Author: Madison Rivera

If you have a health savings account (HSA) with your health plan, you can use it to pay for reading glasses and other eligible eye care expenses. These tax-advantaged accounts offer a helpful solution for managing medical costs.

Below, we’ll go into more detail about reading glasses, HSAs, and some other eligible eyewear products you can purchase with your health savings account funds.

What Is an HSA?

A health savings account, or HSA, is a tax-advantaged savings account available only to people who have an HSA-qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP). There are numerous advantages to having an HSA, including:

• Funds are made up of pre-tax payroll contributions

• Withdrawals to pay for eligible medical expenses are tax-free

• You own the account, so you don’t forfeit any HSA money if you change jobs

• Funds roll over every year, and there are no deadlines for requesting reimbursement

Because of these benefits, HSAs can provide qualified candidates with a great way to save up for and save on future health care expenses.

Are Reading Glasses HSA Eligible?

Since they correct vision, reading glasses are HSA-eligible expenses. At Foster Grant, we offer reading glasses in a variety of styles and magnification options, including:

• Full-magnification readers – These readers have a uniform reading strength throughout the lens, making them perfect for tasks like reading and close work.

• Bifocal-style readers – Lenses in these readers have a small reading-strength segment at the bottom while the rest is left unmagnified. This allows people to keep wearing them even if they aren’t reading — they can just look through the plano (non-magnified) part of the lenses.

• Multi Focus™ readers – These multifocal readers have three lens powers in each lens, so they can be used for reading, computer work, and interaction.

• Blue light readers – Our blue light readers have lenses that help filter blue-violet light** from the sun and artificial sources (including digital devices).

• Reading sunglasses – Our SunReaders® reading sunglasses provide 100% UVA-UVB lens protection and reading magnification so you can enjoy a good book under the sun.

Are Non-Prescription Glasses HSA Eligible?

HSA funds can be used to purchase both prescription and non-prescription readers and reading sunglasses. Non-prescription reading glasses are HSA-eligible expenses because they provide vision correction.

Other Eligible Eyewear Products

In addition to reading glasses, HSAs cover other eye health and eyewear products and services. If you’re familiar with the range of medical and vision expenses that qualify for HSA funds, it may be easier to plan for and save on future costs.

Here are some popular eye- and vision-related items that are typically eligible for purchase with HSA funds:

• Prescription eyewear, including glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses

• Contact lens solution and cases

• Some eyewear accessories

• Eye exam co-pays

Some plans may also cover non-corrective sunglasses lenses if they are needed for medical reasons, such as light sensitivity.

Depending on the retailer, you may be able to pay for your reading glasses with your HSA debit card. If that’s not an option (or you don’t have your card), keep the receipt and submit a claim for reimbursement.

If you have any questions about buying glasses with HSA funds, it’s important to speak with your plan administrator, as policies can vary. They can clarify specific details about your account and reimbursement eligibility.

What About FSA Eligibility?

Like an HSA, a flexible spending account (FSA) gives people a way to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses. But unlike HSAs, FSA funds must generally be used during the plan year (though some plans allow limited rollovers or grace periods).

Both HSA and FSA funds can be used to purchase prescription and over-the-counter reading glasses, in addition to other qualified eye care expenses. Therefore, reading glasses are HSA-eligible and FSA-eligible.

Maximizing Your Savings for Clearer Vision

You can use your HSA funds to purchase prescription or non-prescription reading glasses. This helps you keep clear vision while lowering your out-of-pocket costs. The more you know, the more you can save with your health savings account.

At Foster Grant, you’ll find a broad selection of fashionable, high-quality reading glasses and sunglasses. Browse our collections to find the pair that best suits your style and vision needs.

PLEASE NOTE: This article is for informational purposes only. You should review the IRS rules regarding qualified medical expenses and consult your HSA provider to confirm the eligibility of specific products. You can also visit HealthCare.gov for more information about setting up a health savings account.

**Filters at least 30% of blue-violet light. The percentage refers to the average amount of blue-violet light (between 400-455nm as stated by ISO TR 20772:2018) filtered as measured in 5 nm increments. Covered under U.S. Pat. No. 8,360,574. Other U.S. and foreign patents pending.

SOURCES:

1. Publication 502 (2024), medical and dental expenses. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). December 2024.
2. What is an HSA, and how does it work? All About Vision. September 2019.*
3. What’s the difference between an HSA and FSA? All About Vision. August 2019.*
4. FAQ: Can I use my FSA/HSA on glasses? All About Vision. September 2019.*
5. Reading glasses: FSA eligibility. FSA Store®. Accessed November 2024.
6. Can I Use FSA or HSA for Glasses? Eyebuydirect. May 2022.*
7. FAQ: Can I use my FSA/HSA on non-prescription glasses? All About Vision. September 2019.*
8. What can I spend my HSA on? All About Vision. September 2019.*
9. What is an FSA, and how does it work? All About Vision. November 2020.*

The sources listed here have been provided for informational purposes only. The citation of a particular source does not constitute an endorsement or approval of EssilorLuxottica products, services, or opinions by such source.

*Like Foster Grant, All About Vision, Eyebuydirect, and AAV Media, LLC are affiliates of EssilorLuxottica.