Saving people money so they can live better
What to Know About Walmart and Sam’s Club Optical Offerings
Our Walmart Vision Centers and Sam’s Club Optical Centers are dedicated to being the trusted eye health care provider of choice for patients seeking the best value. Independent Optometrists and Walmart-employed Optometrists examine the internal and external structures of the eye to diagnose eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disorders; systemic diseases, such as hypertension; and diabetes and vision conditions, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyobia. The Optical team also works with leaders in the optical field, including Optometry and Opticianry Associations, industry experts and our associates to help educate America on the importance of an annual preventative eye health exam. Like the in-store clinics housed in many Walmart stores and the $4 generic prescription program in Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies, the Vision Centers represents Walmart’s commitment to saving people money so they can live better, healthier lives. Facts About Walmart Vision Centers and Sam’s Club Optical Centers • • Walmart Vision Centers and Sam’s Club Optical Centers see more than 6 million patients each year. Walmart Vision Centers and Sam's Club Optical Centers are the second leading provider of optical goods (eyeglasses and contact lenses) in the United States. In fiscal year 2008: o Walmart Optical Labs manufactured more than 5 million pairs of eyeglasses. o Walmart and Sam’s Club sold more than 9 million boxes of contact lenses. Walmart Vision Centers operate in nearly 3,000 locations (as of Jan. 31, 2009) in 47 states (Rhode Island, Delaware and Oklahoma have no optical departments). More than 2,500 independent optometrists practice in or are connected to Walmart Vision Centers and Sam’s Club Optical Centers. More than 12,000 associates work in our optical departments.
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Facts About Walmart’s Eye Health Initiatives • Walmart and 1-800 CONTACTS have streamlined the current rebate process by providing contact lens customers instant, post-rebate prices when filling annual contact lens prescriptions at the time of purchase, eliminating the paper work of mail-in rebate promotions. o The companies estimate that the instant, post-rebate prices alone have already saved customers more than $25 million in the first three months of the program (offering started Jan. 1, 2009). Walmart offers affordable youth eyewear options – glasses and frames – starting at $39. o Walmart estimates this initiative could save customers $4 million over the first 90 days of the offering (started on March 5, 2009). o Customers can choose from 18 different youth frame styles starting at $10, with lens selections starting at $29 – each pair of glasses comes with a free, one-year replacement guarantee.
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Facts About Eye Health • Maintaining eye health is important for everyone, from children to senior citizens. According to the Vision Council of America, one in three seniors may have a vision problem such as cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration, while one in four children may have a vision problem, which may negatively affect their performance in school. Left untreated, eye conditions can lead to serious problems down the road. For instance, glaucoma, which affects 2.2 million Americans over the age of 40, is a leading cause of blindness, yet it is estimated that 1.5 to 2 million people do not even know they have glaucoma, according to the Vision Council of America. Regular eye checkups are crucial to diagnosing and properly treating this and other conditions.
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Fact Sheet
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