PLANTATION, Fla., Aug. 30, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the school year commences, it is important that children's vision issues are corrected as it can impact their learning and performance in sports. This may mean contacts, glasses or even further attention. Many eye ailments, several of which result in long-term vision issues, have no symptoms in their earliest stages and can be spotted only during a comprehensive eye exam. And as August –Children's Eye Health and Safety Month – draws to a close, :DentalPlans would like to remind families that the best way to protect your child's vision is to make sure they get regular eye exams.
In fact, it is important that the entire family gets their eyes checked. According to a national study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 million Americans age 18 and older have never had an eye exam in their entire lives. This is concerning as many eye ailments cannot be easily detected without an exam and many people do not know they have an issue until it has worsened or progressed.
And, more than 11 million Americans currently have an uncorrected visual problem that can impact their quality of life, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI). Babies to senior citizens are at risk for eye illnesses. Eyesight-robbing glaucoma, for example, currently affects more than three million Americans, only half of whom are aware they have the disease.
Less severe eye conditions, such as nearsightedness (myopia), can cause significant performance problems in the workplace or even at school – impacting performance in education and sports. According to the American Optometric Association, 80% of classroom learning requires good visual abilities and many children who experience untreated vision issues may even show signs of what can be mislabeled as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – when in reality it is a vision issue.
"It is amazing how one part of the body can impact other areas and one's performance," said Bill Chase, Vice President of Marketing for :DentalPlans. "Unfortunately, many people ignore the warning signs until a big issue or ailment is at-hand, costing them more money and pain in the process."
:DentalPlans offers affordable alternatives to traditional health insurance, including vision care savings plans. These plans enable members to save significantly on the cost of eye exams, glasses, contact lenses, even LASIK surgery at thousands of eye care facilities – nationwide. Many plans also include savings on prescriptions and more.
"People tend to put off basic health care when budgets are tight, and parents may delay self-care so that they can afford to get eye and dental checkups for their kids," said Chase. "At :DentalPlans, we believe that everyone in the family deserves quality, affordable health care – and vision – like hearing and dental care, is extremely important to one's wellbeing. We do not want the cost to deter people from getting the quality care they need."
To make the trip to the dentist even more affordable, :DentalPlans is offering a special, limited-time discount for new members. Become a :DentalPlans member by calling 1-844-538-0638 or visiting www.dentalplans.com and using promo code VISION30 by October 31, 2016 to take 15% off any of our dental plans. To learn more information about :DentalPlans visit www.dentalplans.com.
About :DentalPlans
:DentalPlans, founded in 1999, is a leading dental and health savings marketplace in the U.S., helping more than a million people to affordably access quality healthcare services. Our mission is to empower consumers with the tools, information, and services that they need to live happier, healthier lives. For more information, visit us at www.dentalplans.com and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.