News

{SEPTEMBER 2014}
Hot List

1
YOU ARE WHAT YOU….

Eating healthy can be hard when you’re traveling. While Las Vegas is home to great restaurants, the offerings on the show floor usually aren’t so worldly. Rather than always giving in to the chips, fast food, and soda, pack nutritional foods in your bag.

Fruits/Veggies – apples, carrots, and bananas are healthy and portable

Trail Mix – can provide some quick energy

Sandwiches – opt for whole wheat bread, turkey, and lots of veggies.

Water – it’s important to stay hydrated, so drink lots of it, and then drink more. Las Vegas is a desert, after all.

Source: Precor.com

2
CHECK IT OUT

Las Vegas is known for many things (some even G rated!). When you have a break in your Vision Expo schedule, consider checking out some of these sights without having to leave the Strip.

Record-Setting Chocolate
The chocolate fountain at the Jean-Philippe Patisserie at the Bellagio is nearly 27 feet tall and circulates two tons of melted chocolate. It’s the largest one in the world.

1918 Rare Chandelier
Designed by Eiffel Tower architect Gustav Eiffel, it’s wood and glass, and it’s at the Wynn hotel, at the Terrace Point Cafe entrance.

Pinball Wizards
The Pinball Hall of Fame is few blocks from the strip (1610 E. Tropicana) and has 10,000 square feet of pinball games, some dating to the 1950s. And yes, you can play them all.

Sunday Jazz
Staying an extra day? Wind down with some cool live jazz at the Mandarin Bar (Mandarin Hotel).

Water Show
No, not the dancing fountains (but they’re cool, too). We mean the massive saltwater aquarium in the Silverton Casino. It’s got feeding demonstrations, mermaid shows, and some 4,000 fish, plus six species of sharks and stingrays.

Sources: Condé Nast Traveler, pinballhall.org, Huffington Post

3
APP-TITUDE

Staying on top of what Vision Expo West has to offer is easy with its mobile app. Simply download onto your smart phone or tablet, and your schedule, exhibitor map, and everything you need to know about the show will be at your fingertips.

To download, visit: VisionExpoMobile.com

4
POWER PLAYERS

of trade show attendees have buying authority. Which means more than 4 OUT OF 5 PEOPLE walking the aisles are potential customers for exhibitors.

Source: CEIR: The Spend Decision: Analyzing How Exhibits Fit Into The Overall Marketing Budget

Capitol Hill Briefed on UV Risks

representatives of The Vision Council traveled to Capitol Hill to educate targeted Congressional staff regarding vision health and the importance of protecting eyes from UV damage. More than 40 Congressional offices were in attendance at the briefing, including a bipartisan and bicameral group of Democrats and Republicans from the House of Representatives as well as the Senate.

Justin Bazan, O.D., owner of Park Slope Eye in Brooklyn, NY, and an active member of The Vision Council’s medical advisory team, led the Aug. 14 briefing. Also on hand was Ed Greene, CEO of The Vision Council, and Scott McGuffie from Smith Optics.

With the summer sun giving way to autumn breeze, The Vision Council took the opportunity to remind Americans they should take appropriate measures to protect their eyes from harmful UV radiation year-round. Despite data about the dangerous effects of UV radiation, Americans are still exposing their eyes and skin to harmful UV exposure, putting themselves at risk for serious health problems later in life. This educational briefing addressed serious vision disorders that can occur from UV exposure, including cataracts, abnormal eye growths, cancer of the eye, and macular degeneration. They also discussed the importance of protecting eye health with UV-protective eyewear (for more on UV risks, see Healthy Eyes, page 66).

Examples of effective UV-protective eyewear were on display and available for attendees, courtesy of Smith Optics.

Ed Greene (l-r), Justin Bazan, O.D., and Scott McGuffie lead a Capitol Hill briefing on UV

Attendees pick out UV-blocking eyewear from Smith Optics

UV FACT
47.6% of U.S. adults do not protect their eyes simply because they forget to wear sunglasses

VIPs from VSP and the community help with the ribbon cutting

VSP Opens Tech Think Tank

VSP Gobal has dedicated a new, contemporary space in downtown Sacramento, CA, to house its technology development lab—known to the company as “The Shop.” The work of The Shop is intended to help VSP’s five lines of business stay ahead of business and technology curves as well as provide forward-thinking solutions to meet the changing needs of the vision care plan giant’s 71 million members. Its employees will focus on developing technologies for the digital aspects of eyewear and eyecare.

The Shop is intentionally located away from VSP’s corporate campus in Rancho Cordova, CA, in order to tap into the creative energy of the downtown area—home to many artistic and tech studios.

An East Coast version of The Shop, dedicated to the physical development of eyewear, is housed within Marchon Eyewear’s design center in Manhattan.

The Shop, as seen from downtown Sacramento

PANEL TO ADDRESS GENDER AND THE WORKPLACE

The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) will examine the dynamics of men and women working together, as it begins its new Connection Series: Connecting Members to Leadership Ideas. The first event in the series, a panel discussion entitled “Seeing (Blind) Spots? Men and Women Working Together,” will be held Thursday, Sept. 18 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas.

A panel of men and women from the optical industry will discuss their business experiences of working together. Attendees will learn about “gender blind spots,” false assumptions men and women share about each other, how men and women approach things differently, and solutions for how men and women can succeed together.

It is based on the OWA book selection, Work with Me: The 8 Blind Spots Between Men and Women in Business, by Barbara Annis and John Grey.

Valerie Manso of VSP Vision Care will moderate the discussion with panelists representing a variety of work experiences and age ranges. Panelists include: Andrea Gluck, Eyewear Designs Ltd.; Bob Colucci, independent distribution division, Essilor of America; Gilda Mehraban, REM Eyewear; and David Duralde, Kenmark Optical.

The event is free for OWA members, $35 for non-members. Advanced registration is required.

The OWA will also host a networking reception and raffle on Friday, Sept. 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center. There is free admission, though advanced registration is required. Everyone is welcome, including non-members.

INFO: opticalwomen.com

Lab Pioneer Dies

Bill Benedict, 88, of Dallas, owner of several optical labs and dispensaries, died at home August 3 of congestive heart failure. Born in 1925, Benedict lived his entire life in Dallas, and was a shining star in the optical industry. A mentor and achiever, his many accomplishments included a 68-year optical industry career, service in the U.S. Navy for two years, and a role as a flight instructor.

Benedict was the founder of International Optical, which merged with Dr. Stanley Pearle’s offices to form Opticks (Pearle Vision). Benedict was also co-founder with Mac McFadden and his son, Dennis, of Omega Optical. He built the Dallas International Motor Speedway in Lewisville and was a partner in Marine Maintenance, served on the boards of Texas American Bank and Royal Optical, and was co-founder with his daughter, Donna, of Century Ready-Mix, Century Garden Center, Delta Fashion Optical, Benedict Optical, and Legends 4.0 Optical.

His earned many special awards in his careers, including the 1996 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year; The Optical Legends Lifetime Achievement Award; 1997 Star of Vision Award; 2000 Charter Member and Visionary of The Optical Pioneers, sponsored by the Optical Laboratories Association; and 2003 Optical Laboratories Association Directors’ Choice Award.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Louise; his parents; two brothers and a sister; a granddaughter-in-law and great-grandson. He is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and a great-great granddaughter. Donations may be made to: American Heart Association, Operation Kindness or dcac.org.

LABS HONOR INDUSTRY VETERANS

This month, the Optical Lab Division of The Vision Council will honor 10 industry veterans who have made significant contributions to the wholesale lab industry. The Directors’ Choice Award and 15th Annual Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame banquet will be held Wednesday, Sept. 17 in conjunction with the Optical Lab Division Meeting and International Vision Expo West.

Ed Greene, CEO of The Vision Council, is the 2014 recipient of the Directors’ Choice Award. This award honors individuals and companies that have made outstanding contributions to the ophthalmic industry. Now in its 28th year, the award is still recognized as one of the most prestigious honors in the industry.

This year’s Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame inductees are:

• Mike Brown, Practical Systems, Inc.

• Larry Clarke, Satisloh North America, Inc.

• Mike Dougher, Hoya Vision Care, North America

• John Fried, A&R Optical Machines, Inc.

• Frank Giammanco, First Vision Media Group, Inc.

• Matt Iovaldi, Midland Optical Lab

• Virginia “Susie” Lesher, Brondstater Optical America

• Jerry Mansuy, Vision Craft

• Jim Roussel, JL Roussel & Co.

All members of the vision community are invited to attend the banquet. Tickets are free to members of The Vision Council, with RSVP; a nominal fee will be charged for non-members.

INFO: thevisioncouncil.org/labmeeting

FYI

News bits from the industry

{PEOPLE}

Eric Anderson has been appointed Optometry Giving Sight’s chief development officer for North America. He has 25 years experience in all aspects of fundraising management with special emphasis on the cultivation, solicitation, and stewarding of major gifts and planned giving. Optometry Giving Sight is the only global fundraising initiative that specifically targets the prevention of blindness and impaired vision due to uncorrected refractive error.

Pacific University College of Optometry Dean Jennifer Coyle, O.D., MS, has been elected for a second term as president of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). Additional elected officers to the Board of Directors are: president-elect: Dr. Richard Phillips, president, Southern College of Optometry; immediate past-president: Dr. David Heath, president, SUNY, State College of Optometry; secretary-treasurer: Dr. Joseph A. Bonanno, dean, Indiana University School of Optometry; and at-large member: Dr. Elizabeth Hoppe, founding dean, Western University of Health Sciences. ASCO also welcomed a record number of new directors to the board. They are: Dr. John Flanagan, dean, University of California at Berkeley School of Optometry; Dr. Lori Grover, dean, Salus University–Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Dr. Kelly Nichols, dean, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Dr. Timothy Wingert, dean, University of The Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry; and Dr. Joseph Zinkovich, acting associate dean, MCPHS University School of Optometry.

Drew Donley has joined REM Eyewear as senior director of sales, U.S. He will oversee all domestic sales efforts for REM Eyewear’s optical and sun business, including managing all sales teams and leading business development initiatives. He had previously held sales positions with Viva International Group, Marcolin, and Charmant.

Joseph Farina has joined Eyenavision, Inc., maker of Chemistrie magnetic lenses, as executive director. He has an extensive background in strategic planning, retail development, and working closely with ECPs, labs, and retail chains.

Santinelli International announces the promotion of Jaysun Barr to key account manager. As a certified optician, Barr has nearly 20 years of industry experience. He has served as a retail sales consultant since 2006. Additionally, the company announces the addition of Scott Stenzel as sales consultant for the North Central region. Stenzel is an ABO-certified optical professional, with more than 21 years of optical experience.

Adlens has appointed Dame Sue Street of the United Kingdom to its board as a non-executive director. She is currently a non-executive director at the Ministry of Justice. She also holds a range of appointments, including Trustee of the Royal Opera House, Governor of the Royal Ballet, Associate Member of BUPA and Associate Fellow of the Institute for Government.

Envision has named Gene Johnson vice president and general manager of Envision Industries, its product manufacturing and assembly division. The appointment follows a period of two months during which Johnson served as a contract employee helping Envision improve throughput, logistics, and warehouse efficiency.

1. Drew Donley, REM Eyewear; 2. Eric Anderson, Optometry Giving Sight; 3. Joseph Farina, Eyenavision; 4. Jaysun Barr, Santinelli International; 5. Scott Stenzel, Santinelli International

{BUSINESS UPDATES}

Vision Source, a Texas-based optometric alliance, has named seven O.D.s to its newly formed Vision Source Administrator Advisory Panel: Dori Carlson O.D., FAAO, of Heartland Eye Care, Grafton, ND; Mario Gutierrez, O.D., of Vision Source Alamo Heights, San Antonio, TX; Brett Hagen, O.D., of Garland Family Vision in Spokane, WA; April Jasper, O.D., FAAO, of Advanced Eyecare Specialists, West Palm Beach, FL; Pete Kehoe, O.D., of Kehoe Eye Care, PC, of Galesburg and Gala, IL; Amir Khoshnevis, O.D., of Vision Studio 20/20, Charlotte, NC; William Strickland, O.D., of Oxford Eye Clinic, Oxford, MS.

Marchon Eyewear has announced a new initiative, Marchon Direct, which offers ECPs a one-stop ordering system for Marchon frames, VSPOne lab services, and VSP benefit claims. ECPs will benefit with 30% off Unity lenses and free shipping of frames. Ordering can be done through the Marchon MVP website, the Eyefinity website, or via phone. A VSPOne Optics lab was built at the Marchon distribution center for added functionality.

INFO: 800-645-1300.

{AWARDS}

Vision-Ease Lens announces Jessica Grosvenor of Waynesville, MO, as the grand-prize winner of its Coppertone Polarized Lenses consumer sweepstakes. She wins a trip to Las Vegas and a meet and greet with Coppertone ambassador and soccer great Mia Ham during Vision Expo West. More than 20,000 consumers registered for the contest via Vision-Ease social media and eyecare locations. Seven other prizes were awarded to winners, including memorabilia signed by Hamm.

On the Town

A who, where, and when of the industry’s latest events

Street artist Samir Evol creates Arnette-inspired artwork featuring Del the Funky Homospaien at its recent The Faces of Arnette event in New York City

Guests check out the line’s new Rx collection

IN YOUR FACE

The Faces Of Arnette event was held recently at Liberty Hall in the ACE Hotel, New York City. Street artist Samir Evol created three portraits of Arnette-inspired artwork, with Del the Funky Homosapien being the centerpiece of the show. Guests tuned in to DJ Becka Diamond behind the decks and got the first look at the new optical collection while partaking in some fun interactive “Live” social media from the Arnette Gif photo booth.

MAUI JIM SERVES UP SUNNIES

Maui Jim outfitted officials and line judges in high-performance sunglasses for the Western & Southern Open, held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center near Cincinatti last month. The tournament is one of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Masters 1,000 events on the men’s tour and a Premier 5 event for the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

A line judge wears Maui Jim at the Valenicia Open

Coming off of several years of fitting officials at tournaments around the world (starting with the Valencia 500 in 2011), this is the first tournament in the United States that will feature Maui Jim.

“Maui Jim is a company whose technology was invented to combat the harsh rays of the sun on the beaches of Maui,” says Jay Black, vice president of global marketing at Maui Jim. “We are now one of the only eyewear companies to receive the Seal of Recommendation from The Skin Cancer Foundation in recognition of the protection that our sunglasses provide from UV rays. Since these officials are spending long days in the sun, we are proud to provide them with protection that can take the heat.”

In addition to officials who may choose to wear their Maui Jims during the tournament, several of the company’s tennis ambassadors were playing in the tournament, including David Ferrer (ATP No. 7), Philipp Kolschreiber (ATP No. 28), and Martina Hingis (WTA Doubles No. 43).

TAYE CONTINUES GROWTH

Eschenbach Optik of America, Inc., an international manufacturer and distributor of low vision aids and electronic magnification devices, is the latest industry partner to support Think About Your Eyes, a public eye health initiative sponsored by a nonprofit organization under The Vision Council.

Eschenbach joins a growing number of advocates dedicated to increasing consumer awareness around eye health and comprehensive annual eye exams.

Notes Ken Bradley, president and CEO of Eschenbach: “Our organization is intimately familiar with the importance of early detection through annual eye exams to effectively treat and control eye diseases, maximizing a patient’s remaining vision. We are proud to support the critical mission of Think About Your Eyes to help increase awareness about vision health and its impact on a person’s quality of life.”

Supporting the Winning Spirit

the optical industry has long supported the Special Olympics, with many companies volunteering materials and personnel for vision screenings and eyewear fittings, among other tasks, during their local games. But this summer some in the industry put a particular focus on The Special Olympics USA Games, hosted by New Jersey in June. Nearly 3,500 athletes competed with the support of 1,000 coaches, 10,000 volunteers, and 70,000 family, friends, and spectators.

The Morris Museum is celebrating their accomplishments with an exhibit, Portrait of An Athlete: Special Olympics of New Jersey & United States Paralympics, that runs through November 16, and is sponsored by Safilo Group. The exhibition features portraits by photographer Pete Byron, who has travelled all over the state to capture the athletes during practice, competition, or just being themselves. “As the global frames supplier to the Special Olympics-Lions Club International Opening Eyes vision care program for over a decade, Safilo salutes the Morris Museum for its commitment to providing programs that serve the special needs community and for this exhibit, in particular, that pays tribute to the triumphant Special Olympics athletes from all over New Jersey,” says Glenn Rusk, commercial head of Safilo North America.

Liberty Sport also played a role in supporting the athletes of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games. As part of the Lions Club’s Opening Eyes program, 231 Special Olympics athletes were fitted for a complimentary pair of Liberty Sport’s sports protective goggles. The Special Olympians will be able to use their sports protective eyewear across the many sports in which they compete.

“Liberty Sport has been a proud sponsor of Special Olympics for over 10 years and we are so proud of all the athletes. We’ll continue to help them compete at their highest level,” says Linda Laube, executive vice president of business development for Liberty Sport.

Linda Laube of Liberty Sports (l) receives the Sponsor Appreciation Award from New Jersey Special Olympics athlete Ashley Webber

Athlete Rachel Weiner poses by her portrait at the Morris Museum exhibit. Photo by Andy Foster

Portrait of athlete Shawn Woolf. Photo by Pete Bryon

Puzzle
Selling High
DISPENSING HIGH-INDEX LENSES

{WORD SEARCH}

This puzzle includes key elements of fitting and dispensing high-index lenses. High-index materials are patient-pleasers because they offer thing and lightweight lenses. For more on high-index lenses, see our article on p. 82

By Jenean Carlton, ABOC, NCLC

WORD BANK

Abbe value

Chromatic aberration

Cylinder

Decentration

Denser

Dispersion

Eyewear

Fashionable

Fitting expertise

High index lenses

Hyperopic

Index of refraction

Key decisions

Lightweight

Materials

Myopic

Prescription

Specific gravity

Spectrum

Thin

UV protection

{SOLUTION}

The answers to the August 2014 Word Search