

I’m addition to what was already mentioned, I will say that is not like that everywhere. In Europe I can go to an optician and they will do the eye test and sell you glasses without any kind of medical prescription. I would only see the actual eye doctor if I had some medical issue (e.g. diabetes).
I suspect some of that relates to reimbursement. My insurance in the US covers my eye glasses and checkups. In Europe my glasses were not covered.
Yep. You still get the measurements done and can get a piece of paper with the numbers on it from the optometrist.
Things have improved over time in the US. As someone mentioned, you can submit your prescription to an online store and get cheaper glasses that way. It used to be I had to go to an eye doctor’s office for that.
They still try to convince you to stay with them, of course. When I needed bifocals they tried to tell me I had to come in for training on how to wear them. I declined.
As is typical for the US, if you have good insurance you’re generally in good shape. I haven’t had out of pocket expenses for glasses for years, and I only paid a small amount to have laser surgery later.