The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Americans suffering vision loss and blindness individually spend nearly $17,000 on related medical expenses each year, according to a 2017 report, and that figure doesn’t include routine eye exams. Hundreds of billions of dollars are also lost to indirect costs, including work absenteeism and informal care. To help ease the burden, the National Eye Institute (NEI) shares assistance programs that offer eye exams and eyeglasses at little-to-no cost, as well as other resources and insurance plans that can help defray vision care expenses.*

Free or low-cost eye care programs

The following programs require you to apply and carry eligibility requirements such as low income or greater risk of particular eye diseases.

For people of all ages

VSP Eyes of Hope provides free eye care and eyeglasses to children and adults with low income and no health insurance.

Lions Clubs International offers eye care financial assistance, and may even provide eyeglasses, through its local clubs.

New Eyes offers prescription eyeglasses to children and adults in need. (A social worker or community health center may be able to help you apply.)

Mission Cataract USA provides free cataract surgery to those who can’t afford it.

Operation Sight helps people with limited resources obtain cataract surgery.

The American Glaucoma Society assists people with low income or no health insurance to get glaucoma surgery.

See the range of financial assistance resources described at Prevent Blindness.

Obtain a free white cane through the National Federation for the Blind.

Local resources for low-cost eye care can include:

• Your primary care doctor and your eye doctor, who may know of eye care assistance programs
• Community health centers that offer eye care free or at little cost
• Colleges or universities with optometry or ophthalmology programs that offer low-cost eye care
• Pharmacies that provide discounted medication or medicine delivery
• Senior centers through which eye experts may volunteer their services and which may connect you with other community resources

For older adults

People 65 years and older, as well as those with elevated glaucoma risk, may qualify for comprehensive eye exams and up to a year of eye care at no cost through EyeCare America.

For children

All Children See (available in some states) connects parents with eye doctors who can provide a comprehensive eye exam for children showing abnormalities on a visual screening.

InfantSEE provides free eye exams for babies 6-12 months old, performed by an eye doctor.

Health insurance

NEI advises asking your health insurance provider what eye care services your plan may cover.

• Call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to inquire about coverage.
• Before your appointment, ask the eye doctor’s office how much you’ll have to pay.

The Affordable Care Act requires many health insurances to fully cover vision exams for children and teenagers. They may also help cover eye care costs for cataracts, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, and other eye diseases.

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are government programs that cover eye care for children from low-income families at little or no cost.

Medicare is government health insurance for those aged 65 and older. For most people, it doesn’t cover regular eye exams or eyeglasses, but it can help if you have:

• Age-related macular degeneration,
• Cataracts,
• Diabetes and/or
• Elevated glaucoma risk.

Medicare Advantage may also offer eye care coverage (be sure to check your plan).

Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help clarify your benefits.

VA vision care is available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for qualified veterans or service members. This will cover regular eye exams and vision tests (for glaucoma, for instance), and potentially for eyeglasses and other vision care.

NEI notes that children and teens will have free vision screenings covered in plans obtained in the National Health Insurance Marketplace and state Marketplaces or Exchanges. 

*National Eye Institute. (2022, April 25). Get Free or Low-Cost Eye Care. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/get-free-or-low-cost-eye-care