Cost assumption by health insurance | 24.11.2025
Glasses and contact lenses: what will health insurance cover?
Around three quarters of Swiss citizens require a visual aid such as glasses for their everyday life or work as, left uncorrected, even minor visual issues can lead to headaches or fatigue. However, the cost of glasses or contact lenses can often place strain on a family’s budget. Whether or not the cost is covered by health insurance depends on the type of insurance. Basic health insurance only provides very limited cover for glasses whereas supplementary insurance often offers a higher subsidy for glasses or contact lenses.
Health insurance subsidy for glasses: what is covered in Switzerland?
The cost of glasses varies greatly. The price is determined by factors such as the type of correction, the lens and finish quality, the frame – and above all, the optician. The cost of quality frames with high-end corrective lenses can quickly reach four digits. But what will health insurance cover?
What does basic health insurance cover?
Children:
- Basic health insurance will pay up to 180 francs per year for spectacle lenses and contact lenses for children under the age of 18. It will not, however, cover any frame costs.
- For the health insurance to assume coverage of the costs, an ophthalmic prescription must be provided annually.
Adults:
- Health insurance or medical insurance will only subsidise glasses and contact lenses for adults in the case of certain medical conditions (diabetes or after eye surgery). It will not provide a subsidy in the case of normal short or long-sightedness.
- Some special cases for adults are only reimbursed every two years.
- The contribution lies between 180 and 630 francs per year and eye.
Reimbursement is subject to an excess and a deductible.
What does supplementary insurance for glasses and contact lenses cover?
Supplementary insurance can be worthwhile as it offers a financial subsidy for glasses and contact lenses for children and adults even in the case of normal short or long-sightedness. The benefits differ depending on the health insurer.
- Cost assumption: supplementary insurance usually provides a subsidy of up to 200 francs per year for glasses or contact lenses.
- Glasses and contact lenses are usually covered by supplementary outpatient insurance plans.
- With most supplementary insurance plans, there is no excess, meaning the costs are fully reimbursed up to the maximum amount covered.
If you take out supplementary insurance, please note any waiting periods that apply before you can make use of the benefits. The waiting period is the period directly after contract conclusion during which certain benefits cannot be claimed.
Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance
Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance offers custom benefit classes specially tailored to the needs of people who wear glasses and contact lenses. Depending on the benefit class selected, you can receive higher cost contributions and additional benefits, such as the assumption of costs for laser vision treatments.
Benefits by class
Please note that, on taking out a new Pulse insurance policy, a waiting period of 365 days from the start of the insurance applies for glasses, contact lenses and laser vision correction in all benefit classes. Costs can only be assumed once this waiting period has passed.
Glasses or contact lenses: which is the better choice?
How do you choose between glasses and contact lenses? What works best for your corrective needs and your lifestyle? Obtain advice from an ophthalmologist or optician to find the best solution for your eyes. What factors are important to you?
Glasses – costs, pros and cons:
- Simple handling: easy to wear, no need for special care products
- Provide additional protection against dust and UV rays
- Fashionable, interchangeable accessory
- Can get in the way and be damaged during sport
- The lenses mist up due to humidity or temperature fluctuations
- Glasses are available from around 200 francs but quality models are far more expensive. They last a long time, but you will have to purchase new lenses if your eyesight changes
Contact lenses – costs, pros and cons:
- Unobstructed field of vision as they sit directly on your eye
- Ideal for sport
- Invisible
- Product care: must be carefully cleaned and hygienically handled to prevent conjunctivitis or other infections
- Correction can be more difficult in the case of high dioptre values or severe astigmatism
- Contact lenses are available in annual, monthly or daily versions with varying prices. With annual or monthly lenses, costs are also incurred for care products and storage
When is laser vision correction worthwhile?
Laser vision correction can be worthwhile for people who are significantly affected by their impaired vision. The surgical techniques used today are generally safe and effective but can be associated with pain and consequences such as dry eyes, vision problems or increased sensitivity to light. Alternatively, artificial lenses can be directly implanted in the eyes.
Does health insurance cover laser vision correction?
Laser vision correction and lens implantation are not covered under basic health insurance. Pulse Premium supplementary outpatient insurance from KPT pays a contribution of up to 600 francs per eye for laser vision correction. The waiting period is one year from the insurance start date.
As a general rule, if you are considering laser vision correction or lens implantation, you should conduct thorough research and obtain advice from a medical specialist. Following laser vision correction, there is no entitlement to payments towards glasses and contact lenses for five years.
How often should children and young people get their eyes tested?
Routine eye examinations are essential for children as they make it possible to identify and treat sight problems in good time. They also prevent problems during everyday school life, where a lot of information is conveyed visually. Checks at an early age are important for detecting vision defects such as amblyopia, uneven vision where the brain compensates for one eye being weaker than the other. This can usually be easily corrected with glasses or by wearing a patch over the stronger eye.
Recommendation for children:
- Initial examination at 6 months of age
- Further examinations at age 3 and on starting school
- Regular eye tests every 2 years until the age of 18 for children with no particular risk factors (premature birth, developmental delay, squint or eye diseases in the family)
How often should adults get their eyes tested?
If you notice any changes to your vision, eye disorders or any other symptoms you should visit your ophthalmologist or optician immediately. Otherwise, you should get your eyes tested every one to two years. The frequency depends on your age and whether you wear glasses or contact lenses. It also depends on your personal level of risk. For example, if there are eye disorders that run in your family, diabetes, high blood pressure or if you do a job where your vision is particularly important.
Recommendation for adults:
- 18 to 60 years: every 2 years
- 61 years and older: annually
Typical vision defects and eye disorders
Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance
Whether you need glasses, contact lenses or even laser vision correction, Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance offers you optimum cover. Reduce the costs of your visual aids and enjoy comprehensive protection. Calculate your premium now and find the ideal insurance solution for your eyes.
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Aline Buchser is a specialist with the Benefits Management team at KPT and dedicates her expertise to the professional handling of benefits enquiries. She coordinates regulatory amendments, monitors their implementation and represents KPT on various expert committees – always in the interests of the modern and reliable benefit processing.
