I joined VSP Vision Care and Nike Vision in a charity outreach trip to provide vital vision services to the underprivileged community at the Nike Football Training Centre (NFTC). This is a sports facility that combines football, education and resources to empower 20,000 children, providing  them the confidence to conquer the hardships they face. Right away I noticed the high level of respect and appreciation the Centre had in the community because it was one of the few buildings that wasn’t surrounded by barbed wire or electric fencing and didn’t have a single mark of graffiti.

Let’s back up for a second, so you can gain a better perspective of the need. We visited a shanty town called Kliptown – a “squatter settlement” with more than 40,000 residents of which 45 percent have HIV/AIDS. It’s important to note that approximately 75 percent of all AIDS patients develop some type of eye problem, such as eye infections, that may result in visual impairments and even blindness. Furthermore, 65 percent of the people in this town are unemployed.  Their houses were made of mostly scraps of metal with no electricity or running water outside of a few water pumps placed around the area, and groups of families shared a few outhouses cleaned just a couple times a month.

I worked alongside South African optometrists to give local children free eye exams and glasses. Some received care for the first time in their lives. Nike Vision supplied the frames and lens fabrication to the delight of the kids. Over three days we provided close to 175 eye exams and gave glasses to 40 patients.  Of those, at least 20 received life-changing prescriptions. The biggest impact on me came from a young girl who had vision so poor anything past an arm’s length was blurred and she thought this was normal.

Giving back to those in need is always fulfilling, but this experience reminded me that once in a while we need to step outside of our comfort zones and see the world from another perspective to get a fresh perspective of our own. In the midst of poverty there was an abundance of hope, encouragement and goodwill with a warm, vibrant community at the core.

See a snapshot of our time in South Africa by watching this video:

This is a guest blog written by Dr. Mathew Alpert, O.D. who owns and practices at Alpert Vision Care in Woodland Hills, CA.

The post My Experience Helping People See in South Africa appeared first on VSP Blog.

• Cornea: a transparent layer in the front of the eye
• Cones: they are located in the center of the retina, which is called the macula, and responsible for central vision and detecting colors and fine details
• Iris: the colored part of the eye around the pupil
• Optic nerve: one million nerve fibers that transmit signals from the eye to the brain
• Pupil: a round hole in the middle of the iris
• Retina: a thin layer of tissue  located in the back of the eye with millions of light-sensing nerve cells called rods and cones
• Rods: they are located outside of the macula and responsible for peripheral and night vision as well as motion detection

Now, let’s take a closer look at how your eyes actually see:

1. Light reflects off an object and enters your eye through the cornea.
2. The cornea bends the light rays, so they can continue to pass through the pupil.
3. The iris opens and closes to regulate the light, which can change the size of your pupil depending on how bright it is.
4. When the light reaches the lens it is focused onto the retina located in the back of the eye.
5. The retina contains photoreceptors, called rods and cones, that turn the light into electrical signals.
6. The optic nerve sends these signals to the brain, where an image is finally produced.

So remember this complex process that makes it possible for your eyes to see the things you love most in life!

The post How Do Your Eyes Work? appeared first on VSP Blog.

Here is a salad recipe that includes spinach & strawberries. Spinach is filled with lutein, which is related to Vitamin A and helps prevent age-related macular degeneration. Strawberries are high in an antioxidant called Vitamin C that helps your body make connective tissue and supports healthy blood vessels like those in your eyes.

Strawberry Roasted Chickpea Salad with Cinnamon Dijon Vinaigrette
Recipe by Sarah Matheny, who also has the cookbooks: Peas & Thank You & More Peas, Thank You – both highly recommended for healthier mindful eating.

Prep Time: 30 min.
Cook Time: 20 min.

Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

For the Salad

• 8 c. organic spinach and/or field greens, washed, dried and torn into bite size pieces
• One 14 oz. can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed (roasted in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes if desired)
• 2 c. organic strawberries, washed and sliced
• ½ c. dried cranberries
• ½ c. roasted almonds, roughly chopped
• ¼ c. fresh mint, chopped

For the Cinnamon Dijon Vinaigrette

• 1 t. Dijon mustard
• 3 T. apple cider vinegar
• 3 T. lemon juice
• 1/3 c. agave nectar or pure maple syrup
• 1 t. cinnamon
• ½ t. ground ginger
• ½ t. salt
• 1/4 c. canola oil

If you want more salads to choose from, you can visit: http://www.saladaday.org

The post How to Make a Healthy Salad for Healthier Eyes appeared first on VSP Blog.

Looking at the sun for any length of time can damage the retina of your eye, but there are safe ways to view it. For instance, you can create a pinhole projector by taking a piece of cardboard, putting a hole in it and holding it to the eclipse to project the image onto a screen that is a meter behind the opening.

Also, your sunglasses do not provide efficient protection from the radiation of the photosphere. Instead, use number 14 welder’s glass or another product that is specifically designed for solar observation. Do not look at a solar eclipse with a telescope or binoculars, even with a filter, because this can intensify the damage to your eyes. The safest way to view this solar eclipse will be during the live NASA internet broadcast of the event.

Looking at a solar eclipse is dangerous, but has also resulted in great scientific discoveries. On August 8,1868 the French astronomer Jules Janssen discovered Helium when viewing the spectrum of the sun during a solar eclipse. Sir Arthur Eddington observed the effects of gravity on light proving Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Watching a solar eclipse is an awe inspiring event, but please view it safely!

This post was written by Craig Rayl, who works in the Customer Service Division at VSP’s Eastern Operations Center in Columbus, OH. 

The post Tips for viewing a Solar Eclipse appeared first on VSP Blog.

Help them find the perfect outfit at least two months in advance. This is probably the most stressful part of prom-prep, so you’ll both feel great when it’s done. Also, pick out accessories! Beauty expert Polly Blitzer recommends putting down that tiara and checking out the many hair accessories that are having a moment right now – a leather headband, for instance, is totally unexpected and chic. Next, they should schedule a haircut one month before the big day to make sure their hair is healthy.

Of course, one more option is for them to leave their glasses at home. Contact lenses can instantly change their appearance and help boost their confidence. Set up an appointment with your local eye doctor so they can ditch those glasses in favor of contact lenses and surprise their friends.  1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST® Brand Contact Lenses is a daily disposable lens that is one of the healthiest, most convenient ways to wear contact lenses. Plus, if your teen isn’t sure he or she wants to make the change full-time, just toss them out at the end of the night.

It’s a huge night in the mind of a teen, and a little preparation can go a long way in making a truly memorable experience.

This is a guest post by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. © Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2013

LEGAL:

Important information for contact lens wearers:
ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional and ask for a Patient Instruction Guide, call 1-800-843-2020 or visit acuvue.com.

ACUVUE® and 1-DAY® ACUVUE® MOIST® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. © Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2013

The post A Prom Worth Seeing appeared first on VSP Blog.

Make sure your family has a “Screen-Free Week,” and turn off your electronic devices in an effort to encourage children to spend more time studying, playing outdoors, reading and exploring the world.

Frequently using digital devices also puts people at risk of developing eye problems! Digital devices emit blue light, which is the most harmful light that penetrates all the way to the back of the eye. It damages your eyes over time and can even lead to macular degeneration – an eye condition that causes people to gradually lose their central vision. Everyone encounters blue light, but you can protect yourself by exercising and eating healthy fruits and vegetables. In addition, wear UNITY BluTech lenses when using digital devices to block harmful blue light.

The post How to Protect Your Eyes from Damage Caused by Digital Devices appeared first on VSP Blog.

Entering is easy! Visit the VSP Vision Care Facebook page, become a fan and fill out the entry form on the Get Set to Jet Set tab. Want to access by mobile? Click HERE.

Not on Facebook? Not a problem. Mail your name, mailing address, age and phone number to:

VSP Global Corporate Communications, M/S 151, ATTN: Get Set to Jet Set Sweepstakes
3333 Quality Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Mail entries must be postmarked by May 30, 2013.

Sweepstakes ends Thursday, May 30, 2013. ENTER NOW!

The post Enter the Michael Kors Get Set to Jet Set Sweepstakes for Chance to Win $2,500 appeared first on VSP Blog.

‘Round Town – This trend has no end. It’s just as hot on you as it is on the guys (you’ll know what I mean if you read last month’s blog). So, be seen AROUND town in a pair big or small, it matters not.

Cat’s Meow – The cateye is still in – put them on and bring out the sunglass kitten in you.

Safety in Numbers – Buy multiple pairs that give off a safety eyewear vibe. Yes, I’m serious (as a lab technician)!

Oddly Enough – A slightly or totally off shape will make you one cool odd ball.

Large and in Charge – Go B-I-G. ‘Nuff said.

Don’t forget to please protect your peepers. It’s UV awareness month! Fun in the sun also comes along with damaging ultra violet rays. Look for or ask your eye doctor about 100% UVA & UVB coverage.

The post 5 Popular Sunglass Styles for Women appeared first on VSP Blog.

Parents and their children were invited to indulge their playful sides and take part in various activities, such as stickball, pogo sticks, hula hoops, double-dutch, yo-yos, skateboarding clinics, a handball clinic and  a soapbox derby.  VSP also had a booth where attendees learned about the importance of healthy vision and regular eye exams.  For example, children wore vision impaired goggles that simulated different eye diseases like cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma during three activities to demonstrate the crucial role of eyesight. We also provided information about VSP’s individual plan for those who don’t receive vision coverage through their employer.

The post VSP attends the NYC Street Games appeared first on VSP Blog.

Your 522 pairs of donated glasses are starting to come to fruition with the kids.

Representatives from VSP joined Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson to celebrate with students and teachers at David Reese Elementary in Elk Grove, CA.

Visit VSP on Instagram to see more pictures from the game, and thank you for donating to the Eyes of Hope program!

The post Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson celebrates the gift of sight with students appeared first on VSP Blog.