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.

Andy Gee a.k.a. GeeWhizKid

At this past weekend’s Health Fair & Forum in Sacramento, 14 VSP employees volunteered their Saturday to staff an information booth, provide low-level vision assessments, or assist doctors Elisabeth S. Swan, O.D. and Thomas R. Swanson, O.D. who were also volunteering their services in SeeLia, one of the VSP mobile clinics. 

 Several of the VSP volunteers share their thoughts from the experience. 

 Marian H. assisted patients in the screening:    

“The vision assessment showed that both a man and his daughter were in need of our services. The daughter is in the second grade and wants to be a teacher or a scientist when she grows up. She was having trouble seeing at school so her teacher moved her closer to the front of the class.
He knew they both needed corrective eyewear but had absolutely no way of providing for himself and his daughter.
I explained the importance of annual comprehensive eye exams and set him up with a VSP Mobile Eyes voucher and a doctor directory.
I couldn’t believe the change in his demeanor. He was so happy he started crying and it took a few minutes to get him calmed down. I assured him we were happy to provide this service.”  

 Judy M. assisted patients in low-level vision assessments and discovered:    

“My most memorable moment was when I realized the young man I was talking to was having a sight-threatening issue, knowing time was so important to saving his eyesight.
Sure, I could be at home or going to a movie, you know, comfortable things. But for so many people there is little comfort. The people that come to these events come for a very real reason. It’s a need.” 

 Juliet C. manned the information booth, educating visitors on health risk factors prevalent in the African American community. 

VSP Employees (L to R): Koi R., Juliet C., Cynthia S. and Doris B. volunteering at the VSP information booth

“I volunteered for this event because of the importance of educating the community on various health risk factors such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.”  

Cynthia S. helped educate visitors on what makes up a comprehensive eye exam.  

“I volunteered at this event because I grew up in the neighborhood, and this was a way of giving back to the community. I met parents of people I went to school with and it felt good to be able to educate them on the many diseases that can be detected through the eyes. It was amazing how many people didn’t understand the difference between their perception of an ‘eye exam’ and a ‘comprehensive eye exam’ from a VSP doctor.”  

Jenny B. assisted in the vision assessment process.  

“..to see someone’s face when they realize that VSP isn’t expecting anything from them, that the exam and glasses given to them are free just so they can see better! I met a 52-year old woman who had never had an eye exam in her lifetime, making do with $2 ‘cheaters’ that really didn’t fix her vision problems!”  

Me? I got to merge my photography hobby with my desire to volunteer in the community and work alongside VSP employees who I don’t see everyday! Check out the photos from the event at VSP’s Flickr gallery.  

For current members, that means taking advantage of existing benefits and making sure that vision care is a part of your family’s overall healthcare plan. If you are thinking about becoming a VSP member, we’ll show you how you can save money with VSP and different ways improving your vision can lead to a healthy lifestyle.

We’ve relaunched our interactive Web site SeeMuchMore.com! Check it out to see the new look and feel, plus videos, tips, and testimonials! 

Here are a few of the highlights:

• A fan of “Jay Walking” on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno? You’ll love our new EyeQ video series! Also included is the VSP EyeFiles series and videos about benefits enjoyed by VSP members.
• Show your creativity with our fun, interactive features including the make your own eye chart app
• Join us! Find links to our Twitter feed, Facebook page and resources for finding a doctor
• And (See) Much More 

As you explore the site, remember, being a VSP member helps save money in eyecare services. In addition to having access to amazing private practice doctors, VSP members also have a huge selection of eyewear in popular, fashion brands. And most importantly … eyesight is important and taking care of our eyes should be a priority for everyone!

Tell us your thoughts about SeeMuchMore.com!

Jill N. is a member of the VSP Global Public Relations team.

Recently VSP announced the launch of VSP Eye on Diabetes, a five state campaign created in response to the increasing spread of diabetes across the U.S. A lot of people (did you know?) are unaware that diabetes can be detected through an annual eye exam, sometimes as much as five years earlier than through a Fasting Blood Glucose (Blood Sugar) test! 

Our first stop on the campaign trail was Little Rock, AR on May 21-22. In partnership with the American Diabetes Association Little Rock chapter and the Arkansas Optometric Association, VSP provided free eye exams, eyewear and diabetes screenings to residents in need who had or were at risk of developing diabetes.

It’s been found that 61% of Americans with vision coverage go in for their annual eye exams vs. just 21% who get an annual physical! This provides an opportunity for optometrists to be the first to detect a variety of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, in a patient. With new information pertaining to diabetes continuing to be introduced, it is important to realize that your VSP private practice eye doctor is being provided the most recent information available pertaining to diabetes and eyecare and is a key component to a patients diabetes-care team. You can find more information at the VSP Diabetes Discovery Center.

Check out the video of the day of outreach in Little Rock, narrated by the Mayor of Little Rock, Mark Stodola.

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

The title of the event alone provides insight into why VSP Vision Care is aligned to the esteemed Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) located in Atlanta, Georgia. The dinner, emceed by CNN Weekend Anchor, T.J. Holmes, was the third annual for the Hugh M. Gloster Society and VSP is proud to be a supporter of the Gloster Society since it was established in 2007.

Founded originally as a part of Morehouse College in 1975, MSM became an independently charted institution in 1981 and was the first medical school established at a Historically Black College and University in the 20^th century. MSM is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians. Notable MSM trustees and alumni include former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, and current U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, who appointed Dr. David Rutstein, another MSM alumnus, as Acting Deputy Surgeon General.

MSM is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities; increasing the diversity of the health professional and scientific workforce; and addressing the primary health-care needs through programs in education, research, and service, with emphasis on people of color and the underserved urban and rural populations in Georgia and the nation.

With VSP’s mission aligning so closely it makes for exciting opportunities for the two organizations to compliment and support each other in their commitment to increasing Americans’ access to quality eyecare and health education through raising public awareness that preventative care, knowledge and thorough care are keys to staying healthier.

Just. Press. Play.

Adspecs from Joel on Vimeo.

View GMA segment

Joel Kestenbaum O.D. is a VSP provider in Long Island, NY.

In recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month, Dr. Joel Kestenbaum has shared some thoughts regarding diabetes and eyecare. VSP is a proud National Strategic Partner of the American Diabetes Association.  Join the fight. STOP Diabetes.

One of the first lessons I learned in optometry school was that diabetes was a leading cause of  blindness.  We were taught that early diagnosis was the key to preserving good eyesight.  We were also taught that educating our patients about the effects of diabetes on the eye was extremely important.  So here are a few tidbits to think about.

There are many early signs of diabetes, many of which are common eye complaints.   Styes, double vision, light sensitivity, fluctuating vision, glare and frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions are just a few early signs.  These and other signs can also affect people who have had diabetes for a long time.  Getting annual eye examinations by a qualified specialist can detect problems that may be vision threatening.  Early detection can lead to early sight saving treatment.

Having diabetes does not mean that your sight will be affected, but there is a greater risk.

Controlling blood sugar via diet, medication or both is extremely important in minimizing the affects of diabetes.  Exercise, weight loss, lowering cholesterol and not smoking are all ways to help control all the effects of diabetes.

Recently I had a patient who did not control her diabetes.  She was a smoker, stopped seeing her doctor three years ago, did not eat well or exercise, stopped taking her insulin two years prior, and for the last 6 months, has been experiencing some of the eye signs mentioned earlier.  A comprehensive eye examination revealed retinal bleeding and leakage of fluid.  This is typical of diabetic retinopathy, requiring treatment by a retinal specialist in an attempt to save her precious eyesight.

November is American Diabetes Month.  Take your children, your spouse and your elderly parents for an eye examination.  Early detection can lead to early treatment.  Be smart even if you do not have diabetes.  Have annual eye examinations.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum
www.optixeyecare.com

Liz B. is a member of VSP's Corporate Public Relations team.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and as a National Strategic Partner of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), VSP is committed to joining to the fight to STOP DIABETES.

Studies show that diabetes accounts for about 24,000 new cases of vision loss each year.  The most prevalent eye disease in patients with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which blood vessels in the eye leak fluid and cause vision impairments including: blindness, blurred vision, floaters, shadows or missing areas of vision.

It is imperative that people with diabetes have annual eye exams as most diabetes-related blindness can be avoided.

Throughout the month of November, you’ll see multiple posts on the VSPBlog educating about the impacts of diabetes to millions of Americans affected by the disease.

Let’s start with the basics on why we must stop diabetes:

• Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes. In fact, if trends continue, one in three children born today will face a future with diabetes.
• Type 1 Diabetes – For people with type 1 diabetes, their bodies cannot make insulin, the hormone that allows the cells in the body to admit glucose, which they use as fuel.  Without glucose, your body doesn’t have enough energy to live. That’s why people with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin (through a shot or pump) to stay alive.
• Type 2 Diabetes – People with type 2 diabetes can make insulin, but the body fails to use it properly. About 90-95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. Typically type 2 of diabetes affects adults, but as obesity rates have increased in kids, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise in kids and teens.

Join the movement and STOP DIABETES.  Find out how you can help at stopdiabetes.com or call 1.800.DIABETES.

In the article Rob says:

Whether you are for or against the current health care legislation soon to go to a floor debate in Congress  nearly all can agree that the current health care system is broken and needs to be fixed. What to fix is where the debate lies. But what about the things that aren’t broken?

Amazingly enough, there is a vital component of our national health care system that not only provides top-notch services, but actually has an incredible 90-plus percent approval rate by those who are covered. This component is America’s vision insurance system. Vision insurance and eye care not only deliver vital health care services but actually lower the cost for treating the chronic diseases that are bankrupting America’s health care system. It is a shining example upon which Congress  should base the reforms they are now examining. So this begs the question: Why are they trying to change a part of the system that’s not broken?

Read the entire article.