Costco Optical is really two things sharing a counter. There is the optical department, which sells glasses and contacts and handles adjustments, and there is the independent optometrist next door who does the eye exams. They keep different hours, and neither matches the warehouse.
Typical optical hours
| Day | Optical department | Warehouse |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 10:00 AM to about 7:00 PM | 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM to about 6:00 PM | 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM to about 5:00 PM | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
The counter typically closes an hour to ninety minutes before the warehouse. If you are collecting finished glasses after work, that gap is what to plan around.
The optometrist keeps separate hours
The eye doctor at a Costco is an independent practice renting space, not a Costco employee. That means their hours are set by them, they may not work every day of the week, and they are almost always appointment only. Some are closed two or three days a week entirely. Book by phone with that practice rather than assuming you can walk in.
Non-members can buy prescription eyewear
Like the pharmacy, optical falls under rules that let non-members buy prescription glasses and contact lenses. You will need to ask at the membership desk for a pass to get in. You cannot use it to shop the rest of the warehouse, and non-prescription sunglasses are not covered by the exemption.
Timing a visit properly
- Frame fitting takes time. Allow forty-five minutes if you are choosing frames rather than just collecting, and do not start that process thirty minutes before the counter closes.
- Adjustments are quick and free. Bent arms and loose screws are a five minute job, and you do not need an appointment.
- Contacts need a valid prescription on file. Bring it or have your optometrist send it over before you arrive.
Holidays
Optical closes on the same seven holidays as the warehouse, and often shuts entirely on the eves when the site closes at 5:00 PM. Holiday closures in full.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Costco Optical close?
Typically an hour to ninety minutes before the warehouse, so about 7:00 PM on weekdays and 6:00 PM on Saturday.
Can non-members buy glasses at Costco Optical?
Yes for prescription glasses and contact lenses, which fall under the same exemption as the pharmacy. Non-prescription sunglasses are not covered.
Are the eye doctor’s hours the same as Optical?
No. The optometrist is an independent practice renting space, sets its own hours, may not work every day and is almost always appointment only.