Caring for your eyes

Taking care of your eyes is crucial for overall health and quality of life. Whether you’re looking for tips to keep your eyes healthy or need help locating an ophthalmologist or optometrist, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

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Tips for good eye health

Maintaining your eye health is vital for overall well-being. Here are some tips to keep your eyes healthy:



  • Get regular eye exams to detect problems early. All WellSense plans offer routine eye exams.
  • If prescribed glasses, wear them frequently. Some WellSense plans offer discounts on eyeglasses. 
  • Wear sunglasses with UV protection.
  • Eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E.
  • Reduce screen time and take regular breaks while using computers or smartphones. Consider using blue-light blocking glasses for extended screen use.
  • Use proper lighting when reading or working.
  • Protect your eyes from injury by wearing protective eyewear during sports or hazardous activities.
  • For dry eyes, use artificial tear drops or try adding moisture to the air with a humidifier.
  • Avoid smoking, which can increase the risk of age-related eye diseases. If you need help to stop smoking, Massachusetts WellSense members can ask their doctor to refer them to QuitWorks and New Hampshire WellSense members can call QuitNow NH at 800-QUIT-NOW.
EyeDoctor
Protect your eyes
  • Get regular eye exams to detect problems early. All WellSense plans offer routine eye exams.
  • If prescribed glasses, wear them frequently. Some WellSense plans offer discounts on eyeglasses.
  • Protect your eyes from injury by wearing protective eyewear during sports or hazardous activities.

Sunglasses

 

Monitor your environment
  • Reduce screen time and take regular breaks while using computers or smartphones.
  • Consider using blue-light blocking glasses for extended screen use.
  • Wear sunglasses with UV protection.
  • Use proper lighting when reading or working.

EyeDrops

 

More tips
  • Eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E.
  • For dry eyes, use artificial tear drops or try adding moisture to the air with a humidifier.
  • Avoid smoking, which can increase the risk of age-related eye diseases. If you need help to stop smoking, find resources here.

Vision warning signs to watch for

Early detection of these symptoms are essential for maintaining good eye health and preventing diseases such as cataracts. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your eye doctor as soon as you can for an eye exam.

  • Blurry/hazy vision
  • Squinting or difficulty focusing on objects
  • Headaches caused by eye strain
  • Eye irritation, dry eye or eye pain
  • Peripheral (side) vision loss
  • Tunnel vision
  • Sensitivity to light or glare
  • Difficulty adapting to low light
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  • Blurry/hazy vision
  • The need to squint to see clearly
  • Headaches caused by eyestrain
  • Difficulty focusing on objects
  • Eye irritation or pain
  • Sensitivity to light or glare
  • Peripheral (side) vision loss
  • Tunnel vision
  • Difficulty adapting to low light
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Take your medicines as prescribed
  • Know exactly how and when to take your medications.
  • Take your meds on time. Use notes or a smartphone app.
  • Have your medication with a small meal or snack to avoid side effects.
  • You may need to take the medications for a long time.
  • Talk to your doctor before stopping medications.
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Fill your medications on time
  • Set up automatic refills or refill reminders at your pharmacy,
  • Consider using our mail order pharmacy to get a three month supply of medications mailed to your home. Contact Cornerstone Health Solutions at 844-319-7588 to get started.
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Monitor your blood sugar levels
  • Blood sugar testing shows how well your medications are working or how your food intake, exercise or illnesses are affecting your blood sugar levels.
  • Check blood sugar levels using a blood glucose meter. Follow your doctor’s advice on how often you need to check your blood sugar level. Keep a record of your levels to discuss with them.
  • If you take insulin, check your blood sugar before meals and snacks as well as before and after exercise.
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Know your target blood sugar range

The American Diabetes Association recommends the following target blood sugar levels:

  • Before meals: 80-130mg/dl
  • Two hours after meals: Less than 180mg/dl
These goals vary based on your age and personal health. Ask your doctor what your specific target goal should be.

WellSense vision benefits

All WellSense plans provide routine, preventive vision exams. Some offer eyeglasses (lenses and/or frames), contact lenses, and additional vision services. See your plan documents below for more details.

Plan Preventive Lenses/Frames/Contacts Vision services
Clarity
  • Preventive vision exams for children (every 12 months) and adults (every 24 months)
  • Cost-sharing = $0
  • For members ages 18 and under: one pair of conventional* lenses and frames, or one pair of contact lenses, per calendar year
  • Deductible and/or coinsurance may apply
  • Eye exams and treatment (to treat or diagnose a medical condition of the eye) are covered
  • Deductible and/or coinsurance may apply
MassHealth
  • Comprehensive eye exams for members under 21 (every 12 months) and for members 21 and over (once every 24 months)
  • Prescription and dispensing of ophthalmic materials, including eyeglasses and other visual aids, excluding contacts
  • Vision training
  • Ocular prosthesis
  • Contacts, when medically necessary, as a medical treatment for a medical condition such as keratoconus
  • Bandage lenses
Senior Care Options
  • One routine eye exam per year
  • Glaucoma screening (one per year for high risk members)
  • Screening for diabetic retinopathy (one per year for diabetic members)
  • One pair/set of eyeglasses (prescription lenses, frames, a combination of lenses and frames ) or contact lenses up to the allowed amount per calendar year is covered
  • $325 allowance per year towards the purchase of eyewear and upgrades through our vision care provider, VSP
  • Outpatient physician services for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of the eye, including treatment for age-related macular degeneration
  • One pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses after each cataract surgery that includes insertion of an intraocular lens
New Hampshire Medicaid
  • Refraction eye exam to determine the need for eyeglasses (one per year)
  • One pair of eyeglasses per year
  • Transition lenses for members with ocular albinism
  • Contact lenses (for specific conditions only)
  • Trifocal lenses (for specific conditions only)
  • Eye care services by an ophthalmologist, optometrist or optician
  • Eye exams to diagnose and monitor medical conditions of the eye
  • Ocular prostheses, including artificial eyes and lenses
New Hampshire Medicare Advantage
  • Routine vision exam ($0 copay)
  • Medicare-covered eyewear: $0 copay
  • $150-$300 allowance every year toward the purchase of one pair of eyeglasses, contact lenses or hardware upgrades through our vision care provider, VSP
  • Medicare-covered vision services, including:
    • A yearly glaucoma screening and diabetic eye exam
    • Outpatient physician services for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of the eye, including treatment for age-related macular degeneration
    • One pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses after each cataract surgery that includes insertion of an intraocular lens
  • Deductible and/or coinsurance may apply for all other Medicare-covered vision services

 

WellSense vision benefits

All WellSense plans provide routine, preventive vision exams. Some offer eyeglasses (lenses and/or frames), contact lenses, discounts and additional vision services. See your plan documents below for more details.

Farsighted

Find an eye doctor

Our network includes experienced eye doctors who provide personalized care. Use our provider locator to find an eye doctor, ophthalmologist or optometrist in your plan’s optical network.

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Find an eye doctor

Our network includes experienced eye doctors who provide personalized care. Use our provider locator to find an eye doctor, ophthalmologist or optometrist in your plan’s optical network.

Helpful resources