Sacramento CA, September 7, 2005 — Vision Service Plan (VSP), the nation's largest eyecare benefits provider, is teaming up with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to sponsor a national award to encourage the teaching of eye health and vision in K-8 science classrooms around the country.

The $5,500 prize for the VSP Science of Vision award will be given to the winning school and science teacher, and the teacher will be recognized at the annual NSTA Awards Banquet in April 2006. The school will receive $3,000 of the award to further encourage the study of vision science and eye health.

"85 percent of what children learn is through their eyes, yet fewer than one in three children gets a complete eye exam before starting school," says VSP Vice President of Marketing Kate Renwick-Espinosa. "By encouraging innovative eye health programs for school-age children, we have an opportunity to impact future behavior."

Deadline to submit a nomination is October 15, 2005. The NSTA Awards and Recognition Committee will coordinate the review and selection of awardees.

Through efforts like the science award, VSP aims to help raise awareness of the importance of vision and the need for regular eyecare. Winning programs will also serve as models for other educators to duplicate in their classroom.

For more information about the award program, visit www.nsta.org/awards.

About VSP
VSP provides eyecare benefit plans that range from comprehensive eye examinations and materials to complete medical and surgical eyecare. With more than 41 million members nationwide, one in eight people in the United States relies on VSP for eyecare health coverage. VSP's Sight for Students program has helped more than 250,000 low-income/uninsured children receive free eyecare services since its inception in 1997. VSP, a company with over $2 billion in annual gross revenue, has been recognized by Fortune Magazine for the sixth consecutive year as one of best places to work in America. For more information, visit us online at www.vsp.com.

* The American Optometric Association

###