Does TRICARE cover eye exams and vision care?

Direct answer: It depends on who you are: active-duty family members get annual routine eye exams on any plan, but retirees and their families need TRICARE Prime and are limited to one routine exam every two years — TRICARE Select and TRICARE For Life don't cover routine eye exams at all.

Applies to: All TRICARE plans · All regions

Details

Active-duty service members get eye exams as needed to maintain fitness for duty. Children up to age six are covered for well-child eye exams on any plan. TRICARE only covers glasses or contact lenses to treat specific medical conditions, such as infantile glaucoma — not for routine vision correction. If your plan doesn’t cover routine exams, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) is a separate option available during a qualifying life event or Federal Benefits Open Season.

What to do next

Confirm this with your Primary Care Manager or regional contractor before scheduling — rules can vary by region and by service.