News

Vision Screening Best Practices Released

There is no debate within the industry on the importance of catching childhood vision problems at as early an age as possible. Now, after studying the issue for the past five years, a National Expert Panel has published recommendations on providing proper vision health care to young children.

The National Expert Panel of the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health (NCCVEH) at Prevent Blindness has published an evidence-based approach to vision screening in children ages three through five, as well as system-based public health strategies to ensure improved surveillance and program accountability as it relates to children’s vision in the U.S.

The recommendations are published in the January 2015 issue of Optometry and Vision Science, and are further discussed on a special NCCVEH-hosted Vision Health Systems for Preschool Age Children website (visionsystems.preventblindess.org).

They include:

• Vision screening best practices (including vision screener training)

• Recognition visual acuity screening

• Instrument-based vision screening

• Untestable children and rescreening guidelines

• Data systems to ensure follow-up

• Data integration with other child health data

In 2009, Prevent Blindness established the NCCVEH to develop a coordinated public health infrastructure to promote and ensure a comprehensive, multi-tiered continuum of vision care for young children.

The NCCVEH convened a national panel of leading professionals in ophthalmology, optometry, pediatrics, public health, and related fields to review the current scientific literature, explore best practices, and gain consensus on the best approach to children’s vision and eye health.

The panel has published three papers targeting children ages 36 to 72 months outlining recommended practices, data systems, and data definitions.

“A vision screening is a great first step to saving vision and putting our kids on a path of healthy development,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “But that is only one step in the continuum of vision health for children.  There also must be mechanisms in place to make sure that screenings are administered effectively and that the children are receiving follow-up care. By putting forth these recommendations, the National Expert Panel is providing an excellent approach to helping our kids achieve a lifetime of healthy vision while improving public health surveillance and program impacts.”

INFO: For a copy of the recommendations, additional information on general children’s eye health, visit visionsystems.preventblineness.org

The FACT FILE

SALES OF POLARIZED SUNWEAR HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, WITH
69%
OF ECPs REPORTING A RISE IN POLARIZED REVENUE

49%
OF ECPs HAD BETWEEN
500 and 1,000
FRAMES ON DISPLAY AT ANY GIVEN TIME THIS YEAR

51%
OF ECPs CHECK OUT THEIR COMPETITION EVERY SIX MONTHS TO SEE HOW THEY COMPARE

The above information is part of an Eyecare Business survey of eyecare practitioners on 2014 market trends. For a complete analysis of the study, including growth projections, see Page 40.

FRIEDFELD SCHOLARSHIP CREATED

the Friedfeld family has created the Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship at the SUNY College of Optometry to recognize current graduate students based on academic merit and financial need. Karen Levy, class of 2017, was the first recipient of the scholarship established in memory of the founder of ClearVision Optical.

Peter Friedfeld, son of Fred Friedfeld and executive vice president at ClearVision Optical, presented the award to Levy.

“My father touched so many people throughout his life and in his 65 years since he founded ClearVision in 1949,” he says. “He believed in education, and was a mentor to so many. The endowment fund that has been established with SUNY Optometry helps to ensure that his presence continues in an industry he loved.”

Fred Friedfeld became an optician after serving in the U.S. Navy and worked for several years in New York City, learning the optical trade. He founded ClearVision Optical at the age of 22 as a distributor of eyewear, and developed a lifelong reputation for personal service. With his wife, Mimi, who joined him in 1955, he grew his one-man organization into one of the largest family-owned eyewear distributors in North America.

Inquiries about the scholarship fund can be sent to Ann Warwick, vice president of SUNY Optometry and executive director of the school’s Optometric Center of New York.

Peter Friedfeld awards the Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship to Karen Levy, class of 2017, SUNY College of Optometry

INFO: awarwick@sunyopt.edu.

Vision Source Celebrates 3,000

Vision Source, North America’s largest independent optometric alliance, has achieved a company milestone by adding its 3,000th member. Gaddie Eye Centers, a multi-location practice in and around Louisville, KY, led by Ben Gaddie, O.D., became the 3,000th location.

Vision Source is the largest doctor alliance in optometry and the second-largest optical retailer in the U.S. The 24-year-old network gives independent optometrists support in areas such as managed care strategy and contracting, practice management, collective buying power, and strategic marketing.

Other notable independent optometrists who have recently joined Vision Source include: Ron Hopping, O.D., owner of Hopping Eye Associates in Houston, TX, and 2012-2013 president of the AOA; Alan Glazier, O.D., who owns Shady Grove Eye and Vision in Rockville, MD, and leads the popular social media site ODs on Facebook; Kelly MacDonald, O.D., a partner in Drs. Helfman, Lasky & Associates in Nashua, NH, and a past president of NHOA; Leah Ramos, O.D., and Shane Swatts, O.D., at Eastern Virginia Eye Associates in Chesapeake, VA; and Tausha Barton, O.D., diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.

{LICENSE LINEUP}

Safilo Group and Jimmy Choo have extended their licensing agreement until December 31, 2018, for the design, production and distribution of the Jimmy Choo eyewear collections of sunglasses and optical frames.

“The brand’s uniquely glamorous and confidently iconic style inspires us to create distinctive eyewear that has exceptional appeal in the markets where it is distributed via premium quality channels,” says Luisa Delgado, CEO of Safilo Group. “We see great potential for accelerated growth, particularly in Asia Pacific, China, and Latin America, enabled by our new commercial leadership capability.”

Area98 has announced a 20-year licensing agreement with Austrian designer Rudi Himmelfreundpointner for the eyewear license of Robert Rüdger brand. Area98, in collaboration with the designer, will be in charge of design, production, and worldwide distribution of this iconic Austrian eyewear brand.

At first, the collection, for men only, will comprise 15 ophthalmic frames—one a limited edition of 300 pieces also with sun lenses. The new Robert Rüdger collection will be launched in preview on the German market during Opti Munich this month and worldwide starting in March, after the presentation at Mido.

“We are excited to start this collaboration,” Elisio Tessaro, brand and product marketing director of Area98, says, adding, “Robert Rüdger marked a new era and changed completely the concept of eyewear from medical device to fashion accessory. With this new brand we are happy to complete our offer and approach a segment of consumers—the male one—which was not included in our portfolio.”

‘SMART’ EYEWEAR TO COME FROM LUXOTTICA, INTEL

The wearable technology world is growing. Luxottica Group and Intel Corporation have inked a multiyear R&D collaboration to fuse premium, luxury, and sports eyewear with smart technology.

According to a statement from the companies, the strategic alliance will push the boundaries of research and development to anticipate what smart technology for eyewear will look like in the future. The ultimate goal is to help pioneer that change and deliver smart, fashion-forward products that are meaningful and desirable to consumers. The first product from Intel and Luxottica is expected to launch in 2015.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to continue to innovate and further shape the future of eyewear,” says Massimo Vian, CEO of Luxottica Group. “Together with Intel, we will continue to develop the potential of wearables, expanding the limits of what eyewear can be. We’ll lead the change to create frames that are as intelligent and functional as they are beautiful. Products that consumers will love to wear.”

Last year, Luxottica announced a partnership with Google Glass to design and develop eyewear under the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands that will be compatible with Glass.

On the Town

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

SAFETY FIRST

Bollé painted the town, safely, at a party for its new Sport Protective division held at the Standard Hotel in New York City. International basketball star Tony Parker was on hand to sign autographs and speak about the new line of products.

Bollé Sport Protective, company representatives say,is the first collection of athletic eyewear for kids to be certified for both ANSI Z87.1-2010 and ASTM F803 standards.

Tony Parker speaks about his Olympic experience with safety eyewear.

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Hendrick Motorsports recently worked with Alcon and its DAILIES TOTAL 1 contact lens brand to help test and bring the latest vision technology to its roster of elite pit crew athletes.

“We recognize that precise vision is absolutely essential to the success of our racing team,” says Andy Papathanassiou, director of human performance, Hendrick Motorsports.

Alcon’s sports vision doctors conducted a vision “training camp” at the Hendrick Motorsports headquarters for nearly 50 of the organization’s pit crew athletes across the #5, #24, #48, and #88 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams.

“Our high-performance vision testing uses the latest technology and training to help athletes determine how well their eyes perform beyond the basic ability to see letters and objects clearly on a standard eye chart,” says Don Teig, O.D., founder of the “A” Team—High Performance Vision Associates.

The pit crew for Hendrick Motorsports is evaluated by Alcon’s sports vision experts and fitted for Alcon DAILIES TOTAL1 contact lenses during vision training sessions

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE ON TAP

Seeing is Believing (SiB) 2015, a virtual eyecare conference, is scheduled for January 28 and 29, from noon to 7 p.m. EST. Sponsored by a range of optometric-centric organizations and associations (including PentaVision, which publishes Eyecare Business magazine), the conference features speakers and CE courses on the latest changes taking place in optometry, practice management, and dispensing strategies.

The entire conference takes place online, offering a host of programs without the need to travel and navigate a large conference hall. The SiB program is suitable for members of the entire practice, not just the O.D.

Attendees can access COPE and CE courses covering the medical model, healthcare reform, reaching more patients online, staff training, dispensing advice, preparing your practice for the future, and more. They can also view and learn about the latest eyecare products from the industry’s top suppliers.

Special pricing is available when registering multiple members of the same practice. A full list of presentations can be found at the website.

INFO: sib2015.com

OAA CONFERENCE HITS VEGAS

The 2015 State Leadership Conference hosted by the Opticians Association of America (OAA) will be held Feb. 5 to 7 at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Registration is now open, with forms available at the website.

Each year, the conference offers unique educational seminars and topic-specific breakout sessions that address subjects from growing membership numbers and legislative affairs to communication synergy and leadership skills. In addition to learning from presenters, the attendees immerse themselves in networking events to help build better synergy throughout North America.

The cut-off date for the reduced hotel rate is Jan. 13. For hotel reservations, call 800-311-8999 and use group code X STATE 15, or visit oaa.org.

EDGING CONTEST SET

Santinelli International is once again hosting its “Think Outside the Box Edge” contest. Santinelli ME lens edger clients are invited to make and submit their own rimless eyewear designs using the edger’s “design cut” feature. Winning entries will be displayed at the company’s booth during Vision Expo East and on its social media pages.

The top three winners will be awarded $500, $250, and $100, respectively, toward the purchase of anything in Santinelli’s product line.

INFO: santinelli.com/ThinkOutsideTheBoxEdge

ECP Award Nominees

Transitions Optical, Inc., hosts its 19th annual Transitions Academy this month in Orlando, FL, and for the fourth year in a row the event will feature the Eyecare Practice of the Year award. The award celebrates a trio of eyecare practices for their year-long commitment to promoting eye health to their patients and communities, as well as their sales of photochromic lenses.

VisionArts Eyecare Center

The staff at VisionArts Eyecare Center talks about the benefits of Transitions lenses with all of their patients, especially with kids. To give people a chance to get to know their practice and celebrate kids who need corrective eyewear, the center invited its Fulton, MO, community to participate in “The Great Glasses Play Day.”

Held in a park, the event featured crafts, carnival games, and eye-healthy smoothies. Each child was given a bag filled with Transitions-branded gifts to take home.

Helping parents understand the best choices they can make for their kids’ vision is important to the VisionArts Eyecare Center team. Their Back to School promotion focuses on Transitions lenses and includes backpacks with “Eye Didn’t Know That!” books and branded school supplies.

Dumas Vision Source

Dumas Vision Source made it a priority in 2014 to create Transitions lens advocates among its staff members. For example, staff participated in mini games that required them to complete Transitions education to reach certification levels and earn prizes, and created an office-wide music parody which helped to ingrain key messages about the Transitions family of products. The Dumas, TX-based practice strongly believes that you must experience a product before recommending it—which is why all staff are provided with Transitions lenses.

With 70% of its patient base speaking Spanish, staff uses the multicultural marketing materials that Transitions Optical offers as part of the Cultural Connections initiative, to ensure an understanding of the products and technology benefits.

Southern Eye Specialists, P.C.

When it comes to Transitions-branded resources, Southern Eye Specialists, P.C., in Atlanta uses it all. From displaying posters at the front door to keeping the a UV demo unit in the exam room, the team displays these materials throughout the office to encourage their patients to ask about Transitions lenses.

The doctors and staff view patients as family, and believe they only deserve the best. Staff members emphasize the UV protection benefits that the lenses provide along with the latest technology advances that the newer lenses—like Transitions Signature VII lenses—feature so that patients learn how a lens can enhance and help them maintain their best vision. They even offers a “Family Discount” to make it easier for parents and kids to select premium products.

{GOOD READS}
O.D. WRITES THE BOOK ON MANAGEMENT

Jerry Hayes, O.D., has put his years of optometric practice management experience into writing with the paperback publication of his new book, “How to Measure and Improve Staff Productivity in Private Practice Optometry.” Dr. Hayes is co-founder and CEO of Prima Eye Group and the owner/president of HMI Buying Group and Red Tray Network.

The book has received excellent reviews for its “straight talk” about increasing staff productivity, as well as improving the level of patient care provided by the practice team.

INFO: amazon.com, jerryhayesod.com

FYI

News bits from the industry

{PEOPLE}

John Sanchez has been named vice president of product development at Costa Sunglasses. Sanchez, who most recently was president of Zeal Optics, will work closely with outgoing vice president of product development Ed Moody, who will officially retire in April.

Safilo Group announces the appointment of Gerd Graehsler, formerly director of new business development & corporate strategy, as the new Group CFO. He replaces Vincenzo Giannelli, who was Group CFO for the past four years.

Charmant has named Jean Simone its new vice president of sales. Simone has been in the optical industry more than 34 years, and with Charmant for the past nine years.

Greg Nugent has joined the Adlens board of directors as a non-executive director. Nugent has spearheaded campaigns and initiatives at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

Mark Becker has been appointed vice president of marketing and strategic partnerships for Shamir Insight. He brings with him more than 20 years of executive optical experience at both a lab level as well as with lens manufacturers.

Diana Downs is the new key accounts and business development manager for Silhouette USA, a new position at the company. She has previously held national sales positions in the optical field.

Latham and Phillips Ophthalmic (LPO), a company of Luneau Technology USA, has announced the retirement of Phill Phillips, and the appointment of Jerry Looker as vice president, sales.

Bausch + Lomb has announced the following additions to its team: Jill Saxon, O.D., and Todd Love are the new directors of professional strategy, and will coordinate the company’s ECP outreach efforts; and Tony Sommer is the new head of sales for the U.S. Vision Care division.

Ophthalmic Women Leaders (OWL), a not-for-profit national organization founded for women who work in the ophthalmology space, has appointed Angela Bedell its executive director.

{AWARDS}

Vision-Ease Lens was named the 2014 Minnesota Business Manufacturing Awards’ Sustainability Award winner, for the company’s dedication to environmentally friendly practices.

{GOOD DEEDS}

The associates at Santinelli International volunteered for their fourth Habitat for Humanity Build this past fall. In addition to donating their time and their construction skills, the company, its associates, and their family and friends held fund-raisers and donated the $2,500 necessary for the building materials needed on site for the Long Island, NY, home.

1. Tony Sommer, Bausch + Lomb; 2. John Sanchez, Costa; 3, Jean Simone, Charmant; 4, Mark Becker, Shamir; 5. The Santinelli team at their Habitat build

{BUSINESS UPDATES}

EyeMed has approved SuperSystems Optical Technologies’ Fast Grind unit as an “in-house surfacing lab,” allowing ECPs with the system to produce EyeMed jobs in their in-office lab.

Puzzle
Essential Protection
SUNWEAR

{WORD SEARCH}

Sunglasses aren’t considered eyewear accessories anymore. Quality sunwear is essential for people of all ages including children, serious athletes, and seniors. UV radiation damage is cumulative, so it’s necessary to educate patients of all ages about the importance of quality sunwear protection.

By Jenean Carlton, ABOC, NCLC

WORD BANK

Brown

Children

Clarity

Contrast

Dark Gray

Demonstrate

Display

Driving

Essential

Glare Control

Merchandise

Mirror Coatings

Necessary Eyewear

Performance Enhancing

Photochromics

Polarization

Polarized

Protection

Quality Lenses

Sport Specific

Sunglasses

Tints

Ultra Violet Protection

UV Blocking

Vision Enhancing

Wraparound Frames

Wraps

{SOLUTION}

The answers to the December 2014 Word Search