By making sure every employee can access and understand the health benefits they need, benefits administrators can play a vital DEI role.

Understanding vision needs for diverse employees

The need for vision benefits and access to eyecare for diverse groups is more important now than ever before. Minority populations face higher risk of ocular diseases, visual impairment and blindness.¹ Specific minority groups also face an increased risk of certain serious diseases:

• Black populations are 5 times more likely to develop blindness, and 6 times more likely to experience blindness from glaucoma²
• Hispanic populations have higher rates of vision loss and blindness and are more at risk of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma³
• Women are at higher risk for eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts⁴

With limited access to vision care, underserved communities often avoid or delay routine eye exams until they develop vision problems.⁵ Providing inclusive vision benefits helps ensure every employee gets the care they deserve.

What to look for in vision benefit plans

To support a diverse workforce, it's important to offer vision benefits that are easy for all employees to understand and utilize. Important considerations include:

• Access to culturally competent eye care providers
• Coverage for unique vision problems
• Accommodations for employees with disabilities

Supporting diverse workforces

Through thoughtful plan design and a focus on language, culture and accessibility needs, EyeMed makes it easy to integrate DEI into vision benefit offerings.

Enabling effective and clear communication

EyeMed’s Member Web is available in English, Spanish, French and Chinese. And member materials are available in both English and Spanish and compliant with ADA standards for easy accessibility.

Making it easier to find providers

We’re proud to partner with providers who are culturally aware and sensitive to diverse needs. Our Provider Locator helps employees find in-network eye care providers based on languages spoken and cultural competency.

Removing barriers to care 

EyeMed’s Eye360⁶ enhanced benefits provide $0 copay eye exams, removing the financial barrier to important annual eye exams. Diabetes, Retinal Imaging and KidsEyes benefit add-ons help offer personalized support for employees and their families.

Keeping everyone informed

Our wellness tips, educational resources, exam reminders and high-risk mailers, help employees stay focused on their eye health and overall health.

Enhancing eye care accessibility together  

Integrating DEI principles into your vision benefit offerings not only supports the health and well-being of your employees, but your organization’s larger DEI goals. EyeMed is committed to improving its benefit offerings to support the needs of diverse workforces like yours.

Want to learn more about EyeMed vision benefits or request a quote? Speak with your EyeMed rep. Or visit, eyemed.com. 

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1 “Disparities remain an obstacle to health equity in eye care”; Ophthalmology Times; ophthalmologytimes.com; September 20, 2023.

2 “African Americans and Glaucoma”; Glaucoma Research Foundation; glaucoma.org; March 21, 2023.

3 “Eye Health Among Hispanics/Latinos”; National Eye Institute; nei.nih.gov; December 16, 2024.

4 “Why Women Need to Pay Extra Attention to Eye Health”; University of Utah Health; healthcare.utah.edu; April 13, 2023.

5 “The Power of Ophthalmology in Community Health” American Academy of Ophthalmology; aao.org; August 1, 2023.

6 Eye360 product and is not available in all states. Discounts are not insured benefits.