Medicare offers limited coverage for eye care. If a person is experiencing symptoms of dry eye disease that affect their vision, a doctor may consider treatment medically necessary, and if so, Medicare Part B may cover it.
If a person has severely dry eyes, Medicare Part B will generally cover diagnostic testing.
If a person receives a diagnosis of dry eye syndrome, a doctor may recommend a range of treatments. They may start with conservative treatments, such as warm compresses or over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops.
If these treatments do not offer relief, a doctor may recommend a stronger treatment, such as prescription medications, punctal plugs, or a device-based therapy.
Many device-based therapies do not have Medicare coverage. Their cost will vary based on the procedure and the facility providing it. However, punctal plugs have Medicare coverage. On average, Medicare enrollees pay $40 at ambulatory surgical centers and $77 at hospital outpatient departments for this procedure.
If a person has a Part D prescription drug plan, their plan may cover prescription dry eye treatments if the medication is included in the plan’s formulary. Original Medicare does not cover OTC medications such as artificial tears.
Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams. If a person needs glasses, they will be responsible for the costs of testing, frames, and lenses. However, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans typically include vision care.
According to health policy research group KFF, in 2025, 98% of Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include coverage for eye exams and eyeglasses. Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare.
Additionally, roughly 88% of Medicare Advantage plans include OTC benefits. A person may be able to use these benefits to purchase OTC treatments for dry eyes.
While Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams, it offers limited coverage for eye conditions. These include:
- Macular degeneration: A person with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) will receive coverage for testing and treatment under Part B.
- Diabetic retinopathy: If someone has diabetes, Part B will cover a yearly eye exam to check for diabetic retinopathy.
- Glaucoma: If a person is at high risk of glaucoma, Part B will cover an annual glaucoma screening.
- Cataract surgery: Medicare Part B will also help cover the cost of cataract surgery and a pair of glasses with corrective lenses after the procedure.