Does an FSA cover reading glasses?
Reading glasses are a qualified FSA expense — prescription and over-the-counter readers both count as vision care under IRS rules.
What flips the answer
- Covered when
The glasses correct vision — prescription readers or over-the-counter magnifying readers both qualify, along with eye exams and prescription lenses.
- Not covered when
The eyewear is purely cosmetic — non-prescription fashion frames or plano (non-corrective) sunglasses.
IRS Publication 502 lists eyeglasses needed for medical reasons as a qualified medical expense, and that includes reading glasses. Prescription readers clearly qualify, and over-the-counter magnifying readers bought to correct vision are generally accepted as well.
Related vision costs travel with them: eye exams, prescription lenses, frames, and lens coatings for a medical purpose are all FSA-eligible. This makes vision care one of the more reliably covered FSA categories.
The limit is purely cosmetic eyewear. Non-prescription sunglasses or plano fashion frames with no corrective function aren't medical care and don't qualify.
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