VSP Launches Protection from Blue Light

The average person spends more than half their day exposed to blue light from devices, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs. In a recent survey of eye care professionals on VSP’s provider network, 82% reported an increase in patients experiencing the harmful effects caused by blue light exposure. Research has proven exposure to blue light contributes to serious eye and health conditions, including eye strain, vision loss caused by macular degeneration, and even sleep disruption.
To provide protection, VSP Optics Group will launch Sharper Image TechShield. How does it work? This is what the VSP press release said: "Sharper Image TechShield delivers targeted blue light protection in a proprietary, near-clear lens enhancement. Its unique defense technology provides comprehensive protection by both absorbing and deflecting incoming blue light to reduce the wearer’s amount of exposure." Last year, VSP Optics Group signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Shaper Image to manufacture and distribute optical-related products under the Sharper Image brand.

Smartphone Eye Exams from Home? Possibly Says VSP. New Awards Program for Labs Providing Unity Lenses

"Imagine using a smartphone application to do an eye exam from the comfort of your couch and then sending the results to the doctor," starts the post on the Sacramento Bee. "Being innovative and ahead of the latest eyewear technology is the goal of VSP Vision Care’s new midtown think tank – called The Shop. VSP was Google’s original vision care provider and teamed up with the tech giant in early 2013 on Google Glass. VSP does all of the lenses for Google Glass and has trained 6,000 doctors in its use. The goal of the new facility is to test ideas, the kind of 'changes that will disrupt the industry, but that we want to be in front of,' said VSP President Jim McGrann. He offered the smartphone eye exam as a hypothetical example of the type of change VSP is looking to exploit, though he said the company is not working on such an app." Read more.

Meanwhile VSP's Optics Group launched a new award program for independently owned optical laboratories offering Unity Performance Optics lenses. Each year, VSP Optics Group will choose one independent lab that ranks highest in three main criteria for its work in the previous calendar. Read more.

VSP Expects Growth in Near Term

“Rob Lynch, president and CEO of VSP Global in Rancho Cordova, says ‘this isn’t just a vision service company anymore,’” says a post from the Sacramento Bee. “That’s easy to see, just from the numbers alone. What most knew simply as a provider of vision benefits and services a generation ago has grown into a nearly 5,600-employee international enterprise overseeing companies touching all aspects of the vision industry – member benefits, vision practice assistance/development, eyewear, customized lenses, software and ophthalmic technology.

“About 2,000 VSP Global employees work in five buildings in and around the square-mile campus in Rancho Cordova, and VSP Global companies operate in 100 countries on six continents. The long-standing core vision benefits/services entity, VSP Vision Care, now has 64 million members and a network of 30,000 eye doctors nationwide. Lynch sees more growth ahead. ‘The way we’re organized, there’s nothing exactly like us. ... We’re very excited about what the future holds,’ he said.” Read more.

Brokers Selling VSP Plans Directly to Consumers

VSP has authorized independent insurance brokers to sell its individual insurance plans. The brokers will use a VSP website that allows clients to self-enroll. The broker plan provides individuals and families with the same eye care found in the VSP’s employer based plans. Read more.

VSP Optics Adds sunsync Photochromic

The VSP Optics Group has added the photochromic lens sunsync to its Unity Performance Optics portfolio. The lenses reportedly darken fast, fade quickly, and are available in gray and brown colors. The VSP spokesperson says that "susnsync lenses provide eyecare practices high value with attractive pricing and $5 through the UNITY Savings program." Read more.

VSP Optics Launches BluTech Lenses

The VSP Optics Group will launch Unity BluTech lenses this week at Vision Expo East. Infused with natural melanin and ocular lens pigments, the lenses protect the eyes from harmful, high-energy blue light. Blue light, the most harmful light that penetrates all the way to the back of the eye, is radiated by fluorescent and CFL light bulbs and the screens of computers, tablets, smartphones and televisions. Read more.

Read more about VSP Optics Group: http://opticalceu.blogspot.com/2012/03/vsp-optics-expanding-unity-line.html.

Essilor released a similar lens: http://opticalceu.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-lens-from-essilor-controls-emission.html.

VSP Optical App Speds Up Dispensing and Ordering for VSP Patients

VSP Optics Group introduced otto (one touch to optical), an for the second and third-generation Apple iPad that reportedly helps eyecare professionals (ECPs) simplify measuring and dispensing advanced digital lenses, and brings eyewear consulting, and electronic claim filing through the following modules:

• Patient Check-in and Care: Patients can use otto to fill out patient forms, answer questionnaires, authorize privacy policies, and provide insurance information. otto also allows ECPs to check eligibility and obtain VSP patient authorization and explanation of benefits. When orders are placed, it estimates patient out-of-pocket costs. ECPs can also check the status of lab orders and notify patients via text or e-mail when their eyewear is complete and ready for pick-up.

• ‘otto-mated’ Measurements: Take photos of your patients with the iPad and otto calculates measurements like pupil distance and segment height. With the ottobox plug-in attached to the iPad, ECPs can take photos of the patient wearing their selected frame, and with the swipe of a finger, otto automatically calculates measurements like pantoscopic tilt and back vertex distance to simplify dispensing today's most advanced digital lenses.

• Vision Screening: Prior to the eye exam, patients can use otto to complete a variety of tests in order to detect changes in their vision.

• Frame Styling: Use otto to access Marchon and Altair frame catalogs or the Frames Data. Patients can also transmit photos of themselves wearing different frames to friends or family in order to get opinions on their choices using Facebook, Twitter or email.

• Patient Consultation: Demonstrate the benefits of lens options like anti-reflective and scratch coatings, photochromic and tinted lenses, polarized sunwear.

• Product Selection: Process orders for ophthalmic eyewear, sunwear, and contact lens orders. Use otto to educate patients on the advantages of multiple pairs of eyewear and of custom packages tailored by the practice. Orders ared confirmed and can be sent to the lab for processing.

VSP Optics Group also has co-developed otto’s digital lens fitting and dispensing technology with PFO Global.