Sunwear – cut down on squinting and harmful UVA/UVB rays by opting for prescription sunglasses.

Computer glasses – help reduce eyestrain while using computers and other digital devices with a mild prescription which can help combat symptoms of computer vision syndrome.

Sports glasses – stay on top of your game and keep your eyes safe with prescription sports goggles or wrap around styles rated for sports play.

Safety glasses – maybe you do a little wood work, welding or serious gardening in your spare time and need to protect those peepers with a pair safety glasses.

And the list goes on. Talk with your VSP doctor and get creative with your lens and frame benefits through your VSP plan. Wishes do come true! And don’t forget–you can use your flexible spending account (FSA) dollars for prescription eyewear.

Fashion Maven

Over the past few months, we’ve posted several polls on the VSP Facebook page that have garnered some great results! The polls have helped us learn more about our wonderful VSP members in a fun and engaging way.

In a recent poll VSP members were asked how long it had been since the last time their children had an eye exam. As it turns out, 75% of respondents have taken their children to see a VSP doctor in the past year! And, we would love to see the other 25% of respondents start taking their children in for annual eye exams as well, since more than 60% of children with learning problems have undiagnosed vision problems. And, getting your child an annual eye exam can help them learn, succeed in school, and experience life’s moments clearly. Discover how you can ensure your family gets the eyecare they deserve here.

Another poll asked VSP members when they started wearing glasses. 51% of poll takers started wearing glasses between the ages of 0-15 years old! With so many individuals reaping the benefits of glasses it makes sense that we share the hundreds of stylish eyewear options available for you and your family here. 

The results of a third poll helped us see that members realize the importance of annual eye exams. We asked members when their last comprehensive eye exam was, and 74% of respondents have received one in the past year! Annual eye exams can reveal signs of eye-related and other health conditions, like:

• Diabetic Eye Disease
• Macular Degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Risk of stroke
• Risk of heart disease

Check out SeeMuchMore.com for more information on the importance of eye exams and stay tuned to VSP on Facebook for fun ways to learn about the importance of your eye health!

VSP saves members an average of $290 a year on their eyecare and eyewear. That’s enough for 90 cups of coffee.

With today’s economy and prices continually going up on everyday necessities, enrolling in a VSP^® Vision Care plan can help you save on the eyecare and eyewear that you need. Just how much can you save? Check out our interactive savings calculator.

VSP members also have access to exclusive rebates, discounts and special offers. These offers are in addition to the coverage under your VSP plan and can be used with your plan coverage or separately. Check out the most current offers at specialoffers.vsp.com.

Read a few of our member stories and see how they saved with their VSP plan:

“Due to the cost of eyecare without insurance, my family has neglected going to the eye doctor. My husband, daughter, and myself all went to the doctor and got eye exams and new glasses. The balance for our glasses after our VSP coverage was only $55 for all three of us! That is great coverage, especially in this economy.”

Pamela K.

“I love all the new frames this year. If it wasn’t for my VSP insurance I would NEVER be able to afford them. Now I have the latest style and quality, but instead of paying $800 dollars for them, after VSP insurance, they were only $100! Thank you VSP!”

Paula S.

“I was hesitant to change how I handle my eyecare. I decided to try my VSP vision coverage and couldn’t be happier. I found a great eye doctor in my neighborhood and saved well over $400 on my exam and contacts.”

Christopher L.

See how much you can save with VSP with our interactive savings calcuator.

The American Red Cross is an amazing resource for communities during and after natural disasters. There’s been a lot of extreme weather this summer, and the Red Cross has always been there to help. When flood waters drove thousands in North Dakota from their homes, the Red Cross offered shelter and food. When first-responders were battling wildfires in Oklahoma, the Red Cross was helping keep them hydrated. After the tornadoes in Alabama, the Red Cross was there again.

The Red Cross’ disaster relief efforts are well known. You might be familiar with their collection and distribution of lifesaving blood, but the organization does so much more. It offers community services to the needy; support for military members and their families; educational efforts that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs. The need is ongoing.

Most of us are on a tight budget, so I think it’s a real plus to be able to have a donation go to the American Red Cross without adding anything to the cost of my purchase. So, if you got your initial supply of contacts from your doctor and want to reorder online, check out the competitively priced selection at Eyeconic.

Know we carefully verify your prescription. Know that shipping is free. Know that you can virtually try-on really cool sunglasses and find nearby VSP doctors that carry them. And know that every box of contacts you purchase from us comes with a compassionate donation.

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.

An Atlanta-area senior is fitted for a free pair of glasses

More than 500 low-income, uninsured and underinsured Atlanta seniors received free health services, including comprehensive eye exams, diabetes screenings and high blood pressure screenings on August 5-6 as part of the VSP Vision Care Eye on Diabetes campaign. This was the largest event to date.

VSP partnered with the Georgia Optometric Association, Medicare Diabetes Screening Project (MDSP) and Atlanta Regional Commission to bring two mobile eye clinics, Eyenstein and Seezar, outfitted with state-of-the-art exam rooms, dispensaries and a finishing lab to provide services to those who have or are at risk for diabetes. The campaign focus is to increase awareness and understanding of the connection between eyecare and a person’s general health.

Unique to this event, all qualified Medicare beneficiaries with prediabetes were enrolled in a 16-session lifestyle intervention class that has proven to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. A program provided through MDSP, the enrollees will have access to a trained lifestyle coach to help them change their habits. Enrollees will learn about healthier eating, simple ways to increase physical activity and other changes that lead to a healthier lifestyle.

“The goal of the VSP Eye on Diabetes campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of eyecare and the role of optometry in detecting and managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes,” said Cheryl Johnson, Vice President of Provider Services, VSP Vision Care. “Partnering with these great local organizations is critical to helping a community seek greater knowledge and understanding of how to incorporate positive preventative care behaviors, such as annual eye exams, into their lives.”

Also, in recognition of the campaign, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal proclaimed August 5-6 “Eye on Diabetes Days in Georgia!” It is estimated that 707,000 Georgia residents have been diagnosed with diabetes, with more than 51,000 newly diagnosed cases of adult diabetes every year.

The Eye on Diabetes campaign will finish this year’s tour in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in September.

Check out some great pictures from the Eye on Diabetes Atlanta event here.

You’ve been to the Eyewear Gallery on vsp.com to browse the latest eyewear styles from the hottest brands carried by VSP doctors. Now, when you find a brand you love, you can easily locate a VSP network doctor who carries it!

That’s right—finding a VSP network  doctor who carries your favorite eyewear brand just got easier. Simply click on “Doctors who carry this brand” to go to the VSP doctor directory to find a doctor near you.

You’ll also be able to find doctors who carry your favorite brand when you go directly to the “Find a Doctor” directory.

LaMont Peterson has been professional basketball player Tyreke Evans’ trainer since Tyreke was 13 years old. These guys spend a lot of time together training for games—indoors and out—and they both know that healthy eye sight is key to staying on the ball. They even go to the same VSP practice, Natomas Optometry. LaMont recently had his annual eye exam with Dr. Myra Lew and got a new pair of glasses with Transitions^® lenses. Transitions lenses darken and lighten automatically according to the surrounding light conditions. I chatted with LaMont afterward to see how his exam went and how he likes his new glasses.

LaMont wearing Joseph Abboud (JA160) with Transitions lenses

LaMont, I see you went with Transitions lenses. What made you choose Transitions over prescription sunglasses?
I like the convenience of not having to switch from glasses to sunglasses every time I go inside or outside. I guess prescription sunglasses would be nice too, but I really don’t want to have to carry two pairs of glasses around.

Picking out glasses at Natomas Optometry

Stuart Tasman, O.D. is a VSP Provider in Kennesaw, GA.

Today’s guest blog post is from Stuart Tasman O.D, a VSP provider in Georgia who recently partnered with the VSP at the Woodstock Baptist Church Health Fair.

I was asked to participate in a health fair in October at the Woodstock Baptist Church. As I walked through this massive church I couldn’t believe the amount of people that were there for services. I would estimate that well over 1000 men, women and children were there to see the doctors and volunteers that were there for 3 days to treat their every need.

I heard from the people that I examined, they had arrived at 1 a.m. to get in line to see the medical doctors, dentists and eye doctors. I know for a fact that we turned people away at the end of every day due to lack of time.* I saw so much eye disease that had gone untreated due to lack of insurance and, of course money.

Later, at the office we  treated one of the gentlemen that I had seen at the event for glaucoma. His intraocular pressures were approximately 40 in his right eye with definite loss of field of vision. I prescribed Lumigan and instructed him in my broken Spanish to see me in 3 weeks. He has no insurance and his finances barely cover a roof over his head and put groceries on the table. Suffice it to say we will not charge him but I have been haunted by the amount of people in trouble out there.

Who is going to care for them? We all want to give back and be good stewards but do we draw a line? When do we draw a line?

My father told us many stories of the depression era and one that I have never forgotten was about his grandfather. He had very little money, but did  run a small grocery store. People would come in to get food with no money. My dad asked him “How come you give food to these people without money?”

He responded, ” We should always give to those with less than we have.”

My question to you is should we follow my great grandfathers advise?  Just a thought.

Stuart Tasman

*Editor’s note: All patients who were unable to be seen – more than 350 – were given gift certificates to visit a local VSP doctor or referred to the Georgia Lighthouse Lions for comprehensive eyecare services, including eyewear.

Altair welcomes bebe to it’s newest family of eyewear brands. The two companies recently signed a worldwide license agreement for the design and distribution of sunglasses and eye glasses. The newest collection, which just launched this month, plays on four themes: playfully romantic, rocker chic, glamour girl and the iconic bebe logo.

Check out the rest of this season’s bebe sunwear and bebe optical collection and be sure to keep an eye out for the new line the next time you visit your eye doctor for an annual exam or at a bebe store near you.

Here are my favorites from each collection. What are your favorites?

bebe Authentic (Style BB7008 in Jet)

bebe a la mode (Style BB5000 in Crystal)