Newsroom | Experience
Working to Give Members Better Access to Eye Care
May 26, 2021
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) and Retinal Care, an Oklahoma-based vision company, are partnering to help BCBSOK members get the eye care they need to prevent blindness.
“We want to give our members more choices when it comes to their preventive eye care,” said BCBSOK Chief Medical Officer Todd Hoffman, M.D. “Retinal Care is an excellent resource for our members who are at risk for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two of the leading causes of blindness and vision loss in the U.S. are diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Diabetic retinopathy can cause serious vision loss and blindness as high blood sugar levels harm eye blood vessels over time. Age-related macular degeneration harms the center of the eye and reduces the ability to read, write, watch TV and drive.
"Annual vision exams are critical for those at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration because there are usually no symptoms until it's too late,” said Stephen Fransen, M.D., chief medical officer of Retinal Care. “At Retinal Care, we help people understand their risk and make sure they are evaluated at least annually by a high-quality eye care provider. We’re thrilled to partner with an organization like BCBSOK that shares our mission of preventing blindness.”
Retinal Care is focused on helping BCBSOK members understand their risk for vision loss and get the care they need to keep their eyesight. Retinal Care’s team of care coordinators and other experts will work with members who are at increased risk of blindness to set up an eye exam, build a personalized treatment plan, if needed, and answer questions about keeping their vision.
For more information about your specific BCBSOK benefits log on to your Blue Access for Members account.