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About 2.2 billion people worldwide have vision impairment.1 Vision health is important for everyone, as is preventive care like wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Prescription sunglasses can be expensive, but vision insurance can help cover the costs of protective eyewear.
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Vision insurance may help cover sunglasses when they are prescription or deemed medically necessary. If you would like coverage for sunglasses, you should review your vision insurance policy carefully to understand what's included before making a purchase.
Sunglasses are typically covered by vision insurance in these instances:2
If you simply want a pair of sunglasses, there is no guarantee that your insurance provider will help cover them. These types of sunglasses are often not covered:
Don't wait until it's too late. Help protect yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedTo verify your coverage, review your policy documents. You may be able to find them on your insurance provider's online portal, or you can request a copy from your insurance representative. You can also ask an insurance representative directly what is and is not included in the policy.
Even if your vision insurance helps cover sunglasses, it may not cover the full cost. Your plan may have one or more common coverage limitations including:3
These limitations may require you to pay out-of-pocket for protective eyewear, and you'll typically have to pay for accessories yourself.
If you already wear prescription glasses, it may be a good idea to wear prescription sunglasses, too. Prescription sunglasses offer a number of benefits, including:
Yes, sunglasses can help reduce the risk of cataracts and may help protect existing cataracts from worsening due to additional UV exposure. Sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection help shield the eyes from harmful rays, although they can't fully prevent or reverse cataracts.4
While there is no "best" pair of sunglasses for eye protection, pairs labeled UV400 or 100% UVA/UVB protection are helpful, since they help block harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching the eyes.4 Wraparound frames or oversized lenses can provide even better coverage by limiting light from the sides.5
Costs can vary based on your prescription, the brand you choose and your insurance provider. Vision insurance may help cover prescription sunglasses, but coverage often depends on whether they're included under your plan, medically necessary or subject to annual allowances and other limits. Essentially, vision insurance can help reduce out-of-pocket costs, but it may not cover the full price.
Vision insurance can be worth it if you have vision correction needs, since it can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs associated with vision care. Aflac offers vision insurance policies, which may include coverage for certain types of protective eyewear. However, terms and conditions apply, so it's important to review your policy first to be clear on what's covered and what isn't. Speak with an Aflac agent today to discuss your policy options and get a quote for vision insurance.
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Vision insurance can help you lower eye care expenses and maintain good eye health. Learn how vision insurance works and how much it costs.
Eye exams can be expensive without insurance. Learn why eye exams are important and how vision insurance can cover the cost of an exam.
Vision insurance can help you lower eye care expenses and maintain good eye health. Learn how vision insurance works and how much it costs.
Eye exams can be expensive without insurance. Learn why eye exams are important and how vision insurance can cover the cost of an exam.
1 WHO – Blindness and vision impairment. Published February 10, 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment. Accessed August 25, 2026.
2 Truemed – Are Prescription Sunglasses FSA Eligible? Updated September 2, 2026. https://www.truemed.com/blog/fsa-eligible-prescription-sunglasses. Accessed September 15, 2026.
3 Investopedia – Vision Care Insurance: Meaning, Availability, Pros and Cons. Updated December 10, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/vision-care-insurance.asp. Accessed August 25, 2026.
4 Optegra Eye Health Care – Does Wearing Sunglasses Prevent Cataracts? Published October 21, 2025. https://www.optegra.com/eye-health-blog/cataracts/does-wearing-sunglasses-prevent-cataracts/. Accessed August 25, 2026.
5 Hartford HealthCare – How to Choose Sunglasses That Actually Protect Your Eyes. Published July 13, 2026. https://hartfordhospital.org/about-hh/news-center/news-detail?articleId=74714. Accessed August 25, 2026.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent/producer.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Vision: In Delaware, Policy VSN100. In Idaho, Policy VSN100ID. In Oklahoma, Policy VSN100OKR. In Virginia, Policy VSN100VA.
Dental, Vision, and Hearing coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (NAIC 92908).
Dental, Vision and Hearing: In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. Not available in New Jersey, New York, New Mexico or Virginia.
Dental claims are administered by SKYGEN USA, LLC. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
Coverage/plan options may not be available in all states, including but not limited to NJ, NM or NY. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
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