Vision insurance | healthinsurance.org - Health Insurance Resource Center

What does vision insurance cover?

Vision insurance is designed to pay some of the costs that a policyholder would otherwise have to pay out-of-pocket for routine vision care, including optometry exams, glasses, and contact lenses.

The specifics vary by plan, but it's common for vision insurance policies to offer a fairly low copay for a routine eye exam, along with an annual allowance that can be used for glasses and/or contacts. And although LASIK vision correction is not covered by vision plans, some provide discounts.

Vision insurance typically does not cover treatment of eye injuries, infections, or diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration. But those are instead covered by most types of health insurance.