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Our eyes are very important to us and it is for that reason we want to make sure we take care of them and learn ways to make them healthy. In the latest Vision Service Plan’s newsletter, EnVision, it discusses four bad habits that we must stop if we want to have healthy eyes. Make sure to check it out and see what habit(s) you need to stop!

The following article is from VSP EnVision Newletter: April 2012

You may be surprised at some of the simple things you could be doing that can damage your eye health and vision. Breaking these bad habits starts with learning what’s okay—and what’s not—when it comes to your eye care routine.

Are your contacts really clean?

Some of the most common mistakes that contact lens wearers make are not cleaning, disinfecting, and storing their lenses properly. Make sure to follow your eye doctor’s and lens manufacturer’s instructions for handling and taking care of your contact lenses. Remember:

• Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.
• Replace your contacts and case regularly.
• Clean and store your lenses according to your doctor’s instructions.
• Never re-use or “top off” contact solution.

The damage control approach

“It’s important to get your eye exam annually, not just when something goes wrong or you think you need new glasses,” says J. Bradley Oatney, O.D., a VSP doctor at Riverview Eye Associates in Columbus, OH. “Your VSP doctor can be a valuable resource in helping to identify the effects of conditions such as hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes which can all be devastating to your eyesight.”

• Tell your doctor if you’re experiencing eye strain, double vision, pain, or dry eyes, or if you’re seeing spots or lights.
• Before you leave, schedule your next appointment.

Digital device overdose

Do you find it hard to tear your eyes away from your smart phone? You’re not alone—and, you’re in the company of many eye strain sufferers. “To ease eye strain, I recommend the 20-20-20 rule,” says Dr. Oatney. “Simply look away from your screen and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.”

Computer screen glare can be a problem too. Arrange the lights in the room so they don’t shine directly on your computer screen, or move your computer to another location if necessary. Other solutions include non-glare coating for glasses, glare-reducing contact lenses, and anti-glare screen options.

When sharing isn’t caring

Do you occasionally use your friend’s mascara, eye drops, or contact solution, or let others borrow yours? Doing this can spread unwanted bacteria and make you and your eyes sick. So, keep your eye products to yourself. A few final reminders:

• To avoid an eye infection, don’t let the tip of your eye drops bottle actually touch your eyes.
• After an eye infection, replace any makeup or applicators that come in contact with your eyes. You don’t want that infection all over again!

The content of this article is for general informational awareness purposes only. Please consult your eyecare doctor or physician for actual advice.

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When we think of our health and different ways to improve it, we can’t forget about our eyes. In the latest newsletter, EnVision, provided by Vision Service Plan (VSP), there are some great tips to follow to help keep our eyes healthy.

Get a handle on your bucket list: 9 ways to keep your eyes healthy

People usually create bucket lists to record the things they want to do before they die, but here’s a new spin on that concept. This bucket list is designed to guide you through your eye health journey over the next 10 ½ months—until 2012 “kicks the bucket.”

Here are some of our favorite tips to keep your eyes healthy this year. Put this list on your fridge or somewhere it will catch your eye.

Schedule an eye exam. You’ve heard this over and over, and here it is again. An annual visit to your VSP doctor is the best way to manage your eye health and catch early signs of chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Protect your eyes from the sun. Your eyes, like your skin, need protection from the sun year-round, not just in the summer. Dress up in some stylish UV protection sunglasses to face whatever weather the new year brings.

Include more fish in your diet. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are just plain good for you, and they can help prevent dry eye syndrome.

Improve your exercise regimen. Sticking to a regular fitness schedule can help prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, and many other conditions that can affect your eyes.

Say “no” sometimes. Cut something out of your schedule to avoid high levels of stress that can lead to high blood pressure and blood vessel damage in your eyes.

Experiment with a healthy new recipe each month. Give your go-to meals a break and try something new. Try kale, dandelion leaves, squash, or raw bell peppers for a new twist on getting your veggies and vitamins.

Keep an eye on your beauty regimen. Makeup has a shelf life. This goes for eye drops and other eye medications too. Old eye products are a breeding ground for bacteria. Replace your makeup every three months at least.

Put together an eyecare first aid kit. Include a portable eyewash bottle, hand sanitizer, eye drops, back-up glasses or contacts, and an antihistamine and/or decongestant.

Treat yourself. That’s right! Grab some dark chocolate, blueberries, wine, or any other antioxidant-rich food and indulge your taste buds while taking care of your eyes.

Your eye health is a lifelong project, but you’ve gotta take it one step—or year—at a time. So give the items on this list a shot and keep an eye out for more eye health tips in upcoming editions of EnVision.

The content of this article is for general informational awareness purposes only. Please consult your eyecare doctor or physician for actual advice.

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The VSP Member Vision Card has been updated and can be found on the VSP website.  The Member Vision Card replaces the current generic Member Reference Card found on the website. VSP’s enhanced Member Vision Card is perfect for those of us that would like our vision insurance card in our wallet to remind us of important information regarding our vision plan!

The purpose of the card is to reduce vision benefit questions you may have and it contains personalized information, such as:

• Member name
• Coverage type (i.e., Member Only, Family, etc)
• Client ID number
• Doctor network name
• Co-pays

Since the card is personalized, only members can log in and print their own card. This enhanced card is a convenience for members and is not required when you visit your eye doctor for an exam.

Protected Health Information (PHI), such as the member ID number and date of birth, is not included on the card because if it was, members would be put at risk of identity theft if the card were to be lost or stolen. VSP is committed to protecting the privacy and security of their members and their information.

Log on now to print out your enhanced Member Vision Card! Log in to to VSP, or create a new account if you don’t have one already. Under “My Benefits” go to “Benefit Resources” and click on “Member Vision Card”. You will be asked to confirm your state of residence and once you do that, your card will appear and will be ready to print!

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The following information is from VSP.com

All in the Family? A Primer on Genes and Vision Problems

Ah, the wonderful world of genetics. There’s the classic “family nose,” the disarming blue eyes, or the shock of thick, curly hair at birth. True, some things run in families. What about vision problems?

Some do. Others tend to be influenced by environmental or other factors, says J.P. Lowery, O.D., M.Ed. Dr. Lowery is chief of pediatrics at Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon.

She says, “Nearsightedness and farsightedness have a strong genetic component, especially if a parent is very nearsighted or farsighted. If both parents are nearsighted or farsighted, there’s a good chance their child will be the same.”

But vision isn’t all in the genes, Dr. Lowery continues. “There are some significant environmental influences, such as near-point work like reading, that are associated with nearsightedness, especially when it develops later in the teens and 20s.” Some studies suggest that students who spend a lot of time reading develop nearsightedness more quickly than others do.

Some genetically-linked eye problems:

• Nearsightedness
• Farsightedness
• Color vision deficiency (a.k.a., color blindness)
• Retinitis pigmentosa, a rare progressive decline of the retina
• Some eye problems that have mixed causes:
• Glaucoma (fluid build-up in the eye that damages the optic nerve)
• Age-related macular degeneration (progressive decline of part of the retina)
• Amblyopia (“lazy eye”)
• Strabismus (when eyes are aligned in different directions)

Amblyopia and strabismus usually show up in very early childhood, and there’s great success treating them with patches, special eyewear, vision training and/or surgery.

If you’re curious about your family’s vision history and how it might impact your children, see an eye doctor. Dr. Lowery says, “As a pediatric eye specialist, I can tell you that many of the serious vision problems that young children develop could be prevented if all parents brought their babies in for routine eye exams at six months.” You might be surprised how easy an eye exam on an infant can be, but the right doctor with child-friendly tools can get it done in a snap.

Dr. Lowery recommends additional exams around 3 years old, then just before kindergarten. Yearly eye exams should continue for life.

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Vision Service Plan benefits include periodic check-ups, frames, lenses, and contacts, but its up to you to know when you are eligible for these benefits. You can access eligibility information, and more, online in your own password protected area of the Vision Service Plan website. That way, as soon as you know you are eligible for benefits, you can schedule your next eye exam, or get the new pair of glasses or contact lenses that you’ve been wanting.

To access your account visit your plans login on the ProtectPlus website.

1. Next, you can select among medical, dental, and vision plans. When you click on “vision,” you will be taken to the VSP login page where you will need to register if you haven’t already done so.
2. Once you have logged in, you will see a page that lists each benefit with an entry that specifies if you are currently eligible or the date on which you will gain eligibility.
3. You can also view the online “savings statement” from your last vision appointment to see how much you saved by using your vision plan benefits.