save your vision month & vision therapy

HEALTHY VISION& HEARING

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An Independent supplement by medIAplAnet to usA todAy

Changes are coming How will the Affordable Care Act affect you?

Conventions and eventsVision expo east taking place this weekend at the Javits Center

March 2013

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EyE on thE prizEnFl superstar larry Fitzgerald gains extra

yards on the competition with vision training.

2 · mARCH 2013 An independent supplement by mediAplAnet to usA todAy

CHALLENGES

Protect and save your vision

According to the AOA’s American Eye-Q® survey, 51 percent of c o n s u m e r s indicate eye-sight is the

sense they worry most about los-ing. Yet, in the hustle and bustle of life, our vision is sometimes taken for granted. Protecting the eyes and vision should be an important part of overall health care for Americans of all ages.

Regular eye exams and profes-sional care should start early in life. Besides seeing your optometrist regularly, I’ve listed some specific tips that you and your family can follow to preserve eye health and vision based on your age.

First decades of lifeThis is a critical time to make sure eyes are developing correctly and are ready for maximum learning

and athletic activities. So much of what we learn comes through our eyes, so it is essential for best classroom performance that we keep a close check on vision and eye coordination skills. We now know that sun damage to our eyes begins very early in life, so remember to wear sunglasses to protect against harmful UV radiation beginning at a young age.

20s and 30sThe eyes are generally healthy in young adults. The majority of people in their 20s or 30s can cor-rect vision problems by wearing corrective lenses, either contact

lenses or eyeglasses. At this age, it’s important to take proactive steps to protect eyesight and vision. For example, eating dark leafy green vegetables and following good nutrition guidelines can boost eye health throughout life.

40s and 50sPeople often begin to notice vision changes around age 40, with a prin-cipal complaint being difficulty seeing while reading or doing close work. This normal change in the eye’s focusing ability due to age is called presbyopia, and will con-tinue to increase until the mid to late 50s. Other vision changes often include dry eyes; an optometrist can offer suggestions or treatment to ease the symptoms. Adults over age 40 may be at risk for develop-ing eye and vision problems if they have chronic or systemic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

60s and beyondAt this age, it’s important for patients to be vigilant about seeing their eye doctor to monitor for the onset of diseases like age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. Many of these con-ditions have no early symptoms, developing painlessly.

Depending on family history and risk factors, your eye doctor may recommend checkups more than once a year. Early detection and treatment is the best way to main-tain good vision at any age

I know how important my eyes are to me and I hope that you will find valuable information in the articles included in this special vision report so that you’ll have the knowledge to ensure a life-time of healthy vision for you and your loved ones.

paGe 4tips for healthier eyes and better vision.

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heALthY ViSion & heArinGtenth edition, mArch 2013

publisher: nathan [email protected] developer: ian [email protected] designer: Anna StaffanssonManaging director: Luciana [email protected] Manager: Sara [email protected]

Contributors: Andrea Boidman, Petra canan, Vincent hau, rolland L. hopping, marguerite mcdonald, James rollins

distributed within: USA today, march 2013this section was created by mediaplanet and did not involve USA today or its editorial departments.

mediaplanet’s business is to create new customers for our advertisers by providing readers with high-quality editorial content that motivates them to act.

FoLLow US on FAceBook & twitter! facebook.com/Mediaplanetusatwitter.com/Mediaplanetusa

Check your vision one eye at a timeDon’t miss the warning signs of

age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

For a FREE home test for AMD,contact the Macular Degeneration Partnership

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MDPad_0113_4_Layout 1 2/26/13 12:10 PM Page 1

ronald l. hopping, o.d., Mphpresident, American optometric Association

Ronald l. Hopping

[email protected]

Each year in March, the american optometric association (aoa) celebrates “save your Vision” month. Did you know most Americans consider vision the most important of the five senses?


Before he was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a record-setting wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, larry Fitzgerald was learning to strengthen and control his vision to support him on and off the field.

basics of vision therapyVision therapy is a type of train-ing that improves the control, focus, movement and coordina-tion of the eyes. These exercises can help children who are experienc-ing deficiencies in their perception or visual-motor skills that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, patches, or surgery.

Fitzgerald’s grandfather, Dr.

Robert L. Johnson, an optometrist in Chicago and fellow emeritus of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), over-saw his treatment during summer visits at the Plano Child Develop-ment Center, beginning at age nine in 1992.

Fine-tuningWhile his grandfather later uti-

lized exercises to help him athlet-ically, the work began as a way to strengthen Fitzgerald’s abilities in school.

“It helped me to stay more focused and helped me academi-cally,” he said.

The exercises involved tools like a Marsden Ball to help him better follow a moving target, a tachistoscope which projected

rapidly changing images to improve retention and simple hand-eye activities to strengthen peripheral vision. Little did he know, this work would translate so well into his career with the National Football League (NFL).

“There is definitely a connec-tion between the vision therapy that I did as a child and my per-formance on the field, “ he said.

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larry Fitzgerald enjoys himself with his family off the fieldoto: stephanie brown

photo: stephanie brown

Seeing the bigger picture nFL superstar Larry Fitzgerald gains extra yards on the competition with vision training

INSPIRATION

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mARCH 2013 · 7An independent supplement by mediAplAnet to usA todAy

“A number of the drills in football camp reminded me of things I did in vision ther-apy that helped develop reaction time, eye-hand coor-dination and visualiza-tion skills.”

Fitzgerald continued his therapy each summer until 1997. He would be drafted to the NFL as the third overall pick in 2004 after a successful career at the University of Pittsburgh that included a Biletnikoff Award.

an enduring bondFitzgerald credits his career success with the work he did to improve his abilities through vision therapy. Today, the fond

memories Fitzgerald shared with his grandfather, who passed away in 2010, remain as well as the lessons he learned working with him during those summers.

“I miss my grandfather dearly. He had an uncanny way of relating to all kinds of issues. He was so wise and well versed, from scripture to politics, he understood and could navigate

effortlessly,” he said. “The relationship I shared

with my grandfather was one I will cher-

ish for as long as I live. We had a very special connection.”

petRa canan

[email protected]

larry Fitzgerald ■ For the second consecutive

season, set a single-season-

high and tied for the nFL lead

with 13 receiving tds in 2009

■7 time Pro Bowl player

■rushed for over 10,000 yards

ProFiLe

mediAplAnet to us

reminded me of things I did in vision ther-apy that helped develop reaction time, eye-hand coor-dination and visualiza-

memories Fitzgerald shared with his grandfather, who

effortlessly,” he said. “The relationship I shared

with my grandfather was one I will cher

ish for as long as I

Pro


NEWS

looking at eye health through the Healthcare Reform lens

With all the health benefit choices available soon through insur-ance exchanges,

where does eye health fit in? Eyecare professionals encourage patients to receive a comprehen-sive eye exam annually, even if you don’t have vision correction

needs. Why? Because certain health conditions, like diabe-tes and high cholesterol, can be detected through an eye exam before other symptoms appear — this allows for early treatment and care, saving you and your employer on insurance costs. Eye exams are also closely con-nected with learning. More than

As healthcare reform continues to roll out this year, there are many important options to consider — ensuring your eyes are taken care of is one thing to set your sights on.

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■What is Computer Vision syndrome (CVs)?Computer Vision Syndrome refers to a number of vision-related symptoms that are expe-rienced by those who work for two or more hours a day in front of a computer screen. More than 50 percent of computer users experience eyestrain, head-aches, blurred vision and other visual symptoms related to sustained use of the computer. Typical symptoms are difficulty maintaining clear focus of the screen image, burning or itchy eyes, dry, sandy feeling in the eyes.

■are there ways to prevent CVs?Schedule regular breaks away from the desk to move muscles and refocus vision. Alternative exercises at the desk can also help, such as turning the head side to side, roll-ing the shoulders simultaneously several times and extending the legs under the desk. Also be sure to refocus the eyes by looking at sev-eral objects at different distances around the room. The adjustment of the screen brightness and con-trast will also help to make it easier for the eye to view the screen over a long period of time.

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mARCH 2013 · 9An independent supplement by mediAplAnet to usA todAy

Already enrolled in a vision plan through your employer or one that you purchased yourself? more than 100 million people in the U.S. have a vision benefit through a stand-alone vision plan. there’s no need to do anything if you currently have coverage that works for you.

Currently Covered

whichever vision insurance plan you choose, check with your eye doctor to ensure he or she is part of that network. or, if you don’t have a preferred eye doctor, check the network of doctors on the plan you intend to purchase to make sure the choice meets your needs.

Choosing an eye doctor

tips to keep in mind when making your decision:

1 2one of the covered benefits in the exchanges will be pediatric vision care. if your kids need additional coverage, take a look at what’s offered as supple-mental care. this is also the place where you’ll find an option to select adult vision care.

supplemental Coverage

Stand-alone vision plans – which offer vision coverage on their own without bundling it into other medi-cal insurance – is an option you should consider when selecting your benefit. they offer a wide selection of independent eyecare providers, and members tend to use thetir benefit more often – this provides multiple benefits for a person’s overall health.

plan options3 4

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60 percent of children with learn-ing problems have undiagnosed vision issues. Vision plans are an affordable way to make sure you get regular eye exams.

As the Affordable Care Act moves forward and millions begin to make decisions about their healthcare needs, don’t forget to include a vision ben-efit. “Eye exams are important for your health and should not be overlooked when considering your insurance needs,” said VSP Vision Care provider Dr. Michael Ditkowsky of Nationwide Vision Center in Commack, N.Y. “Annual eye exams can detect health problems you may have not been aware of, providing an opportu-nity for early treatment and man-agement of chronic diseases.”

save your vision month & vision therapy

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