|
What happens during a vision screening?
A vision screening typically involves reading letters from a chart to measure how clearly you can see. Some screenings may also check depth perception (your ability to know how far away something is) or color vision.3
Screenings are important, especially for children, because they can identify people who may need additional vision support. However, screenings have limitations and can miss important eye and vision disorders. Just because you pass a vision screening does not mean your eyes are healthy.3
This is where comprehensive eye exams come in.
What happens during a comprehensive eye exam
A comprehensive eye exam goes beyond checking whether you need glasses or contacts. During the exam, your eye doctor evaluates the overall health of your eyes and looks for signs of vision problems and eye disease.1,3
Your appointment may include:
- A review of your medical and family history
- Vision testing and prescription checks
- Tests for eye coordination and focusing
- Peripheral (side) vision testing
- Evaluation of how your pupils respond to light
- Examination of the retina and optic nerve
- Screening for conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease1,3
Eye exams can also reveal signs of broader health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases and even certain cancers. Keeping regular eye exams is a great way to stay on top of your health and potentially catch a problem early on, before it’s too serious.1,4
Why regular eye exams matter
Many eye diseases develop gradually and may not cause symptoms at first. By the time vision changes become noticeable, you may already have eye damage. That’s why early detection is so important.1
People of all ages can all benefit from regular comprehensive eye exams. Your eye specialist, whether it be an ophthalmologist or an optometrist, can recommend how often you should schedule exams based on factors like your age, medical history, family history and existing vision conditions.3
Take the next step for your eye health
A vision screening can be a helpful starting point, but it should not replace a comprehensive eye exam.1 Protect your sight and your overall health by scheduling regular exams with an in-network DeltaVision provider.
Use the DeltaVision Find a Provider tool to locate a vision specialist near you and ask how often you should receive comprehensive eye exams based on your personal health history.
References:
- American Optometric Association. The Full Picture of Eye Health. https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/full-picture-of-eye-health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). Youth Vision Problems. https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/prevention/youth-vision-problems.html
- American Optometric Association. Eye Exams. https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/eye-exams
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). Taking Care of Your Eyes. https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/prevention/taking-care-of-your-eyes.html
back to Top
3 ways to get your employees ready for open enrollment
Open enrollment season is right around the corner and your employees may feel overwhelmed by coverage options, deadlines and unfamiliar insurance terms. But a little planning now can help your workforce feel more confident and engaged when open enrollment arrives. Here are three ways you can lay the groundwork for a smooth open enrollment period that helps your employees get the coverage they need.
1. Open enrollment typically happens in the fall. The conversations about it should start much earlier.
Employees are more likely to make thoughtful benefits decisions when they have time to review their options and ask questions.1 Instead of waiting until enrollment officially opens, start communicating to your employees now.
Here are some topics you can share with your employees to get them thinking about upcoming open enrollment:
- Open enrollment dates and deadlines
- Any 2027 plan changes that your employees should know about
- The value of preventive dental and vision care
- How enrolling in benefits support overall health and wellness
Short, easy-to-understand messages can go a long way. Emails, intranet posts and breakroom signage can all help keep benefits top of mind.1
2. Offer simple and clear benefit guides
Benefit guides are the most used resource employees use when selecting a health plan, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute.2 Ensuring your benefit guides are clear and in plain language ahead of enrollment can help reduce confusion and improve participation.1
When it comes to dental and vision coverage, here’s what your employees need to know:
- What dental and vision insurance covers
- The difference between preventive and major services
- How in-network providers can help employees save money
- Why regular dental and vision exams matter for overall health
Visual resources, FAQs and side-by-side comparisons can also make information easier to understand.1
Employers may also want to host short informational sessions or virtual Q&A opportunities where employees can ask benefits-related questions before enrollment begins.1
3. Use the present to inform the future: Encourage employees to review their current coverage
Many employees automatically re-enroll in the same plans each year without reviewing whether those benefits still meet their needs.2 Ask employees to take a fresh look at their current coverage before open enrollment begins.
Helpful reminders may include checking whether current providers are still in-network, and reviewing how often dental and vision benefits were used in the past year.
This is also a great time to encourage employees to think about how their needs may have changed over the past year. For example, employees should consider whether family size has changed, and if they expect any major dental work or extra vision expenses in the coming year.
Employees who actively review their options are more likely to choose benefits that fit their budget, lifestyle and healthcare needs.
You can boost your employees confidence this open enrollment season
Open enrollment is an important opportunity for your employees to invest in their health and well being. You can create a less stressful and more informed enrollment experience by using these three tips a few weeks before open enrollment begins.
For additional open enrollment communication resources and support, reach out to your Delta Dental of Iowa account manager. They can provide tools, educational materials and guidance to help your employees better understand and appreciate their dental and vision benefits ahead of the 2027 enrollment season.
References:
- Society for Human Resource Management. 8 Best Practices for Open Enrollment Communications. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/benefits-compensation/8-best-practices-open-enrollment-communications
- Employee Benefit Research Institute. (2025). 2025 Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey (CEHCS) Report. https://www.ebri.org/docs/default-source/cehcs/2025-cehcs-report.pdf?sfvrsn=36d9052f_1
|