Vision

Vision

Enhancing Your View

Your eyes are another window to your overall health. An early vision exam can help detect the early stages of diabetes, high blood pressure, and more. The VSP vision plans cover you and your covered dependents for routine eye exam, frames, and lenses or contacts. You can choose to visit any provider; however, you will save money when you visit an in-network provider. Find an in-network provider at vsp.com.

If you need help selecting the best plan for you, visit ALEX and see what advice he can offer.

How Skin Cancer can Impact the Eyelids and Eyes 

Did you know one out of five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70? Thankfully, when caught early, most skin cancers can be treated and cured before they spread, become more dangerous, or cause permanent skin damage.  

That’s why it is so important to keep an eye out for signs of skin cancer, including skin cancer on your eyelids and around your eye, and seek advice from a dermatologist or medical doctor right away if you see something new or different on your skin. 

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the outer layer of skin start to grow uncontrollably. This happens because of damage to skin cell DNA. These damaged cells can develop mutations (abnormal changes) in their genes, which cause the cells to multiply and form tumors. 

There are many types of skin cancer, but the three most common types of skin cancer are: 

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) 
  • Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 
  • Melanoma 

What are the Risk Factors for Skin Cancer? 

While the specific cause of skin cancer is not necessarily known, many factors can increase your risk of skin cancer, including: 

  • Exposure to UVA and UVB rays 
  • Using tanning beds 
  • Sunburns 
  • Having a fair complexion and/or red hair 
  • Genetics 
  • Having an outdoor job 
  • Atypical moles 

How to Decrease your risk for Skin Cancer? 

While these factors may increase your risk of developing skin cancer, there are also steps you can take to help lower your risk and keep your skin healthy.  

These protective strategies include:  

  • Wearing sunscreen 
  • Wearing sun-protective clothes 
  • Wearing a wide-brimmed hat 
  • Staying in the shade when outdoors 
  • Checking your skin regularly 

How Skin Cancer affects your Eyes and Eyelids 

Yes, skin cancer can, and often does, occur around your eyes. In fact, the eyelid is a pretty common place for skin cancer to occur.  

The most common type of skin cancer to grow around the eyes is basal cell carcinoma. While this doesn’t usually spread to other parts of the body, it can cause cosmetic changes and disfigurement around the eyes if they grow large.

Squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas can also grow on the eyelid, but this is not as common. 

How to Protect your Eyes

You can help protect the skin around your eyes (including your eyelids) from developing skin cancer by practicing good habits with the sun, including: 

Visit Your Eye Doctor 

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, talk with your VSP® network doctor at your next eye appointment. Not only will they check your eye health and vision, but they can also help you find the right products to help keep your eyes and the delicate skin around them safe from the sun’s damaging rays. 

 

Vision Plans

VSP 130

This plan, with premiums 100% covered by Aristocrat for all tier levels, includes comprehensive coverage with an annual eye exam and pays up to $130 towards contacts every year or glasses every 2 years.

VSP 150

This plan includes an annual eye exam and pays up to $150 towards contacts every year or glasses every year.

VSP Easy Choice

This plan has the most comprehensive coverage with an annual eye exam. This plan allows employees 1 upgrade option per year which allows for additional benefits.

You may pick from:

  • $250 Frame Allowance
  • Anti-Reflective Lenses
  • Progressive Lenses
  • Photochromatic Lenses
  • Contacts (in lieu of glasses)
  • $200 General Allowance

Note: Easy Choice Option is not available at Costco locations.

Plan Features VSP 130 VSP150 VSP Easy Choice
Exam every 12 months $25 copay $10 copay $10 copay
Frames
(20% off excess of allowance)
$130 allowance;
Every other calendar year
$150 allowance;
Every other calendar year
$150 allowance;
Every calendar year
Lenses every 12 months
Single Vision
Bifocal
Trifocal
Lenticular
$25 copay $10 copay $10 copay
Lens Enhancements
Standard progressive lenses
Premium progressive lenses
Custom progressive lenses
$0 copay
$95 – $105 copay
$150 – $175 copay
$0 copay
$95 – $105 copay
$150 – $175 copay
Upgrade available
Contact Lenses every 12 months ($60 exam allowance) $130 allowance $150 allowance $150 allowance
Additional Benefits
Sun care and UV protection
Polycarbonate lenses
(for dependent child)
Retinal screening
Laser correction

Not included
Included

Up to $39 copay
Average of 15% off

Included

Up to $39 copay
Average of 15% off

See the Benefits Guide or benefit summaries for detailed plan information.

2026 Cost for Coverage (Per Paycheck)

Coverage Level 130 150 Easy Choice
Employee Only $0.00 $1.86 $3.05
Employee + Spouse/DP $3.76 $6.20
Employee + Child(ren) $4.03 $6.64
Employee + Family $6.48 $10.65