Like adult dental, adult vision is not an essential health benefit, so it is not built into ACA health plans. A standalone vision plan is one of the least expensive products on the market and pays for itself quickly for anyone who wears glasses or contacts.
The structure is straightforward: an annual eye exam for a small copay, then an allowance toward frames or contact lenses on a fixed schedule, with lens coverage on top. An annual eye exam is also genuine preventive care — it is one of the earlier places conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure show up.