An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | June 10, 2025

Keep an Eye on Your Vision Health With TRICARE

By TRICARE Communications

About 11 million Americans over age 12 need vision correction, according to the CDC. Do you know if you’re one of them? Getting routine eye exams to monitor your eyesight can help detect and prevent eye diseases early.

“Tending to your vision is an important part of supporting an overall healthy lifestyle,” said Jeannine Pickrell, M.S., RN, director for Population Health and Disease Management, TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency. “Taking care of your eye health throughout your life can help preserve your vision as you age.”

Your vision coverage depends on who you are, your TRICARE health plan, and your age. Keep reading to learn more about TRICARE’s vision coverage and, if eligible, options through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.

Routine eye exams

Active duty service members (including activated National Guard and Reserve members)

Active duty service members are required to have regularly scheduled eye exams to stay fit for duty. Learn more about your options by visiting Eye Exams for Active Duty Service Members.

If you have:

If you see a civilian provider, you’ll need to give a copy of your eye exam results to your PCM.

Are you an inactive National Guard or Reserve member or their family member? Your vision coverage options depend on your sponsor’s status and TRICARE health plan. Go to Eye Exams for National Guard and Reserve Members and Their Family Members for details.

Active duty family members

Active duty family members may be eligible for TRICARE covered eye exams. Your depends on your beneficiary status, health plan, and age. TRICARE covers:
  • One eye exam per year for ADFMs
  • One eye exam every two years for children ages 3–6 as part of the well-child care benefit

If you have diabetes, you may get medically necessary eye exams. This is in addition to your routine eye exam coverage.

Learn more about eye exam coverage for ADFMs.

Retirees and their family members

Retirees and their family members must be enrolled in a TRICARE Prime plan to be eligible for routine eye exams. TRICARE covers:

Check Eye Exams for Retirees, Their Families, and All Others for more information, including guidelines about where you can get your eyes checked. Remember: You may need a referral or pre-authorization before getting care.

Glasses and contacts

After your eye exam, your provider may recommend glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision.

TRICARE only covers glasses or contact lenses to treat certain conditions, like infantile glaucoma. Check out Glasses and Contacts to see what’s covered.

However, if you’re:

  • An ADSM or activated National Guard or Reserve member: You may be able to get glasses from your military hospital or clinic’s optometry clinic. If you don’t live near a military hospital or clinic, you may be eligible to order through Naval Ophthalmic Readiness Activity Yorktown. To see if you’re eligible, visit the NORA Yorktown webpage.
  • A retiree: You may be eligible to order glasses from NORA Yorktown. To see if you’re eligible, visit the NORA Yorktown webpage.

You may also qualify for vision coverage through FEDVIP. You must be enrolled in a TRICARE health plan to be eligible. Those who can purchase a FEDVIP vision plan include:

To learn more about the FEDVIP vision plans visit FEDVIP.

Are you enrolled in the US Family Health Plan? Your coverage for eye exams and glasses and contacts depends on your USFHP provider. Check with your provider to see what’s covered.

Remember: Regular eye exams promote healthy eyes, support clear vision, and help detect problems early. Make your eye health and vision a priority. To learn more, visit Vision or contact your regional contractor with questions.

 

Father and son hold hands while walking down a street

Unlock Your Health by Understanding the TRICARE ...

News
Aug. 26, 2025

Do you have TRICARE Prime? If so, you likely get most of your routine health care from your primary care...
Read More
Image of woman sitting on sofa on laptop. Text reads: "Participants needed for virtual tricare.mil usability study. Learn if you qualify." TRICARE logo

Share Your Thoughts on Tricare.mil in Upcoming U...

News
Aug. 22, 2025

Are you interested in shaping the future of TRICARE’s web presence? The Defense Health Agency Usability Lab is...
Read More
Smiling woman holds a baby.

How TRICARE Covers Breastfeeding Supplies and Se...

News
Aug. 21, 2025

Are you pregnant or did you recently have a baby? TRICARE covers certain breast pumps and supplies and...
Read More
Medical professional looks at dental x-rays

TRICARE Medical vs. Dental Coverage: Understandi...

News
Aug. 19, 2025

When you need care for your mouth, jaw, or teeth, you may have questions about whether you should use your...
Read More
Man in grey shirt speaks to a doctor

Medicare and TRICARE For Life: Finding Providers

News
Aug. 14, 2025

If you have TRICARE For Life, you’ll get health care from Medicare providers. Here’s what you need to know...
Read More
A hand places white flowers on a stone grave

How a Death in the Family May Affect Your TRICAR...

News
Aug. 12, 2025

When a family member passes away, it can feel overwhelming to deal with paperwork on top of the emotional...
Read More
Female teacher leads a group of young students into school

Get Your Child Ready for the New School Year: A ...

News
Aug. 07, 2025

Getting your child’s health care needs taken care of before school starts helps ensure they’re ready to focus...
Read More
Service member pours pills into a pill counter machine

TRICARE Coverage of Weight Loss Medications: Wha...

News
Aug. 05, 2025

Understanding the difference between TRICARE plans and coverage is key to knowing what to expect when filling...
Read More

Aug. 26, 2025

Unlock Your Health by Understanding the TRICARE Prime Referral Process

Do you have TRICARE Prime? If so, you likely get most of your routine health care from your primary care manager. But sometimes, you may need specialty care that your PCM can’t provide. This is when your PCM will give you a referral. In this article, you’ll learn about the TRICARE Prime referral process. We’ll highlight what’s new—and easier—for you and your family members if you’re moving this year.

Aug. 22, 2025

Share Your Thoughts on Tricare.mil in Upcoming Usability Study

Are you interested in shaping the future of TRICARE’s web presence? The Defense Health Agency Usability Lab is looking for participants for a tricare.mil usability study. The DHA Usability Lab will hold several studies to get feedback on the website.

Aug. 21, 2025

How TRICARE Covers Breastfeeding Supplies and Services

Are you pregnant or did you recently have a baby? TRICARE covers certain breast pumps and supplies and breastfeeding counseling at no cost for new mothers.

Aug. 19, 2025

TRICARE Medical vs. Dental Coverage: Understanding Key Differences

When you need care for your mouth, jaw, or teeth, you may have questions about whether you should use your TRICARE medical or dental plan. Knowing when to use your medical or dental coverage helps avoid unnecessary costs or delays in care.

Aug. 14, 2025

Medicare and TRICARE For Life: Finding Providers

If you have TRICARE For Life, you’ll get health care from Medicare providers. Here’s what you need to know about finding different types of Medicare providers.

Aug. 12, 2025

How a Death in the Family May Affect Your TRICARE Coverage

When a family member passes away, it can feel overwhelming to deal with paperwork on top of the emotional burden. This article provides a few steps you should take in the weeks following your family member’s death. Taking these steps can help ensure your coverage continues without interruption.

Aug. 7, 2025

Get Your Child Ready for the New School Year: A TRICARE Parent’s Guide

Getting your child’s health care needs taken care of before school starts helps ensure they’re ready to focus on learning. TRICARE covers the essential services that parents need to check off their back-to-school list.

Aug. 5, 2025

TRICARE Coverage of Weight Loss Medications: What To Know

Understanding the difference between TRICARE plans and coverage is key to knowing what to expect when filling your prescription. There are different rules about how TRICARE covers these drugs based on your plan.

July 31, 2025

TRICARE Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Members: Know Your Options

Are you or your sponsor in the National Guard or Reserve? Your health coverage changes when activating or deactivating. Here’s what you need to know.

July 29, 2025

Unlock Your Health: Check Your TRICARE Information in DEERS Today

When was the last time you looked to see if your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System is up to date? If it’s been a while, it’s extremely important to take time and log in to DEERS to review or update your information.