EyeMed Vision Care, one of the nation's leading vision benefits companies and part of Luxottica (NYSE: LUX), a leader in vision care and eyewear, has begun offering retinal imaging as an optional benefit within a vision plan. Retinal imaging provides detailed photographs of the retina, the inner nerve layer that lines the back of the eye, as a diagnostic tool to monitor overall eye health. The photographs can be used to help detect such eye and health conditions as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

Retinal images are quick, painless and non-invasive. As a diagnostic tool, retinal images provide high-resolution, permanent digital records of the inner eye. Although retinal imaging doesn't require dilation of the pupil, routine dilation remains an important part of a comprehensive eye exam to give both the patient and eye care provider more tools to assess and maintain eye health.

"Retinal imaging is primarily used for screening healthy patients to provide a baseline of their eye health and is used in addition to a comprehensive eye exam," said John Lahr, O.D., FAAO, medical director at EyeMed Vision Care. "The patient's eye doctor can compare digital retinal images to later views of the retina to look for changes that could indicate early onset of a serious eye condition or disease. The earlier any disease is discovered, the greater chance of improved clinical outcomes from a treatment program."

"Retinal imaging is another important component of our wellness program at EyeMed," Lahr said. As part of the commitment to vision wellness, EyeMed encourages all members who are part of an EyeMed plan to undergo an annual eye exam.

EyeMed Vision Care offers the retinal imaging benefit to clients for their employees as a funded benefit, with or without copay, or as a fixed member discount through in-network providers.

Source:
EyeMed Vision Care