Eyeglasses: A Public Services Announcement

A-37 · #1 10-11-2017, 06:24 PM

Did you know that, as a military retiree, you're entitled to one free pair of eyeglasses per year? Make that two pair, provided your optometrist also prescribes a pair of sun glasses.

Fashionistas won't think much of the frames but the price is right.

Here's the site:

How To Order: Retiree

Targets Guy · #2 10-11-2017, 06:52 PM

I didn't know that.

steveno · #3 10-12-2017, 04:08 AM

I get my glasses through the VA. they are free if you have at least a 10% disability. the frame selection ain't the best but free is a lot better than $500 for glasses

yanici · #4 10-12-2017, 11:46 AM

Wow!! I've got a 20% for hearing. Will that allow me to qualify for the free glasses? I'm retired but not military retired and the cost of glasses is a big chunk for me.

steveno · #5 10-12-2017, 01:05 PM

is your 20% disability through the VA or another doctor? you should probably check with your local VA clinic or hospital. I went to check at the local VA clinic to ask about getting an eye exam and they signed me up into the VA system. I went and had the eye exam and all they did at first was just write out the prescription for the glasses. I went back to the clinic and they said in order to get the free glasses you had to have at least 10% disability. they asked me what I did in the air force and I told them I worked on airplanes. they told me to go to the county vet service agent and start the paperwork and that was in the middle of 2013. I think it was in April of 2014 to have an ear test at the VA hospital in Lincoln. about a month later I got a check for $1,100 lump dating to when the paperwork was started. I also get $133 a month also for the 10% disability.

yanici · #6 10-12-2017, 01:19 PM

Thanks, steveno. Yes, my 20% disability is through the VA for service related hearing loss. I will have to check into how I go about getting on this program. I see an eye doctor every three months, a civilian doctor, to control my glaucoma. I do not want to give him up.

Update: Thanks A-37 and steveno. I just got off the phone with a person at the VA clinic that is only one town over from me. She sais to just bring in my eyeglass prescription and pick out a pair if frames and I'll be all set. I wish I had known about this benefit a lot sooner.