Can I Use My FSA for Glasses and Vision Care?

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an employer-sponsored benefit that allows individuals to set aside pre-tax money for eligible healthcare expenses, including vision care. This effectively reduces your taxable income and provides a discount on qualified medical costs. Funds are deducted from your paycheck before taxes, making FSAs a valuable tool for managing out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenditures not covered by standard insurance plans.

Eligible Vision Expenses

Flexible Spending Accounts cover a broad range of vision-related products and services deemed medically necessary to correct or treat a vision condition. Common eligible expenses include comprehensive eye exams conducted by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Prescription eyeglasses, including frames and lenses, are covered, as are prescription contact lenses and their solutions. Specialized eyewear like prescription sunglasses, progressive lenses, bifocals, and corrective swim goggles are also eligible, provided they are prescribed to correct vision.

Vision correction surgeries, such as LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy), also qualify as eligible expenses. Non-prescription items are not covered, including non-corrective blue-light glasses, non-prescription colored contact lenses, fashion glasses, and non-prescription sunglasses. While reading glasses do not require a prescription for purchase, they are still considered an eligible FSA expense because they aid in vision correction.

Using Your FSA for Eyewear

Accessing your Flexible Spending Account funds for eligible eyewear and vision services is straightforward. Many FSA plans issue a dedicated debit card. You can use this card directly at optometrist offices, optical shops, and many online retailers that accept FSA/HSA payments. Using the debit card simplifies paying for expenses upfront with pre-tax funds.

If you do not have an FSA debit card, or if a vendor does not accept it, you can pay for eligible expenses out-of-pocket and then seek reimbursement from your FSA administrator. For reimbursement, submit a claim form along with specific documentation. This documentation includes an itemized receipt detailing the provider’s name, date of service, patient’s name, a description of the service or item (e.g., “prescription eyeglasses” or “eye exam”), and the amount paid.

Credit card statements or canceled checks are not sufficient proof; itemized statements are required to verify eligibility. Keep all receipts and supporting documents in case your plan administrator or the IRS requests verification.

Key FSA Considerations

Flexible Spending Accounts operate under specific rules that account holders must understand. The “use-it-or-lose-it” rule dictates that funds not used by the end of the plan year are forfeited. However, employers can offer provisions for more flexibility. One common option is a grace period, which allows up to two and a half months after the plan year ends to incur new eligible expenses.

Another option employers offer is a carryover provision, allowing a portion of unused funds to roll over into the next plan year. For plan years beginning in 2025, the maximum carryover amount for health care FSAs is $660. Employers can choose to offer either a grace period or a carryover, but not both.

The annual contribution limit for a health care FSA for 2025 is $3,300 per employee. This limit applies per employer; if both spouses have access to an FSA through their employers, they can each contribute up to the maximum. Planning anticipated vision expenses, such as annual eye exams or new eyewear, helps ensure funds are utilized effectively.