topic Premium Cataract lenses in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Premium Cataract lenses

march3john — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 04:40:58 GMT

I had medically necessary cataract surgery and opted for the premium lenses not covered by insurance . They ran about $5000 each eye. I was wondering if I can add this to the rest of my medical expenses and they were

tax deductible

Re: Premium Cataract lenses

Mike9241 — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 03:52:08 GMT

You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for
contact lenses needed for medical reasons. You can also
include the cost of equipment and materials required for
using contact lenses, such as saline solution and enzyme
cleaner. See Eyeglasses and Eye Surgery, later.

from IRS PUB 502.

Re: Premium Cataract lenses

march3john — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 21:11:08 GMT

These aren't contact lenses they are much more expensive. They are premium lenses to permanently replace the natural lens in my eyes for better all distance vision.

and since I got the the upgrade from the monofocal lens that medicare covers at a cost of almost $5000 per eye are they still deductible.

Re: Premium Cataract lenses

JohnW152 — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:44:40 GMT

Yes, this would be deductible if you itemize deductions.

See the TurboTax Help article What kinds of medical expenses are deductible? for information.