Is going to an optometrist to get an eye exam less expensive?

No: Optometrists are far less skillful in the use of eye instruments used routinely by ophthalmologists. Instead they buy expensive machines which can image the eye and use the results of these gadgets to substitute for their lack of skill. Unfortunately, they charge for each study. Every survey has shown the visit to optometrists is much more costly than to an ophthalmologist - for less skill !