TRICARE Glasses and Contacts Coverage Guide 2026 | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer TRICARE generally covers eye exams but does **not** pay for glasses or contact lenses for most beneficiaries, including retirees and family members. The exception is Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs), who receive standard-issue eyewear, and certain medical cases where lenses are used to treat specific eye diseases or injuries.

Details

### Active Duty Service Members (ADSM) If you are on active duty, your vision hardware is fully covered. You must obtain your glasses through your military treatment facility (MTF) or your unit's supply chain. * **Standard Issue:** Usually includes two pairs of standard frames (often called "BCGs" or modern equivalents) and one pair of prescription inserts for gas masks. * **Contact Lenses:** These are generally not provided or covered for ADSMs unless they are medically necessary to treat a specific condition like keratoconus.

### Active Duty Family Members (ADFM) TRICARE does not pay for frames or contact lenses for family members of active duty personnel. You are responsible for the full cost of hardware. However: * **Exam Coverage:** TRICARE Prime and Select cover one routine eye exam per year for ADFMs. * **FEDVIP:** Most families choose to enroll in the **Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)**, a separate dental and vision insurance program managed by OPM, to lower the cost of glasses and contacts.

### Retirees and Their Families TRICARE does not provide coverage for glasses or contact lenses for retirees. * **Routine Exams:** Coverage varies. TRICARE Prime retirees may have a copay for a routine exam; TRICARE Select retirees typically have no coverage for routine eye exams (only medically necessary exams). * **FEDVIP Eligibility:** Retirees are eligible to purchase vision insurance through FEDVIP. Enrollment generally occurs during the annual Open Season (mid-November to mid-December).

### Medical Exceptions (When Lenses ARE Covered) TRICARE will cover lenses (glasses or contacts) as a prosthetic under specific medical circumstances for any beneficiary: * **Glaucoma/Cataracts:** After surgery to treat a cataract where the natural lens is replaced. * **Infantile Glaucoma:** Lenses for children with this condition. * **Keratoconus:** If the condition is severe enough that contacts are the only way to achieve functional vision. * **Loss of Eye Lens:** Due to surgery or trauma.

### 2026 Costs and FEDVIP Since TRICARE does not cover hardware, "2026 rates" for glasses depend entirely on the FEDVIP plan you select (e.g., Vision Service Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision, or UnitedHealthcare Vision). These plans typically offer $0 or $10 copays for frames and a $150–$250 frame allowance.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty:** Fully covered for standard-issue frames. * **Family Members:** Not covered (hardware). * **Retirees:** Not covered (hardware). * **Guard/Reserve:** Not covered unless on active duty orders for more than 30 days.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Vision Coverage Overview](https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Vision) * **OPM.gov:** [FEDVIP Vision Plans](https://www.benefeds.com) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region):** [Vision Benefits](https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military (East Region):** [Vision Services](https://www.humanamilitary.com)