Posts Tagged ‘eye diseases’

DiabetesSisters – An Online Community for Women with Diabetes

Posted on June 9th, 2010 by Melissa W.

Laura Ely, Team Type 1's Triathalon TeamGuest Blogger – Laura Ely competes as a member of Team Type 1′s Triathalon team. She works as a Clinical Research Coordinator and Marketing Coordinator for the University of North Carolina Diabetes Care Center Clinical Trial Program and is also a Communication Coordinator for DiabetesSisters, an online diabetes community for women. Laura was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of four.

Diabetes is a different disease for men and women.  Diabetes provides its share of ups and downs with constant carbohydrate counting, insulin adjustments, and 24/7 life-long management.  For women, the diabetes rollercoaster (as some call it) is further complicated by the continual change in hormones – whether it is puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.  Throughout my life I’ve relied on the support of my female friends with diabetes to deal with the daily ups and downs of the disease.  I am one of the lucky ones.  Not many other women out there have a tight-knit support system that I have.

One amazing woman, Brandy Barnes realized the lack of this support system in the diabetes world and decided to do something about it.  She created an online community, DiabetesSisters, that would allow women to connect via the web and share their experiences as a woman with Type 1, Type 2, gestational or pre-diabetes.  I was fortunate enough to meet Brandy at a diabetes event and I fell in love with the organization.  At the time, I knew how important my girlfriends with diabetes were to me but knew that not everyone shared my fortune.  Every woman living with diabetes deserves to have this type of support system to help her live to her fullest potential.  Since it began 2 years ago, DiabetesSisters has grown to become a 501c3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health and quality of life of women living with or at risk of developing diabetes, and to advocate on their behalf. Read more »

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VSP Eye on Diabetes Campaign Kicks Off in Little Rock

Posted on May 28th, 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.

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.

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May is National Healthy Vision Month

Posted on May 20th, 2010 by Lisa P.
2010_HVM10__Header
 
In observance of Healthy Vision Month, VSP Vision Care wants to remind you to make eye health a priority by scheduling an eye exam with your VSP eye doctor. Eye exams not only check vision, they can also detect signs of related health conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, just to name a few.
 
The National Eye Institute (NEI) proclaimed May as Healthy Vision Month in 2003 to elevate vision as a health priority for the nation. This year’s theme is “Your Eyes Are The Windows To Your Health.” There are millions of people living in the U.S. with undetected vision problems, eye diseases and related health conditions that can be detected and/or resolved with a visit to an eye doctor. We hope you join us in preserving the sense of sight and maintaining high quality eye health for all Americans.  
 
As many of you know, VSP Global is part of the Think About Your Eyes Coalition, with Essilor and Luxottica, and are helping remind Americans about the important of receiving an annual eye exam. Be sure to keep an eye out in New York City next week, as the Coalition will be putting on an ”eye-catching” event on Tuesday, May 25th. You can find the latest news on this upcoming event and the Coalition’s activities on their social media channels on Facebook and Twitter.
 

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Studies show nearsightedness is rising as America’s vision gets blurrier

Posted on December 16th, 2009 by Liz B.

Appearing this morning on Good Morning America, a new study shows that nearsightedness is up 66 percent since the 1970s.

View GMA segment

Screen shot 2009-12-16 at 11.17.15 AM

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A surprise visitor during free day with VSP Vision Care!

Posted on December 14th, 2009 by Jill N

Last week in San Francisco, Exploratorium guests were invited to peer into the science of seeing with VSP Vision Care. During an Exploratorium Free Wednesday on December 2nd, kids and families had the opportunity to tour SeeZar, one of the VSP Mobile Eyes® clinics, Ask the VSP eye doctor, Jim Winnick, all sorts of questions (which animal has a brain that weighs less then its eye?), spin a prize wheel, and participate in intriguing, eyes-on activities inspired by the Exploratorium’s Seeing exhibit collection. As if all of this wasn’t enough fun for the day, we had one more surprise in store for everyone, a visit by San Francisco’s Kyle Rose, member of the Team Type 1 professional cycling team!

Guests had the opportunity to ask questions about diabetes, cycling and receive autographs and pictures with the local star during his last appearance stateside as he prepared to move to Paris, France, where he will be racing for the 2010 season.

Kyle Rose and Jill N.

Kyle interacted with the kids…”you get to ride bikes for a job??” “Do you ride bikes with Lance Armstrong?” “I have a purple bike…but it’s broke.” “I bet you need really good eyes to see where you are going.” “Have you crashed before?” (OK, this last question was actually me. And yes, he just finished healing from a gnarly crash where he was clipped by another rider, flipped over his handlebars into a ditch and broke multiple ribs!) Read more »

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Diabetes and Eye Health

Posted on November 9th, 2009 by Liz B.

 

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

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. Read more »

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Join the fight to STOP DIABETES

Posted on November 2nd, 2009 by Liz B.
Liz is a member of VSP's Corporate Public Relations team.

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. Read more »

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Giving kids the gift of sight…and then some

Posted on September 21st, 2009 by Jill N
Jill N. is a member of VSP's Corporate Public Relations team - and a huge fan of NBA star Bobby Jackson.

Jill N. is a member of VSP's Corporate Public Relations team - and a huge fan of NBA star Bobby Jackson.

Yesterday VSP participated in an event that not only gave kids an opportunity to be successful in school by providing them with comprehensive eye exams, eyewear and school supplies, but also gave them another reason to smile – a chance to meet and play basketball with Bobby Jackson from the Sacramento Kings!

We spent the day with 40 Herman Leimbach elementary students, their families and school staff along with parents and students from two other elementary schools who conducted their own school supply fund raising effort for these students through a program called “Kids Helping Kids.”

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Bobby Jackson arrived to the absolute delight of the kids (and the parents!). They toured SeeLia, our mobile clinic, and helped a few of the students pick out their new frames from the dispensary located on the clinic.

Bobby Jackson and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson pose with VSP Drs. April Omoto and Stephanie Kirshbaum.

Bobby Jackson and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson pose with VSP Drs. April Omoto and Stephanie Kirschbaum.

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VSP Mobile Eyes Provides Outreach to Louisiana Babies!

Posted on August 4th, 2009 by Jill N

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

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

VSP believes everyone deserves to see well. We actively seek opportunities to give back to the community, such as partnering with the AOA InfantSEE program.

As VSP’s mission is to increase Americans’ access to quality eyecare and promote awareness about the importance of eye health, the InfantSEE program partnership is a natural and important extension of this mission. This is the second time this year we have partnered with InfantSEE, providing them with a much needed extension to bring access to eyecare to those in need who aren’t able to go to a doctor’s office.

In May, more than 275 West Virginia infants were seen for an eye assessment during a two week period of traveling across the state. One out of every five infants had an abnormal exam or a cause for concern. Findings included: hyperopia, astigmatism, myopia, amblyopia, strabismus, mild refractive error and tear duct issues. During the next few weeks we hope to reach even more infants during our time in Louisiana!

Check out these videos of our first day of outreach in New Orleans yesterday. InfantSEE staff member Emily Zar, with VSP Dr. Heitmeier’s office, is conducting a vision test with a New Orleans baby and his mother and VSP Dr.’s Cary Vincent and Jeff Anastasio are doing a vision assessment of another little New Orleans baby. It’s amazing to see how un-invasive these assessments are and how much fun the babies have doing it!

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Check out the VSP event calendar to see where the VSP Mobile Clinics will be next!

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Message is Clear – Get Annual Eye Exams

Posted on May 15th, 2007 by Rob L.

Every so often a story makes the news that hits home and causes us to pay attention. If you’re a basketball fan like me, you probably heard about the struggle Utah Jazz Guard Derek Fisher’s young 10-month-old daughter faces with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer, in her left eye. The disease causes a tumor in the retina and affects between 200 and 300 children in the U.S. each year, typically age 5 and under.

Thankfully, the tumor was detected early through a comprehensive eye exam. Even so, once diagnosed, the NBA star and his family had 30 minutes to make a difficult choice — remove the eye and try to get all the cancer, or treat it with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, and hope that she can keep her eye. They chose the latter, and she is recovering from a successful treatment. In the next few weeks, doctors will repeat the procedure or attempt to remove the tumor.

Immediately following the initial procedure, Fisher made a dramatic entrance to the second half of Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals and gave a stellar performance. After winning the game he had a clear and heart-felt message for the media and his fans. Fisher pleaded with all parents to make sure their kids receive a comprehensive eye exam every year. He said if they had waited any longer, his daughter could have lost her left eye, or much worse her life.

For each story like this in the media, there are hundreds, if not thousands out of the public eye. I hope you are all paying attention and spreading the word about the importance of annual eye exams.

–Rob

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