August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month and Eye Exam Month. This is the perfect time to check the whole family’s vision.
Detecting Vision Problems
All children should have annual eye exams with a licensed eye doctor (an optometrist or ophthalmologist) to maintain good eye health. During these exams, eye care professionals can detect vision problems small and large. However, there are also many warning signs of visual problems that parents should watch for at home that may indicate a child needs an eye exam sooner rather than later.
First, do you notice your children squinting or tilting their head when watching TV, reading or engaging in another visual activity? Perhaps they also bring books and screens abnormally close to their face. Other signs include sensitivity to light and complaining about associated headaches and nausea. If a child displays these or similar warning signs, take them to an eye care professional as soon as possible to diagnose and resolve vision problems. Early detection is crucial to successful treatment.
Adult Vision
Through VSP Individual Vision Plans, eligible Nevadans can buy affordable vision coverage for themselves and their families that starts as soon as they enroll. VSP Individual Vision Plans provide quality, full-service plan options without the inflated costs. Enrollees pay as little as $14 per month for excellent coverage and enrolling is easy – only 5-7 minutes! Visit https://www.vspdirect.com/4NV/welcome to get your free quote today!
How to Prepare?
Once you’ve called your eye doctor’s office and scheduled an appointment, it’s time to prepare. By preparing for an eye exam, you can make the most of your experience.
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- List recent vision problems.
- Prepare any vision questions you have. (Note: Don’t be afraid to ask questions or clarification during your exam.)
- Keep track of current prescriptions, drugs and general health.
- Find out your family eye history (especially glaucoma and cataracts).
- Bring necessary health insurance information.
Benefits of Exam
Although vision changes in yourself or children may sometimes be obvious, often they are subtle. By going in for an annual eye exam with a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist, these changes can be detected and corrected. It also should be noted that a vision screening is not the same as an eye exam. Vision screenings are quick and usually run by volunteers and only detect major vision problems. An eye exam, on the other hand, is comprehensive and performed by an eye doctor in a clinic with training and proper diagnostic and treatment tools.
Remember that children’s eye exams are part of pediatric services and are included in your ten essential health benefits. Start the school year off right with healthy vision. If your child needs to see the doctor, but you currently don’t health insurance, let us help. Certain qualifying life events (QLE) may make you eligible for a special enrollment period. QLE’s are life-changing events such as job loss, income change, marriage/divorce and birth/adoption of a child to name a few. Nevada Health Link can connect contact a certified broker to see if you qualify for special enrollment.
Email us at CustomerserviceNVHL@exchange.nv.gov for any additional questions you may have concerning affordable health insurance and start your enrollment process today.
