Q: Is It True That Medicare Has No Vision Benefits?

A: Yes. And no. Medicare will not pay for a routine eye examination to see if you need new glasses. And they won’t pay for your glasses or your contacts either.

Medicare will pay to treat diseases of the eye such as macular degeneration and cataracts. If an intraocular lens is implanted during cataract surgery, they will pay for that as well.

Medicare also covers treatment for glaucoma. Part B will cover an annual glaucoma test for people considered high risk for the disease. Those with diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, Hispanic Americans age 65 and older, and African Americans age 50 and over are all considered high risk for glaucoma.