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Prescription glasses can be a significant expense. While prices for a basic set start at around $100, this can jump by several hundred dollars depending on factors like the lens type, brand, and additional features like anti-glare coatings.
All of these can hit your wallet pretty hard, especially if you often need replacements. FSAs (Flexible Savings Accounts) offer a great solution, as they let you use pre-tax dollars for medical expenses like prescription eyewear.
Still, finding retailers that offer stylish and high-quality glasses that are also FSA-eligible can be a challenge. Some stores don’t clearly label which purchases are FSA-eligible, or make you jump through extra hoops for reimbursement.
Bottom Line Up Front – Where can you get FSA Glasses?
If you like to keep things simple then The FSA Store is a top choice. As you’ve probably already guessed from the name, all of its products are FSA-eligible.
Its dedicated eyewear section makes for a quick and simple browsing experience. It also has a good selection of different products.
What makes glasses FSA eligible?
Before we dive into the best place to find FSA-eligible glasses, it’s important to understand when you can use FSA funds and when you can’t. Generally speaking, eligible eyewear must meet one of the following criteria:
Correct vision
This can include sunglasses, but they must be necessary for improving your sight. Typically your optometrist will perform an eye exam and write you a prescription. This can include important information like your PD (pupillary distance).
Be medically necessary
Reading glasses are not designed to correct vision per se but only improve it when trying to read text up close. If your Doctor diagnoses you with a condition like presbyopia, you may be able to purchase FSA-eligible reading glasses without a prescription.
Help maintain eyewear
Certain accessories like lens-cleaning solutions may be FSA-eligible as they can maintain medically necessary eyewear. You should always check with your provider before making a claim.
What to look for when buying FSA-eligible glasses
Although I’ve shared my specific recommendations below, the best online store for your eyewear is going to be the one that matches your specific needs.
If you’re determined to go it alone in your search for FSA-eligible glasses, look for retailers with these features:
Easy FSA claims
It stands to reason that if you’re making an FSA purchase, you’ll want the retailer to make the ordering process easy for you. The best platforms support purchases using FSA cards in the same way as a standard credit card. If the site doesn’t do this, make sure you can download your receipt easily using your online account, so you can file an FSA claim quickly and easily.
Try-On Features
Modern platforms usually offer a virtual feature to superimpose a picture of your chosen frames onto your face. Some will only do this if you upload a photo, though the best ones will also access your webcam so you can move your face around during the virtual try on. Bonus points go to platforms that send you frames to try on at home for free.
Flexible returns policy
If you’re not happy with your glasses for any reason, you may need to send them back. Check how long you have to do this and that shipping is free e.g. using a prepaid return label.
Top online stores for FSA-eligible glasses
GlassesUSA
- Wide selection of frames
- Accepts FSA/HSA for all prescription types
- Free shipping and returns on all orders
- Limited return window (14 days)
- Some ordering issues
This retailer has a good reputation for variety, given that it claims to offer over 9,000 frames. It’s also a great choice for people who love designer glasses, as its offerings include the likes of Oakley, Ray-Ban, and Versace.
The platform also offers a good selection of lens options from single vision, to progressive, blue light, and even prescription sunglasses.
If you have an FSA card, in theory you can use it to buy prescription glasses on the site just as you would with a regular credit card. In practice, I’ve seen a number of reviews on sites like TrustPilot where people had issues with the checkout process.
If you’re using a regular debit/credit card, you can place the order as normal then receive an itemized receipt after purchase. All orders qualify for free shipping, though you’ll need to act fast to return items, as there’s a two-week limit.
One thing I really love about GlassesUSA is the ‘virtual try-on’ feature. You can click on any pair of glasses to upload a profile picture of yourself or see what it would look like on one of their models.
Zenni Optical
- Low-cost options
- Eco-friendly frames
- Variety of lens upgrades
- Budget frames aren’t high-quality
- Limited return window for refunds
The good people of Zenni Optical are your best choice for budget-friendly purchases. Frames start from as little as $6.95.
The virtual try on tool works with uploaded photos, or you can just activate your webcam to see what your chosen pair look like.
To buy eyeglasses, you’ll need to provide both your prescription and PD (pupillary distance). The website offers a ‘Digital PD ruler’ to do this from home, though when I tried to launch it using my Firefox browser, it failed to load.
All of Zenni Optical’s glasses and contact lenses are FSA-eligible. You can make purchases with FSA cards. Alternatively, you can print an FSA receipt from your online account within 7 days of placing an order.
Like GlassesUSA, Zenni Optical only offers 14 days to return glasses for a full refund if you’re unhappy for any reason. However, you can also return items within 30 days for store credit.
Environmentally friendly users will be pleased to learn that you can buy eco-friendly frames made of recycled plastic, bio acetate and plant based resin.
If you choose one of the more budget-friendly frames options, you may not be as satisfied as online reviews show that the plastic ones can break fairly easily.
Frames Direct
- Up to 50% discount on designer brands
- Virtual try-on feature works well
- Free shipping to most of USA
- FSA receipt not available automatically
- Shipping charge for refunds
This store is the best choice for people who prefer luxury eyewear. This isn’t to say you can’t find bargains on the site though, as there are multiple discounts on branded items. For example, you can get 50% off certain Ray-Ban eyewear.
Of all the platforms I’ve reviewed, I like Frames Direct’s virtual try-on feature the most. Just click on the corresponding button to fire up your webcam, then see your chosen glasses superimposed on your face. You can even view it from different angles.
As with most major eyewear platforms, if you have an FSA card you can just order prescription glasses and contact lenses as normal. The platform also lets you buy prescription sunglasses via FSA.
However, if you don’t have an FSA card the process is a little more tricky. First you need to place the order using a regular credit card, then wait for the receipt to be emailed to you so you can make a claim through your provider.
Given how often emails get sent to spam, I’d like to have seen a feature to download the receipt directly from the website once you’ve placed your order.
Shipping on all orders is free for the 48 contiguous US states i.e. not Hawaii or any US territories.
The website doesn’t have its own tool to measure PD, but does include instructions on how to do this yourself. It also contains a link to the Opthy app, which can do the measurements for you automatically.
The FSA Store
- Specializes in FSA products
- Free IS shipping on orders over $50
- 30-day return window
- Shipping charges for Alaska & Hawaii
- No integrated PD measurement tool
If you read the ‘bottom line’ section earlier, you’ll know that the FSA Store is my top pick for purchasing FSA glasses.
The main reason for this is that you don’t have to worry about whether a product is FSA-eligible or not. If the eyewear’s listed, you can buy it using an eligible FSA card. Alternatively, just buy your chosen product in the usual way then print the receipt from your online account to support your FSA claim.
Popular eyewear brands include Ray-Ban, Acuvue, and Michael Kors. The FSA store offers the most customizable ordering process I’ve seen, as you can choose from ‘Single Vision’, ‘Progressive’ and ‘Progressive Plus’ lenses.
Next, you’re taken to the ‘Enhancements’ section, which offers choices like ‘blue light, ‘anti fatigue’, ‘sun responsive’, and ‘polarized’. My only bugbear is there doesn’t seem to be a virtual try-on tool.
You also need to provide your PD to place orders for glasses but there’s no integrated tool on the site. This isn’t a major issue, as you can use an app like Opthy but it would have been good to include this in the order process.
Shipping to the contiguous US states is free, plus you get your product in 5-10 business days. If you’re unhappy with your purchase, you can return it unopened within 30 days for a refund. Refunds are made via the same method you used to pay.
Warby Parker
- Free home-try on
- Prices start at $95
- Free polarized lenses with prescription sunglasses
- Longer shipping times
- No luxury brands
This brand offers stylish frames, though at first glance I couldn’t see any major luxury brands like Ray-Ban or Michael Kors. Nevertheless, prices start at $95 which is fairly competitive compared to a high-street optometrist. Prescription sunglasses start at $195 but there’s no extra charge for polarized lenses.
The website has a virtual try-on tool but be warned, if you’re using a mobile device you’ll be asked to install the Warby Parker app to use this feature. This may be academic though, as you can have up to five frames sent to you for a free home try-on. This includes a prepaid shipping label, so you can return them free of charge.
Shipping is free within the US & Canada, though from reading customer experiences online it seems that this can take a while. The site itself says that standard shipping is 5 – 7 days but only guarantees delivery within 30.
Dissatisfied customers can return eyewear within thirty days. This applies to contact lenses too, so long as the package is returned unopened or the lenses arrive damaged.
Contact lenses, as well as prescription glasses and sunglasses are all FSA-eligible. The site also states that certain accessories like lens-cleaning kits can also be covered by FSA under certain circumstances.
You can use a FSA card to buy eyewear directly from the online store. Alternatively customers are given a copy of the receipt to make a claim at the time of purchase. Warby Parker also has a dedicated email address you can contact if you need another copy.
The Best Place to Buy FSA Glasses
Naturally, the best platform for buying your FSA-eligible eyewear depends on your specific needs.
If you’re on a budget, you may prefer retailers like Zenni Optical which sells frames from as little as $7 though. Be warned though, you get what you pay for as customers have complained of flimsy plastic.
If you’re more concerned about style, then platforms like Frames Direct offer branded glasses for those willing to pay, though you may have some headaches if you need to return an item or obtain a receipt for claiming against your FSA.
This is why I feel that the FSA Store offers the best of all worlds. The site contains popular brands, plus it’s easy to customize lenses to your needs. You also don’t need to agonize over whether any particular pair of glasses or set of lenses is FSA-eligible: they all are!
The only reason I’d recommend against the FSA Store is if you don’t have your PD measurements. Get yourself to an optometrist, or use a suitable mobile app before you place your order.