FYI

Alicia Isenberg

AWARDS

Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., has announced the recipients of the Vistakon Ezell Fellowship program and the AOF-Vistakon Research grants. Fellowship recipients are: Nicole Putnam, MS, and Johanna Tukler-Henricksson, BS. Research grantees include: Loretta Szczotka-Flynn, OD, PhD, and Ilene Gipson,PhD; Alex Hui, OD, and David McCanna, BSc, PhD.

The American Optometric Association (AOA), the AOA Foundation, and Optometry Cares have named the recipients of the Healthy Eyes Healthy People state grant program. The recipients include optometrists Chris J. Babin,W. Lee Ball, LeeAnn Barrett, Mark Curtis, Keshia Elder, Jill Gonder, John R. Hayes, Denmark R. Jensen, Alissa Johnson, Jessica Miller, Joyce Nations, Joan Portello, Lawrence A. Ragone, Rina Salazar, Janene Sims, Heidi Sutter, Patricia Westfall-Elsberry, Kenny Wyatt, and Jasmine Yumori.

The Wiley X team of NASCAR drivers occupied five of the top 12 spots in the 2010 Sprint Cup standings. Denny Hamlin held the number-two spot, followed by Kevin Harvick in third place. Fellow teammates Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, and Greg Biffle ranked sixth, 10th, and 11th, respectively.

Transitions Optical, Inc., is accepting nominations for its 2011 scholarship program. Optometry, opticianry, and paraoptometric students from across North America can submit projects demonstrating their multicultural vision. Applications must be postmarked by March 10, 2011. Visit the scholarship section of Transitions.com/Pro for entry instructions and additional details.

American skier Lindsey Vonn joins the Oakley global women's eyewear team

BUSINESS UPDATES

ABB CONCISE has acquired the soft contact lens distribution business of X-Cel Contacts, a Walman Company, now offering X-Cel customers access to ABB's $38 million inventory of soft contact lenses and an array of other services.

Marchon Eyewear, Inc., has established new international offices in Lisbon, Portual, which will serve as a base of operations for sales and marketing and will include a customer service team, finance, and dedicated showroom for the Portuguese market.

Arizona-based eyewear display manufacturer Bright Display, Inc., celebrated its milestone 25th year in business with an intimate dinner for staff and supporters at Vision Expo West.

American skier and Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn has pledged her allegiance to the Oakley, Inc., brand and joined the company's global women's eyewear team. Vonn has committed to be a member of the Oakley family through the 2014 Winter Olympics and beyond.

In September, more than 210 participants from 13 countries representing the optical arm of the International Standards Organization (ISO) met in Las Vegas to discuss new standards for spectacle frames and lenses, ophthalmic instruments, contact lenses, and ophthalmic implants.

Attendees gathered in Las Vegas, Nev., for the ISO meeting

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z80 Accredited Standards Committee for Ophthalmic Optics has announced a new standard for toric interocular lenses (IOLs). The new ANSI Z80.3 standard for toric IOLs can be purchased at webstore.ansi.org.

Eyes of Faith Optical made a splash at the Christian Music Broadcasters' Convention in Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

The eyewear company donates 10 percent of its gross sales each year to children's charities, and through RestoringVision.org, donates one pair of glasses to mission groups for every frame purchased.

Pro Fit Optix announces the release of OptixCalc, a new version of its Free-Form Software for calculation of backside PALs. The company will market and support this new generation software for free-form production of single vision, wraps, and progressive and degressive lenses worldwide.

GOOD DEEDS

Over the holiday season, Pearle Vision partnered with OneSight, a family of charitable programs dedicated to preserving and restoring vision to those in need. Throughout the month of December, Pearle Vision invited consumers to donate their gently used glasses and help raise money by “Liking” the company's Facebook page. For every “Like,” Pearle Vision pledged a $1 donation to OneSight's Regional and Global Eye Care Clinics and local community programs.

An AO tribute sculpture has been unveiled in Southbridge, Mass. Located in the town common, the one-ton pair of eyeglasses stands 19 feet high and 7 feet wide. Michael Saari, the sculpture's creator, used laser cutting and other traditional techniques to erect the eye-catching work of art.

AO unveils a new tribute sculpture in Southbridge, Mass.

PEOPLE
Bausch + Lomb has named Charl van Zyl as corporate vice president and commercial leader, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). In his new role, van Zyl will lead the company's cross-functional, multi-market EMEA operations team and have direct commercial responsibility for the company's emerging markets in the region. Prevent Blindness America (PBA) leaders have taken on key roles with the American Public Health Association (APHA). Melvin D. Shipp, OD, dean of The Ohio State University College of Optometry and PBA national board member, has been named APHA's president-elect. Jeff Todd, chief operating officer of PBA, is chair-elect of APHA's Vision Care Section. PBA has also elected Sandra S. Block, OD, Tracy L. Dieterich, and Michael R. Pender to its national board of directors. Paul du Saillant and Laurent Vacherot have been appointed chief operating officers of Essilor. In charge of research and development and quality, du Saillant is head of the Europe region. He will also be responsible for global operations. Vacherot oversees corporate finance and heads information systems and technology and investor relations. The Latin America region is also placed under Vacherot's supervision. The equipment and instrument divisions will also be added to his remit during the first half of 2011. Hoya Vision Care of North America has promoted Brad Main, FNAO, to director of training and technical resources. Main joined Hoya in 2001 and previously served as national training manager.	Charl van Zyl, Bausch + Lomb Sandra S. Block, Tracy L. Dieterich, and Michael R. Pender, Prevent Blindness America Brad Main, Hoya Vision Care North America

PEOPLE

Bausch + Lomb has named Charl van Zyl as corporate vice president and commercial leader, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). In his new role, van Zyl will lead the company's cross-functional, multi-market EMEA operations team and have direct commercial responsibility for the company's emerging markets in the region.

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) leaders have taken on key roles with the American Public Health Association (APHA). Melvin D. Shipp, OD, dean of The Ohio State University College of Optometry and PBA national board member, has been named APHA's president-elect. Jeff Todd, chief operating officer of PBA, is chair-elect of APHA's Vision Care Section. PBA has also elected Sandra S. Block, OD, Tracy L. Dieterich, and Michael R. Pender to its national board of directors.

Paul du Saillant and Laurent Vacherot have been appointed chief operating officers of Essilor. In charge of research and development and quality, du Saillant is head of the Europe region. He will also be responsible for global operations. Vacherot oversees corporate finance and heads information systems and technology and investor relations. The Latin America region is also placed under Vacherot's supervision. The equipment and instrument divisions will also be added to his remit during the first half of 2011.

Hoya Vision Care of North America has promoted Brad Main, FNAO, to director of training and technical resources. Main joined Hoya in 2001 and previously served as national training manager.