Maximize Your 2026 Vision Benefits at Bear Creek Eye Care

It’s a new year. Let’s make sure your eyes are ready for it.

If you’ve been meaning to schedule an eye exam or update your glasses, now is the time. Most vision insurance plans and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) reset on January 1, giving you fresh benefits to use on essential eye care.

At Bear Creek Eye Care, we help patients in Wildomar and nearby communities take full advantage of their vision benefits. Whether you need a routine eye exam, prescription eyewear, or dry eye relief, your 2026 coverage can help reduce out-of-pocket costs—if you use it.

What Vision Plans and FSAs Typically Cover

Most vision insurance plans offer an annual eye exam and a set allowance toward glasses or contact lenses. If you’re enrolled in an FSA or HSA, you can also use pre-tax dollars to pay for eye care and materials.

Here’s a breakdown of what you may be eligible for:

• One comprehensive eye exam per year
• Glasses or contact lenses
• Frame or lens upgrade allowances
• Prescription sunglasses
• Dry eye evaluations
• Medical eye care for emergencies, infections, or irritation
• Vision therapy or pediatric care (depending on your plan)

Understanding Your Vision Plan

Each vision plan is different, and it’s not always easy to figure out what’s covered. That’s where our team comes in.

We’ll help you:

• Review your benefits
• Maximize your insurance allowance
• Check if you’re due for an exam
• Determine FSA or HSA eligibility

If you’re unsure what your plan includes, just call our front desk. We’re happy to check with your provider and explain your options before your visit.

Why January Is the Best Time to Use Benefits

Early in the year is an ideal time to:

• Use your renewed benefits before schedules fill up
• Take care of appointments before deductibles increase
• Avoid the stress of end-of-year rushes
• Make health a priority from the start

Many patients wait until November or December to book appointments and end up with limited options. Starting now means you’ll get your pick of convenient appointment times and can shop for frames while selection is best.

Refresh Your Look With New Eyewear

If you’re due for new glasses, your benefits may cover part or all of the cost. At Bear Creek Eye Care, we offer a wide variety of styles and brands in our optical boutique.

We also offer upgrades to improve comfort and vision, including:

• Anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings
• Blue light blocking lenses for screen use
• Transition lenses that darken in sunlight
• High-index lenses that are lighter and thinner
• Progressive lenses for patients over 40

Our opticians will walk you through your options and help you choose the best lenses for your lifestyle and budget.

Pediatric Eye Exams and Family Coverage

Many families don’t realize that their vision plan includes coverage for their children’s eye exams and eyewear. Pediatric exams are critical, especially for school-age children, since vision problems can interfere with learning and development.

We provide gentle, thorough children’s eye exams that screen for:

• Nearsightedness and farsightedness
• Astigmatism
• Eye coordination and tracking
• Visual processing issues

If your child wears glasses or contacts, their prescription may need to be updated every year. Vision benefits often include an allowance for pediatric frames, so now is a good time to replace any that no longer fit or have been damaged.

Eye Care Beyond Vision Correction

Your 2026 benefits may also help with more advanced services like:

• Dry eye diagnosis and treatment
• Allergy and infection management
• Red or painful eyes
• Monitoring for cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration

Even if your vision seems fine, your eyes can reveal early signs of serious conditions. Regular exams help us catch issues early, when treatment is most effective.

FAQs About Vision Benefits

What happens if I don’t use my vision benefits?
Most vision insurance plans reset every year. If you don’t use your coverage by the end of your plan cycle, you lose those benefits.

Can I use FSA dollars for glasses or eye exams?
Yes, FSAs (and most HSAs) allow you to use pre-tax money for eye exams, glasses, lenses, and some treatments.

Do you accept my insurance?
Bear Creek Eye Care accepts many major vision insurance plans. Contact us and we’ll be happy to check your eligibility.

Can I get both glasses and contacts with my benefits?
Most plans allow one or the other, but some cover both. We can confirm what’s included in your policy.

How can I tell if I’m due for an exam?
If it’s been over a year since your last exam—or if you’re experiencing symptoms—it’s time to schedule one.

Let’s Make the Most of Your 2026 Coverage

Our friendly team is here to help you navigate your benefits, find the right eyewear, and keep your eyes healthy. At Bear Creek Eye Care, we believe great care starts with clear communication and personal attention.

Start the year off right. Request your eye exam at our Wildomar office today and put your 2026 benefits to work.