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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chelsea Pillsbury
media@thevisioncouncil.org
The Vision Council Foundation and EyeMed Launch Video Series on the Eye Exam’s Role in Diabetes Care
Three-part series for National Diabetes Awareness Month discusses the diabetic patient journey from the routine eye exam to coordinated care
CINCINNATI and ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Nov. 10, 2026) — Today, The Vision Council Foundation and EyeMed Vision Care released the first part of Beyond the Routine Vision Exam: Connecting Eye Care to Whole-Person Health, a free, three-part video series for National Diabetes Awareness Month. The series discusses the diabetic patient journey to show how the routine eye exam connects to a patient’s overall health.
Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council and The Vision Council Foundation, moderates the conversation with EyeMed Medical Directors Dr. Diana Gilbert and Dr. Daniel Levy. The panel discusses early detection, patient education, communication among providers, and care coordination.
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among working-age adults in the U.S., yet about one in three adults with diagnosed diabetes didn’t have an eye exam in the past year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2030 initiative.
Among U.S. adults who had not had an eye exam in the past year, the most common reason was not having any issues with their vision (42%), according to The Vision Council’s Consumer inSights Q3 2026 survey of more than 12,000 adults. Vision insurance also plays a role: adults with vision insurance were half as likely as those without it to say their last eye exam was more than two years ago (17% vs. 34%).
“The eye is often a window to a patient’s overall health,” said Mills. “For patients with diabetes, a routine eye exam can find signs of disease before they notice any change in their vision. This series looks at what it takes to turn that finding into care: clear communication, patient education and a care team that stays connected.”
“Many patients see their eye doctor regularly, which gives us a real opportunity to spot signs of diabetes-related eye disease early,” said Dr. Gilbert. “What matters just as much is what happens next: helping patients understand what we found and making sure that information reaches the rest of their care team.”
“Eye doctors often see patients more regularly than other providers do, so we’re in a good position to be part of the broader care team,” said Dr. Levy. “When exam findings are shared and referrals go both ways, patients with diabetes get more coordinated care, and that’s where we see better outcomes.”
The video series will be released in three parts this month:
- Part 1: It Starts with the Exam (available now) looks at the eye exam as a window to overall health and what providers can see that matters for diabetes care.
- Part 2: Beyond the Exam Room (Nov. 13) covers helping patients understand their results and strengthening communication across the care team.
- Part 3: Moving the Patient Forward (Nov. 19) looks at where vision care can better connect with the broader healthcare system.
The series coincides with the launch of Life in Focus: An Interactive Guide to Diabetic Retinopathy, the newest kit in the Life in Focus patient education series from EyeMed and The Vision Council Foundation. The kit explains what diabetic retinopathy is, who is at risk, symptoms to watch for and how it is treated, and includes interactive materials for patients. Kits are free for eyecare providers, educators and patients, and can be downloaded or ordered in print at EyeMedVisionKits.com.
Watch the series at thevisioncouncilfoundation.org/beyond-the-routine-vision-exam/.
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About The Vision Council Foundation
As the philanthropic foundation of The Vision Council, The Vision Council Foundation empowers people everywhere to see and look their best through public eye health education and optical industry career training support. A 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization, the Foundation is dedicated to ensuring better vision for better lives.
About EyeMed Vision Care
EyeMed Vision Care is America’s fastest-growing managed vision benefits company. Its member population is comprised of individuals and families enrolled through employer-sponsored benefits sold directly by EyeMed or distributed by many of the top healthcare organizations in the U.S. EyeMed boasts America’s largest network of eye care providers as part of its commitment to expand access to care and meet the needs of its diverse member population. As part of EssilorLuxottica, EyeMed’s mission is to help people around the world see more and be more. EyeMed is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Learn more at eyemed.com or LinkedIn.
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