Let’s talk eye health for a minute. True story: when I was younger, I lied on my eye exams just so I could have glasses like my two older brothers. The ones I picked out were massive and had this bright multicolored fabric laid in them. Fast forward three decades, I’m officially nearsighted with a slight astigmatism, and definitely, don’t have to lie on eye exams. Sometimes I just have to guess what the letters are. Due to my experiences, I am now the mom looking out for my kid’s eye health as well.
But, I always get my annual eye exam, rock sunglasses religiously (being outside so much that’s a non-negotiable) and just like to take care of my peepers. My mom made it a priority for us growing up, and well…the tradition shall continue.
There’s a point to all of this. Promise.
Our vision insurance provider for the past three years has been VSP Vision Care (the largest not-for-profit vision benefits provider in the United States) and I was pretty pumped when they reached out to have me help give a friendly vision care reminder because, for many, it’s open enrollment, meaning you can sign up for coverage or reenroll. Although health insurance of any kind feels like a foreign language to me, I know signing us up was as easy as checking a box, and our family is covered for $20/month (we signed up through my husband’s employer).
We get glasses or contacts and an eye exam. Plus, their plans even help with UV care – aka sunglasses, since it is a super important aspect of eye health. I’m working on getting Levi to wear a pair for more than five seconds. He loves these big orange ones though.
Now here are just a few little eye openers for ya…
• According to a new VSP Vision Care and YouGov survey, the majority of Americans see vision as their most important sense, but half skip annual eye exams.
• An annual eye exam will not only help catch changes in vision, but many vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms so you might not know a problem exists….until you get that exam.
• Eye exams can also help your doctor see signs of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
• Children should have their first eye exam at six months of age. Oops.
• That recent survey also revealed that parents worry twice as much about their children’s dental health (15%) than vision (7%). Interesting.
So, if you’re on the fence about vision insurance, unsure if your child might need glasses, or looking for general eye health info, VSP to the rescue.
…and if you have a daughter with two older brothers who wear glasses, chances are she might really appreciate the vision insurance too. (I think I might be hunting down my old massive fabric glasses next time I go home. I think I made my mom promise to never throw those out.)
In the meantime, cheers to health and taking the time to get your annual eye exam. I know it’s one more thing to add to the list, but when it comes to you and your family’s eyes, it’s worth it.
*This blog post is sponsored by VSP® Vision Care, the leading provider in vision care and coverage, providing access to care for more than 88 million members. Visit SeeMuchMore.com, or talk to your employer to enroll with VSP this open enrollment season.