WASHINGTON — It’s use-it-or-lose-it time for flex spending accounts that close down at year’s end, and a local consumers group has advice for people considering new glasses.

Shopping around to compare prices for eyewear may not be helpful, depending which stores you check, according to Washington Consumer’s Checkbook.

“There’s a company called Luxottica, for example, that owns a lot of the factories but also owns Lens Crafters and Pearl Vision and the optical centers within Target stores,” said Kevin Brasler, executive editor at Checkbook.org. “The biggest competitor to the Luxottica owned stores is really Costco and Wal-Mart.”

Brasler said the best prices can be found at online-only stores — even though that means forgoing professional help from a store’s staff.

If you’re concerned about how glasses purchased online might look on your face, Brasler said, some companies’ websites have software that allows you to upload a picture that combines your image with the glasses — or you can just return pairs that don’t look good.

“You could order a couple different frames from online sellers to see which work best for you,” Brasler said.

Checkbook recommends the following stores for good prices and selection:

• Costco — You need to buy a $55 annual membership, but Costco receives above-average reviews for overall quality. Frames start at $39 and run up to about $199; add $80 for single-vision lenses and $210 for progressive lenses.
• SEE — It bills itself as “hip without the rip.” You can shop online or at the boutique in Georgetown. The lowest-priced glasses in the Core Collection, single-vision lenses with frames, cost $169; progressive lenses with frames cost $419 and up.
• Wal-Mart — It has a range of wire and plastic frames available in stores or online. Many options have the appearance of higher-end brands. Prices for private-label frames with single-vision lenses range between $38 and $172; frames with progressive lenses cost between $88 and $222.
• Warby Parker — Focuses on style at an affordable price. It has three D.C.-area boutiques in addition to online shopping. Single-vision lenses with frames cost $95; progressive lenses with frames cost $295.

As for getting your eyes examined and a prescription to improve your vision, Checkbook has rankings for area opticians, optometrists and shops.

Through a special arrangement with the nonprofit Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, WTOP.com readers can have a look at Checkbook ratings and price comparisons for opticians for a limited time.

Consumers’ Checkbook/Center for the Study of Services is an independent nonprofit consumer organization founded in 1974. It has for more than 40 years been an innovator in providing information to help consumers make smarter choices.