Erica K. is a communications manager with VSP's Marketing Team
If you’re a regular VSP blog reader, you know how important annual eye exams are to your overall health. If you know someone who doesn’t have vision insurance, tell them about the VSP Choice Plan for Individuals. For a low annual premium, the subscriber will receive an eye exam and either prescription glasses or contacts, not to mention discounts on lens options and laser vision care.
So tell your grandparents, your neighbors, or your newest Facebook friends about VSP’s Individual Plan because we want everyone to be getting their annual eye exams!
Vanderbilt University recently came out with a new study that shows the long term vision effects caused by improper use of fireworks. Four years and 10 patients later, researchers found that the majority of patients treated for eye injuries caused by bottle rockets end up with reduced vision or permanent vision loss. None of the patients were wearing protective eyewear. They hope this study will help stress the importance of taking precautions, like wearing eyewear, when handling fireworks for both children and adults.
Today’s guest blog post is from Jeffry D. Gerson O.D., a VSP provider at WestGlen Eyecare & Omni Eye Center of Kansas City. He also lectures frequently on the topics of retinal disease and systemic disease and most notably has been our speaker at the VSP Eye on Diabetes Campaign.
There are many joys associated with being in private practice. Of course, the biggest one is knowing that you have helped a patient. Usually it involves helping somebody see better with glasses or contacts (and although this is rewarding, it doesn’t compare in magnitude to additional opportunities), but often forget the greatest thing we can do for our patients…save their lives. Although that may sound a little dramatic, eye doctors have the opportunity to dramatically improve our patients’ quality of life by helping them get their diabetes diagnosed earlier.
Eye doctors absolutely play a critical role in helping people with diabetes, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I take advantage of opportunities to help people understand their diabetes and how to prevent complications. I make sure that people understand A1c, the importance of self monitoring their blood glucose and general diabetes information. Too often, people have changes in their eyes from diabetes before they even know that they have diabetes. Approximately 20% of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have “diabetic retionpathy” at the time of their diagnosis! It is often the changes to the eyes that lead to the diagnosis.
Just last week I had a patient come in and on screening retinal imaging I saw 2 peripheral dot hemes. After questioning and further examination, I determined that this patient most likely has diabetes. I sent him to his primary care physician for confirmatory diagnosis. There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that because of prompt referral and likely treatment, this person may not suffer amputation, blindness or other consequences of long-term uncontrolled diabetes.
Annual visits to the eye doctor are a great way to not only keep your vision great, but to make sure you are healthy in general.
I went back to my high school, New Beginnings Academy, with the VSP mobile eyecare clinic. It was great to see the kids get eye exams and glasses before school started the next day. Vision is important. You need good eyesight for sports and school.
I helped the kids with sports vision drills where they put on goggles that imitated eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy, and then tried to shoot a basket. It showed the kids how hard it is to play basketball without good vision.
Partnering with VSP Vision Care and Dr. Becky Verna gave these students the opportunity to get eyecare, which is so important for the kids. Check out my video about the event.
About Tyreke Evans and VSP Vision Care
VSP Vision Care is proud to be the exclusive eyecare and eyewear provider for Tyreke Evans. Tyreke plays professional basketball for the Sacramento Kings and was named 2010 Rookie of the Year. He’s the fourth rookie ever to average 20 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds per game. The only other players to accomplish this were Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Not only is good vision a critical component for being successful in sports, it’s also an important part of every day life. Be sure to follow VSP Vision Care on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with Tyreke’s Activities.
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.
Can eating carrots improve your vision? That question is the next eye health myth Bill Nye and Dr. Roger Phelps tackle in the latest VSP EyeFiles series. Watch as Bill and Dr. Phelps uncover the answer and also discuss other delicious eye healthy foods that should be added to any diet like kiwi, whole grains, salmon, dark chocolate, red wine, tuna, sunflower oil, spinach, egg yolks, and kale.
Looking for everything eyecare and eyewear? Look no further than The Center on vsp.com, where you’ll find out about:
Eyecare Learn how to keep your eyes healthy for a lifetime. Read articles and watch videos on a wide-range of topics, like cataracts, diabetes, and dry eye. You can also stop by the Kids’ Zone to test your Eye-Q and play a few tricks on your eyes!
VSP wants you to turn heads with your eyewear so we’re giving away a FREE pair! Visit VSP Vision Care’s facebook page and click on the Contests tab to submit your entry. There is no cost to enter, just submit a photo of yourself wearing your current frames/sunglasses and vote, everyday! Whoever has the most votes by July 13 will get to choose from this season’s trendiest frames from brands like Calvin Klein, Coach, Diane von Furstenberg, FENDI, Jil Sander, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors, Tommy Bahama, and Nike. Any one of these can be yours!
Coach Sunwear
Nike
Tommy Bahama
VOTING: With over 120 entries, there is a lot to choose from! Whether you’re voting for yourself or for someone else, vote for your favorite today! Everyone can vote once a day so invite all your friends through Facebook to participate! The last day to enter is July 13th. Good luck, everyone!
In Episode 3 of the VSP EyeFiles series, Bill Nye debunks the eye myth about wearing glasses with an out-of-date prescription. Can they really hurt your eyes? Find out Bill’s conclusion and join him as he visits Dr. Phelps for an eye exam and picks out a new pair of glasses! Are you in need of a new look? Enter VSP’s Eyewear Makeover contest today!
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Vanderbilt University recently came out with a new study that shows the long term vision effects caused by improper use of fireworks. Four years and 10 patients later, researchers found that the majority of patients treated for eye injuries caused by bottle rockets end up with reduced vision or permanent vision loss. None of the patients were wearing 
