INDIANAPOLIS--The National Association of Vision Care Plans and Transitions Optical are making available a consensus paper summarizing discussions from a NAVCP medical advisor roundtable, held during the association’s annual conference in April. The event, supported by an educational grant through the Transitions Partners in Education program, addressed the need for consumer education on the value of vision care plans.

The resulting paper, “Addressing the Need for Education on the Value of Vision Care Plans,” identifies the lack of emphasis on vision care in comparison to dental and other health benefits packages, and stresses a need to educate consumers--and HR professionals--on the importance of regular eyecare and quality vision wear in achieving overall health and wellness.

“To ensure eyecare receives the recognition it deserves from HR professionals, and ultimately consumers, we must change their perceptions of vision care plans and make sure they truly understand the link between eye- and overall-health,” said Steve Ingram, NAVCP executive director. “We are hopeful the strategies discussed during the roundtable will serve as a call-to-action for our members and the industry at large, unifying them behind a consistent and concerted HR and consumer education effort,” he said.

“The medical aspects of vision wear is one area that clearly needs to be defined and is well supported by the consensus paper,” said Pat Huot, business manager, managed vision care, for Transitions. “Because eyeglasses are often seen as a fashion accessory--as shown by the amount of time spent on selecting frames versus lenses--they’re not always recognized as a device to protect and enhance vision. We need to make sure consumers understand the everyday health benefits that lens options, such as anti-reflective coatings and photochromics, can provide.”

The NAVCP board is currently reviewing the consensus paper and making plans for task force development in 2008. Industry professionals can request a copy of the paper, or download a PDF version, via the NAVCP Web site, www.NAVCP.org or the Transitions Web site, www.Transitions.com.