VA Approved Lenses – Monofocal and Toric Intraocular
Department of Memorandum
Veterans Affairs
Date: December 17, 2025
From: Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services/Chief Medical Officer (11)
Subj: Informational: VA Approved Lenses – Monofocal and Toric Intraocular. (VIEWS 13919732)
To: Veterans Integrated Service Network Directors (10N1-23)
1. PURPOSE: The purpose of this memorandum is to inform Veterans Health
Administration (VHA) Ophthalmology and Optometry Services and their leadership of
approved intraocular lenses (IOLs) within VA through Veteran Community Care Program
(VCCP).
2. BACKGROUND: The VA applies the principle of medical necessity to the prosthetics
final rule 85 FR 84245 when selecting intraocular lens implants. There has been
considerable variation and misunderstanding in the field regarding the use of premium
intraocular lenses (multifocal, accommodating, extended depth of focus, and light-adjusted)
within the VA. These premium IOLs are not included in the prosthetic IOL contract, nor are
they approved for use through VCCP, as they are not considered medically necessary, or an
essential quality of life enhancement. Currently, the only authorized intraocular lenses
are monofocal and toric Intraocular lenses.
3. DECISION: The following intraocular lenses are considered not medically necessary and
are not authorized by VA, as they are intended to reduce the need for reading glasses
and/or contact lenses following cataract extraction. These lenses should not be used unless
approved on a case-by-case basis due to extenuating circumstances or medical need:
• Multifocal intraocular lenses
• Premium accommodating (presbyopia-correcting) intraocular lenses
• Pseudo-accommodating intraocular lenses
• Extended depth of focus intraocular lenses
• Light adjusted intraocular lenses
The community care guidance was revised on June 1, 2024, and can be found at Clinical
Determinations and Indications–Information for Providers – Community Care (va.gov).
4. Should you have any questions concerning this memorandum, please contact the National
Ophthalmology Program Office at vha10p11oph@va.gov.