Buckeye Health Plan Brings OptiCare Vision Van to Cincinnati Reds Community Fund Halloween Party Event

CINCINNATI, Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Buckeye Health Plan (Buckeye) is partnering with OptiCare to bring the "SeeMore" Vision Van to The Charity Golf Ball Drop, Sat., Oct. 31, 2015, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Roselawn Sports Complex as part of a community Halloween Party presented by the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund. Buckeye is a primary sponsor of the Halloween Party and will also provide a free trick-or-treat bag to every child who attends. 

With over 30 years of experience providing comprehensive and affordable eye care services, OptiCare will conduct free vision screenings for adults and children and will offer a full eye exam at no cost for youth 18 and under who don't pass the initial screening. OptiCare will also offer free prescription eyewear for children in need of glasses and give away free reading glasses for adults. OptiCare is a subsidiary of Buckeye's parent company Centene Corporation. OptiCare's "SeeMore" Vision Van will welcome Buckeye members and non-members at the event.

"Buckeye recommends that individuals get regular eye exams to help maintain their overall health," said Brad Lucas, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Affairs, Buckeye Health Plan. "According to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of all visual impairment can be prevented or cured, and eye exams are important for everyone, especially young children, to catch and address any optical conditions early. This event is about giving back to the entire community so that everyone in the Cincinnati area has access to early eye screenings and treatment."

OptiCare strives to provide education and quality, preventive eye care, yet recognizes that many people don't have access to good care. The "SeeMore" Vision Van delivers eye exams to people lacking access and promotes the importance of eye care. Eye care providers accompanying the van perform vision screenings and exams.

"Amblyopia (lazy eye), glaucoma (excessive pressure in the eye), and refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism) are too often left undiagnosed and untreated," said David Lavely, president and CEO of OptiCare. "Our vision van events help identify eye care problems among participants and communicate the importance of regularly visiting an eye care provider."

Vision by the Numbers:

• The American Optometry Association estimates that 1 in 4 children has a vision-related condition and recommends children have a comprehensive eye exam every two years.
• 75% of all blindness and vision impairment is either preventable or treatable.

The "SeeMore" Mobile Vision Van offers:

• Complete exams
• Mobile auto-refractors to assess sharpness of vision and need for corrective lenses
• EyePACS fundus camera to screen for diabetic retinopathy
• Screenings for and distribution of free reading glasses
• Prescription glasses shipped after the event to those who need them
• Prescriptions to obtain eyeglasses

About Buckeye Health Plan
Buckeye Health Plan is a managed care plan that has been providing services in Ohio since 2004. Buckeye is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise offering both core Medicaid and specialty services, such as OptiCare.  Information regarding Buckeye Health Plan is available via the Internet at www.buckeyehealthplan.com. Buckeye can be followed on Twitter as Buckeye_Health.

About OptiCare Managed Vision
OptiCare has over 30 years of experience providing comprehensive and affordable eye care services. Serving over 5 million members across the country with a panel of over 20,000 eye care providers. From its innovative HEDIS services that help clients effectively manage clinical risk and gain control of high-cost diseases, to accelerated, enhanced quality eyewear delivery, OptiCare puts the "care" back in individuals' eye care program. Founded by eye care professionals, OptiCare has become a nationally respected provider of fully integrated, risk based eye care programs. Continuous quality improvement across the full spectrum of administrative functions has propelled OptiCare into a class by itself as a premiere eye care plan administrator.

SOURCE Buckeye Health Plan

Related Links

http://www.buckeyehealthplan.com