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VM brings you the latest information from optical companies and organizations responding to the coronavirus. JINS Eyewear is donating free glasses to nurses, doctors and other health care workers. The company invites people to go to their website at jins.com/us/together to enter to tell them about someone they know or themselves to get a free pair of glasses, while supplies last. In addition, JINS is helping customers during the pandemic by giving away JINS Screen lens upgrades, a $60 value. These blue light blocking computer lenses help reduce digital eye strain. Customers can pick out any frame, then apply JINS Screen before checkout. The offer applies to both prescription and non-prescription lenses.

Shamir is launching #VisionFIRST, a new program that enables health care workers and first responders to get complimentary prescription lens designs for safety eyewear or other lens types. Working in partnership with participating optical labs, Shamir is providing these frontline workers with safety eyewear, personalized and manufactured specifically for each patient.


“We are all in this together,” said Shamir CEO Raanan Naftalovich. “The nation will return to normal, but first we need to ensure the safety of our health care professionals holding the front line.

“Our hope is to collaborate with as many Shamir optical lab partners as possible, increasing the opportunity to provide enhanced vision for those holding the front-line,” Naftalovich said. He noted that Shamir has not placed any restrictions on the lens designs offered through the #VisionFIRST program. “All Shamir digital lens products will be available to our optical laboratory customers so they and the eyecare professional will have no constraints in finding a lens that will work for just about every first responder in need of eyewear. We are not excluding any designs from #VisionFIRST, including our premium progressive lens product, Autograph Intelligence.”

Eyecare professionals can participate in the program by simply submitting a first responder’s prescription to a participating lab. Over 20 optical laboratories are already participating in the program, and many more are expected to join, according to Shamir. A list of participating #VisionFIRST labs can be found at www.shamirlens.com/visionfirst.

VSP Global has informed its providers and members that it has extended the deadline for access to essential medical eyecare services for VSP Vision Care insured members and their covered dependents to the end of May 2020. Previously the policy, announced April 1 as VMAIL reported in response to the coronavirus pandemic, had been effective through April 30, 2020.

The policy will provide access to services for 57 million insured VSP members who do not already have this benefit, a company spokesperson told VMAIL. These additional members now have access to supplemental medical eyecare for the detection, treatment, and management of ocular and visual conditions, and can see their VSP network doctor in-person or remotely to get treatment for a variety of conditions including conjunctivitis, eye trauma, and sudden changes to vision, VSP Global said.

Members can also use their routine VSP coverage for lost or broken glasses or replacement contact lenses to meet immediate eyewear needs by contacting their VSP network doctor.

When the program was launched in early April, Michael Guyette, VSP Global president and CEO, said, "Expanding essential medical eyecare services for VSP members is critical to ensure they can access the care they need in this COVID-19 environment, In doing so, we can help keep VSP members and their VSP network doctors connected, lowering the likelihood of our members visiting primary care physicians or emergency rooms and reducing demand on our strained health care system during this unprecedented time.

While most practices are closed for routine eyecare due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of VSP network doctors are still providing essential and emergency eyecare, according to the VSP Global spokesperson. Due to the dynamic situation, VSP is encouraging its members to contact their VSP network doctor to verify availability and practice hours.

Find the latest COVID-19 news you need in VM's Coronavirus Briefing.