Archive for the ‘eye health’ Category

Eye On Diabetes – Austin, Texas

Posted on September 2nd, 2010 by jeffst
The VSP Eye on Diabetes campaign has wrapped up another successful event in Austin, TX  on Friday August 27, 2010. VSP Vision Care has partnered with the American Diabetes Association and the Texas Optometric Association to raise awareness for the connection between eye health and diabetes for the state of Texas.  SeeZar, one of three VSP Mobile Clinics, helped over 100 Austin residents in need with free eyecare, eyewear and diabetes screenings. State Representative Mark Strama showed his support for the campaign and the important role Optometrists play in the detection and treatment of health issues, including diabetes.  The Austin event was the third stop in the Eye on Diabetes campaign, reaching a statewide audience.
See all the photos:  Click Here

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VSP wants to help you “SeeMuchMore”

Posted on September 1st, 2010 by Lisa P.

If you follow our blog regularly, or touch base with us on Facebook or Twitter, you’ll know that one of our primary goals is to make eyecare important, immediate, easy and fun.

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:

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!

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#BlogHer10 asks, @VSPVisionCare answers

Posted on August 11th, 2010 by Lisa P.

BlogHerIn honor of #BlogHer10, we asked this year’s attendees on twitter to send us their eyecare questions. We received lots of great questions and wanted to share just a few of them along with the answers. Be sure to follow @VSPVisionCare for more tips and useful information related to eyecare and eyewear.

@CleverGayle – When should children have their first vision test?

– Eyecare experts say children should have their first eye exam when they’re only 6 months old. They should have another one between 2 and 3 years, just before kindergarten, and then annually after that. More on children and eyecare.

@msmorev – I’d like to know the best way to protect my eyes from the computer screen.

– American workers spend 6 hours a day using a computer or digital device so it’s important to take frequent breaks. The next time you’re sitting in front of your computer, remember the 20-20-20 rule: after 20 minutes of computer use, look at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds. Check out some more tips on how to keep your eyes safe in a digital world.

@toonces1989 - is it really essential to have your eyes dilated if you’re not having any problems?

– Yes, eyecare experts recommend getting your eyes dilated every year. Dilation allows your eye doctor to make sure your eyes are healthy. During a dilated eye exam, your eye doctor can see the blood vessels in your eyes, which can show signs of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. With age, the pupil becomes smaller, making dilation even more essential. More on the importance of dilation.

Thanks everyone for sending us these great questions. We’ll continue to answer the other questions that were submitted through our Twitter account – @vspvisioncare. So, be sure to follow us and keep the questions coming. We want to know what you’re thinking about when it comes to your eyes!

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Helping kids in Georgia see clearly for back to school

Posted on August 10th, 2010 by Lisa P.

VSP is partnering with the Georgia Optometric Association and St. Mary’s Community Center this week to provide free eyecare and eyewear to children in need in Savannah, Georgia.

VSP’s brought its mobile eye clinic, SeeZar, to Savannah on Monday, and with the help of local optometrists, will continue this service to pre-selected children until Wednesday, August 11.

Here is a clip from WSAV-TV featuring a young patient seen on the clinic Monday, August 9.

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The Early Show on CBS recommends VSP’s tips on easing eye strain in a digital world

Posted on August 5th, 2010 by Lisa P.

CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton was recently on “The Early Show” to discuss Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) in a segment titled “How to Ease Your Computer Eye Strain.”

“It’s a new and growing condition that’s a byproduct of modern technology,” she said. “The most common symptoms are: eye strain, dry or irritated eyes, fatigue, and headaches.” Dr. Ashton not only provides the latest on a health problem that affects 70 percent of computer users, her recommendations on easing this strain are tips from VSP Vision Care:

  1. Blink Often: When looking at a computer or hand-held digital device, it’s common for you to blink two to three times less than you normally would. This can lead to “dry eye.” Blinking bathes your eyes in tears, and tears are naturally therapeutic for the eyes.
  2. The 20/20/20 Rule: When spending long periods in front of a digital device, every 20 minutes, spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away to allow your eyes to rest.
  3. Ensure Proper Lighting: Poor lighting often causes eye strain. To help ease the strain on your eyes, keep bright lighting overhead to a minimum and position your desk lamp to shine on your desk, and not at you. Position your computer screen in a way that reduces reflections and glare from windows or overhead lights.
  4. Location of computer screen: Most people find it more comfortable to view a computer when the eyes are looking downward. Optimally, the computer screen should be 15 to 20 degrees below eye level (about 4 or 5 inches) as measured from the center of the screen and 20 to 28 inches from the eyes.

For more information about computer-related vision problems visit the “My Eyes” tab on VSP’s Facebook page.

File under: CVS, Eye Safety, Technology, eye health | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Would you like to have vision insurance but don’t have access through an employer?

Posted on August 4th, 2010 by Lisa P.

Guest Blogger: Judy Malm, program manager for VSP’s Individual Plan.

Having access to vision insurance isn’t only through employers. VSP Vision Care offers individuals access to comprehensive vision coverage through it’s Individual Plan. Anyone in the U.S. can sign up to receive benefits that cover a comprehensive eye exam and glasses or contacts!   Through the Individual Plan, you get to select from over 22,000 VSP doctors nationwide that’s right for you. 

Don’t take our word for it, here’s what our Individual Plan members have to say:

“This plan is easy to use, convenient and quite affordable for my family,” said Dorothy Grubbs. “It’s the best eyecare plan we’ve ever had. My husband had VSP with a previous employer and we were so happy when it was available for individuals,” she added.

The plan was simple to use and a great reminder for my spouse and I to get an annual eye exam as part of our benefit, said Linda Farley. “It’s a great deal when we get the best care for our aging eyes, and we save money on the exam and new glasses every year,” she added.

With all the changes the economy has made to our lives, here is one thing we can hold on to.  Go to www.vspforyou.com to find out more about the plan.

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Eye Health for the Workplace

Posted on July 29th, 2010 by Lisa P.
DrNate
Dr. Nathan Bonilla-Warford is a VSP provider practicing in Tampa, FL.

Guest Blogger: Nathan Bonilla-Warford, O.D. specializes in children’s vision, computer vision and orthokeratology. Dr. Warford practices in Tampa, FL at Bright Eyes Family Vision Care and is especially interested in the use of social media in eyecare.

Do you ever experience red or watery eyes, blurry vision or have difficulty focusing after an eight-hour day at work? Together these symptoms may result in computer-related eye problems, but someone can have them without working on a computer. The patients that come to my office often have physical and visual symptoms resulting from an office work environment. Here are some common symptoms and possible solutions to help your eye health during work.

Dry Eyes – Due to ventilation systems, dry air, dust or printer toner in the air, tears may not adequately coat and moisten the eye, leading to red, burning, or irritated eyes. When reading or using the computer, people tend to not blink as often, compounding the problem.   

Solution: Blink more when reading or working at the computer. Your optometrist can evaluate and treat dry eyes if it’s a chronic problem.

Workstation Design Problems – If a person’s desk, chair, keyboard and computer monitor are not oriented properly, it can lead to rapid visual fatigue.

Solution: Place the screen 24 inches or more away from your face, and make sure it’s directly in front of and slightly lower than your eyes.

Visual Focusing Problems – The strain on your eyes when focusing on paper or a computer screen can become fatiguing over time. Some people have visual focusing and coordination problems that make reading or using a computer uncomfortable or cause headaches.

Solution: Take frequent breaks (20-20-20 rule: after 20 minutes of computer use, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds).  You may also benefit from specific glasses prescribed for office work that help you focus at the correct distance.  

If you experience symptoms such as red, irritated, burning eyes, headache or visual fatigue while at work, make an appointment with your VSP Vision Care provider. Effective treatment can include modifying your work area, using the proper prescription glasses, eye medications, or a program of therapeutic visual activities, referred to as vision therapy. One or all of these may be needed to keep your eyes and vision healthy and productive at work.

Download the complete Eye Health for the Workplace Guide written by Dr. Bonilla-Warford.

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Digital Eyes

Posted on July 27th, 2010 by Melissa W.

Computers have changed the way we see the world, but are they changing the way we see? In this video you’ll learn how eye strain, fatigue and headaches are common indicators that your digital devices — including computer monitors, smart phones and video games -  might be causing you discomfort.

 

For more information about computer-related vision problems visit the “My Eyes” tab on VSP Vision Care’s Facebook page, and don’t forget to sign-up to win an iPad!

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Pregnancy can affect my eyesight?? (Part 2)

Posted on July 23rd, 2010 by Jill N
Jill N. is a member of the VSP Global Public Relations team.

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

In this second segment of my educational journey learning about the potential changes in my vision as a pregnant woman, Dr. Parenti shares the symptoms that, if you experience, should be addressed immediately:

Diabetes:

Women who are diabetic before their pregnancy and those who develop gestational diabetes need to watch their vision closely. Blurred vision in these cases may indicate elevated blood sugar levels and need to be addressed. However, most women who develop gestational diabetes don’t develop diabetic retinopathy.

High Blood Pressure:

In some cases, a woman may have blurry vision or spots in front of her eyes while pregnant which can be due to an increase in blood pressure during pregnancy, also known as preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Glaucoma:

Women being treated for glaucoma should tell their eye doctor right away if they are pregnant or intent to become pregnant. While many glaucoma medications are safe to take during pregnancy, certain glaucoma medications could be harmful to the developing baby.

Finally, Dr. Parenti humored me by answering a few more specific questions. Since I can’t be the only one thinking of these, I thought I’d share these as well:

So if I don’t benefit from improved vision when pregnant like some may, can I go ahead with having laser vision correction while pregnant?

Laser vision correction is not the best idea for pregnant or nursing women. You’ll want to wait until after the pregnancy and breast feeding. When you are pregnant, the cornea changes immensely. You need both a stable cornea and prescription prior to laser vision surgery to avoid complications. Even without the risk of complications, there is a risk of wasted money as your prescription could easily revert back due to the changes. It is recommended you wait at least one year after having laser vision correction before getting pregnant due to the same reasons.

Can I wear my contact lenses when I go into labor (because I assume I can plan for this, can you tell this is my first pregnancy?)?

Ideally, you should take out your contacts if already wearing them or wear your glasses if you are not. Should an emergency procedure become necessary, time would not be allowed to remove your contacts and you could risk severe dry eye or tearing of your contacts, among other things. If you absolutely must wear them, ask your doctor to fit you for an extended wear contact lens that can stay in for one or more weeks.

Any final words of advice?

A comprehensive eye exam should be included in your prenatal routine, even if you don’t require a prescription. Let your eye doctor know that you are pregnant so you can both discuss the best options for you.

Next blog – when should you bring your baby in for their first eye exam?

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Pregnancy can affect my eyesight??

Posted on July 22nd, 2010 by Jill N
Jill N. is a member of the VSP Global Public Relations team.

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

As a woman who is experiencing pregnancy for the first time, I was surprised to learn when I went in for my annual eye exam that these fabulous hormone increases I’ve been encountering could also potentially cause changes in my vision. In fact, 50% of pregnant women will have noticeable vision changes. Fortunately, in most cases, these are temporary eye conditions that will return to normal after delivery.

I thought I would share some of the information I learned from Dr. Pete Parenti of Parenti-Morris Eyecare for those of you who are, planning to become, or know of a fellow pregnant woman. Speaking from experience, this topic will probably be one of the few interesting unsolicited pieces of advice you’ll receive and/or can provide that is appreciated…

First the basics: Why would pregnancy affect vision in the first place?

This starts to make sense once you consider how the eye is structured. The front lens of the eye, the cornea, contains 70% water. And the inside of the eye contains a high percentage of water too. Any change to a woman’s water balance during pregnancy (which I can attest to is A LOT based on my frequent trips to the restroom) can affect sight, focus, prescription, and fit of contact lenses. Many of the headaches that women experience during can be due to visual changes as well.

What types of vision changes could I experience?

Here are some symptoms that are common but usually temporary and aren’t causes for alarm:

Refractive Changes:

Changes in the hormone levels can temporarily alter the strength you need in your eyeglasses or contact lenses. This is typically not something you need to worry about but should bring up with your eye doctor to decide if you should change your prescription or not. (Although BONUS! Some nearsighted women will have improvements in their vision that will be permanently retained!)

Dry Eyes:

Some women experience dry eyes during pregnancy (although if you are like me, the hormones are creating the opposite effect where I experience waterfalls of tears just by watching a Kleenex commercial).  If you are experiencing dry eyes, the good news is most OTC lubricating eye drops are perfectly safe to use while pregnant or nursing and your eyes should return to normal within a few weeks after delivery.

 Puffy Eyelids:

(Wonderful, I finally have something I can blame these on!) Puffiness around the eyes is another common side effect of certain hormonal changes women may have while pregnant. Puffy eyelids may interfere with side vision. Utilize common healthy eating habits to limit water retention like increased water intake and a low-sodium and low-caffeine diet.

Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow: Symptoms you should address immediately

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