EDITOR'S LETTER
The More Things Change

By now, you've noticed this issue looks different. It has two covers and, in fact, two issues. Why? Because it's the 20th anniversary of Eyecare Business. And, if you flip the magazine over, you'll see that this really is two issues in one—our traditional March show issue and a special 20th anniversary issue. We hope you'll enjoy both, and have as much fun perusing the pages in the anniversary issue as we did preparing them. In it, we take both a look back and a glimpse ahead.

Speaking of looking back, here's a quote from that first issue in January, 1986, that explains what EB is all about. "Eyecare is still a profession, but now it's a profession and a business. The difference between prospering and just 'getting by' will be determined as much by your expertise in running a business as by your expertise in providing professional services."

When I became editor-in-chief of EB in early 1991, the big challenges facing independents were superstores and one-hour service. In my first editorial, I said, "Tomorrow's marketers won't just fill needs. They'll create them. Look at Post-It-Notes. 3M didn't fill a need. Its sticky squares actually created one. And, in optical, no one knew they needed glasses in an hour until millions of ad dollars told them they did."

The issues change. But the challenges...they remain constant. As I said back in April 1991, "Creating needs. Filling needs. Marketing with a mission. These are just some of the issues today's businesses, optical or otherwise, have to face. Our job? To address the issues. And to give you clear-cut answers as well."

So, cheers. Here's to another 20 terrific years. For us. And for you!

Sincerely,

Stephanie K. De Long
Editor-in-Chief