The Eye on Diabetes campaign hits Austin, Texas tomorrow, August 27th. VSP Vision Care is partnering with the American Diabetes Association and the Texas Optometric Association to provide free eyecare, eyewear and diabetes screenings to underserved/underinsured Austin residents with or at-risk of diabetes.
VSP provider Dr. Laura Miller with Northwest Hills Eyecare spoke with FOX7 – KTBC to discuss the connection between eye exams and diabetes and to preview the Austin event.
In 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!
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
Tresa D. is a Mobile Response Team member who volunteered her time in Nebraska last week. Below is an account of her experience:
I’m traveling on the road once again with the VSP Mobile Eyes Clinic. The first stop of our trip was to Omaha, NE to provide free comprehensive eye exams and glasses to the clients of the Lydia House. The Lydia House is a Mission who serves their community by providing basic living needs for the homeless and families living in poverty.
In talking with Candace Gregory, President of the Lydia House, she said that a large portion of their population is in need of vision assistance. Illiteracy is not the problem in many cases; it’s that people are simply unable to see to do simple tasks like filling out a job application, reading simple instructions, etc. I am very proud to be part of the VSP Mobile Eyes team. Through our program, we were able to partner with the Lydia House to fill that void.
The first evening, the Mobile Eyes Team gathered around the TV to watch the news coverage of our first day’s event. I must confess that I was excited to see myself on the news. During the filming, I was auto-refracting a patient who was in need of new glasses. It struck me as odd that the news showed me, but they did not show what I was doing. In reflecting, I realize it was because the woman I was working with was shy with the cameras. She did not want to be filmed. She shared with me that no one knew she was at the shelter. She did not want her family or friends to know that she was there. She found herself down and out, but was too proud to ask for help. She came to the Mission to get the help she needed to reclaim her life. I was touched by her story and her journey to reclaim her life. I feel privileged to have been part of helping her. It makes me very proud that she is just one of the more than 27,500 people whose lives have been helped by the VSP Mobile Eyes program.
Part of VSP’s Mobile Eyes Program includes portable lanes of ophthalmic equipment that we loan at no cost to VSP doctors and Schools of Optometry to support their community charitable events. For the second year in row, we worked with Dr. Gilbert Matsuoka, a VSP doctor who practices in the bay area town of Pleasant Hill, CA, by supporting his community outreach program in Oakland, CA in conjunction with over 100 volunteers from his church and in partnership with World Impact. World Impact offers many programs that strengthen, promote and help the community.
Dr. Matsuoka plans, organizes and executes an amazing four day event in Oakland. He pulls many volunteers from his church, and is supported with help from students at UC Berkeley College of Optometry, and many of the local optometrist. It is quite impressive to see what he accomplishes with all of these volunteers! The Mobile Eyes program set up six lanes of portable equipment to support his efforts and also provides all of the glasses for the patients. This year we broke all of the records with our program – in one day we saw 120 patients, we had our highest RX ever, a gentleman who is legally blind, and we have served our oldest patient – a 97 year old woman who seems to have more energy than I do!!
There were so many touching moments last week, we were thanked by each and everyone of the patients and they were are all so grateful for the services we provided. So many of them have commented on how kind and sweet each and every volunteer has been! They are amazed at the beautiful frames that they are able to select from (thank you Marchon for the donated frames!!).
We had a four year old little boy who was diagnosed Thursday with Glaucoma – pressures were extremely high and after a lengthy consultation with Dr. Matsuoka, the child’s parents understand the importance of getting him in to see a doctor through the local free clinic for follow up care.
Patient Jacqueline B. before new glasses
Patient Jacqueline B. after new glassesOn June 8th and 9th, the VSP Mobile Eyes programpartnered with Dr. Laura Kenyon, O.D., president of the West Michigan Optometric Association (WMOA), and Chris Buczek from the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) Hearing and Vision Screening program, to provide close to 100 children and families with free comprehensive eye examinations and eyewear.
Eight local VSP optometrists from the WMOA volunteered their time and services during the two day event. During the 2009-10 school year, KCHD vision technicians screened more than 46,000 children, and referred more than 6,500 of those children for complete eye exams. Many of those children did not have the resources to receive that follow up care, that’s where Dr. Kenyon and VSP came in.
Dr. Laura Kenyon, president of the West Michigan Optometric Association
“Our member doctors are more than willing to volunteer and give eye examinations to those who may not otherwise receive care,” said Dr. Kenyon. “We are excited to have the VSP mobile eye clinic traveling to Grand Rapids to support both our doctors and the members of our community most in need.”
Here is an article and radio clip that were published yesterday regarding the event.
VSP would like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Kenyon, all of our VSP doctors who volunteered, and Chris Buczek from the KCHD who helped to make this event a huge success!
Guest Blogger – Edward Tepper works as an accountant, is an avid photographer and a rider for Team Type 2. He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2008 and through cycling and exercise, stays happy and healthy while properly managing his condition. He shares his personal experience on how switching to progressive lenses helped him.
Ed Tepper with Team Type 2
I’ve been wearing glasses since ever I can remember, and I’m now 61. About 30 years ago a friend talked me into wearing contact lenses and I did up to about 9 months ago. The story about me changing back to glasses started a few years ago when I could no longer read close up or clearly see a computer screen without “cheater” reading glasses. I had several pairs that I kept in different rooms at home and in my office. Then one night at a nice restaurant I had to ask my wife to read the menu to me because I left my cheaters at home. Needless to say, the ribbing continued through dessert. Read more »
The Think About Your Eyes Coalition is spreading the word about eye health and the importance of eye exams in New York City today!
Watch the social media channels of the Think About Your Eyes Coalition to see coverage exciting events happening near Times Square on today!
Jill N. is a member of VSP's Corporate Public Relations team.
With the disastrous Tennessee flooding continuing to cause major problems throughout the region, VSP wants to remind our doctors, members and non-members of disaster relief services available from VSP, if you are affected by the flooding or any type of natural disaster.
VSP Network Doctors in affected areas: Please email vspoutreach@vsp.com or call 800.852.7600 ext. 5697 to let us know how you are doing and if your office is damaged or closed. We are available to offer any assistance you may need so you can continue to provide care to your patients.
A car is pinned up against a tree by floodwater flowing under a bridge on Sunday, May 2, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Severe storms dumped heavy rain on Tennessee for the second straight day. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
VSP Members in affected areas: If you have lost or broken your glasses due to a disaster and need replacements, you (or your VSP doctor’s office) can call VSP’s Customer Care at 800.877.7195 for an authorization for new services.
Non-VSP members in affected areas: If you are a non-VSP member and have lost or broken your glasses due to a disaster and need replacements, you may request a free VSP eyecare voucher from the local American Red Cross.
To find VSP doctor locations, use the “Find a Doctor” feature on vsp.com or contact Customer Care at 800.877.7195.
Erik G. is a VSP Regional Sales Manager in Tennessee who shares his recent experience as a volunteer during an event with the VSP Mobile Eyes program.
The mobile clinic event I had the chance to be a part of recently with Oakland High School in Tennessee was tremendous. Every time I participate in mobile clinic outreach I am constantly amazed at how deserving and appreciative the children are. With this event, 90% of the students we saw on the clinic need glasses. In fact, it was amazing that some of them have been able to learn up until now without having any vision correction!
Two students rocking their "hi-tech" shades after having their eyes dilated.
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