Recent research by VSP Vision Care revealed that 33 percent of VSP eye doctors reported that nearly one third or more of their patients suffer from symptoms of computer vision syndrome or digital device-related vision problems. The most common symptoms include the following:
Eye strain 82%
Dry or irritated eyes 74%
Fatigue 70%
Headaches 61%
2 Potential Patients
The Vision Council’s “Screens, Phones, Tablets and More: Keeping Your Eyes Safe in a Digital Age” report states that digital eye strain is the most common computer-related repetitive strain injury, surpassing both carpal tunnel and tendonitis. However, only 23 percent of adults are aware that special eyewear exists that can help reduce symptoms.
3 STYLE OVER COMFORT
It pays to look good. According to the American Optometric Association’s latest annual American Eye-Q survey, only 47 percent of Americans say UV protection is the most important factor when purchasing sunglasses.
4 Through the Lens
Conducted on behalf of Adlens, a recent survey of 1,800 adults age 40 and older revealed the following about progressive lens wearers: 70% reported fully adjusting to their first PAL within a week 20% took weeks to months 6% report still not being used to them
New Faces of Eyecessorize
The Vision Council recently announced the addition of two new, high-profile spokespeople to its popular Eyecessorize fashion eyewear campaign. Throughout 2013, style experts Lawrence Zarian and Jenn Falik will be making national TV and satellite media tour appearances, attending Eyecessorize-related events, contributing to seasonal trend kits, and engaging in social media to help promote eyewear as a must-have fashion accessory.
Since being revamped in 2007, The Vision Council’s Eyecessorize campaign continues to gain momentum, primarily through the Eyecessorize blog, as well as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram. The addition of Zarian and Falik will help The Vision Council expand its reach to increase awareness of the fashion and lifestyle aspects of eyewear, representatives say.
(Top to bottom) Style experts Lawrence Zarian and Jenn Falik
VSP Expands Offerings
VSP Vision Care announced that it now offers individual vision plans with a monthly pay option to consumers. The plan will be available in 46 states with varying monthly payment options starting at $13, depending on the state. Coverage includes an eye exam with a low co-payment, allowance for glasses or contacts, fully covered lens options with 20 to 25 percent off any non-covered options, and access to the largest doctor network in the industry—all backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.
INFO: givevsp.com, facebook.com/VSPVisionCare
Younger, Transitions CE Tour
Younger Optics and Transitions Optical, Inc., are partnering to host the Bright Solutions city tour, set to stop in 15 cities throughout the country. The tour begins this month and goes through July, with stops in Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minneapolis, New York, Alabama, Michigan, Missouri, California, and Indiana.
Each event is worth one ABO credit and offers insights into the changing expectations of consumers and how ECPs can meet those expectations by personalizing lens recommendations. The seminar will also provide sample patient profiles and research-based guidelines on the most effective way to make lens recommendations.
The seminar is Florida and New York state license approved. Attendees will receive a complimentary trial fit voucher and information on tools that can help them grow their business.
INFO: transitions.com/eventrsvp
StatBox
In an online poll, EB asked more than 2,000 ECPs, “What will be your biggest challenge this year?” Here are their responses.
Big box/chain competition 2%
Navigating managed care 89%
Dealing with a sluggish economy 5%
Managing my staff day-to-day 2%
Hoya Learning Center
Hoya Vision Care has created a “Hoya Learning Center” to support the growing educational needs of independent ECPs. According to Hoya, the mission of the group is to provide independent ECPs of all skill levels with the information they need to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly shifting and competitive marketplace. Complimentary training will be available in many formats, including in-person, instructorled webinars, and self-directed web-based training programs, and can be customized to meet the needs of a practice.
Industry experts leading the training are (top to bottom) Anne-Marie Lahr, OD, most recently an assistant professor at Salus University; Gregory W. Hicks, OD, of Sandusky, OH; Thomas Gosling, OD, of Littleton, CO; and Hoya Vision Care’s Brad Main, who will serve as the Center’s director of training.
Foster Named AOSA Executive Director
The American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) has appointed Robert Foster to the position of executive director. Foster, who most recently served as the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) associate director of publishing/social media, brings more than 20 years of not-for-profit management and consulting industry experience to the position.
OPTICIANRY SUMMIT SCHEDULES Webinars
Amini Opticianry Summit webinar has been scheduled for this month. Content will include information on the goals of the Summit, progress to date, and what’s planned for 2013, as well as provide an opportunity to ask questions and state opinions.
The dates and times of the webinar are:
■ Wednesday, May 15 at 10 p.m. EST
■ Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. EST
■ Saturday, May 18 at 12 noon EST
For more information, go to opticianrysummit.com and click on the “Mini Summit Webinar” tab, or email opticianrysummit@gmail.com with questions or comments.
Cool Clicks
Adlens is increasing the content available on its YouTube channel, youtube.com/AdlensLtd. Included are the first in a long line of demonstration and training videos, designed to educate ECPs on how to seal and care for the company’s adjustable lenses, as well as how to demonstrate them to patients.
Essilor’s DEFINITY COMMUNITY, an exclusive online portal for DEFINITY ECPs, has revamped its website and enhanced its member experience through a partnership with The Power Practice, an on-site practice-building consultation service. Through a free, one-on-one Power Profitability Analysis with Gary Gerber, OD, ECPs will learn ways to improve profitability in their businesses.
Viva Group International’s GUESS Eyewear has partnered with the Australian music group Nervo for its debut single, “Hold On,” providing GUESS sunwear for the music video. A behind-the-scenes look of the video featuring group members discussing GUESS eyewear is available on the GUESS Inc. YouTube channel, youtube.com/watch?v=_rOYBAvezg8.
OptiSource International has launched a new and improved website, 1-800-optisource.com, featuring a modernized look and improved functionality for its online customers. Visitors to the site will experience a large selection of new products, quality images, and a simple and secure checkout process.
Ciao, MIDO 2013
On the heels of Milan’s Fashion Week, the optical community gathered to show off the up-and-coming styles and technology for 2013. The 43rd MIDO (International Optical, Optometry, and Ophthalmology Exhibition), which ran March 2 to 4, included three days of networking, talking business, and career building.
According to MIDO officials, preliminary statistics reveal a successful show, reporting an increase in visitors, 60 percent of whom traveled from close to 40 different countries around the globe.
“This result is a significant step for the entire industry worldwide, and provides reason to be optimistic about the future,” show organizers observed.
An illustration of this success, show representatives note, was the show floor itself: “A testament to this was the three percent increase in exhibitors, with many companies—both small and medium-sized—choosing MIDO as the ideal place to preview their latest collections and product offerings.”
MIDO 2014 is slated for March 1 to 3. INFO: mido.it
1. Images from the Marcolin brand gallery; 2. Paramaor’s Blackfi n’s press event unveils the latest campaign; 3. Frames inset in larger frames created drama from Kuboraum; 4. Face a Face shows off its new Boca brand; 5. Ed Greene (r) of The Vision Council and Francesco Pellegrini of the European Sunglass Association board of directors and Intercast Europe at an event held by the trade organizations; 6. Polaroid Eyewear celebrates its past and its new home with Safi lo at an event held at Safi lo’s booth; 7. Eschenbach kicks off the celebration of its centennial; 8. Michael Ferrara from Adlens at a press event showing the company’s more fashionable new collection; 9. Marchon’s Mark Ginsberg and Steve Wright at the company’s presentation of its photo shoot with Vogue Italia; 10. Two types of animal patterns make for one stylish sunglass, the Lome, from Lafont; 11. Dita shows its latest offerings; 12. Dramatic shapes such as l.a.Eyeworks’ XOGoodbye break new ground; 13. Modo’s booth graffi ti wall; 14. Patrick Dempsey is “McGlassy” as the latest face of Silhouette Eyewear
At MIDO, EB sat down with Marcolin president, Giovanni Zoppas, to discuss the company and its future.
EB: Where is Marcolin headed in terms of growth and expansion?
GZ: There are many opportunities for market expansion in terms of licenses that can be taken and companies that can be the target for other buyouts in the future. The issue is not in our present agenda, because in today’s agenda, our priority is to exploit the brands we have already got throughout all the markets we are in.
We are an international company still relying too much on the European market. The European market accounts for something like 40 to 45 percent of our business, but the emerging markets and, let’s say, all the affluent markets like the Far East, Middle East, as well as markets like the Americas—Canada, the U.S., Central and South America—are giving us very good results in terms of expansion.
License Lineup
Colors in Optics, Ltd., has signed a license agreement with Elie Tahari Ltd. for the design, manufacture, and distribution of Elie Tahari-branded ophthalmic and sunwear collections. The collections are set to debut in spring 2014 and will feature a timeless, sophisticated design with new mixes of color and materials.
Unilens Vision Sciences Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Inc., and Bausch + Lomb have extended their existing licensing agreement, which continues Bausch + Lomb’s exclusive worldwide license for Unilens’ multifocal technology.
WORD SEARCH
Jenean Carlton, ABOC, NCLC
This challenging word search includes terms related to the lensometer.
Good Idea
Making a Difference
Kristan Willingham, director of corporate communications for Essilor of America, and members of her team recently went on a mission trip to Haiti. The trip was sponsored by her sister’s church, First United Methodist in Shreveport, LA, as part of Global Orphan Project (goproject.org). With help from the Essilor Vision Foundation and Essilor of America, the volunteer group performed eye exams for the children of two orphanages and 75 adults in Les Cayes, Haiti, provided them all with protective sunwear, and fitted 70 people with corrective lenses. Some people were able to see clearly for the first time in their lives.
“Our lives were changed, too,” Willingham said about the group, which included two ODs, one optician, one orthopedic surgeon, and the volunteers’ children.
Essilor’s Ashley Foerster with children from Big House Orphanage in Les Cayes, Haiti
ECPs wishing to get involved in humanitarian efforts such as this can reach out to their local churches and charity groups, who are likely already involved in mission trips and would be happy to add eye exams to their services. Eyewear companies are usually open to donating product for the cause. And don’t forget the local programs working right in your own city.
“You don’t have to go to Haiti,” Willingham says. “Nothing is ever too small to make a difference.”
Star Gazers
1. Rita Ora complements her bright Coachella outfit with Carrera 6000L sunglasses by Safilo. The singer will release her sophomore album later this year.
2. Actor Henry Cavill in JOE Joseph Abboud Eyewear style JOE4018 by Altair. Cavill portrays caped crusader Superman in “Man of Steel,” which is set to hit theaters June 14.
3. Actor Eddie Redmayne of “Les Misérables” fame looks dapper in a tux and Michael Kors sun style MKS350M by Marchon. Redmayne is currently filming “Jupiter Ascending,” which will be released next year.
4. Rihanna pairs a bold lip with Prada optical style Baroque frames by Luxottica. The songstress is currently on the road for her Diamonds World Tour to promote her latest album, “Unapologetic.”
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