What is an FSA for eye care?
A flexible spending account (FSA) allows you to set aside pre-tax money from your paycheck to pay for eligible medical expenses. This means you can save money while covering items like eye care supplies and other vision needs, many of which qualify for FSA reimbursement.
Health care FSA plans are typically sponsored by an employer and set up separately from health insurance. They allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for expenses not covered by insurance. It’s a smart way to lower what you might personally spend on vision costs, such as:
- Eye exams
- Prescription glasses
- Contact lenses
- Laser eye surgery
- Eye care supplies
Eye care supplies include items like eyeglass accessories, contact lens cleaning solutions, over-the-counter eye drops and other qualifying FSA reimbursable expenses.
Why enroll in a health care FSA?
Enrolling in an FSA can make it easier to manage the costs of eye care, supplies and other health-related expenses. Key benefits include:
- Saving on qualifying expenses – An FSA can lower out-of-pocket costs for eligible medical services and other items by an average of 30%.
- Full-year access – The full annual FSA contribution amount is available on the first day of the plan year, even if you haven’t contributed the full amount yet.
- Carryover option – Some plans allow you to carry over up to $660 to the next plan year when you re-enroll, reducing the chance of losing unused funds.
LEARN MORE: How to enroll in an FSA
How to get reimbursed for eye care supplies
You may be able to use FSA funds to pay for eye care supplies and services purchased directly from optometrists or ophthalmologists, retail stores or online. This can include paying for eligible items at the time of purchase or submitting a claim for FSA reimbursement.
Paying for vision products
There are different ways to use FSA money for eye care services, including:
- Swiping a special FSA card linked to the account
- Paying health care providers through an online system
- Paying out of pocket, then sending in receipts to get reimbursed
Ask your employer or plan administrator which options are available to you.
Filing a claim
The process for filing an FSA claim for reimbursement may vary depending on your plan. However, the general steps are detailed below:
Step 1: Gather required documents
To file an FSA claim, you’ll need proof of your expenses, such as receipts or an explanation of benefits (EOB) form from your insurance company. Keeping your receipts and paperwork organized can help make this process smoother.
Itemized receipts
Each receipt submitted must clearly show the following details:
- Patient name
- Provider name
- Date of service or purchase
- Type of service or product
- Cost, amount paid or amount not covered by insurance
EOB forms
For services billed to insurance, an explanation of benefits is required. It shows which services were covered, which were not and other details needed to prove eligibility for FSA reimbursement.
Step 2: Submitting the claim
It’s best to check with your FSA plan administrator to understand their claims process and how to submit the required documentation. This may be in one of three ways:
- Online – Sign in through the designated website or portal to submit your claim and upload your documents.
- Mobile app – Log in to the app to enter the claim details and upload photos of your documents.
- Fax or mail – Complete the claim form and mail it with copies of your documents to the address or fax number provided.
Step 3: Tracking claim status
After submitting your claim, it’s a good idea to check your account or app to confirm that the claim was received and is being processed.
It usually takes anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to receive your FSA reimbursement. This may be a direct deposit to your account or a paper check. In some cases, you may have the option for your provider to be paid directly with your reimbursement funds.
FSA-eligible eye care expenses
An FSA can help save money on a wide range of vision-related expenses. It can be used to cover qualified costs when they’re deemed medically necessary. But coverage may vary from one plan to the next, so check with your plan administrator to confirm which products and services are eligible.
Below are some common FSA reimbursable expenses for eye care:
Glasses and prescription sunglasses
Vision insurance may cover some or all of the cost of glasses, but benefits are often capped at a set dollar amount each year. An FSA can be used to pay the difference or part of the difference, depending on the plan. With a valid prescription, FSA funds can be used for:
- Prescription glasses (frames and lenses)
- Bifocal or multifocal lenses
- Prescription sunglasses
- Blue-light glasses (may require a letter of medical necessity)
- Prescription safety goggles
- Sports masks with prescription lenses
- Prescription designer glasses
Reading glasses may also be purchased with an FSA — no prescription required — through an FSA-approved retailer, online or in-store. Non-prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses are usually not covered.
READ MORE: Can I use my HSA or FSA for glasses and other eyewear?
Contact lenses and supplies
Prescription contact lenses are a common FSA-eligible expense. Some FSA plans also cover many related supplies and services, such as:
- Contact lens cleaning solution
- Contact lens cases
- Enzyme cleaner for contact lenses
- Rewetting drops
- Saline solution
Non-prescription contact lenses are not a covered expense.
Eye drops and treatments
An FSA can help with the cost of some treatments and products that support eye health, including:
- Prescription eye drops
- Over-the-counter eye drops for certain medical conditions (such as dry eye and allergies)
- Therapy eye masks
- Lens cleaning tissues or pre-moistened eyeglass wipes
- Eyeglass repair kits and cleaning cloths
Eye exams
Eye exams are generally considered reimbursable FSA expenses. They’re performed to evaluate your overall eye health and check for eye diseases and vision conditions.
Qualifying preventive and diagnostic eye exam services may include:
- Comprehensive eye exams
- Evaluations for new glasses or contact lenses
- Refraction tests for prescription eyewear
- Eye pressure screenings and other diagnostics
- Retinal imaging and dilation
Rules for eye care FSA reimbursement
Before using your FSA for vision care, it’s helpful to understand the basic rules that affect how you can use and access your funds. Below is a simplified overview of the key FSA guidelines that impact reimbursement:
- Immediate access – The full yearly amount is accessible at the start of the plan year, even though your paycheck contributions are taken throughout the year.
- Contribution limit – In 2025, the annual FSA contribution is capped at $3,300. Employers may set a lower amount but cannot exceed the maximum.
- Employer contributions – Employers can contribute up to $500 even if no employee contribution is made. After that, employers can only match up to the same amount the employee puts in.
- Open enrollment required – Enrollment happens during the employer’s yearly sign-up period. Changes outside of this period require a qualifying life event, such as getting married or the birth of a child.
- Eligible expenses – FSAs may be used to pay for approved medical expenses, as well as insurance deductibles, coinsurance, copays and certain medical costs not covered by insurance (like LASIK). Many over-the-counter medications are eligible for FSA reimbursement without a prescription.
- Use-it-or-lose-it rule – Unused funds generally expire at the end of the plan year, unless your plan allows a grace period or carryover amount.
Tips for using an FSA for vision supplies
The following strategies can help you make the most of your FSA funds for eye care:
- Understand the plan details – Know the account balance, deposit limits, deadlines and rules (including how much you can carry over, if applicable).
- Keep receipts – Don’t lose track of receipts for eye exams, prescriptions and eligible over-the-counter items. It’s important to keep receipts and other documentation for reimbursement purposes.
- Budget for the year – Estimate your yearly vision expenses like copays, deductibles, glasses, contact lenses and other approved eye care costs to help determine the right amount to add to your FSA.
- Maximize contributions – Contribute the full annual limit when possible. Consider taking advantage of any employer match to increase the available funds.
- Use funds before they expire – Schedule eye care services early and plan purchases before deadlines. Some plans offer a grace period or limited carryover, so review your plan’s rules to avoid losing any unused funds.
- Keep track of your FSA card – If your FSA card is lost or stolen, you might not have the same protection as with a bank card.
- Stay on top of claim submissions – Submit claims regularly so you stay up to date on your account balance.
Mistakes to avoid when using FSAs for eye care
Some common mistakes to avoid with an FSA include:
- Contributing more than you expect to use in a year
- Planning to make your insurance premium payments with an FSA (it's not allowed)
- Losing track of receipts for reimbursable items
- Missing claim submission deadlines
- Trying to use your FSA to pay for services or items that aren’t eligible (like employment eye exams or non-prescription sunglasses)
What happens to unused FSA funds?
Unused FSA funds generally expire at the end of the plan year, meaning your money may be lost if you don’t use it. However, in 2025, some employers may offer either a short grace period or allow a carryover option of up to $660 to the next plan year. The availability of these options depends on the plan.
Make the most of FSA reimbursement for eye care
Using an FSA for eye care supplies can be a smart way to save money while covering your vision needs. Knowing how FSA reimbursement works can reduce your out-of-pocket costs for eye care services and supplies. Understanding reimbursement rules, tracking expenses and planning purchases before deadlines can help you make the most of your available funds.
