National Eye Care Month and Your NYCDCC Vision Benefits

January 13, 2026

January is National Eye Care Month, and the Fund Office is encouraging you and your family to be proactive about your vision. Practicing routine eye care is an important part of your overall health, and can reduce your risk for serious eye diseases.

Simple Steps for Good Eye Care

Use these tips from the National Eye Institute to protect your eyes from things that can harm them:

Wear protective eyewear. Safety glasses and goggles are designed to protect your eyes during certain activities, like playing sports, doing construction work, or doing home repairs. You can buy them from most eye care providers and some sporting goods stores.

Wear sunglasses. Protect your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses— even on cloudy days! Be sure to look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation.

Give your eyes a rest. Looking at a computer for a long time can tire out your eyes. Rest your eyes by taking a break every 20 minutes to look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

If you wear contacts, take steps to prevent eye infections. Always wash your hands before you put your contact lenses in or take them out. Be sure to disinfect your contact lenses and replace them regularly.

Your NYCDCC Vision Benefits

The New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund provides vision care benefits for eligible participants and their covered dependents. Vision care benefits are provided through Comprehensive Professional Systems (“CPS”), and General Vision Services (“GVS”).

Dilated eye exams are easy, painless, and the most important thing you can do for your eye health. After applying dilating drops, your eye doctor checks your eyes for diseases that may be in their early stages.

As an NYCDCC member, you and your covered dependents are each entitled to an eye examination and new glasses or contact lenses once every 12 months (12 months = 365 days).

If you use a Participating Provider, you may purchase safety glasses in lieu of normal eyeglasses, subject to the applicable rules (one eye exam/glasses once every 365 days).

Comprehensive Professional Systems (“CPS”)
(212) 675-5745
http://www.cpsoptical.com

General Vision Services (“GVS”)
(800) 847-4661
https://generalvision.com/

To learn more about your Vision Benefits, participating providers, and more, please refer to the “At a Glance: Vision Benefits” flyer and the “Benefits Blueprint” video below: