Posts Tagged ‘Arkansas’

VSP Eye on Diabetes Campaign Kicks Off in Little Rock

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

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.

VSP Assists Those Affected by the Southern Tornadoes

VSP’s Disaster Relief Team is responding to help those affected by the recent wave of tornadoes in the South. Similar to our work for the Southern California fires, we are working directly with our network of eye doctors and business partners to assess the situation and meet the eyecare needs of all those affected by the tornadoes.

Here’s what we are doing:

  • Any VSP member who loses or breaks eyewear, needs contact lens replacements or an eye exam due to the tornadoes, can get them replaced at a minimal cost. Please call 800.877.7195 for more information.  Non-VSP members can request a VSP eyecare voucher from the American Red Cross.
  • We’ve shipped needed eyecare supplies including eyeglass repair kits, lens cleaning cloths, and backpacks directly to the evacuated areas. We’ll distribute at evacuation centers and in various neighborhoods to families that are staying with their belongings.
  • Our mobile response team will be distributing items in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
  • To ensure that those most in need continue to have access to eyecare during this crisis, we’re continuing to work closely with more than 1,000 VSP doctors in Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and related state optometric associations.

As thousands of Americans are putting the pieces back together, we’re here to help.

Related Links:

American Red Cross