Can You Use an FSA or HSA for Vision Care?
Yes. Eye exams, prescription glasses, contacts, and vision-correction surgery are all reimbursable from your FSA or HSA. Some items need a letter.
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Short answer
Yes. Under IRS Publication 502, eye exams, prescription glasses, contact lenses, and vision-correction surgery like LASIK are reimbursable outright from your FSA, HSA or HRA. Some vision items need a letter of medical necessity.
You can pay with any card, anywhere you shop. The letter has to be dated on or before the purchase it covers, so request it before you buy.
What vision expenses are reimbursable
Vision care falls into three groups: reimbursable outright, reimbursable with a letter, and not reimbursable.
Reimbursable outright
Item | Covered? |
|---|---|
Eye exams, including refraction and dilation | Yes |
Prescription glasses and reading glasses | Yes |
Contact lenses and supplies (saline, enzyme cleaner) | Yes |
Prescription sunglasses for medical need | Yes |
Vision-correction surgery (LASIK, radial keratotomy) | Yes |
Reimbursable with a letter
Vision therapy for a diagnosed condition
Non-prescription blue light or tinted glasses recommended by a clinician for a diagnosed condition such as migraine with light sensitivity. See blue light glasses for details.
Not reimbursable
Non-prescription sunglasses bought for appearance or comfort
Cosmetic colored contact lenses
How to get reimbursed
Pay at the eye doctor, online retailer or store with any card (credit, debit, BNPL, anything). Burst files the reimbursement claim with your FSA, HSA or HRA administrator, and the administrator pays you out of your account by deposit or check.
For items that need a letter, request it before you buy. The letter has to be dated on or before the purchase it covers.
When you need a letter, when you don't
Item | Letter needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
Eye exam | No | Reimbursable outright under Publication 502 |
Prescription glasses or contacts | No | Reimbursable outright; the prescription proves medical need |
Prescription sunglasses | No | Same rule as prescription glasses |
LASIK and other vision-correction surgery | No | Reimbursable outright under Publication 502 |
Vision therapy | Yes | For a diagnosed condition a clinician names |
Non-prescription blue light glasses | Yes | Only if a clinician recommends them for a diagnosed condition |
Non-prescription sunglasses | Not applicable | Not reimbursable at all |
What the letter says
When a letter is needed, a licensed clinician writes one sentence naming a diagnosed condition and explaining how the vision purchase treats it. For vision therapy, the letter names the condition (e.g., lazy eye, strabismus). For non-prescription blue light or tinted glasses, the letter names a condition such as migraine with light sensitivity or post-concussion syndrome and explains why the lenses address it.
The administrator decides the claim under your plan's rules.
Related vision items
Other vision-related expenses you can explore:
Glasses covers prescription and reading glasses in detail.
Contact lenses covers contacts and lens solutions.
Sunglasses covers both prescription and non-prescription sunglasses.
Blue light glasses covers non-prescription blue light glasses and the conditions that qualify.
Limited purpose FSA
If your employer offers a limited purpose FSA, you can use it for vision care (and dental) alongside an HSA. A limited purpose FSA carves out vision and dental expenses, so you can fund both accounts in the same year without overlapping coverage.
Getting vision care reimbursed with Burst
When the answer is 'with a letter', this is the letter. Request it from Burst in about two minutes, a licensed clinician reviews it, and it's typically in your inbox within 24 hours. $35 once. Burst then files the reimbursement claim with your FSA, HSA or HRA administrator, and the administrator pays you out of your account by deposit or check. If no letter is issued you pay nothing, and if the claim is denied you get the $35 back. One timing rule: the letter has to be dated on or before the purchase it covers, so request it first.
Get reimbursed for my vision care
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my HSA to pay for glasses?
Yes. You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for eyeglasses and contact lenses needed for medical reasons under IRS Publication 502. You pay at the optometrist or online, and Burst files the claim with your administrator.
Are eye exams covered by FSA or HSA?
Yes. You can include in medical expenses the amount you pay for eye examinations from both FSA and HSA funds without a letter.
Can I use my FSA for LASIK surgery?
Yes. Under Publication 502, you can include in medical expenses the amount you pay for eye surgery to treat defective vision, such as laser eye surgery. Pay at the surgery center with any card, and Burst files the claim.
What about contact lenses and solution?
Both are reimbursable from FSA and HSA funds. Contact lenses themselves and all supplies needed to use them (saline solution, enzyme cleaner, rewetting drops) are covered without a letter.
Are non-prescription sunglasses reimbursable?
No. Non-prescription sunglasses are a personal item, not a qualified medical expense. Prescription sunglasses, however, are reimbursable because the prescription is the medical reason.
Do I need a letter for vision therapy?
Yes. Vision therapy is reimbursable only with a letter from a clinician diagnosing the condition it treats (such as lazy eye or strabismus).
Can I use my limited purpose FSA for an eye exam?
Yes. A limited purpose FSA covers vision and dental expenses. You can pair it with an HSA to fund both accounts in the same year.
Keep reading: Browse all eligible health and wellness items, Learn about blue light glasses and when they need a letter, and all guides on this topic.
Sources
IRS Publication 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses (eye exams, prescription glasses and contact lenses, vision-correction surgery, eye examinations and eye surgery)
IRS Publication 969 - Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans (HSA eligibility and qualified medical expenses)
Healthcare.gov Glossary (FSA and HSA account rules)
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