Protect Your Vision

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Here is a quick guide to risk factors like age, history, and diabetes — and a reminder that On Lok has your vision covered.

While many of us think of eye exams only when we need new glasses, comprehensive screenings are vital for detecting "silent" conditions like Glaucoma before they cause permanent damage.

Dr. Alan Chan, an ophthalmologist at On Lok suggests regular eye examinations. He goes on to say, "Half of glaucoma patients do not know that they have glaucoma because there are no early symptoms. The only way to check for it is to have regular comprehensive eye examinations. If you are under 40, you should have an eye exam at least every two years. If your doctor thinks you are at risk for glaucoma, or over age 60, you should have an annual eye exam". Read more here, https://www.onlok.org/blog/january-is-glaucoma-awareness-month.

On Lok provides excellent vision benefits. Use your benefits to schedule a screening today.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, but early treatment can save your sight. It is especially important to book an exam if you have any of the following common risk factors:

• Age & Background: You are over age 60, or over age 40 if you are Black or African American.

• Race/Ethnicity: You are of African American, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American descent.

• Medical History: You have a family history of glaucoma, previous eye injuries, long-term steroid use, or high eye pressure.

• Diabetes: Adults with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma, and that risk increases the longer you have had diabetes.

Please take a moment to prioritize your well-being and schedule your annual eye exam today.

Vision exams are covered under your medical plan, On Lok Health and Wellness (Surest) and Kaiser Permanente, as well as VSP, but if you need glasses, frames, or contacts, those are covered under VSP only.

For benefits information please refer to On Lok's 2026 Employee Benefits Guide linked here: English, Chinese, and Spanish.

For questions about your benefits please email On Lok’s benefit manager, Michelle Quezada at michelle.quezada@onlok.org.