Original Medicare (Parts A & B): Eyeglasses and Glaucoma Tests

Eyeglasses

If you or your loved one has cataract surgery with an intraocular lens implant, Medicare Part B covers one pair of eyeglasses with standard frames (or one set of contact lenses).

Note that Medicare will only pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a supplier enrolled in Medicare, no matter if you or your provider submits the claim.

Glaucoma tests

Medicare Part B covers glaucoma tests once every 12 months for those at high risk for developing glaucoma. The member is considered at high risk if at least one or more of these conditions applies:

• Diabetes

• Family history of glaucoma

• African American age 50 or older

• Hispanic age 65 or older

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve, affecting one's ability to see, as well as the general health of the eye tissue. Fluid builds up in the front part of the eye and causes an increase in pressure. As amazing as the eye is, it is rather fragile, and an increase in pressure can cause significant and irreversible damage.

Two types of glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma. The most common type of glaucoma, it occurs gradually over time. The eye does not drain fluid as well as it should and, as a result, eye pressure builds and damages the optic nerve. This type of glaucoma is painless and vision changes do not occur in the early stages, which is why it's all the more important to get regular eye checks.

Angle-closure glaucoma (also called closed-angle or narrow-angle). This is the less common type of glaucoma and occurs when the iris (the colored part of the eye) is too close to the drainage angle of the eye and ends up blocking the drainage. When the drainage is completely blocked, eye pressure rises rapidly, and is called an acute attack. This is an eye emergency requiring the attention of an ophthalmologist right away - before irreversible blindness occurs. An acute attack is painful and vision changes occur immediately. Symptoms include:

• Sudden blurred vision

• Severe eye pain

• Unusual headache

• Nausea and/or vomiting

• Seeing rainbow-colored rings or halos around lights

Many people with angle-closure glaucoma develop it slowly. This is called chronic angle-closure glaucoma. There are no symptoms at first, so someone may not know until they have an acute attack. Again, why regular eye checks are so important.

Glaucoma can often be prevented with early treatment, which is why you or your loved one should be getting checked once a year if they are at high risk.