Highlights in this issue:

*** Size really does count…
*** Not on medical aid, make sure you read tip three…
*** Why R200 could be the best money you ever spend on your eyes…

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From the pen of Karin Iten…

Dear Investment Academy Reader,

One in six South Africans wears some form of corrective eye care (whether it’s glasses or contact lenses). But despite these high numbers, only 50% of us have our eyes tested on a regular basis. This, plus other shocking results, were uncovered when the Transitions Healthy Sight to Life Fund survey took to the road to find out how high our eyes are on our list of healthcare priorities. The results were worrying.

While we all agree that our eyes are the windows to our soul and admit that they’re often the part of the body we look at first when we meet someone, most of us actually pay very little attention to the health and wellbeing of our vision.

But unlike visiting the dentist, which most of us do under duress every six months for fear of the various drills, needles and other instruments that are poked into our mouths, going for an eye exam is a painless and stress-free event. And yet, a third of all South Africans have never visited the optometrist, despite half of us experiencing some type of eye problem or vision defect. That’s scary, considering all it takes is 60 minutes, once every two years, to determine if you need to take corrective measures against issues that could lead to impaired vision (and even blindness) when you get older.

So this week, we’re looking at how you can reduce the cost of caring for your vision. (Even if you’re lucky enough to have perfect 20/20 vision.)

Tip #1: Look for a better deal

Like with most things, to get the best deal you need to shop around before you buy. So, if you’re one of the unlucky few who need to get glasses or contact lenses, ask your optometrist for a copy of your lens prescription and check with other optometrists in your area for a better deal. You might find that getting two pairs (who doesn’t need a spare?) works out cheaper than getting one pair now and another later.

But, if this sounds like too much leg work for you, go online. There are big savings to be had from sites like www.specfactory.co.za and they’ll even deliver your new specs to your doorstep for a minimal charge or free if you buy two or more pairs from them. If you’re not keen on the idea of buying online and live in Cape Town, you can still get your new pair of specs delivered to your doorstep free if you order them through Spectacle World and live within 15km of their branch.

Tip #2: Update your look and protect your eyes
Glasses can radically change the way you look. So while it may be fun to go with this week’s ultra-trendy look when getting your glasses, you’ll wear them for the next two years (or until your next eye test) so opt for classic styles and colours. And remember, size counts – The bigger the frame, the more distortion you’ll have, so opt for smaller lenses. But don’t despair, they’ll probably suit you better and are often cheaper too.

Tip #3: Are you covered?
If you’re on medical aid, find out if your medical aid covers optical benefits. If you don’t check, you might find it covers the cost of your lenses but not the cost of your (expensive) frames. And, if you’re not on medical aid, don’t forget to tell your optometrist this, many of them (like Spectacle Warehouse) offer special test rates for private patients.

Tip #4: Tint your world
14% of all eye-related problems come from the gadgets we use on a daily basis – our TVs, laptops and cell phones. If, like me, you spend 90% of your work day in front of a computer screen, then ask to have your glasses layered with an anti-radiation coating. Although it costs around R200, it’ll not only save you a lot of money on future eye care bills, as it reduces the glare, but you’ll save money on Panados and other headache medication too.

Tip #5: Shade your eyes…
South Africa’s known for its gloriously hot summers and baking sun. But, while it’s one of the things we love most about our country, it should also be one of the biggest concerns we have about our eyes. One of the most harmful effects of UV rays is damage to the eyes. So while most of us slather on the sunscreen before leaving the house, close to a quarter of us don’t put on sunglasses before stepping out in the sun. And out of those who do, many of us wear the ultra-fashionable, cheap kind, which offer less protection than those you buy at the optometrist.

Don’t just think fashion – think quality. And don’t assume the darker your lenses, the better. The truth is, your lenses need to be polarised and block UV rays to protect your eyes from harm. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your expensive designer shades are a safe option, talk to your optometrist about the protection the sunglasses you like will give you, before you buy them. If you know what’s safe, you won’t even need to leave the house to buy them, simply search the web.

Kalahari.net often has incredible deals which could see you saving up R400 or more on the latest sunglass trends. And why not ask your optometrist if they have any special deals on prescription sunglasses?

Just remember, eye care may seem relatively expensive in the short-term, but the money you spend on protecting your eyes today is nothing compared to the price of laser surgery or other medical procedures you may have to have in future if you don’t start looking after your eyes now.

Here’s to your financial freedom,

Karin Iten
For the Investment Academy