Vision Insurance for Seniors

How important is vision insurance?

Unfortunately, most people don’t consider it critical. It is purchased separately from general health insurance policies and is often bundled with other types of insurance, most commonly dental insurance. Also, people are not always aware of how to take care of their vision. As we age, our vision, like the rest of the body, degrades.

However, to show how critical vision is, compare the following facts.

• Even with medical advances, full vision restoration is nearly impossible; therefore, once lost, very little can be done to restore vision to its former strength. This is not true for most parts of the body, including the teeth.
• It is relatively cheap to insure vision, vs. dental or health insurance
• Policies are relatively easy to understand, unlike health insurance policies with their myriad exclusions.

Before we get into insurance, let’s talk about common eye conditions and what you, as a senior, can do to prevent vision problems.

EYE STRUCTURE

Let me break down the structure of your eye. The key functions of the eye are to receive light, focus on objects, and transmit data to the brain. These are the key parts of your eye.

• Pupil, transmits light to the back of the eye.
• The lens, retina, and macula work together to transmit not only light and contours, but also to interpret them and communicate data to the brain.
• Vitreous gel, which is more than 90 percent water, maintains the shape of the eye and provides moisture.
• The cornea helps prevent the eye from becoming infected and also regulates the entry of light into the eye.
• Iris acts as a light meter or filter.

COMMON EYE CONDITIONS

Common conditions of vision and visual impairment are as follows:

1. Cataracts

2. Diseases related to diabetes

3. Macular degeneration

4. Glaucoma

5. Dry eye

6. Visual impairment

PREVENTIVE TIPS

While age-related eye degradation is common and unfortunately cannot be eliminated, its progression can be slowed with discipline and some smart practice. They are;

1. Tests: Be sure to see your ophthalmologist at least once a year (usually every six months after age 60 or if you have genetic eye problems). Be sure to get a “comprehensive dilated eye exam”

2. Hereditary history: certain eye problems are genetic; Know your family’s exposure to eye disease.

3. Diet: A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly leafy greens, is good for eye health

4. Rest: like the rest of our body, your eyes need to rest. Constant focusing, particularly on backlit devices, can strain your eye muscles.

5. Overexposure: Wear sunglasses, not only to look good, but to avoid the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

VISION INSURANCE:

Most vision insurance policies cover basic preventive routines like eye exams, etc. Most come with a yearly maximum. But money aside, your vision insurance provider should offer the following broad categories of protection and support.

1. Products, Services: These include eye exams, surgery, age-related procedures, and discounts on frames and lenses.

2. Acceptance. Make sure your provider’s policy is accepted by a wide network of ophthalmologists and eye surgeons near where you live or work. Particularly if you are retired, you may not be very mobile. It is not acceptable to have to drive or be driven far to see your eye doctor. It is worth paying a little more for a provider that is widely accepted.

3.Resources. Your provider should have a member support center on the website that can answer technical questions

4. Customer service. Your provider should have trained customer service representatives who understand what is and is not covered by the policy, how much a particular procedure may cost in your area, and recommend good doctors.

In short, there’s a lot you as a senior can do for your eyes, and be smart about the policy you buy like vision insurance.