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FYI
By Lindsey Aspinall

Shamir presented Opti-Matrix, Inc., with the Lab of the Year award. Pictured from left to right: Carmen Renschler, Greg Naes, Carolyn Decker, Hilaire van der Veen, and Raanan Naftalovich

PEOPLE

Krish Rao, PhD, recently joined the Nanofilm team as the director of research and development/commercialization. Rao brings 30 years of experience in new product development and commercialization in the fibers, plastics, and film industries, for diverse end-use markets including aerospace, automotive, power tools, and construction.

BUSINESS UPDATES

The American Optometric Association (AOA) has bestowed the AOA Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbing Contact Lenses. Acuvue Advance with Hydraclear, Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, and Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear from Vistakon, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., were awarded the seal after an independent evaluation by the AOA's Commission on Ophthalmic Standards.

In other news from Vistakon, the "Click-to-be-Contacted" program, that was nationally launched over the summer is a response to research revealing that nearly 64 percent of consumers interested in eye exams do not schedule them. When consumers visit the Acuvue Website, they have the opportunity for a free trial offer, which will then provide them with a list of area doctors. Consumers can fill out an information page, which is sent to the doctor's office. ECPs wishing to be a part of this program should visit www.ecp.acuvue.com.

U.S. Congressman Vito Fossella with lead sponsors Reps. Eliot Engel, Gene Green, and John Sullivan introduced the "Kids Vision Care Act of 2006," to increase the number of children who receive vision care. If enacted, the bill would allocate funds for states to treat vision problems in children, as well as to educate residents about healthy vision. The legislation, which is supported by the alliance of the Vision Council of America (VCA), American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American Optometric Association, and Prevent Blindness America, focuses on providing children the follow-up care needed after being identified by a vision screening or comprehensive eye exam.

Transitions Optical, Inc., has reached out to human resources managers attending the Benefits Management Forum and Expo held in Chicago. Through pre-show advertising and its "Healthy Sight for a Healthy Life" trade show booth, Transitions encouraged HR professionals to consider the importance of quality vision care and vision wear.

Top: Essilor Reception Area at the Illinois College of Optometry. Above: A photograph from the Special Olympics calendar

AWARDS

Shamir Insight, Inc., recognized its leading clients and employees at its annual customer appreciation party in Las Vegas. Each year, the company acknowledges four clients in four different categories. Shamir named Livermore Optometric of Livermore, Calif., the Shamir ECP of the Year. Dr. Steven Faith accepted the award on behalf of the practice. Honored as Lab Consultant of the Year was Dottie Byus of Encore Optics, Inc., South Windsor, Conn., while Dong K. Kim, group president/CEO, accepted the award for Emerging Lab of the Year on behalf of CSC Group. The award for Lab of the Year, went to Opti-Matrix, Inc., Huntsville, Ala. Carolyn Decker, president/owner and Greg Naes, vice president of sales, accepted the award.

GOOD DEEDS

Essilor of America has offered to donate 9,000 pairs of customized eyewear over the next three years in support of the Illinois Eye Institute. The donated glasses will be prescribed by the Illinois College of Optometry faculty for patients served through its charitable activities in the Chicago area. The college has named the Institute's patient reception area in honor of Essilor.

Sàfilo has announced a project, which was unveiled at the 2006 Special Olympics European Youth Games held in Rome. The company presented photographs commissioned for the Sàfilo Special Olympics 2007 Calendar. The pages of the calendar feature athletes of the Special Olympics competing alongside sports heroes. The calendar will enable others to give support to the Games. Included inside the calendar is a postal order, which can be used to make a voluntary donation at any time throughout the year. Proceeds will go to the Special Olympics 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai.

SAVE THE DATE

► Dec. 6, 2006. Lighthouse International "Low Vision Management of AMD: A Practical Approach," Denver. For more information, visit the Website www.lighthouse.org/ce.

► Dec. 7-10, 2006. American Academy of Optometry at the Denver Convention Center in Colorado. For information, visit www.aaopt.org.

► Dec. 13, 2006. Eschenbach's seminar, "Low Vision Care...What's It All About?" in San Antonio, Texas, an introductory, hands-on workshop and lecture designed for those interested in the field of low vision. For more information, call 800-487-5389.

► Jan. 26-27, 2007. Opticians Association of America Leadership Conference in Saint Petersburg, Fla. For more information on the
conference, visit the Website www.oaa.org. For room reservations, call the Heritage Hotel at 727-822-4814.

► Feb. 21-25, 2007. SECO International at the Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel in Atlanta. For more information, visit the Website www.secointernational1.com.

► March 23-25, 2007. International Vision Expo East at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. For more information, visit the Website www.visionexpoeast.com.

► May 10-12, 2007. Midwest Vision Congress and Expo at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. For more information, visit the Website .

► Sept. 29, 2007. National Opticians Convention in Spokane, Wash., at the Red Lion Hotel. For more information, contact Catherine Langley from OAA at 703-437-8780 or clangley@oaa.org.

► Oct. 4-6, 2007. International Vision Expo West at The Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. For more information, visit the Website www.visionexpowest.com.