EDITOR'S LETTER
Tell Me why...
Stephanie K. De Long

It's mid-August. And, last night, I flew into Philly to ship the issue you're holding in your hands.

When I changed planes, the concourse was filled with kids going to summer camp, including a group of girls singing my least favorite camp song, "Tell Me Why." It took me back to my own days at camp, where, instead of singing along, I'd make up my own I-just-don't-get-this endings to, "Tell me why the skies are blue. Tell me why..."

As I heard these kids, I started adding new lines to their tune. Since I still can't get it out of my head, here are a few what-I-don't–understand-about-optical endings.

TELL ME WHY:

...our industry uses the term anti-reflective, or anti anything, really. Doesn't that put a negative spin on a terrifically positive product?

... doctors aren't stripped of their stripes for telling low vision patients, "There's nothing more that can be done."

... we promote impact-resistant lenses, and then house them in everyday eyewear.

... optical advertises buy-one-get-one and then wonders why consumers don't see the intrinsic value in glasses.

... employers who complain about poorly trained dispensers won't send them to educational events like this month's Int'l Vision Expo West.

Speaking of Expo, Amy, Karlen, and I hope you'll stop by our booth (3109) to say hi. And, feel free to add a few camp-song verses of your own.

Sincerely,

Stephanie K. De Long
Editor-in-Chief

P.S. Turn to page 80 for our 8th annual Focus on Low Vision supplement.