FYI

News bits from the industry

PEOPLE

Vistakon has has named Giovanna E. Olivares, OD, FAAO, director of Professional Education, and Carol Lakkis, PhD, clinical research fellow, Contact Lens Products. Elizabeth Lomond has joined the product development team at Focus Group West. Lomond brings more than a decade of experience in product development as well as eyewear design to her new role. HOYA Vision Care, North America has expanded the staff of HOYA Optical Labs of America (HOLA) with the addition of Teri Fittz, director of Business Development, responsible for new account acquisitions through regional and national initiatives; Laurie Taisey, Northwest marketing manager; and Carolyn Gongwer, East marketing manager.

Top to bottom: Carol Lakkis, PhD, Vistakon; Elizabeth Lomand, Focus Group West

AWARDS

The American Optometric Association (AOA) presented its annual awards to five recipients. They are: James Sandefur OD, of Oakdale, La., Distinguished Service Award; Randall Reichle, OD, of Bellaire, Texas, Optometrist of the Year; Sarah Marossy, OD, of Post Falls, Idaho, Young Optometrist of the Year; Tom Sullivan of Fountain Valley, Calif., Apollo Award; and Lynn Konkel, CPOT, of Madison, Wis., Paraoptometric of the Year Award. Additionally, the AOA honored Jeffrey Anastasio, OD, of Covington, La., with the Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr., InfantSEE Award.

Seiko Optical Products has announced the winners of the 2010 Free-Form Stimulus Promotion. They are Kevork Tinkjian of Custom Eyes in Cambridge, Mass.; Cindy Biancamano of Optics Unlimited in Groton, Conn.; and Cody Freeman of Lovejoy Opticians in Portland, Ore.

Optometrist John Loesch of Dayton, Ohio, and his staff have earned the Highest Transitions Growth Award for their increase in sales of Transitions lenses in the three months following their participation in the Academy for Eyecare Practices.

BUSINESS UPDATES

Luxottica presented "A Work of Persol," a 17-piece art collection, and "Art in Process: A Work of Persol," a limited-edition book, both paying homage to the Persol eyewear brand, at Art Basel 2010.

The Pediatric Cataract Initiative is now accepting applicants for its inaugural single small research grant. A grant of $75,000 will be awarded to a qualified individual, institution, or organization investigating the causes of pediatric cataract and/or improved treatment tools and protocols. The deadline is Nov. 15, 2010. Info: pediatriccataract.org.

Luxottica's "A Work of Persol" limited-edition book

ClearVision Optical has extended its business hours to 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Thursday, and to 7 p.m. on Fridays.

L'Amy America has been acquired by the France-based TWC Group. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

GOOD DEEDS

Robertson Optical Laboratories provided vision screenings and eyeglass fittings to uninsured persons at SC Mission 2010, an annual health fair held in South Carolina.

Chip Robertson of Robertson Optical Laboratories fits a participant for eyeglasses at SC Mission 2010