1955:

With a dream to provide high-quality, cost-effective eyecare benefits, a group of optometrists in Oakland, California, form the first prepaid, not-for-profit vision benefit.

1960s:

Companies and government agencies begin recognizing the importance of including vision insurance in their employees' benefits packages.

VSP experiences rapid growth and builds stronger partnerships with eye doctors.

The VSP concept is so successful that other states use it as a model.

1968:

Headquarters move from Oakland to Sacramento, California.

1970s:

VSP opens an optical lab in Sacramento, California, to better serve its members and eye doctors with a wide range of products and specialized service. (Today, our lab network includes over 300 facilities nationwide.)

1980s:

With VSP now a national eyecare wellness benefits leader, organizations in many industries, such as education, government, high-tech and banking, quickly see the value of vision care.

1990s:

Vision care benefits grow increasingly popular among employers as they recognize the competitive advantages of providing their employees a complete benefits package. As a result, membership increases 11 times to over 31 million.

1992:

We launch Altaireyewear, a private label frame company that sells its products exclusively to our eye doctors.

1993:

Our headquarters moves once again to our current building in Rancho Cordova, California, near Sacramento.

1997:

The Sight for Students^SM program launches, delivering free eyecare services to thousands of low-income children.

2000s:

VSP launches Eyefinity^®, a separate for-profit company that provides e-commerce solutions to private-practice VSP doctors.

Fortune Magazine lists our company as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” consecutively from 2000 through 2007.

2003:

VSP opens our second high tech optical lab, located outside Columbus, Ohio.

2004:

In December, VSP achieves a gross $2 billion in revenue.

2005:

In September, VSP celebrates our 50th anniversary.

2006:

Fortune Magazine ranks VSP #7 on its list of '100 Best Companies to Work For.' In addition, we begin providing voluntary coverage to many of the more than eight million federal employees and retirees.

2007:

VSP expands its company and network of doctors into Canada. VSP begins also offering a “direct to consumer” comprehensive eyecare plan to those who don’t have access to vision coverage through an employer. In addition, VSP purchases its third optical lab, Legends 4.0^TM, located in Lewisville, Texas.