Covered Services

Learn more about what we cover -
including health, dental, and pharmacy.

Eye Surgery and Treatment

Covered by TRICARE?	Limits
Yes	Not all eye surgeries are covered

TRICARE covers many eye surgeries and treatments. Generally, this includes services and supplies needed to diagnose and treat an eye illness or injury.

Eye Condition	Covered Service/Treatment
Astigmatism following a corneal transplant	Relaxing keratotomy
Choroidal melanoma	Transpupillary thermotherapy with Plaque Radiotherapy
Corneal dystrophies	Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK)
Corneal disease or injury	Corneal transplant (keratoplasty)
Glaucoma (that can't be controlled with drugs)	ExPRESS Mini glaucoma shunt to reduce intraocular pressure
Keratoconus	Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments (if glasses or lenses aren't working and a corneal transplant is your only other option)
Loss of human lens function resulting from intraocular surgery, ocular injury, or congenital absence	Standard fixed non-accommodating monofocal intraocular lenses
Retinoblastoma	Transpupillary thermotherapy with chemotherapy
Retinal astrocytic haamartoma in tuberous sclerosis	Photodynamic therapy with Visudyne (off-label use)
Strabismus	Surgical procedures and eye exams

TRICARE doesn't cover:

Refractive corneal surgery
Orthokeratology
Orthoptics, also known as visual training, vision therapy, eye exercises, or eye therapy
Epikeratophakia for treatment of aphakia and myopia
Intraocular lenses for correcting astigmatism and presbyopia. This includes any adjustments, subsequent treatment, services or supplies needed due to the lens surgery.
Canaloplasty for the treatment of glaucoma
Autologous serum eye drops for dry eyes, keratitis or ocular hypertension

Did you know?

Some military hospitals and clinics may offer vision procedures that are not covered by TRICARE. Contact a military hospital or clinic near you to see what programs are offered.

Disclaimer:

This list of covered services is not all inclusive. TRICARE covers services that are medically necessaryTo be medically necessary means it is appropriate, reasonable, and adequate for your condition. and considered proven. There are special rules or limits on certain services, and some services are excluded.

Last Updated 6/5/2018

Related Websites

Vision Center of Excellence