There is no doubt that around the world, eye health worsens with each passing year. This is truer in the United States: in a country battling an obesity epidemic, how could you improve eye health? Combine our generally poor health with increased use of televisions, computers and other ‘screen-based devices’, and you can see why our eye health is worsening.

As of now, there are over 2.5 million people in the US who are visually impaired, meaning those who have very limited vision (if at all). This number does not include 1 million blind people. That more than 3/4 or nearly 75% of people between the ages of 25 and 64 require some type of vision correction equipment (read: glasses, lenses) is a testament to the deteriorating state of our nation’s eye health. .

Some even more disturbing facts: one in four school-going children has undiagnosed vision problems. It is also estimated that vision problems cost the US economy more than $50 billion each year.

Given all these statistics, it seems natural that most people would list vision care plans as their most desired insurance benefit, in addition to a general health plan. Insurance companies have also risen up to meet this demand. Today, getting an individual vision insurance plan is quite affordable, costing just a few dollars each month. Group vision insurance plans tend to be even cheaper, and more and more employers are offering this benefit to their employees.

An individual vision insurance plan basically provides coverage for most vision-related problems. These can range from regular eye exams and doctor visits, to partial payment for corrective glasses and contact lenses. Some policies even provide coverage for surgical procedures like LASIK.

The cost of visiting an eye doctor or getting a pair of glasses can be quite high, as anyone with vision problems can attest. A single pair of glasses can cost hundreds of dollars. Taking care of your vision can cost more than several thousand dollars, depending on the severity of your vision problems. So it makes quite a bit of sense to invest in an individual vision insurance plan that will cover a significant portion of these expenses.

In most cases, a vision insurance plan can be added on top of your existing medical plan for just a few dollars more each month. Families can also opt for a group plan that will further lower the monthly cost.

A vision insurance plan is a great investment for the future, whether you’re single or have a family. Vision problems will only worsen in the future as eye health only deteriorates with age. A strong individual vision insurance plan will cover most expenses related to maintaining eye health, and some procedures, such as regular eye exams, can also be helpful in detecting symptoms of other serious diseases such as diabetes. .