How to keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear.
Good vision is important for everything you do. There are many ways to take care of your eyes to help keep your vision healthy and clear.
Get routine eye exams from your eye health specialist.
Wear the right kind of glasses. Ask your eye health specialist about anti-reflective lenses or computer glasses that reduce glare and blue light. Too much screen time and blue light may affect your sleep, and cause your eyes to feel dry and tired, or cause headaches.
Wear UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes. Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from too much ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Too much UV light can damage your retina (the part of the eye that lets you see shape, color, and details) and cause vision loss. It can also raise your risk of cataracts (cloudy vision).
Provide good light for reading, work, or study. Use a soft background light, plus a light on your desk.
Take breaks from screens and tasks that strain your eyes. Blink often, close, and rest your eyes when they feel tired or dry.
Avoid smoke and other things that irritate your eyes.
Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, tuna, and halibut. Try eating these types of fish 1-2 times a week.
Get active. Taking care of your physical health is the first step to taking care of your overall eye health. See the Stay Active Fact Sheet for tips on exercises based on your age and condition.
To learn more about eye health, visitCDC.
Vision Service Plan (VSP) for Medi-Cal Members
To find a VSP provider, visit vsp.com or call 1(800) 438-4560.
VSP will give you the contact information of an optometrist that you can make an appointment with.
When you call the optometrist, please make sure to say you are a “VSP member”. The optometrist will check your eligibility and plan coverage based on your VSP vision care coverage. Vision services are not under San Francisco Health Plan.
VSP benefits for adults aged 21 and older include:
- Eye exams from an optometrist every 24 months (2 years); more if needed such as for people with diabetes.
- Eyeglasses (frames and lenses) every 24 months (2 years), with a prescription.
- Replacement eyeglasses within 24 months (2 years) if you have a change in prescription or your glasses are lost, stolen, or broken and it was not your fault.
- Medically necessary contact lenses.
Vision care for youth under 21:
- Eye exam every 24 months (2 years).
- Treatment for vision problems, including eyeglasses.
You do not need a referral from your primary care provider (PCP). Learn more about your vision benefits by going to vsp.com. If you have questions about vision care, call VSP at 1(800) 877-7195.
