price can greatly vary on the factors mentioned prior as well as if any current promotions are being held.

As for vision insurance, the company notes they do accept it, including EyeMed and VSP; however, it will vary based which insurance plan you have.  To know for certain, it’s best to call the location you plan on visiting to see if they will accept it.

According to one member on this cbetternow.com forum thread, for instance, she was quoted $54 for a basic eye exam at her local location and would be charged extra if pupil dilation or more advanced visual field testing.

On this PissedConsumer.com review, the reviewer said they were quoted $79 for the exam, but this exam did not include the glaucoma screening and the digital exam.  If he wanted those tests, then the grand total would be $129, not including any frames or lenses after the fact.

What to expect at the eye exam

The official website asks you to bring any insurance cards, healthcare information, a list of medications, your current eyeglasses and a general understanding of your family eye history.

First, be prepared to answer any medical questions relating to any eye problems you have experienced in the past, including when the symptoms began, which medications you used, any conditions which may be contributing to the symptoms, any previous eye conditions your family members experienced as well as the history of your family eye issues.

The type of eye testing required will greatly vary according to the doctor’s judgment based on your history, with the most common tests include a visual acuity test, keratometry test, cover test, ocular movement test and/or refraction test.  Patients who need contact lenses may also need additional tests, again, based on the doctor’s recommendation, including cornea measurements, pupil measurements, a tear film evaluation and/or an evaluation of the eye surface to ensure the contact lenses will fit properly.

Tips to know

Pearle Vision, like many of your popular eyeglass chains, seems to always have promotions going on, whether its or even on the official website.  Before making an appointment, look at their website or even ask in person if any coupons/special promotions are readily available.

The company offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee with your eyewear purchase, allowing you to bring it back, within 30 days, and the company will “make things right.”

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Eyemart Express Eye Exam Cost

The Eyemart Express brand, as per its official website, is considered to be the nation’s eight largest optical retailer, with the goal to help provide affordable prescription eyewear to everyone, everywhere.

Open in 1990 by Dr. Doug Barnes in Appleton, Wisconsin, the 100th store was opened in 2009 in Des Moines, Iowa, with more than 162 stores in more than 34 states as of 2016.

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“eye exam (no. 2)” (CC BY 2.0) by noir imp

How much does an eye exam cost at Eyemart Express?

As each Eyemart Express, as per our research, seems to be independently owned, using the “Eyemart Express” brand, the costs will vary based on your geographical region and what type of eye exam you need.  For a basic eye exam, the costs seemed to be in the $50 to $75 range, whereas a contact lens exam could cost more than $110+.

The official website does claim they accept multiple vision insurance policies, allowing you to even search on their website (look at the top right corner) to see if they accept your current plan.  If you they do accept your insurance, it seems as if the company does offer a promotion if you bring in your insurance, with promotions such as getting a second pair of eyeglasses for free, for instance.  This promotion can greatly vary, however.

According to this review for the Abilene, Texas location on Yelp, for instance, one reviewer claimed he had to pay $110 for his contact lens exam.  On another review for the Eugene, Oregon location, a reviewer said she was quoted $69 for an eye exam without insurance.

A commenter on this Reddit.com thread stated he paid $200 for the eye exam and two pairs of glasses which were ready the same day.

Tips to know

As all locations will have an independent optometrist, be sure to look at the reviews for the doctor, not the specific brand as your results will vary.  Remember, as per law, you do not have to fill your prescription at the location of your eye exam, meaning you can purchase your eyeglasses online via discounted eyeglass retailers such as or even another retailer such as Costco or Walmart, for example.

The company readily has Eyemart Express coupons available both online and commonly in local circular ads, so be sure to look out for these special coupons and/or promotions before making an appointment.  For example, we did find this flyer, offering a limited time $39 eye exam at some locations.  It also looks as if you can join their free official email program as well to receive coupons in the future.

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Costco Eye Exam Cost

Like many other retailers, such as Target, Sam’s Club and Walmart, Costco is yet another option if you’re considering a new pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Similar to other retailer strategies, the optical center located inside of a Costco isn’t owned by Costco, per se; rather, a local optometrist does, meaning your prices will vary.

“brick nj costco” (CC BY 2.0) by goodiesfirst

How much does an eye exam cost at Costco?

According to the official Costco website, all optical centers, aside from the selection of eyeglasses and lenses you can purchase, are owned and operated by a local independent doctor of optometry, which simply means these doctors can set the price of their eye exam as they are just using Costco as their landlord, essentially leasing the space out of the building.

As these locations are independently owned, the prices, from what we researched are quite similar across the board, often around $50 to $80 for a basic eye exam to as much as $125 for a contact lenses exam, but to be certain, we highly recommend you call your local Costco location to see what an exam cost or even visit in person as almost all locations will display the prices on a large billboard near the vision center entrance.

Vision insurance may be accepted, depending on the location you visit.  Even if they do not accept insurance, you may still be eligible to receive a reimbursement based on your insurance company policy.  As it is considered “out of network” for most insurance companies, you may be able to receive a portion of your payment back.

NOTE:  Do keep in mind these prices can be lower if a coupon and/or special offer is available the time of your prescription.  Use this as an estimate only.

According to this Reddit.com forum thread, for instance, members talked about the costs of an eye exam at their location, with some members stating it cost them $80 for a routine eye exam at their local location, while another stated said their contact lens exam cost about $99.

Tips to know

While most Costco locations do have an optical center, not all do.  To be certain your local location has one, refer to this official search tool on Costco’s website.

There are many reports online which indicate that you do not need a Costco membership to make an eye exam appointment, but you will need a membership to purchase contact lenses and/or eyeglasses if you choose to do so after your exam.

Payments accepted will greatly vary on the location as some only accept cash and checks only, while other locations accept all credit card brands.

Don’t review all Costco vision center locations since, again, each location is independently owned.  Try to find out the optometrist who works at your local Costco and see what people are saying about him or her online.

In this CBS News article, they found eyeglasses to be one of the five things you should purchase at Costco, with the median price for glasses being $157 and around $49+ for an eye exam.

Most locations tend to be very busy, and it’s highly recommended you call in to make an appointment as most of these busier locations can have a wait time as long as two weeks.

This informative cbetternow.com forum thread has multiple reviews of people who had their vision exam done at Costco.

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Walmart Eye Exam Cost

Almost all Walmart locations across the United States offer a vision center right inside their stores.  To be certain, however, you can use their official search tool here to know for certain if your local Walmart of choice has one available.

Offering a variety of services, ranging from purchasing prescription glasses to eye exams, Walmart claims to have “top brands for way less.”

“Vision Center” (CC BY 2.0) by Random Retail

How much does an eye exam at Walmart cost?

As almost all Walmart vision centers are employed by an independent doctor of optometry, who choose Walmart as their location, technically making Walmart the landlord, the prices will vary based on what the optometrist determines is the best price for his or her business.   You can read about how the process works via this ReviewofOptometry.com article.

According to eye exam prices we found online, however, the costs, without any vision insurance coverage, seemed to range from anywhere from $60 to $100+ for a comprehensive basic health and vision exam to about $115 to $135+ for a basic contact lens exam.  Additional fees would be charged for those who either have an astigmatism or needed a bifocal correction.

NOTE:  Keep in mind that these are estimates we found online and are in no way guaranteed to be accurate.  For exact pricing for your local Walmart Vision Center, we highly recommend you either visit the office in person or call them over the phone for an exact estimate for your situation.  Again, each location is independently owned and the prices will not be the same across the board.

According to one member on this CBetterNow.com forum thread, for example, he walked into his local Walmart and was quoted $53 for the eye exam and another $20 for pupil dilation, making his total $73; however, for a contact lens exam, the total was $85 for standard contacts or $105 for bifocal contact lenses.

On this Yelp review for the Antioch, California location, one reviewer stated he was quoted $58 for a basic eye exam.

For insurance, it seemed as if most Walmart Vision Center locations would accept vision plans, but again, depending on the doctor office policy, you may find this to be true or untrue.  If covered, then you will be responsible for what your plan covers.  To be certain, talk with your vision insurance company to see if your local Walmart is in the company’s network, and if so, what you will be responsible for.

Do the Walmart Vision Centers accept Medicaid?  Again, it will greatly depend on the location you visit, but from what we read, some will while some won’t, making it hard to give a definitive answer.  For confirmation, we do recommend you call your local vision center.

Are Walmart glasses good?

According to EyeExamsPro.com, an optometrist who has an office located in a Walmart, he sated Walmart will custom make your glasses using one of its six modern labs, only using a high-quality lens and frame materials, all of which the company continues to upgrade to keep customer satisfaction high.  Due to Walmart’s buying power and size, you will often find the prices to be much less than competitors, but this shouldn’t be reflective of the quality.  If you look at the offerings in store, you will notice they do offer many of the top brands on the market such as Acuvue, Dailies, Air Optix and Biofinity, to name a few.

Tips to know

As all locations will vary with customer service, we highly recommend you check reviews online, such as Yelp and Google, to see what others are saying about the vision center.

There are times when a local center may offer a free exam if you commit to either purchasing a certain frame/lens or meeting a minimum spending requirement.  While this isn’t offered online, but rather in person, it may be best to check out your location the next time you shop to see if any deals are currently available.

Most Walmart Vision Centers are opened seven days a week, usually from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.  These are the average hours and may vary.  Use this search tool to find your local center’s exact hours.

Aside from an optometrist using Walmart as his or her location, some Walmart locations will use associate doctors instead.

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Varicocele Surgery Costs

Among younger men, often in their 20s and 30s, varicocele is a common ailment found, a condition which results in the shrinkage of the testicles, often leading to fertility issues.

Generally, the blood flow going to the testicles via the arteries and veins will become blocked, often causing pain, more often noticed in the left testicle.

What causes it?

Experts believe the real case behind varicoceles is due to damaged veins often found in the scrotum located above the testicles.  When this happens, the blood flow is affected, eventually shrinking the testicles, causing much pain and even infertility problems for many men.

Generally, the cause of this concern is often due to higher-than-average blood pressure, which, in essence, can be due to a myriad of reasons.

“170208-A-IO170-071” (CC BY 2.0) by US Army Africa

How much does varicocele surgery cost?

The cost of varicocele surgery will greatly depend on a variety of factors, including your geographical region, the surgeon performing your procedure, where the surgery is taking place, the inclusions in your bill and your health insurance policy, to name a few.

From the reports we saw online from third-party sources, the cost for varicocele surgery can range anywhere from as little as $3,000 to more than $8,000 without any insurance coverage, but these costs could greatly increase if you were to need specific pre-operative tests and if you receive separate bills from professionals who helped during the surgical procedure.  We will talk about this in our “extra costs to consider” section below.

As for health insurance coverage, the results seem to be mixed.  According to a forum thread on BabyCenter.com, for example, a forum member stated her husband was diagnosed with bilateral varicoceles, and according to his urologist, he said insurance may cover one side but definitely not the other, also noting her insurance policy will not cover anything that deals with infertility.  One forum member who replied to the thread said her insurance covered a small portion of the procedure for her husband and had to pay $5,852 out of pocket after their insurance company paid $348, while another said the whole procedure cost $5,000, with them only responsible for paying $2,500.

To know, for certain, if your insurance will cover any of it, it’s best to receive the billing CPT code ahead of time from your doctor’s office to ask your insurance what your responsibility may be financially.  As there are so many health insurance plans on the market, it’s hard to give a definite answer as to if it’s covered or not, but from the looks of it, there is a good chance the insurance company may pay at least a portion of it.

According to an in-depth review on this theBump.com forum thread, he noted the actual surgery was $847, only after he met his deductible.  This fee did not include the additional anesthesiologist ($3091.50) and doctor fee ($1,976).

The extra costs to consider

All facilities will bill in a different way, and based on our research, there could be additional tests you may need to prepare for, budgeting wise, as well as additional charges you will see, aside from the surgery, including:

• HSG testing for your significant other:  $1,000-$2,000
• Fertility drugs:  $25-$50+
• Scrotum ultrasound:  $300-$500
• Semen analysis:  $200-$400
• Testosterone test blood work:  $300-$500
• Anesthesiologist:  $1,200-$3,000+, depending on surgery length
• Additional doctor fee: $1,000-$2,000+

The procedure

First, your doctor will first want to diagnose the issue to make sure the varicocele is the culprit.  Usually, by performing a routine exam, ultrasound, thermography and/or other related tests, this can help find out the areas creating the pooled blood, helping the doctor determine the next course of action.  Some of the tests commonly performed, from what we noticed, were included in the “extra costs” subheading above.

Varicocele surgery, being the most common treatment option, involves general anesthesia, often performed in an outpatient setting, but in rare cases, a local anesthesia may be used as well.  During the procedure, the surgeon will create a slight incision, less than an inch, over the scrotum tissue in order to access the veins.  Next, once the veins are exposed, they are ligated to help increase the blood flow.  This is commonly referred to as an open surgery procedure.

Depending on the preference of your surgeon, however, he or she may use a laparoscope during the procedure as well, which helps the surgeon insert tubs as he or she uses a camera to locate the dysfunctional veins to help clip or tie of the veins.  This surgery, referred to as laparoscopic surgery, is also performed under a general anesthesia in an outpatient setting.

The entire procedure will take anywhere from three to four hours.

The recovery

As for recovery after the procedure, your doctor will ask that you refrain from any strenuous activity for the next two weeks and avoid sexual activity for up to four weeks.  Doctors do warn that moderate pain may be felt after the procedure, but following post-operative guidelines can help lessen it, such as avoiding any heavy lifting, returning to work three to five days after the procedure and avoiding immersing the surgical site under water for a few weeks.

Varicocele symptoms

Fertility problems:  One of the most common symptoms will be fertility issues, according to multiple clinical studies.

Pain:  Some patients often feel pain in the affected areas, usually after sitting or standing for too long.  Even lifting, in some cases, can cause discomfort in the affected veins.

Testicular Atrophy:  Another common sign, just like the fertility issues, is the shrinkage of the testicles.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Varicocele side effects

All surgical procedures will always have side effects, with Varicocele surgery being no exception.  Some side effects may include blood clots forming, an infection at the surgical site, fluid buildup around the testicle and/or pain at the surgical site, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Tips to know

Another popular procedure, if you wanted to avoid the surgery, would be a varicocele embolization.

Statistics have shown 10 percent of men who have had the surgical procedure see a reoccurrence and up to 15 percent of patients reported their pain didn’t improve.  As for pregnancy success rates, the numbers greatly varied between 30 and 50, depending on the type of surgical procedure performed.

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Nuvigil Cost

Nuvigil is used to help treat excessive sleepiness often caused by sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and narcolepsy.  It has also been prescribed for those who need to stay awake during an upcoming work shift.

Armodafinil, the generic version, received final approval from the FDA on June 1st, 2016.

How much does Nuvigil cost?

The cost of Nuvigil, as with any prescription, will depend on a few factors, including which option you choose (the generic, Armodafinil, vs. Nuvigil, the branded version), the dosage, quantity, the pharmacy you choose and your health insurance.  Unless specified on your prescription, your doctor, when prescribing Nuvigil, will almost always be the generic, Armodafinil, when you pick up your prescription.  Because of this, we will focus on both the generic and branded prescription costs in our table below:

NOTE:  Prices above are for those without insurance coverage.

As for prescription coverage, most private health insurance policies, including Medicare, will not cover the branded Nuvigil tablets; however, the generic, according to GoodRX.com, will be covered, with the average co-pay ranging anywhere from $15 to $247, depending on your co-pay stage and deductible stage.  Be sure to check with your health insurance company to know if you’re covered and what you will be responsible for.

How to save on Nuvigil

Ask for a larger dosage:  Ask your doctor if he or she is able to prescribe a larger dosage at the time of your prescription as a 90-day supply will cost a pinch less than a 30-day supply.

Consider a prescription coupon:  Consider the free prescription coupon-based websites, such as GoodRX.com, to help you potentially save more than your private insurance policy.  With these coupons, it works in a simple way:  find your local pharmacy, print out the coupon and present it at your local pharmacy just like you would your health insurance card.

Check with your insurance company:  As mentioned, be sure to check with your health insurance policy as there will be a great chance they will cover the prescription as long as you’re in the insurance company’s network.

Savings card:  If your doctor does prescribe “dispense as written,” the manufacturer of the branded drug, Teva, offers a savings card that allows you to pay as little as $5 if you qualify.  Do keep in mind, however, that those who do have Medicare, Medicaid or are part of a public payor program will not be eligible for the card.  Refer to the link for more details as to how you can save if you did want the branded version.

Nuvigil overview

Both Armodafinil and Nuvigil are available in 50, 100, 200 and 250 mg strengths.

Armodafinil helps people who suffer from sleep disorders such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea, to name a few.  It can also help some shift workers stay awake during their job.  This prescription will not cure any of these conditions and will continue to work as long as you take it according to your doctor’s orders.

The dosages will vary, all depending on your personal profile and the dosage strength, but for most, adults will take anywhere from 150 to 250 milligrams in the morning once a day, while shift workers, who suffer from sleep disorders, will take about 150 milligrams one hour before your work shift begins.  Always follow your doctor’s orders and be sure to read the prescription label correctly.

This medicine should be stored in a closed container at room temperature, away from any excessive heat, moisture and/or direct sunlight.  As with any prescription medication, keep away from children and pets.

How does Nuvigil work?

According to Medicinenet.com, Nuvigil is an oral medication that is used to help promote wakefulness by stimulating the brain, but according to the website, the exact mechanism of action is unknown.  However, they believe it may increase the amount of dopamine, a chemical neurotransmitter in which your nerves use to communicate with each other in the brain to help reduce the uptake of dopamine into the nerves.

Nuvigil side effects

The most common side effects, as per the FDA, include headaches, nausea, trouble sleeping and/or dizziness.

Tips to know

If you prefer the branded Nuvigil, you will need to let your doctor know, because, as mentioned, if your doctor prescribes it, the pharmacy will consider the generic unless the doctor handwrites “brand medically necessary” on your prescription.  However, do keep in mind that now a generic version is available, your health insurance will not cover the costs of the branded medication, which, as you can see in the table above, is much more.

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Shingrix Cost

Shingrix is a part of the vaccination class that treats shingles, a blistering skin eruption which often affects those older than 50.

As of January 2018, the CDC made its formal recommendation for this vaccine, and according to its report, the study found this new vaccination appears to offer much better protection against shingles in comparison to other brands on the market.

Today, it is only available as a brand name drug.

“Vaccination” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by theglobalpanorama

How much does Shingrix cost?

The cost of the Shingrix vaccination, like other vaccinations, will depend on your insurance coverage and where you get your vaccination.  For those who do not have insurance, the average cost for the vaccination at your local pharmacy could cost $135 to $165 per dosage, meaning a total of about $280 to $330, while the prices could be more at your local doctor’s office, often $50 to $80, seeing you would have to pay the office examination fee.

According to Consumer Reports, the cost of the vaccination, with co-pays and deductibles set aside, will cost about $280.  The same figure was based on an estimate from GSK, the manufacturer of the vaccination, via the New York Times.

As for those with a health insurance plan, GoodRX.com notes most Medicare plans will not cover this vaccination, with the reported co-pay range being $161.  This doesn’t mean they will not accept it in the future, however, as the vaccination is still considered to be relatively new.  Seeing health insurance companies and Medicare cover the competitor, Zostavax, there’s a good chance this vaccination, over time, will be covered as well.  Be sure to check with your insurance company regardless to know their stance at this time.

Recommendations

The CDC recommends the Shingrix vaccination as a two-dose vaccine — starting at age 50, 10 years earlier than its competitor, Zostavax.  The second dosage, as per the Pharmacy Times, will be recommended between two to six months after the first 0.5-milliliter dosage.

Aside from this recommendation the CDC also recommends people who already received the Zostavax vaccination should receive this one as well as it is now the officially preferred vaccination over Zostavax, which is only a single-dose vaccination.  Even those who had shingles in the past should receive the Shingrix since the virus can reoccur.  There will be no maximum age for the vaccination.

You should not consider the vaccination if you had a severe allergic reaction to the ingredients in the past, currently have shingles or an illness, and/or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

Shingrix side effects

As with any vaccinations, side effects can occur, however, according to clinical trials of more than 16,000 people, none that seemed worrisome, but in the real-world, it has been limited.  Known to cause more pain at the injection site for up to three days in comparison to Zostavax, other side effects, much like other vaccinations, may include redness/swelling at the injection site, headaches, shivering, fever, upset stomach or flu-like symptoms.  According to its manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, most of these side effects, if experienced, lasted no longer than three days.

Tips to know

Shingrix is the first shingles vaccination in more than 10 years that was approved by the FDA, only second to Zostavax, which was the first.

Aside from the CDC accepting this vaccination, Consumer Reports stated the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) came out with three recommendations for the vaccination as well.

The Shingrix vaccination is 97 percent more effective in preventing shingles for those ages 50 to 69 years old and 91 percent effective for those older than 70, according to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.  In comparison to Zostavax, its competitor, it was only found to be 70 percent effective while in your 50s and less than 18 percent effective in your 80s.  Not only this, the vaccination has been proven to be better at preventing nerve pain, a common symptom which occurs even after the shingles clear — being about 90 percent effective in doing so in comparison to Zostavax, only being 65 percent effective.

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PRP Injection Cost

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP for short, is an integral part of your blood which contains special proteins that allow your blood the ability to clot and encourage cell growth.

Today, doctors are using this technique to help stimulate hair growth to promotion soft tissue healing after an injury.

Because of this, researchers have created PRP by dividing the plasma within the blood, concentrating it and turning it into an injection that allows your damaged tissues to grow newer and healthier cells, all while promoting health.  Because the injection is concentrated on specific areas, researchers believe the tissues may be able to heal faster because of it.

As of this publishing, the procedure is not approved by the FDA, and the treatment option, according to Healthline.com, has not yet been proven.

“The needle” (CC BY 2.0) by Dr. Partha Sarathi Sahana

How much does a PRP injection cost?

The cost of PRP injections will greatly depend on the reason for the injections and your geographical location.  From the multiple publications that reported the costs estimates mentioned online, the costs could range from as little as $800 for one treatment to treat baldness to as much as $500 to $1,300 per injection for any part of the body.  Often, patients will need to budget two to three or more injections, often months apart, but this will all depend on the injury site and the extent of your injury.

As this is an experimental treatment option and is not FDA approved just yet, almost all insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, will not cover the procedure, meaning you should be prepared to pay cash at the time of your injections.  While there are thousands of policies on the market, it does not hurt to talk with your insurance company to see if they provide reimbursement or can offer alternatives that are covered by your policy.

According to the Washington Post, for example, their research indicated the average knee injection could range anywhere from $500 to $1,200 per treatment.

The procedure – how does it work?

The procedure will greatly depend on what the injections are going to be used for, as we explain below.  If being used for hair loss, for example, then your doctor will often rub a topical numbing lidocaine solution to the scalp before the injection begins.  Via other methods, a local anesthetic will be combined with the PRP and injected into the affected body part.

Before the injection, a medical professional will first draw a small sample of blood in order to separate the blood components.  Using a centrifuge, the separation procedure can take up to 15 minutes before the plasma is separated.  Once separated, the plasma is then prepared for the injection and is injected into the affected body part.  In some cases, your doctor, depending on the location, will use an ultrasound to identify the exact location as the needle punctures the skin.

The entire process should take about 60 minutes, from start to finish.

What can PRP injections be used for?

Acute injuries:  Doctors have been known to use these injections to help treat acute injuries such as a pulled hamstring or sprain.

Hair loss:  According to research, doctors who injected PRP into the scalp saw improvements in hair growth and hair loss prevention.  It’s known to be effective at treating male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia in the medical field.

Osteoarthritis:  One study found that PRP injections in the knee can be more effective than other injection methods such as hyaluronic acid injections for treating osteoarthritis.  However, the study in question used a small sample size and larger trials, in the future, will be needed to confirm these suspicions.

Tendons:  The tendons are the thick, tough tissue bands which connect your muscles to the bone, and if injured, they are usually slow to heal.  These PRP injections, when injected into the affected tendon, have been found to treat chronic issues such as jumper’s knee, tennis elbow and even pain in the knee, to name a few.

PRP injection side effects

Due to a substance being injected into the skin, there are possible side effects, including infection, nerve injuries, tissue damage and/or pain at the site of injection.  However, these side effects are rare since you’re injecting your own platelets.  Your physician will be able to discuss these risks before the injection begins, and if you have any questions at this time, they can let you know what you can do to minimize these risks.  To see a full list of all potential side effects, refer to this Stanford Health Care brochure.

Tips to know

PRP injections will start to improve your pain within a week or two, usually offering relief for up to 12 months.  Once the injections wear away, at that time, you can then consider choosing another injection or if you only feel a partial response, then you can choose to have a second injection a few months after the first, according to HowardLuksMD.com.

Injections are tolerated by most, with some reporting the feeling of an achy body part or the feeling of fullness after the injection completes.

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