News

Hot List: June 2009

1 Dora Brings in Dollars

According to the Miami Herald, Hispanic Americans spend double the amount of money on kids' products than other Americans and outspend the rest of the nation on children's clothing. Hispanic characters like Dora the Explorer and Maya and Miguel are driving merchandise sales, so getting on the kids' character bandwagon can be a smart retail move to help ramp up sales of kids' eyecare services and eyewear.

2 PHOTOCHROMICS FOR KIDS
According to the Transitions Healthy Sight Global Survey: ■ 74 percent of parents of children age 17 or younger say they do something to protect their child's eyes from glare ■ Nine percent have children wearing photochromic lenses ECP action plan: Parents may be concerned about their child's ability to care for eyewear properly. Consider offering a no-fault warranty for a small fee.

3 Teen Economics 101

55 percent of teens say they wait for items to go on sale

50 percent are making fewer impulse purchases

42 percent are likely to comparison shop for the best price

—Source: Seventeen magazine Teen Spending and the Recession report

Shamir Optical Names New CEO

Shamir Optical Industry Ltd. announced that is has appointed Amos Netzer as its new CEO, effective July 1, 2009.

He replaces Eyal Hayardeny, who has resigned.

Netzer has served in a variety of positions, including CEO of Spirit Economic Consultants Ltd., as an external director of the Shamir board of directors, as managing director of Palram Industries Ltd., as managing director of SMS, and as president of Suntuf, Inc.

He currently serves as board chairman of Palram Industry Ltd., SZP Ltd., Al Baad Ltd., and as the chairman of the board of directors for Bio Bee Ltd. and Polyrit Ltd.

Santinelli Offers Online Tech Support Videos
Taking advantage of today's Internet technology, Santinelli International now has technical support videos as part of its website's Online Support section. The videos were developed in response to many of the website's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), which originated from client input. The videos supplement the site's written FAQ responses, and enhance the viewer's ability to troubleshoot or resolve technical issues by virtually taking them through a given process. The result is online, "24/7" assistance to reduce lens edger downtime. According to Steve Santinelli, technical communications manager: "The videos are the next best thing to having a technician on-site. In a pretesting phase, we found that many of our clients greatly benefit from visually seeing the answer to an FAQ ‘in motion’. Since written descriptions can be limiting, we're taking advantage of today's video technology to augment the support we provide."

Santinelli Offers Online Tech Support Videos

Taking advantage of today's Internet technology, Santinelli International now has technical support videos as part of its website's Online Support section. The videos were developed in response to many of the website's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), which originated from client input.
The videos supplement the site's written FAQ responses, and enhance the viewer's ability to troubleshoot or resolve technical issues by virtually taking them through a given process. The result is online, "24/7" assistance to reduce lens edger downtime.
According to Steve Santinelli, technical communications manager: "The videos are the next best thing to having a technician on-site. In a pretesting phase, we found that many of our clients greatly benefit from visually seeing the answer to an FAQ ‘in motion’. Since written descriptions can be limiting, we're taking advantage of today's video technology to augment the support we provide."

B&L Appoints New Global Vision Care and North American Vision Care Presidents

Bausch & Lomb has named Peter Valenti III (shown in photo) as corporate vice president and global president, Vision Care. He joined B&L in January 2009 as president, North America, Vision Care. Before being named to that role, he served as vice president and general manager, Surgical Devices (U.S.) for Covidien. Prior, he spent 12 years with Johnson & Johnson in a variety of U.S. and international roles across consumer, pharmaceutical, and device businesses.

Valenti replaces Stuart Heap, who has left B&L for personal reasons but remains an active advisor to the company.

In conjunction with the transition, B&L has named Steven F. Robins as president, North America, Vision Care. He joins B&L with approximately two decades of consumer healthcare experience, including with Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Warner Lambert. Most recently he was general manager, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Healthcare Canada, and vice president of the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Group.

Luxottica Promotes Verdun
Luxottica Group announced the appointment of Vittorio Verdun to the position of senior vice president-sales, wholesale North America. He will be responsible for managing the sales teams for all of the company's channels of trade, including independents, department stores, and key accounts. Verdun will continue to report to Pierre Fay, executive vice president, wholesale NA, Luxottica. "Vittorio's in-depth experience with Luxottica's exciting world of marketing and sales makes him the ideal choice to guide the sales group and create the ‘success tools’ for our wholesale partners," said Fay. Vittorio's successor to vice president-marketing is Victor Melendez, who will assume marketing responsibility for Luxottica's expanding brand portfolio.

Luxottica Promotes Verdun

Luxottica Group announced the appointment of Vittorio Verdun to the position of senior vice president-sales, wholesale North America. He will be responsible for managing the sales teams for all of the company's channels of trade, including independents, department stores, and key accounts. Verdun will continue to report to Pierre Fay, executive vice president, wholesale NA, Luxottica.
"Vittorio's in-depth experience with Luxottica's exciting world of marketing and sales makes him the ideal choice to guide the sales group and create the ‘success tools’ for our wholesale partners," said Fay.
Vittorio's successor to vice president-marketing is Victor Melendez, who will assume marketing responsibility for Luxottica's expanding brand portfolio.

REM EYEWEAR RETOOLS
Fifty-five-year-old REM Eyewear has announced the appointment of a new president and change in creative leadership. "With economies in turmoil we are creating a superior infrastructure for the times," explains Mike Hundert, who owns REM with his sister Donna Gindy. Industry veteran Steve Horowitz has been named REM president. Horowitz, 56, has been REM's executive vice president since joining the company in 1995. Hundert retains the CEO role and will focus on steering REM's global aspirations and strategy, including the pursuit of mergers and acquisitions. He will also continue to drive the overall corporate vision. Nicolas Roseillier has been named creative director. Roseillier will oversee the product design and development of all REM brands as well as the company's luxury division, Base Curve. Roseillier was most recently Creative Director at MODO Eyewear where he spent over three years designing collections including CFDA accessory award winner Derek Lam and 3.1 Phillip Lim. In addition to his design duties, Roseillier also undertook a major rebranding effort as well as the realization of the brand's first retail store in New York City.

REM EYEWEAR RETOOLS

Fifty-five-year-old REM Eyewear has announced the appointment of a new president and change in creative leadership. "With economies in turmoil we are creating a superior infrastructure for the times," explains Mike Hundert, who owns REM with his sister Donna Gindy.
Industry veteran Steve Horowitz has been named REM president. Horowitz, 56, has been REM's executive vice president since joining the company in 1995.
Hundert retains the CEO role and will focus on steering REM's global aspirations and strategy, including the pursuit of mergers and acquisitions. He will also continue to drive the overall corporate vision.
Nicolas Roseillier has been named creative director. Roseillier will oversee the product design and development of all REM brands as well as the company's luxury division, Base Curve. Roseillier was most recently Creative Director at MODO Eyewear where he spent over three years designing collections including CFDA accessory award winner Derek Lam and 3.1 Phillip Lim. In addition to his design duties, Roseillier also undertook a major rebranding effort as well as the realization of the brand's first retail store in New York City.

License Lineup

Luxury denim brand 7 For All Mankind has signed an agreement with Modo as the exclusive global eyewear licensee for the brand. The agreement goes into effect September 1, 2009.

An eyewear launch is planned for the Holiday/Resort 2009/2010 selling season with product hitting stores in mid-October. The line will include men's, women's, and children's optical eyewear, sunglasses, and eyeglass cases, and will be sold at top specialty boutiques and luxury department stores in addition to the brand's own retail locations. 7 For All Mankind eyewear will also be sold in select optical stores worldwide.

Test Your Mettle!
OPTOMETRY Q. A 3.00 D hyperope with spherical corneas is fit 0.50 D flatter than K. What RGP contact lens power is required? OPTICIANRY Q. If B = 44, then what is the bifocal height if the segment is to be set 3 below? For the answers, go to FYI at the end

Visioneering Technologies Achieves Funding for Unique Presbyopia Solutions

Visioneering Technologies, Inc. (VTI), a startup company with breakthrough technology for correcting presbyopia through contact lenses and other on-eye and in-eye applications, has closed its Series B round of financing led by MB Ventures of Memphis, Tenn. Raising $5 million dollars to date, VTI has Charter Life Sciences, Life Sciences, and the State of Georgia through its ATDC Seed Fund as investment partners.

"VTI's initial play into the marketplace will be the contact lens category, where solutions for presbyopia have fallen short of consumer expectations," commented Joe DeLapp, VTI's president and CEO. "With the aging demographics of the population, VTI's solution for presbyopia provides an enormous market opportunity."

VTI's patented approach to vision correction utilizes induced aperture optics to improve the optical efficiency of the eye's visual system. Applications include contacts, LASIK, intraocular lenses, and corneal inlays.

Silmo 2009
Silmo is already gearing up for this year's show. Here's a short preview of what to expect at the show in September. ■ The Silmo d'Or Awards, which celebrate innovation, aesthetic appeal, and creativity from the top companies and brands across the globe. ■ The founding of the Village, a unique exhibition area showcasing creative brands and new companies in the sector. ■ A stand dedicated to low vision, giving ECPs the chance to better understand visual deficiencies via a multi-sensory pathway. This year's Silmo will also integrate ethical and ecological norms into the organization and planning of the event via waste sorting, energy efficient lighting, and more. INFO: www.silmo.fr

Silmo 2009

Silmo is already gearing up for this year's show. Here's a short preview of what to expect at the show in September.
■ The Silmo d'Or Awards, which celebrate innovation, aesthetic appeal, and creativity from the top companies and brands across the globe.
■ The founding of the Village, a unique exhibition area showcasing creative brands and new companies in the sector.
■ A stand dedicated to low vision, giving ECPs the chance to better understand visual deficiencies via a multi-sensory pathway.
This year's Silmo will also integrate ethical and ecological norms into the organization and planning of the event via waste sorting, energy efficient lighting, and more.
INFO: www.silmo.fr

SIGNET ARMORLITE DEVELOPS Anti-Fatigue Lens Technology
Signet Armorlite held a press event on May 28, 2009 to introduce the company's new Kodak Lenses with Anti-Fatigue Progressive Technology. The lenses are designed to aid presbyopic patients who experience excessive eyestrain and eye fatigue when performing lengthy near-viewing tasks, incorporating base-in prism into the reading area of a PAL lens. The event, held at celebrity chef Bobby Flay's Bar Americain restaurant in New York City, featured presentations by Signet Armorlite's Ed DeRosa and Jeffrey Krall, OD, who developed the patented concept. A study conducted at the Illinois College of Optometry, led by Bruce Teitelbaum, OD, and Yi Pang, PhD, OD, found PALs fabricated by Signet Armorlite with base-in prism in the near-viewing area have a statistically significant effect in alleviating eyestrain and fatigue. The technical and production expertise of lens designers at Crossbows Optical, Ltd., a Signet Armorlite affiliate in Northern Ireland, computerized the technology that has been integrated with Signet Armorlite's PAL designs, including Kodak Unique, Kodak Precise, Kodak Precise Short, and Kodak Concise PALs. The lenses are available from wholesale labs and produced by Signatek, Signet Armorlite's state-of-the-art surfacing lab located in San Marcos, Calif.

SIGNET ARMORLITE DEVELOPS Anti-Fatigue Lens Technology

Signet Armorlite held a press event on May 28, 2009 to introduce the company's new Kodak Lenses with Anti-Fatigue Progressive Technology. The lenses are designed to aid presbyopic patients who experience excessive eyestrain and eye fatigue when performing lengthy near-viewing tasks, incorporating base-in prism into the reading area of a PAL lens.
The event, held at celebrity chef Bobby Flay's Bar Americain restaurant in New York City, featured presentations by Signet Armorlite's Ed DeRosa and Jeffrey Krall, OD, who developed the patented concept. A study conducted at the Illinois College of Optometry, led by Bruce Teitelbaum, OD, and Yi Pang, PhD, OD, found PALs fabricated by Signet Armorlite with base-in prism in the near-viewing area have a statistically significant effect in alleviating eyestrain and fatigue.
The technical and production expertise of lens designers at Crossbows Optical, Ltd., a Signet Armorlite affiliate in Northern Ireland, computerized the technology that has been integrated with Signet Armorlite's PAL designs, including Kodak Unique, Kodak Precise, Kodak Precise Short, and Kodak Concise PALs. The lenses are available from wholesale labs and produced by Signatek, Signet Armorlite's state-of-the-art surfacing lab located in San Marcos, Calif.

Soltis Wins 2009 Pleiades Award

Rene Soltis, FNAO, director of training and education for The Vision Council, is the recipient of the 10th annual Pleiades Award, which was presented by the Optical Women's Association (OWA) at a special event held during Vision Expo East.

Soltis is a dispensing optician with over 32 years of industry experience. She has developed and implemented numerous education and practice building programs for eyecare professionals, retailers, suppliers, and HMOs.

Soltis also serves as the liaison to the Conference Advisory Board of International Vision Expos and lectures extensively at the national and international level. She is a featured author and has conducted numerous interviews on eyecare, eyewear, and eye health issues with leading consumer publications such as: Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, "O," and Parenting, just to name a few. As an industry spokesperson, she conducts media interviews and has appeared on several live TV network news shows, including CBS morning shows, the "Today Show," and the "Early Show." In 2004, Soltis was named one of the "50 Most Influential Women in Optical."

The Pleiades Award spotlights an individual who has shown commitment to the mission of the OWA by fostering the growth of women in the industry.

VSP Study: Annual Eye Exams save nearly $3 billion
According to a new study conducted by Human Capital Management Services, Inc., VSP Vision Care helps save its customers nearly $3 billion annually on healthcare costs associated with the treatment of chronic diseases detectable via an eye examination. The study analyzed costs for five major U.S. corporations with a total of 90,000 employees and found that the early disease detection from VSP Vision Care's regular comprehensive eye exams saved companies and their employees money and valuable time. Companies save nearly $2,900 annually on medically related costs for each employee with diabetes when the disease is detected early. "The data shows vision care benefits help lower corporate providers' long-term healthcare liabilities," said Rob Lynch, VSP's CEO. "Study data on the VSP Eye Health Management Program found that every dollar spent on VSP exam services resulted in a $0.94 recuperations of medical related costs that could be avoided." Large VSP clients could save nearly $423 million annually in potential cost avoidance due to early detection through VSP's Eye Health Management Program. Other findings show that of the 3.6 million VSP Vision Care members living with diabetes and hypertension who had an eye exam last year, over 25 percent received early treatment for their chronic disease as a result of their VSP eye doctor. When the findings of the study are applied to VSP's entire membership of 55,000,000 over a one year time period, results show that: Of 1,457,500 people with diabetes, 20 percent received early treatment as a result of their eye exam. Of 2,186,250 people with hypertension, 30 percent received early treatment as a result of their eye exam. When the findings of the study are applied to the past three years for each of the five participating VSP Vision Care corporate clients, the results show that nearly 2,000 members received early treatment for diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension as a result of their annual eye exams. Each of the five companies realized cost savings of at least $204,000 and as much as $968,000.

VSP Study: Annual Eye Exams save nearly $3 billion

According to a new study conducted by Human Capital Management Services, Inc., VSP Vision Care helps save its customers nearly $3 billion annually on healthcare costs associated with the treatment of chronic diseases detectable via an eye examination.
The study analyzed costs for five major U.S. corporations with a total of 90,000 employees and found that the early disease detection from VSP Vision Care's regular comprehensive eye exams saved companies and their employees money and valuable time. Companies save nearly $2,900 annually on medically related costs for each employee with diabetes when the disease is detected early.
"The data shows vision care benefits help lower corporate providers' long-term healthcare liabilities," said Rob Lynch, VSP's CEO. "Study data on the VSP Eye Health Management Program found that every dollar spent on VSP exam services resulted in a $0.94 recuperations of medical related costs that could be avoided."
Large VSP clients could save nearly $423 million annually in potential cost avoidance due to early detection through VSP's Eye Health Management Program.
Other findings show that of the 3.6 million VSP Vision Care members living with diabetes and hypertension who had an eye exam last year, over 25 percent received early treatment for their chronic disease as a result of their VSP eye doctor.
When the findings of the study are applied to VSP's entire membership of 55,000,000 over a one year time period, results show that: Of 1,457,500 people with diabetes, 20 percent received early treatment as a result of their eye exam.
Of 2,186,250 people with hypertension, 30 percent received early treatment as a result of their eye exam.
When the findings of the study are applied to the past three years for each of the five participating VSP Vision Care corporate clients, the results show that nearly 2,000 members received early treatment for diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension as a result of their annual eye exams. Each of the five companies realized cost savings of at least $204,000 and as much as $968,000.

Women and Minorities Optical Association Forms

The Women and Minorities Optical Association (WAMOA) formed in March with the intention of improving opportunities for women and minorities in the optical industry.

"WAMOA was formed with the idea of ‘each one teach one,’ so less visible members of the industry can have an opportunity to share experiences," says Wendy Schneider, sales manager of OptiSource International and WAMOA leader. "Women and minority members of the optical industry who have achieved career success can now assist others who are just starting out or who have encountered obstacles to moving ahead," explains Schneider.

WAMOA also supports the goal of eyecare for all, and recently awarded Dee Schmidt, an optician at Myoptix Fashion Eyewear in Wichita, Kan., $250 for her role in getting a new eyeglass frame and free eye exam for a crime victim. In addition, WAMOA plans to offer scholarships for optometric and opticianry students in the future.

Summer Golf Tourneys Benefit Optical Industry

The Cadillac Invitational, benefiting the Essilor Vision Foundation, will be held Monday, June 22, 2009, at the Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, N.Y. This year's honoree is Mike Daley, ex-Essilor of America president and current chairman of The Vision Council.

Sponsorship packages are available: Corporate golf reservations are $2,400 including four golf reservations and amenities; a Players Package at $1,200 includes two golf reservations and amenities; Individual Golf Packages for $525 offer one golf reservation, one brunch, and one dinner reservation. Dinner participation is $150 for the cocktail hour and dinner reservation only. Various other sponsorships and contribution opportunities are also available. To register online, visit www.essilorvisionfoundation.org or call Marina Patino at 214-496-4217.

Registration and brunch begin at 9:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. Evening festivities start at 5:00 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeurves, followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. with a silent auction and awards presentation.

All proceeds benefit the Adopt-a-School program in New York. Transitions Optical, Inc., is a major underwriting sponsor.

In other golf news, Lighthouse International is sponsoring its seventh annual Golf Classic and Dinner on June 23 at the Old Oaks Country Club in Purchase, N.Y. The event will honor former NFL star and Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett. There will also be a raffle and silent auction for prizes that include athletic equipment clothing, travel, and more.

The Classic will support Lighthouse International's mission of "fighting vision loss through prevention, treatment, and empowerment." For information about golf and/or dinner, as well as raffle tickets, call 212-821-9428.

Web World

Tura recently announced the launch of its new website, still located at www.tura.com (top photo). The site has been redesigned with a new look and more functionalities. It now offers easy site navigation, a catalog with new releases, order placement and tracking, a section for comments and inquiries, promotion sign-up, and will soon include an account management tool with bill pay feature.

ProDesign Denmark announced the opening of its online Web shop at www.prodesigndenmark.com (bottom photo). Users can easily order frames, select spare parts, and see stock details, delivery times, and prices.

VISTAKON, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., recently announced the launch of its new "Office Readiness" online staff training program at www.jnjvisioncare.com/training. The program is designed to help practitioners and their staffs quickly integrate new ACUVUE products, services, and tools into the office. Current course topics range from improving patient satisfaction to how to talk to children and their parents about contact lenses.

The Contact Lens and Cornea Section (CLCS) of the American Optometric Association (AOA) is offering free online continuing education courses to optometrists. The site, AOA CE Online, features Web video content in an easy-to-use, interactive format. Four courses are currently available at www.aoa.org/x6595.xml. All courses are COPE approved.

On the Town

From April 14 through April 27, Jee Vice celebrated "The Reflection of a Woman's Soul" with a provocative display in one of Henri Bendel's famed Fifth Avenue windows (photo 1). The department store also played host to an in-store Jee Vice Boutique, where shoppers perused the collection's designs.

Nanofilm realized that transforming a home is hot work that can fog safety glasses, so it provided its Clarity Defog It towelettes to the crew of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (photo 2).

Vision-Ease Lens (VEL) held its Latin America/Caribbean Customer Appreciation Dinner on March 28 (photo 3). The company presented its Vision-Ease Lens Awards (VELA) to 17 recipients, including retailers, distributors, and labs, in recognition of their leadership and contribution to the Latin American optical industry. Tony Brea, VEL director, Latin America; Alejandro Lopez, VEL Central America/Caribbean regional manager; Doug Hepper, CEO and president; and Scott Schaller, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, recognized the VELA winners.

This year marks 10 years of Sama Eyewear as a company and Sheila Vance's 20th year as a designer. In 1999, Vance launched Sama Eyewear as a creative outlet, as well as a means to raise awareness and funding for the fight against drug abuse in children. Sama's first collection for summer 1999 gained international acclaim within the eyewear industry.

STAR Gazers
1. Ever-popular Hollywood socialite and fashionista Paris Hilton modeled one of the latest Jee Vice styles, Egoist JVG, during a recent shopping spree at Intuition in Los Angeles. 2. Comedian and actor Jamie Foxx, who costarred with Robert Downey Jr. in the recent movie "The Soloist," sported Carrera Safari sunglasses by Safilo during a recent guest performance on "American Idol." 3. "American Idol" finalists Adam Lambert and 4. Kris Allen squared off in the show's season finale last month, with underdog Allen taking home the coveted title. Here, Lambert dons Karl Lagerfeld style KL635S and Allen tries on Fendi style FS5038M, both from Marchon.

STAR Gazers

1. Ever-popular Hollywood socialite and fashionista Paris Hilton modeled one of the latest Jee Vice styles, Egoist JVG, during a recent shopping spree at Intuition in Los Angeles.

2. Comedian and actor Jamie Foxx, who costarred with Robert Downey Jr. in the recent movie "The Soloist," sported Carrera Safari sunglasses by Safilo during a recent guest performance on "American Idol."

3. "American Idol" finalists Adam Lambert and
4. Kris Allen squared off in the show's season finale last month, with underdog Allen taking home the coveted title. Here, Lambert dons Karl Lagerfeld style KL635S and Allen tries on Fendi style FS5038M, both from Marchon.

Test Your Mettle ANSWERS
Thanks to Essilor's Optometry Super Bowl and the NFOS, sponsor of the College Bowl, for these questions and answers. Optometry Answer: +3.50 D Opticianry Answer: 19

PentaVision

Eyecare Business

Hot List: June 2009

1 Dora Brings in Dollars

3 Teen Economics 101

Shamir Optical Names New CEO

B&L Appoints New Global Vision Care and North American Vision Care Presidents

License Lineup

Visioneering Technologies Achieves Funding for Unique Presbyopia Solutions

Soltis Wins 2009 Pleiades Award

Women and Minorities Optical Association Forms

Summer Golf Tourneys Benefit Optical Industry

Web World

On the Town

Recommendations

What to Read Next

PentaVision

Eyecare Business

News

Hot List: June 2009

1 Dora Brings in Dollars

3 Teen Economics 101

Shamir Optical Names New CEO

B&L Appoints New Global Vision Care and North American Vision Care Presidents

License Lineup

Visioneering Technologies Achieves Funding for Unique Presbyopia Solutions

Soltis Wins 2009 Pleiades Award

Women and Minorities Optical Association Forms

Summer Golf Tourneys Benefit Optical Industry

Web World

On the Town

Recommendations

What to Read Next

Buyer’s Forum

Buyer’s Guide

Editor’s Letter

First Person