eye health Archives

Is Vision Insurance Worth It?

Have you ever found yourself debating whether or not to purchase vision insurance? With the cost of routine eye exams, prescription eyeglasses, and contact lenses on the rise, it’s no wonder many people are wondering if vision insurance is worth the investment. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits and help you determine if it’s worth it for you. We’ll also highlight a leading vision insurance provider, VSP Individual Vision Plans, and explain why they are a great option to consider when shopping for plans. Whether you have perfect eyesight or need corrective lenses, keep reading to learn more about the importance of vision insurance and how it can benefit you.

Maintain Healthy Vision

First and foremost, regular eye exams are essential for maintaining healthy vision. While health insurance may cover some vision-related expenses, it typically doesn’t cover the cost of routine eye exams. Vision insurance can help offset the cost of these exams, making it more affordable for you to prioritize your eye health. In addition to routine exams, it can also cover the cost of prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, as well as frames and lenses upgrades.

Network Of Doctors And Specialists

Another benefit of vision insurance is the access to a network of eye doctors and specialists. You can choose from a network of providers that offer discounted rates on services and products. This means you can see an eye doctor you trust without having to pay full price out of pocket. Plus, many vision insurance plans offer online tools to help you find a provider near you, making it easy to schedule appointments and access care.

VSP Individual Vision Plans

When it comes to vision insurance providers, VSP Individual Vision Plans is a great option to consider. VSP has been providing vision insurance for over 65 years and is the largest provider in the United States. Their plans offer comprehensive coverage for routine eye exams, prescription eyewear, and even LASIK procedures. Plus, their plans are customizable, so you can choose the coverage that best fits your needs and budget.

With VSP Individual Vision Plans, you’ll also have access to a network of over 38,000 eye doctors, making it easy to find a provider you trust. Plus, their website offers helpful tools and resources, including a cost calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket expenses and a frame gallery to help you find the perfect pair of glasses.

The Bottom Line

Vision insurance is a great way to guarantee access to care and protect your overall eye health. Investing in a single annual premium might cost more initially, but consider the savings you could collect by not having to pay as much for routine visits down the road. Plus, providers such as VSP Individual Vision Plans can offer exclusive deals that are only available with their plans too. Remember to weigh all of your options before making a decision. Do some research into your different needs and consider if investing in vision insurance makes sense for yourself or your family. Who knows? It might even save your sight someday!

12 Things to Know About Children’s Eyes and Vision

As children grow, their eyes go through a lot of changes, including a lot of growth and development. In fact, their eyes will grow rapidly after birth and then will continue to grow during puberty until age 20 or 21. At this point, they will stop growing in size but will continue to increase in weight, as well as undergo age-related changes.

It is important to pay careful attention to your children’s eyes as they grow so you can catch any problems that might arise, and deal with them immediately. August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, so to raise awareness this month, we have 12 things you need to know about children’s eyes and vision.

Smoking can harm an unborn baby’s eyes; in addition, if a baby is born premature, as many babies born to smokers are, they are more likely to have permanent vision loss or even blindness.
By 3 months old, babies’ eyes should focus and follow objects; by 5 months old, babies are seeing in three dimensions and developing perception.
At around 9 months old, a baby’s eyes have nearly turned their finalized color.
Strabismus, also known as hypertropia and crossed eyes, occurs in around 4% of children in the US. This condition is a misalignment of the eyes, which causes one eye to deviate inward (esotropia) toward the nose, or outward (exotropia), while the other eye remains focused. If you suspect your child has this condition, seek evaluation so it can be corrected.
Young children are more likely than adults to get eye damage from chemical burns, because these burns can permanently damage the external and internal eye structures as they are developing. That means there are multiple reasons why it’s important to make sure that children don’t have access to any cleaning products or chemicals. If an accident does happen, flush their eyes with plenty of water and go to the nearest emergency room.
Looking at a TV screen or tablet too much can cause myopia (nearsightedness), and digital eye strain. In order to prevent myopia, it is important to have your children follow the 20-20-20 rule: make sure they look up from the screen every 20 minutes and focus at least twenty feet away for at least 20 seconds.
There are some more subtle signs of childhood vision problems you should be aware of, including loss of interest in activities that they used to enjoy, losing their place when reading, and turning their head to look at something in front of them.
Many people think that only older adults get cataracts, but children can get cataracts, too- they can either be born with them or develop them after birth.
Taking photos of your children can help to diagnose certain eye problems. If you see what’s known as a “red reflex” on their eyes in a photo (a reflective phenomenon that creates a reddish-orange glow when light passes through the pupil and is reflected back off the retina to a viewing aperture) this is a warning sign that something might be wrong with your child’s eyes. Also, if there is a reflection of the camera flash off the retina that is white, yellow, or black in one or both eyes, this is also a sign that something is wrong.
Color blindness is more common in boys than in girls, but it can be harder to detect. One of the signs to look out for is the inability to tell the difference between shades of the same or similar colors.
Eye injuries are the most common cause of vision loss in children, and most often occur when they’re playing sports. Eye injuries can be prevented by having your child wear protective goggles when they are playing sports such as baseball, basketball, football, etc.
Eyes can get sunburned just like skin can – a condition called photokeratitis – which causes pain, redness, and tears. Make sure your children (and you) wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays.
It is very important to get your children’s eyes checked as recommended by The American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Getting Checked Regularly

Eye health is very important for your children, especially as they are physically developing, and learning in school. That’s why you should never skip their regular vision screenings; these screenings can help detect and correct any eye problems early before they get worse. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends vision screenings for children when they are in preschool and elementary school, as well as if they are experiencing any vision problems.

Taking your child to the eye doctor can help catch any conditions that your child’s pediatrician or school nurse cannot, but some health insurance plans don’t cover vision care – so if you are interested in a more comprehensive health insurance plan that does offer great vision care, EZ can help! Our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the country, and we can compare all available plans and find the best, most affordable plan for your family’s needs. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-350-1890. No obligation!

Start the New Year Right with These Healthcare Tips

The new year is here, and we could all definitely use a better year than we’ve had the past couple of years. Maybe you’ve made some resolutions to help make this a better year – but is being healthier one of those resolutions? If not, it should be, because the healthier you are, the better you feel! One of the best ways to get healthier is by having great health insurance, and since the Open Enrollment Period is still ongoing, you still have the chance to find a plan that meets your needs and your budget. But aside from being insured, here are some other things you can do for your health that will help you start off the year right!

Schedule A Physical

blood pressure cuff next to other medical instruments on the wall — *It is very important to catch any hidden issues you might have by getting a yearly physical.*

92% of Americans agree that it is important to get an annual physical, however only 62% actually do get a physical. If you haven’t been having a yearly physical, now is the time to get on it! It’s very important to have your annual checkup, because having one allows your doctor to catch any early symptoms of issues that you may be unaware of. Annual checkups help you keep your relationship with your doctor going, and allow them to understand you and your needs better: they can track your health conditions, and help you stay on top of them, by recommending routines or prescribing medications that will help.

Get Your Teeth Cleaned

According to a study by Delta Dental, 31% of Americans fail to brush their teeth at least twice a day, with 2% admitting to not brushing at all. That’s a pretty alarming statistic! Not only that, but only 79% of people who have dental insurance, and 50% of people without dental coverage, actually see the dentist once every year. It’s very important to get your teeth checked twice a year by a dentist in order to prevent cavities, and to avoid a root canal in the future.

In addition, if you aren’t brushing properly and seeing your dentist regularly, you could develop gum disease or periodontal disease. Periodontal disease has been associated with higher risk of kidney disease, dementia, and certain types of cancers, so make sure to call your dentist and schedule an appointment!

Get Your Eyes Checked

Did you know that 5% of Americans have never even seen an eye doctor? 46% of people haven’t had an appointment in the past year, with 1 in 6 seeing an eye doctor more than two years ago! If you think your eyes are healthy because you can see well, and that you don’t need to go to the eye doctor, you could end up with an undiagnosed and untreated vision impairment. In fact, 16 million Americans have an undiagnosed and untreated vision impairment, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA).

Dr. Chris Marquardt, a recent past president of the Wisconsin Optometric Association, says many people equate good vision with healthy eyes, but that isn’t always the case:

“..There are a lot of conditions that can be detected in a regular eye exam, an in-person exam with a Doctor of Optometry. You may go years without seeing any sorts of signs or symptoms. Things like glaucoma, macular degeneration, even systemic things like diabetes or high blood pressure can be going on in the back of the eyes and you would never know it…”

So what are you waiting for? Get your eyes checked!

Is It Time For A Mammogram Or Colonoscopy?

Going to get a mammogram or a colonoscopy is probably not anywhere near the top of your list of things you want to do – the words alone are enough to send people running, but these screenings are very important. If you are the recommended age for these tests, you need to make an appointment and get the mammogram, or colonoscopy as soon as you can.

Consider this: according to information released by John Hopkins Medical Center, “40% of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump. Establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.” So, if you examine yourself and find a lump, get checked right away! That also means, though, that 60% of diagnosed breast cancers are found by other means, so make sure you’re seeing your gynecologist regularly, and scheduling mammograms every year after you turn 40. anatomy of the stomach

As for your colon health? “There are more than 20 million adults in this country who haven’t had any recommended screening for colorectal cancer and who may therefore get cancer and die from a preventable tragedy,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Screening for colorectal cancer is effective and can save your life.”

Get Great Insurance

One of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family is getting a comprehensive health insurance plan that will allow you to see the above doctors, and have the screenings that can keep you healthy. EZ.Insure can help you find a great plan that will save you money on your doctor visits, medications, and monthly premiums. Because our agents work with the top-rated insurance insurance companies in the nation, we can search through all the available plans in your area and find the right one for you. And all of our services are free of charge! No hassle or obligation. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

The Importance Of Eye Care For Children

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month, so let’s all take a moment and think about when we last took our children to the optometrist to get their eyes checked. If you’re like a lot of parents, you might not have taken them in a long time, or even ever, if they’ve never shown any obvious signs of vision impairment. Getting regular eye exams, though, is not something we should put off; after all, according to the CDC, approximately 6.8% of children younger than 18 in the United States have a diagnosed eye or vision condition, with studies suggesting that 10% of preschoolers and 25% of school-aged children have vision issues. This month, we want to help raise awareness about the importance of eye care for your children, and how keeping on top of their eye health can help your child succeed.

How Often Your Child Should Get Checked

Your child should see an optometrist for their first eye exam when they are around 6 months old. The doctor will check their eye movement patterns, as well as check for any eye health issues that could need correction, like astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. After this initial eye exam, your child should be seen again at least once between the ages of 2 and 5; this is important because, according to the American Optometric Association, 1 in 4 children wear or need glasses by the time they are in kindergarten! Once your child is 6 years old, you should take them to the optometrist every year for vision screenings (your pediatrician might do these at their annual well visits, as well).

Why It Is Important To Get Regularly Checked

As children grow, their eyes change quickly, so the best way to catch any problems early on is by getting their eyes checked regularly. Not only that, but making sure your child’s eyes are healthy is vital to their education: according to the American Optometric Association, about 80% of learning in school occurs through visual activities like reading, writing, and using computers, so if your child has undiagnosed eye issues, they can end up having difficulty keeping up in school. They can become easily fatigued and have problems with attention because they are struggling; in addition, if they play sports, their vision could cause hand-eye coordination problems, and they could get injured.

While your pediatrician and your child’s school do perform annual vision screenings, these screenings will only test whether your child’s vision is 20/20, or if they have issues seeing things that are close up or far away. These simple screenings cannot recognize or point out any specific eye conditions your child may be experiencing – in fact, around 60% of vision problems go undetected with one of these screenings.

Early Signs Of Eye Conditions

young caucasian girl sitting down rubbing her eyes — *Your child rubbing their eyes is a sign that they might have eye issues.*

Children might not realize that they have vision issues, or might be having issues but won’t complain to you about them, so it’s important for you to be aware of the common signs and symptoms of eye conditions, and seek help if necessary. Common signs of vision issues in children can include:

Squinting
Frequently rubbing their eyes
Straining or turning their head to look at things
Lazy eye
Color blindness
Blurry or distorted vision, which is a sign of astigmatism
Frequent headaches
Covering one eye
Holding things close to their face
Short attention span
Difficulty with hand-eye coordination while playing sports

Ways You Can Protect Your Children’s Eye Health

There are some proactive things you can do to improve your child’s eye health, including:

Look for the common signs of eye issues above.
Provide a balanced diet- nutrients such as zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E are all beneficial to eye health.
Protect their eyes with necessary eyewear- if your child is active and plays sports, make sure to provide them with protective eyewear made with shatterproof plastic. Research shows that 90% of childhood eye injuries can be prevented!
Limit use of digital screens– try to keep screens 18-24 inches from their eyes and encourage them to follow the 20-20-20 rule, which means they should try to look up from the screen every 20 minutes and look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Attend regular eye exams!

Getting regular, thorough eye exams and treating any vision conditions is important for your child’s health, as well as for their academic success. Taking your child to the optometrist can help catch any conditions that your child’s pediatrician or school nurse cannot, but some health insurance plans do not cover vision care – so if you are interested in a more comprehensive health insurance plan that does offer great vision care, EZ can help! Our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the country, and we can compare all available plans and find the best, most affordable plan for your family’s needs. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-350-1890. No obligation!

Work Takes A Toll On Your Eyes: Get Them Checked Regularly!

Many of us spend our days sitting in front of our computers or scrolling on our cell phones for long periods of time. And with more people working from home, many of us are using devices more than ever. There’s no doubt that working on a computer strains your eyes, and can cause them to get very tired, itchy, or dry. What’s worse is that being in front of a screen for multiple hours a day can take a toll on your vision. Staring at a computer or cell phone for more than a few hours a day makes you more susceptible to long-term vision problems. In fact, over 58% of workers who use screens all day reported that their vision has worsened in the past 3 years. This is why it is especially important to have a good health insurance plan that allows you to get your eyes checked regularly.

The Effects Of Screen Time

Did you know that the reason screen time is so hard on your eyes is that it causes you to blink less often? The average person normally blinks 15 times or more per minute, but when you stare at a computer screen or cell phone, you blink 50% less often! If you have to work in front of a screen for your job, over time you might find yourself dealing with eye strains and headaches. In fact, 1 in 4 employees say they suffer from light-related headaches. These headaches can affect your productivity and performance at your job.

Not only can screen time affect your performance at work and cause physical discomfort, but it can also affect your sleep. The blue light from screens interferes with your production of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone, so when you sit in front of a computer screen for a long period of time, your sleep cycles can be affected. This is especially true for those who use computers or cell phones right before bed.

Taking Care Of Your Eyes & Health

The best thing you can do to protect your eyes is to take a break from screens whenever you can, as well as try to minimize the effects of staring at screens. Take small breaks throughout the day, adjust the contrast on your screen so it is not too bright, and consider getting blue light blocking glasses. The coating on these lenses helps ease strain from blue light emissions.

It’s just not possible for most people to stay away from screens completely, so in addition to trying to minimize the effects of screen time, it is also important to get regular eye exams. Eye exams are not only necessary for preventing long-term vision issues, but they can also be an important part of looking after your overall health. Many people do not realize that eye doctors can detect some chronic conditions during routine eye exams, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, certain types of cancer, and more. Eye doctors can learn a lot just by examining the tiny blood vessels that supply your retina, your eye pressure, as well as by assessing any pain, redness, or leaking of the eyes.

Despite the benefits of getting regular eye exams, many people aren’t getting them. The problem is that these exams can cost a lot if you don’t have vision insurance; in fact, studies show that people with vision insurance are twice as likely to have regular eye exams. There are ways, though, to get affordable vision care, including:

Through your employer’s health insurance plan- Some employers offer vision and dental health plans as an added benefit to group health insurance plans.
Other employer-based healthcare benefits– If you do not receive group health insurance through your employer, or they do not offer vision care, talk to your employer about an alternative healthcare plan, like a HRA or HSA. With a HRA, you would be reimbursed for a vision plan, and with a HSA, you could use the money you put into your account to pay for your eye exams.
Individual health insurance– You can also look for a vision plan when you are signing up for your own individual health insurance plan.

Finding A Good Vision Plan

If you do not have a vision plan, or if your plan is too expensive or doesn’t provide enough coverage, you might end up avoiding eye exams. But it is possible to find an affordable health insurance plan that offers great vision benefits – all you have to do is research plans to find the right one in your area. We know that this can be overwhelming and time consuming, which is why EZ.Insure was created.

Our mission is to help people find affordable health insurance plans with great benefits at no cost to you. Our services are free because we want to help you get insured! And, because your eye health is so important, we want to make sure you find a plan that will allow you to get regular eye exams. We do this by comparing all the available plans in your area within minutes and providing you with quotes for each one.

EZ’s agents are highly trained and work with the top-rated insurance companies in the country. We will provide you with one agent who will compare plans, and help you find one that meets your budget and saves you money. There is no obligation and no hassle, just free quotes. To get started, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to an agent, call 888-350-1890.

Tag: eye health