As the year winds down, many people scramble to make the most of their remaining flexible spending account (FSA) dollars. FSAs operate on a “use it or lose it” basis, meaning unused funds often disappear at the end of the year. If you’re looking for innovative ways to get the most out of your FSA dollars, there are many possibilities to maximize your vision care. Here are some great ideas.
FSA Spending Options
Get a Vision Exam
If you have been putting off getting that vision exam, now is the perfect time! A comprehensive vision exam is one of the most important and effective ways to protect your eyes, vision and overall health. It allows us to thoroughly evaluate medical history, visual abilities and even detect conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Stock Up on Prescription Eyewear and Sunglasses
Your FSA should cover prescription eyewear, so consider refreshing your glasses or prescription sunglasses. This can be a great way to get a backup pair or to try out customizations like blue-light-blocking lenses, which can reduce eye strain from screens. Additionally, items like lens cleaning wipes or anti-fog spray are handy and can qualify for flex dollars. We have an extensive selection of designer frames available to choose from and can help you find the perfect options!
Invest in a Year’s Supply of Contact Lenses and Supplies
Contact lenses are also FSA-eligible. Buying a year’s supply can be a practical way to prepare in advance, especially if your prescription hasn’t changed. Make sure to add contact lens cleaning solutions and storage cases to your list, as those can also qualify.
Consider Vision Therapy
If you or your child have certain visual challenges, vision therapy can be incredibly beneficial. This type of therapy includes structured exercises that improve visual skills like eye coordination, focus, and tracking. It’s an effective way to enhance visual performance, particularly for athletes looking to up their game or children facing classroom challenges.
Purchase Specialty Eyewear for Hobbies and Work
FSA funds can be used for prescription safety goggles, sports goggles, and even computer glasses. Whether you need protective eyewear for DIY projects or are looking to reduce eye strain at work, specialty glasses are FSA-eligible and can be an excellent investment.
Explore Low-Vision Aids
For individuals with low vision, tools like magnifying glasses, screen readers, or handheld devices designed for better viewing can be covered by FSAs. These items can make a significant difference in day-to-day activities.
Family Vision Development Center can Help With FSA Available Dollars
Taking advantage of FSA-eligible vision care options allows you to make the most of your dollars while safeguarding your eye health. Of course, it’s always best to check with your FSA administrator to confirm coverage before making purchases, as plans can vary. The professional team at Family Vision Development Center is here to answer your questions and help you take full advantage of any flex dollars you want to use wisely. Contact our office at 630-862-2020 to learn more or to schedule a convenient time to visit.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear. We are dedicated to keeping our patients comfortable and well-informed and we will explain every exam and procedure and answer all of your questions. We accept both scheduled and emergency appointments, and offer convenient financing and insurance options to ensure that high-quality vision care is available and affordable to all of our patients.
Athletes who are looking to enhance and strengthen their skills and abilities often turn to sports vision therapy to up their game. However, athletes tend to focus on the direct performance benefits of these programs, such as improved hand-eye coordination, quicker reaction times, and enhanced peripheral awareness. But there’s more to this specialized training than meets the eye. Beyond boosting on-field performance, sports vision therapy offers many more surprising, lesser-known benefits that can significantly impact an athlete’s career and overall well-being.
Scholarship and Career Opportunities
For young athletes aspiring to compete at the collegiate or professional level, sports vision therapy could be a game-changer. Many top-level programs, especially at the collegiate level, recognize the advantages that vision training offers. As a result, athletes who demonstrate these heightened visual skills may stand out to scouts and recruiters. In fact, it could indeed be the edge that earns an athlete that crucial scholarship offer or a coveted spot on a professional team. With so many athletes competing for limited offers, having an extra tool that boosts performance—and sets an athlete apart—can be a deciding factor.
Lower Risk of Injury
Injury prevention is an important but often overlooked benefit of sport vision therapy. Athletes who improve their peripheral awareness, depth perception, and reaction times are better equipped to avoid dangerous collisions, falls, or movements that could lead to injury. Whether it’s dodging an opponent in soccer or adjusting quickly to an unexpected movement in basketball, athletes with sharp visual processing are more likely to prevent accidents before they happen.
Career Longevity
Athletic careers, particularly at the professional level, are notoriously short, but sports vision therapy offers a unique way to extend an athlete’s career. Injuries and declining performance can often force athletes to retire earlier than they’d like. So it goes to reason that those who have enhanced their visual skills can prolong their career by maintaining peak performance even as they age and compete with younger, faster players.
Increased Confidence
Confidence plays a vital role in how athletes perform under pressure. Vision training can help build this confidence by providing athletes with the tools they need to make better, faster decisions. When athletes feel certain about their ability to react swiftly and accurately, they’re more likely to trust their instincts in high-stakes situations. Not only do these enhanced visual skills lead to quicker and more confident decisions on the court or field, but that confidence can extend beyond the game, allowing athletes to better handle stressful situations in daily life.
Focus in Everyday Life
Sports vision therapy can certainly play an important role in athletic performance. However, it can also have profound effects on an athlete’s cognitive function. Improved mental agility, focus, and concentration are by-products of vision training, and these skills carry over into day-to-day life. Whether it’s in school, in business, or personal activities, athletes who participate in sports vision therapy often report better focus, faster problem-solving abilities, and enhanced attention to detail. This can go a long way in helping athletes balance the demands of sports with other aspects of their lives, such as school, work, or personal relationships. It’s one of the more unexpected benefits of vision training that extends well beyond the playing field.
Family Vision Development Center Helps Athletes Succeed
At Family Vision Development Center, we specialize in individualized sports vision therapy programs. We understand that each sport, and each athlete, is different and we tailor each program to meet those specific needs. But this vision training is much more than just another tool to improve athletic performance. In fact, the benefits of this program can enhance an athlete’s entire career and life. From earning scholarships and career opportunities to increasing confidence, preventing injuries, and extending career longevity, the benefits are far-reaching. Contact us at 630-862-2020 to learn more about our programs and to schedule an appointment.
Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.
