TRICARE Vision Coverage: Eye Exams, Glasses, and LASIK Units

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For official policy and the most up-to-date information, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## Is it covered? TRICARE vision coverage depends on who you are (active duty vs. retiree) and which plan you use. While routine eye exams are covered for most beneficiaries, permanent hardware like glasses or contacts are generally only covered for Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) or to treat specific medical conditions.

## What TRICARE covers Coverage varies significantly based on your status:

* **Routine Eye Exams:** * **Active Duty:** Covered annually to maintain medical readiness. * **ADSM Family Members:** Covered once per year. * **Retirees and Families (Prime):** Covered every two years. * **Retirees and Families (Select):** Not covered by TRICARE (you may use FEDVIP for this). * **Medical Vision Care:** TRICARE covers the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases (like glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration) and eye injuries for all beneficiaries. * **Eyeglasses and Contacts:** * **Covered for:** Active duty members and activated Guard/Reserve. * **Limited Coverage for others:** Only if required to treat a medical condition, such as infantile glaucoma, keratoconus, or following cataract surgery (one pair of glasses or contacts per eye). * **Exclusions:** * Radial keratotomy or other refractive surgeries (LASIK/PRK) are generally not covered for family members or retirees. * Hardware (frames and lenses) for retirees and their families (unless for the specific medical reasons noted above).

## Costs For the 2026 plan year, costs depend on your beneficiary category (Group A vs. Group B) and plan type.

* **TRICARE Prime:** * Active Duty/Family: $0 copay for covered exams. * Retirees/Family: Approximately $25–$35 per routine exam (2026 rates). * **TRICARE Select:** * Active Duty Family: $0 copay at a network provider. * Retirees/Family: Routine exams are generally not covered. Out-of-pocket costs apply unless using **FEDVIP** (Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program). * **TRICARE For Life (TFL):** * TFL follows Medicare rules. Medicare does not cover routine eye exams, but TRICARE covers one routine exam every two years for TFL beneficiaries.

## Pre-authorization & referrals * **Active Duty Service Members:** Always require a referral for any vision care sought off-post/base. * **TRICARE Prime:** Referrals are generally not required for routine eye exams when seeing a network optometrist. However, a referral is required for specialty care (Ophthalmology) or for any care provided by a non-network provider. * **TRICARE Select:** No referral or pre-authorization is required for routine vision care from any TRICARE-authorized provider.

## Where to get care * **East Region:** Use the **Humana Military** provider directory to find network optometrists. * **West Region:** Use the **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** provider directory (effective Jan 1, 2025). * **Military Hospitals/Clinics:** Active duty members usually get care at military treatment facilities (MTFs). Space-available care may be open to family members and retirees. * **FEDVIP:** If you are a retiree or a family member on TRICARE Select, you likely need a separate vision plan. Visit [benefeds.com](https://www.benefeds.com) to compare vision insurance carriers like VSP, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or UnitedHealthcare.

## Sources 1. **TRICARE.mil Vision Page:** [https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/Vision](https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/Vision) 2. **TRICARE Policy Manual 6010.63-M:** Chapter 7, Section 6.1 (Eye Exams) and Section 6.2 (Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses). 3. **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** Vision Care Guidelines for Active Duty and Retirees. 4. **Benefeds (FEDVIP):** [https://www.benefeds.com](https://www.benefeds.com) (For supplemental vision coverage details).