Vision Care

Did you know that eye doctors can tell a lot about your general health just by looking into your eyes? In fact, in some cases an optometrist can be the first medical professional to spot diseases like diabetes and glaucoma that can lead to blindness and other major medical issues.

Your PEBB Benefits

Have you had your eyes examined lately? Regular eye exams are important for you and your dependents to identify possible vision problems. As a state employee, routine eye exams are covered according to your plan as follows:

Group Health Classic

Routine annual eye exams are covered after a $25 copay plus the exam is subject to your annual deductible. Enrollee pays any costs above $150 every 24 months for frames, lenses, contacts, and fitting fees combined. Hardware is not subject to the annual deductible. See Benefits Summary.

Group Health Value

Routine annual eye exams are covered after a $30 copay plus the exam is subject to your annual deductible. Enrollee pays any costs above $150 every 24 months for frames, lenses, contacts, and fitting fees combined. Hardware is not subject to the annual deductible. See Benefits Summary.

Kaiser Permanente Classic

Routine annual eye exams are covered after a $20 copay. Enrollee pays any costs above $150 every 24 months for frames, lenses, contacts, and fitting fees combined. See Benefits Summary.

Uniform Medical Plan

Routine annual eye exams are covered at 100% when using a network provider; 60% when using a non-network provider. Vision hardware (eyeglasses and contact lenses) is limited to $150 every two calendar years. Neither the exam nor the hardware are subject to a deductible. See Benefits Summary.

Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP)

Review coverages, deductibles, and limits here.

AOA Recommendations

The American Optometric Association recommends eye exams at six months of age, once at three years old, again before starting school, and every two years through age 60. Annual exams are recommended for 60+. If specific problems or risk factors exist, vision should be examined more frequently. Individuals who currently wear contacts or glasses should have their eyes checked once a year.

Computer Vision Syndrome

People who sit in front of a computer for long periods of time often encounter a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Headaches, neck strain, backaches, and wrist pain are common, but, sadly, the most prevalent symptoms of prolonged computer use—eye strain, blurred vision and dry eye—are often overlooked. In fact, eye and vision problems are the most frequently reported health care problems among computer users. These symptoms contribute to "computer vision syndrome, i.e. the eye and vision problems related to frequent computer use.

Each of these factors can play a part in computer vision syndrome:

• Screen resolution
• Screen contrast
• Screen glare and reflections
• Image refresh rates and flicker
• Working distances and angles
• General eyeglass prescription may not be adequate
• Repetitive and stressful tasks

Resources

American Optometric Association

UW Department of Ophthalmology

Healthy Tip #1:
Take regular "blink breaks" (by blinking forcefully) or instilling artificial tears to keep the eyes moistened.

Healthy Tip #2:
Learn how to beat eye strain. Download the Vision Lifestyle Fact Sheet from the American Optometric Association.

Health Risk Assessment
Get immediate, confidential feedback on your health risks. Uniform Medical Plan enrollees will earn bonus awards! Take your HRA today.

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