Are Sunglasses FSA Eligible?

By Anna Barden 

Sunglasses are a great way to channel your personal aesthetic, from classic styles to bold new trends. But aside from their fashion element, sunglasses are also crucial to protecting the health of your eyes and vision.  

Wearing sunglasses with 100% UVA-UVB lens protection is key to combating the effects of long-term sun exposure and helping prevent cataracts, macular degeneration, and other health issues. The tinted lenses help reduce glare and irritation from bright sunlight.  

Prescription sunglasses and sun readers offer another benefit by including vision correction in addition to the elements of fashion and UV protection. Foster Grant has numerous styles of reading sunglasses to tailor to each of these needs.  

What Do FSA Funds Cover? 

In most cases, you can apply flexible spending account (FSA) funds to medically necessary devices. Since prescription eyewear (including prescription sunglasses) are designed to improve your vision, they are considered medically necessary.  

Because reading glasses and reading sunglasses also help improve your vision (specifically your near vision), they are also FSA-eligible even though they don’t require a prescription. 

Here’s what you need to know about FSA for sunglasses: 

Can You Use FSA for Sunglasses? 

You can use your FSA funds toward any prescription eyewear. This includes prescription sunglasses. Non-prescription sunglasses are typically not FSA-eligible unless they: 

• Are considered medically necessary

• Are prescribed by a doctor 

• Help improve your vision — as is the case with reading sunglasses 

An FSA is a great way to save money on vision expenses that are not be covered by insurance, including:  

• Prescription eyeglasses 

• Prescription contact lenses

• Contact lens solutions 

• Eye exam co-pays 

• Some eyewear accessories  

Are Polarized Sunglasses FSA Eligible? 

Polarization and other lens coatings are usually FSA-eligible when added to prescription sunglass lenses. Options could include: 

• Polarized lenses  

• Photochromic lenses 

• Mirrored lenses  

Just remember that these extras are typically only considered FSA-eligible if they are added to prescription lenses.  

SEE RELATED: Why Polarized Sunglasses?  

Are Non-Prescription Sunglasses FSA Eligible? 

In most cases, non-prescription sunglasses are not eligible for payment with FSA funds. However, reading sunglasses like our SunReaders® are FSA-eligible because they help correct presbyopia. Reading glasses (without tinted lenses) are also FSA-eligible for this reason. 

In other situations, an eye doctor may determine that non-corrective sunglasses are medically necessary for your condition. In these cases, you will need a written note or prescription from your doctor for FSA use. 

How to Use FSA for Sunglasses 

You can use your FSA funds to purchase prescription and reading sunglasses online, through your eye doctor, or at an optical or retail store. Most people are given an FSA debit card, which can often be used to pay during the checkout process just like a regular debit or credit card.  

If you didn't use your FSA debit card, or a retailer doesn’t accept FSA cards as payment, you can request reimbursement for eligible items. To do this, you’ll need to submit your receipt and any other necessary documentation to your insurance provider. 

The process may be different depending on your provider, so make sure to contact them with any questions.  

Does Foster Grant accept FSA cards as payment? 

We do not currently accept FSA cards for payment at checkout. However, our SunReaders® and reading glasses are eligible for reimbursement with FSA funds. Make sure to save a copy of your receipt so you can submit it to your provider.  

Ready to choose your next pair of reading sunglasses? Take a look at our SunReaders® collection!  

READ NEXT: Are Sunglasses HSA Eligible? 

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

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Sources 

1. What UV protection do I need for my sunglasses and why? All About Vision. January 2020.*  
2. Do sunglasses actually protect your eyes? Health Essentials. Cleveland Clinic. June 2023. 
3. Publication 502 (2023), medical and dental expenses. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). December 2023. 
4. Use flexible spending & health savings accounts for prescription eyewear. FramesDirect. Accessed May 2024.* 
5. Reading glasses: Prescription numbers explained. Eyebuydirect. June 2023.* 
6. What can I spend FSA dollars on? All About Vision. July 2019.* 
7. Can I buy eyeglasses with my FSA or HSA? Glasses.com. May 2023.* 

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, FramesDirect, Eyebuydirect, Glasses.com, and AAV Media, LLC are affiliates of EssilorLuxottica.