You can be a life changer!
If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to take the free Eye Pledge and help direct a free eye exam and glasses, donated by VSP Vision Care on your behalf, to a Boys and Girls Club child in need in your local community. Then please share and encourage others to join us in helping to remove the need for 50,000 children and their parents to make a decision between sight and other family essentials.

1 Eye Pledge = 1 VSP Gift Certificate for a Child in need

Go to SeeMuchMore.com and take the Eye Pledge in just three easy steps:

-   Select the Eye Pledge that’s right for you
-   Direct a free VSP eye exam and glasses gift certificate a Boys & Girls Club of your choice
-   Share your pledge to help spread the word and help us reach our goal!

Check out this video featuring BGCA discussing the importance of the campaign and the impact it will have to help children reach their full potential.

For more information about the VSP Eye Pledge campaign and to take the pledge, please visit www.SeeMuchMore.com.  The site also includes an interactive, virtual savings calculator to learn about savings with VSP vision benefits, allows users to browse the latest eyewear styles, and provides helpful information about healthy vision.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dr. Michelle Calder Cardwell

Guest Blog: Dr. Michelle Calder Carwell, an optometrist in Northville, from her Visionista Blog.

If you’ve had Lasik surgery and want to upgrade to a new pair of sunglasses this summer, we’ve got a great tip that could save you over $100 on your new shades. Thanks to a little known benefit from VSP, VSP vision insurance members who have undergone Lasik vision correction surgery can use their bi-yearly eyeglass benefit toward a pair of non-prescription sunglasses. Yes, we said that right: If you’ve had Lasik and you have VSP, you can get your non-prescription sunglasses completely or partially paid for.

Normally, the frame benefit can only be applied to prescription sunglasses (for non-Lasik patients.) But if you’ve had Lasik surgery, VSP wants you to still protect your eyes from damaging UV rays and is willing to let you apply your usual frame benefit toward a pair of fantastic suns.

Depending on your particular VSP plan, this benefit can save you up to $150 dollars on non-prescription sunglasses, at a savings of up to 50% off the retail price (or better, depending on brand and model.)

Available Only Through VSP Optometrists. Find a VSP doctor near you!
There are two important things to keep in mind around this Lasik sunglass benefit from VSP:

1. To use the benefit, you will have to visit a participating, authorized, independent VSP optometrist. Because it requires an VSP insurance pre-authorization from an optometrist.
2. You will also want to consider whether you may need to use the frame benefit in the next 24 months for reading glasses, versus sunglasses. This is more of a concern among patients and clients who are over 40 years of age and may need reading glasses in the near future, despite their Lasik.

To determine your exact sunglass benefit, please contact VSP’s member services at 800-877-7195, imember@vsp.com. With just a couple pieces of information, they can pre-authorize you in minutes over the phone so you’ll know exactly what you qualify for.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ed Tepper with Team Type 2

I’ve been wearing glasses since ever I can remember, and I’m now 61.  About 30 years ago a friend talked me into wearing contact lenses and I did up to about 9 months ago.  The story about me changing back to glasses started a few years ago when I could no longer read close up or clearly see a computer screen without “cheater” reading glasses.  I had several pairs that I kept in different rooms at home and in my office.   Then one night at a nice restaurant I had to ask my wife to read the menu to me because I left my cheaters at home.  Needless to say, the ribbing continued through dessert.

Fortunately, it was time for my annual eye exam with my VSP optometrist.  I’ve had VSP coverage through my employers for many years.  I’ve always received great service and saved a bunch of money.  The optometrist suggested that I try progressive lenses.  These lenses are graded to allow clear vision at all distances.  They do take a little while to get used to.  I found I might have to tip my head up or down a little so I’m looking through the right part of the lens to see clearly.  For example, I’m now focusing at a medium distance to see my computer screen so I’m looking through the middle to bottom part of the lens to see clearly.  When driving I have to look through the top part of the lens to see distant signs and the bottom part of the lens to see the speedometer so I don’t have to focus on the flashing blue lights behind me (LOL).  At first this constant adjusting was annoying but after a few days it became second nature!

As a member of Team Type 2 it’s especially important that I’m able to see near and far while I’m training for our signature event, The Race Across America.  While training I need to be able to clearly see the road ahead and my bike computer so I know whether I’m in my training zone.  Wearing optical inserts in my VSP cycling glasses gives me the clear vision I need.

If you’re like me and need corrective lenses to see both near and far, I strongly suggest that you visit your VSP optometrist and ask about progressive lenses.

About Team Type 1 and VSP Vision Care
Team Type 1 is a group of athletes living with diabetes. The team includes professional race teams, a triathlon team and a development team. Team Type 1 strives to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes. VSP® Vision Care is proud to be their exclusive eyecare and eyewear provider.

We just had to share these funny submissions.

My Clark Kent Look

Jill is in need of new glasses

I wear my sunglasses at night

Click here to view the embedded video.

Watch the social media channels of the Think About Your Eyes Coalition to see coverage exciting events happening near Times Square on today!

• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Flickr
• Coalition Web site

Jill N. is a member of VSP's Corporate Public Relations team.

With the disastrous Tennessee flooding continuing to cause major problems throughout the region, VSP wants to remind our doctors, members and non-members of disaster relief services available from VSP, if you are affected by the flooding or any type of natural disaster.

VSP Network Doctors in affected areas: Please email vspoutreach@vsp.com or call 800.852.7600 ext. 5697 to let us know how you are doing and if your office is damaged or closed. We are available to offer any assistance you may need so you can continue to provide care to your patients.

A car is pinned up against a tree by floodwater flowing under a bridge on Sunday, May 2, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Severe storms dumped heavy rain on Tennessee for the second straight day. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

VSP Members in affected areas: If you have lost or broken your glasses due to a disaster and need replacements, you (or your VSP doctor’s office) can call VSP’s Customer Care at 800.877.7195 for an authorization for new services.

Non-VSP members in affected areas: If you are a non-VSP member and have lost or broken your glasses due to a disaster and need replacements, you may request a free VSP eyecare voucher from the local American Red Cross.

To find VSP doctor locations, use the “Find a Doctor” feature on vsp.com or contact Customer Care at 800.877.7195.

I’ll admit it, I’m addicted to technology. My Blackberry is attached to my hand, I can’t imagine life without my computer, and I think Facebook is the best thing that ever happened to my far-flung family and friends.

Every once in a while, I run across a story that reminds me that technology can be used to serve a much bigger, far-reaching purpose than my own creature comforts. I found this story about how specialized glasses are helping Lance Corporal Craig Lundberg, a British soldier blinded in Iraq, actually see again so incredible that I thought it needed to be shared.