When determining if you want to enroll in a vision care plan, think beyond if you wear glasses or contacts. Annual eye exams can reveal signs of eye-related conditions and signs of other health conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Many times VSP eye doctors are the first to detect signs of these health conditions.

Below are five things to ask your employer about your vision plan.

1.)     Does the vision care plan include coverage that relates to my overall health?

Annual eye exams are an important part of your overall healthcare routine for your entire family—from babies to seniors, and everyone in between. Annual eye exams are also extremely important for people with diabetes. In addition to checking your vision and eye health, VSP doctors also look for signs of other health conditions. If signs of a medical condition are detected, VSP doctors can coordinate care with your primary care physician to ensure you receive the best care.

2.)     How much can a vision care plan save me?

A typical VSP plan saves members an average of $290 a year on eyecare and eyewear. With VSP, your savings are built into your plan, so you don’t have to wait for sales or cut coupons. Plus, with exclusive VSP member rebates and promotions, you can save even more. Calculate how much you can save with our interactive savings calculator.

3.)     Can I use my vision care benefit at any eyecare provider?

Most VSP members choose to see a VSP doctor to receive personalized, high-quality care and get the most out of their benefit. Depending on your plan, you may be able to see any eyecare provider.

4.)     What will be covered?

A typical VSP plan includes coverage for an eye exam, prescription glasses or contacts, extra discounts on additional pairs of glasses and sunglasses, and laser vision correction. Make sure to check the coverage that is offered by your employer for details on your plan.

5.)     How much will I pay?

Vision plans are worth the money and will cost you less than if you get your eyecare and eyewear without it. Plus, vision premiums are typically deducted from your paycheck pre-tax. The amount you pay depends on the plan offered by your employer.

Visit SeeMuchMore.com to check out the many other reasons why you should enroll in a VSP vision plan.

The inside of my right eye

Working at VSP, and also wearing glasses for more than ten years, I understand the importance of healthy vision. (I’m not going to lie, either; I love getting new glasses and can never seem to have enough.) Last week when I got my yearly eye check-up, I had the option to get a digital image of my eye in lieu of a dilated exam. I have to admit, I was curious to see what the inside of my eye looked like…just what was my eye doctor (Dr. Nakamura of Natomas Optometry) looking at in there?

At first glance, I was a little concerned with the red dot in the middle and white blob off to the side, but Dr. Nakamura explained to me that the red dot was actually the macula and the white spot was the optic nerve—both were supposed to be there. The macula is responsible for seeing things in detail and our “central vision” (as in not peripheral vision) while the optic nerve is what carries the visual information to the brain. (Quick clip: the eye is like a camera.)

I thought it was rather interesting to see my own eyes on the screen in front of me. What I liked most was how Dr. Nakamura could show me that my eyes were healthy by comparing my images to sample pictures with various eye or eye-related health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, and macular degeneration. I was happy to see my eyes didn’t have any of those problems.

P.S. I just got computer vision glasses for the first time, and I am really excited about them. I will write about what I think of them after I have used them a week or so.

Jeffry D. Gerson, O.D., F.A.A.O.

 Today’s guest blog post is from Jeffry D. Gerson O.D., a VSP provider at WestGlen Eyecare & Omni Eye Center of Kansas City. He also lectures frequently on the topics of retinal disease and systemic disease and most notably has been our speaker at the VSP Eye on Diabetes Campaign.

There are many joys associated with being in private practice. Of course, the biggest one is knowing that you have helped a patient.  Usually it involves helping somebody see better with glasses or contacts (and although this is rewarding, it doesn’t compare in magnitude to additional opportunities), but often forget the greatest thing we can do for our patients…save their lives.  Although that may sound a little dramatic, eye doctors have the opportunity to dramatically improve our patients’ quality of life by helping them get their diabetes diagnosed earlier. 

Eye doctors absolutely play a critical role in helping people with diabetes, and I take that responsibility very seriously.  I take advantage of opportunities to help people understand their diabetes and how to prevent complications.  I make sure that people understand A1c, the importance of self monitoring their blood glucose and general diabetes information. Too often, people have changes in their eyes from diabetes before they even know that they have diabetes.  Approximately 20% of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have “diabetic retionpathy” at the time of their diagnosis!  It is often the changes to the eyes that lead to the diagnosis.

Just last week I had a patient come in and on screening retinal imaging I saw 2 peripheral dot hemes.  After questioning and further examination, I determined that this patient most likely has diabetes.  I sent him to his primary care physician for confirmatory diagnosis.  There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that because of prompt referral and likely treatment, this person may not suffer amputation, blindness or other consequences of long-term uncontrolled diabetes. 

Annual visits to the eye doctor are a great way to not only keep your vision great, but to make sure you are healthy in general.

Eyewear Promotions is a service provided by a growing group of eyecare practices who are dedicated to providing you with quality eyewear at a great value. They believe that private practice delivers the most personalized, quality eyecare that is matched by an enjoyable shopping experience that includes tremendous value on designer frames, sunwear, premium lenses, contacts and much more. There’s truly something for everyone.

With back to school season in full swing, you can even find great offers for your child’s glasses at Eyewear Promotions. As the kids head back into the classroom, make sure they have an annual eye exam. An undiagnosed vision problem can have negative effects on your child’s performance in school. Eyewear Promotions can help you find a practice that can provide durable, children’s eyewear at a great price. Visit www.eyewearpromotions.com today and explore the latest offers available to you, locate a local participating provider, and sign up for the monthly newsletter.

Be sure to also check out Eyewear Promotions on Facebook.

“I am overwhelmed,” said Dr. Jill Yamada. “Everything has exceeded our expectations.”

The entire makeover only took 72 hours to complete. The end result made a huge difference for the doctors, as well as their patients.

The VSP Global Spark program was launched recently, offering eye doctors makeover tips and tools to enhance the experience they provide to their patients while also helping to grow their business. Eyefinity/OfficeMate President Steve Baker hosts the series. You can watch him and the rest of the makeover crew in the entire series of webisodes at www.vspglobal.com/spark.

The VSP Global Spark program was launched recently, offering eye doctors makeover tips and tools to enhance the experience they provide to their patients while also helping to grow their business.

Be sure to visit www.vspglobal.com/spark to catch the final episode and see how this makeover was achieved in just 72 hours!

Follow the first VSP Global Spark makeover story, featured in a series of webisodes at www.vspglobal.com/spark. The first webisode features Drs. Gary Yamada, Jill Yamada and Matthew Nishio, VSP providers and owners of a private practice located in Sacramento, California, which was updated in just 72 hours! New webisodes will be posted every few weeks, so be sure to check back often to see their practice’s full transformation. You can also check out the program’s trailer below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

In the article Dr. Mary A.M. Rogers, a research assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, recommends seeing an ophthalmologist. However, a VSP Network optometrist can also diagnose and treat vision problems as well as manage or co-manage eye health disorders.

Rob T. is a member of VSP's Sales Team

Rob T. in  VSP’s Hawaii Sales Office shares some recent events VSP participated in with the Hawaii Optometric Association.

If you were out in Hawaii recently, the Children’s Discovery Center in Honolulu was the place to be as VSP partnered with the Hawaii Optometric Association (HOA) to take part in two great community events that brought the importance of vision awareness and fun together.

On September 27, 2009, VSP and HOA hosted “Be Wise To Your Eyes” day. In its second year, the event emphasized the importance of an annual eye exam which parents took to heart after their children participated in free vision screenings by our volunteering doctors.

Then on October 30, 2009, VSP and HOA put on costumes for the Keiki (Child) Costume Ball, passing out VSP school supplies to hundreds of children attending the event. While children showed off their creative costumes, VSP and HOA offered an opportunity to have the children imagine themselves as the “doctor” behind a phoropter. What looks better, one or two? … there might have been a future doctor in the crowd.

VSP provider Weslie Hamada, OD (left) and a colleague pose with kids and VSP school kits.

Click for more information about the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center, and be sure to visit the sports vision exhibit when you have a chance to visit.