Vision Insurance

Last updated: December 9, 2025 Recently updated

Vision Insurance Guide

Coverage for eye exams, glasses, contacts, and vision care

Not sure what coverage you need? Take our free 2-minute quiz to get personalized insurance recommendations.

What is Vision Insurance?

Vision Insurance provides essential protection for you and your family. Understanding how it works helps you make better coverage decisions.

Key Features

Coverage details and benefits
What’s typically included
Common exclusions to be aware of
Cost factors that affect premiums

Who Needs Vision Insurance?

Learn whether this type of coverage is right for your situation and how to determine the appropriate coverage amount.

How to Choose a Policy

Tips for comparing policies, understanding terms, and finding the best value for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about vision insurance answered.

Having a Baby Checklist - Vision coverage for children
Retiring Checklist - Vision coverage with Medicare

Dental Insurance - Often bundled with vision coverage
Family Health Insurance - Comprehensive family coverage

Health Insurance Guide - Overview of health coverage options
Insurance for Seniors (65+) - Vision coverage with Medicare
Insurance for Young Families - Family vision coverage

Data Sources

Vision insurance data in this guide come from Vision Council (opens in new tab) industry reports, AAO (opens in new tab) (American Academy of Ophthalmology), and AOA (opens in new tab) (American Optometric Association) surveys. Learn more about our data collection methods on our Methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does vision insurance cover?

Vision insurance typically covers annual eye exams, prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses (with allowances), and discounts on lens options and frames. Some plans include discounts on LASIK surgery. Most plans provide an annual allowance for materials ($100-$200 for frames, $100-$150 for contacts).

Is standalone vision insurance worth the cost?

Vision insurance makes sense if you wear glasses or contacts and will use the benefits annually. Compare the annual premium (typically $10-20/month) against what you’d spend on an eye exam and glasses. For occasional users, paying out-of-pocket or using retail discounts may be more economical.

Can I use vision insurance for LASIK?

Some vision plans offer discounts (typically 15-30%) on LASIK at participating providers, but the surgery itself isn’t usually covered. If LASIK is your goal, look specifically for plans with LASIK benefits or use flexible spending accounts (FSA) or health savings accounts (HSA) for tax-advantaged savings.