Each year at its annual meeting (which coincides with Vision Expo West), the Optical Lab Division of The Vision Council celebrates those who have made significant contributions to the wholesale optical lab industry. This year’s honorees are:
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD:
Thomas F. Puckett
Puckett is the founder, managing director, and CEO of HPC Puckett & Company, the sell-side advisor to the optical laboratory, manufacturing, supply, distribution, retail, and medical retail platform sectors. HPC has completed over 600 sell-side transactions representing over $12 billion.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Darryl J. Meister, 1972-2014
Meister was a longtime Zeiss employee, a leading authority on ophthalmic optics, and a beloved figure in the optical industry. He was one of the youngest opticians ever to earn the ABO’s Master certification, and held multiple patents on ophthalmic lens designs. He was generous in sharing his time and expertise, becoming a key contributor to many important industry initiatives.
James J. Ryan
After a successful career in sales, marketing, and business consultancy, Ryan became president of two retail optical stores, founded an optical lab, and was founder and chairman of Specialty Lens, a polarized lens manufacturer.
Gunter Schneider
Schneider started Schneider GmbH in 1986. Soon after, the company’s introduction of CNC technology into precision optics offered the opportunity to join the ophthalmic industry as a second main market. Schneider is still a family-owned company with 12 companies and 400 employees worldwide.
Richard P. “Rick” Tinson
Now with Hoya Vision Care, Tinson was a software developer at Gerber Scientific Products before becoming one of the 23 original employees of Gerber Optical. He was one of the inventors behind the breakthrough “Step One” non-alloy blocking system. He co-authored the first draft of what is now known as The Vision Council’s Lens Communication Standard.
Jim Grootegoed
Though now “blissfully retired” and serving as industry consultant and professional editor for Optical Lab Products, Grootegoed has a long optical history, including positions at Titmus Optical, Bausch + Lomb, and Walman Optical.
Before heading to VEW, check our website for all the latest on celebrity appearances, special events, and promotions. We’ll be adding them as they come in. Where?eyecarebusiness.com/webexclusives
The FACT FILE
A Center for Disease Control (CDC) study found that almost all (99%) of the 41 million estimated contact lens wearers are engaging in at least one behavior known to increase their risk of eye infections.
50.2% WEAR THEIR CONTACT LENSES WHILE SLEEPING
82.3% KEEP THEIR CONTACT LENS CASES LONGER THAN RECOMMENDED
55.1% “TOP OFF” SOLUTION, ADDING NEW SOLUTION TO THE EXISTING SOLUTION INSTEAD OF EMPTYING THE CASE OUT FULLY BEFORE ADDING NEW
Duplan to Lead Alcon North America
Sergio Duplan
Alcon has appointed Sergio Duplan as region president, Alcon North America. He succeeds Robert Warner, who assumes a new Alcon executive committee role as global franchise head, Alcon Vision Care.
Warner is a well-known leader in the eyecare community with over two decades of experience at Alcon. He has held key global and regional roles throughout his career, including successfully leading Alcon U.S. since 2012. Prior to that, he served as region president, Alcon Latin America and the Caribbean. In his new role as global franchise head, Warner will lead Alcon’s global Vision Care business, with responsibility for strategy, marketing, portfolio development, commercial execution, and chairing the global franchise team.
Duplan most recently served as region president, Alcon Latin America and Canada. He joined Novartis more than 11 years ago and has held several leadership roles within Novartis Pharmaceuticals before joining Alcon in 2012. Duplan earned a Bachelor’s degree from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Like Warner, he is widely respected as a strong people- and customer-focused, strategic leader who builds strong teams in service of the company’s
mission, according to Alcon.
FOUNDER OF STARLINE DIES
George Rich
George Rich, founder of Starline Optical Corporation, died last month at the age of 83. Rich served as the president of Starline—the company that introduced Safilo eyewear to the United States. Starline, the first wholesaler of Safilo Elasta products in the U.S., was acquired by Safilo in 1988.
A native of Hungary, Rich served on the Board and later became Chairman of Eastern Europe for the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), an organization that was particularly meaningful for him. After surviving World War II in Hungary and escaping to Austria, he lived in a Displaced Persons Camp run by the JDC for three years.
Rich and his wife Martha, who predeceased him, were active in many Jewish charities, including as founding members and benefactors of the Education Division of the Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York City, Metro-West of New Jersey, and Eternal Flame of New Jersey.
Hilco Vision has acquired Breitfeld & Schliekert GmbH (B&S) and Lexxoo International GmbH. These transactions represent the first add-on acquisitions for Hilco Vision since Blue Point Capital Partners acquired Hilco in May 2014.
B&S is a Germany-based distributor of optical and optometric tools, equipment, supplies, and accessories. Operating for over 85 years, B&S offers approximately 30,000 products to major optical chains, independent eyecare offices, and optical labs across Europe. With more than 9,500 active customers, it is the largest provider of optical products in Germany.
Lexxoo, also based in Germany, supplies sunglasses, reading aids, contact lenses, and related products to large retailers, including convenience and drug stores, throughout the country.
Ross Brownlee, CEO of Hilco, says: “Hilco Vision has enjoyed a strong presence and reputation in the United States and United Kingdom for many years. The same is true of B&S and Lexxoo in Germany and many parts of continental Europe. Both parties share a common purpose to bring innovative solutions with exceptional quality to support our customers. Through this acquisition, we seek to further enhance those solutions and extend our reach to customers globally.”
Dominik Finkeldei, president of B&S, adds, “We see the combination of our companies strengthening our offer of professional products and consumer goods to existing and new markets in the very near future.”
Shedding Some (Blue) Light on Research
times Square in New York City, where LED signs can “turn night into day,” was a fitting location for The New York Blue Light Symposium, held at the Marriot Marquis. The event was sponsored by the International Blue Light Society (IBLS), founded to research and release findings on the effects of blue light on the human body.
Since the World Health Organization declared 2015 the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015), the location was a fitting backdrop for global pronouncements on light and the health of the human race.
Blue light is emitted from computer and smartphone LED display screens, and impacts the human body through eye disease, eye fatigue, biological clock disruption, and other means.
“We are experiencing a brighter environment than ever before,” Kazuo Tsubota, senior representative of the IBLS, said at the symposium. “The intensity and quality has changed.”
Speaking about the myriad research studies on the effects of our new exposure to blue light, Tsubota said: “There are new papers coming out every year that indicate that it’s NOT the UV, but the visible light that’s causing the macular degeneration. Why? The visible light is reaching all the way to the retina.”
Richard Stevens, M.D., from the University of Connecticut, was in attendance to outline the other physical effects of blue light exposure, including the interruption of circadian rhythms, increased cancer risk, depression, obesity, and more.
At the symposium, the IBLS outlined three measures to counter consequences of artificial illumination faced by the global community:
Kazuo Tsubota speaks at the symposium about recent blue light research
MEASUREMENT: Scientifically prove the effects of blue light on human health through coordination with global researchers.
MANAGEMENT: Discuss blue light’s role in daily life and how to better manage consumption.
EDUCATION: Educate and spread understanding about blue light’s place in society.
The symposium was sponsored by Jins, a Japan-based eyewear company that recently opened its first U.S. store in San Francisco.
At the event, Jins announced the launch of its Jins Screen, a coating and lens substrate that filters harmful blue light. Jins Screen is being made available in plano eyewear and sold online and at Jins retail stores (jins.com).
A national online consumer opinion survey reveals that contact lens wearers say they are concerned about the potential for increased risks not only to their visual health but to the privacy of their personal data that could arise from online purchase of contact lenses.
The just-completed survey found that nearly 75% of contact lens consumers feel it is riskier to obtain their contact lenses from online and other sources rather than from their local eye doctor, according to Public Opinion Strategies (POS).
Less than 10% of contact lens consumers say they believe their personal health information is more likely to be properly safeguarded by online and other sources rather than their family eye doctor.
The survey found that 89% of contact lens consumers said their family eyecare doctor provides the most personalized service and cares the most about a patient’s eye health. Furthermore, 93% of contact lens wearers said that their family eye doctor was the best source of information when it came to caring for contact lenses and preventing related eye health problems.
New Program For Paraoptometric Careers
the American Optometric Association (AOA) has launched the Paraoptometric Career Ladder, designed to revolutionize training and hiring for paraoptometrics and have a tangible impact on the success of optometrists’ practices. The program was developed by the AOA Paraoptometric Resource Center (PRC) and is available to AOA-member optometrists and their staff.
The Paraoptometric Career Ladder is a self-paced program and streamlines the training of new staff, or cross-training of seasoned staff, in six different job areas. The program, complete with an assessment tool, helps the optometrist or office manager determine the full range of staff’s abilities and identifies the areas of need for additional training.
Once the job areas are identified, goals and timelines are set for learning, and paraoptometrics follow the step-by-step approach to learn equipment, terminology, processes, and procedures. All learning objectives are linked to the education materials that cover each topic. The AOA recommends using the Paraoptometric Career Ladder when evaluating staff’s yearly performance, preparing paraoptometrics for the certification examination, or during team meetings.
The Paraoptometric Career Ladder not only provides paraoptometrics with efficient and consistent training, it allows doctors to dedicate more of their time toward patient care and even seeing additional patients, as opposed to training staff.
“One of the challenges facing every optometric practice is trying to squeeze in time for staff training,” says Beverly Roberts, CPOT, former chair of the work group for the Paraoptometric Career Ladder program. “Not only does training staff take key personnel away from their regular duties, but an increased amount of stress is generated by staff having to cover others’ job responsibilities during that time. Unless the practice has an existing training manual that they use consistently, there may be gaps in training from one person to another, especially if the training takes place at different times for each staff person.”
The Paraoptometric Career Ladder is exclusive to AOA members and is a benefit included in AOA membership.
{FROM THE VAULT}
YOU SAY COLMOSCOPE, I SAY POLARISCOPE
An American Optical colmoscope was featured in the August 1944 issue ofScientific American(pictured here, left) The other image (right) is a similar unit that was used in 1944, and can currently be seen at the Optical Heritage Museum. In the mid-century, it was used to determine if a glass lens had been heat treated for impact resistance. If it was, a cross pattern would be evident on the lens.
Today, the colmoscope can still be a valuable tool, especially to detect stress in Ienses—a detection that is very valuable when dealing with molded polycarbonate. The only change: they are now called polariscopes.
This and many other artifacts from throughout the industry’s history can be seen at The Optical Heritage Museum, located in Southbridge, MA.
LUXOTTICA and BURBERRY GROUP announce the renewal of an exclusive license agreement for the development, production, and worldwide distribution of sunglasses and prescription frames under the Burberry name. The 10-year agreement will extend to December 31, 2025.
Christopher Bailey, chief creative officer and CEO of Burberry, says: “I am delighted that we will continue to work with Luxottica under this new agreement. Eyewear is an exciting area of our business, combining great design with fine craftsmanship in much the same way as many of our iconic products. We look forward to continuing to partner with the industry leader in eyewear, to further unlock the potential of our two brands.”
The most recent eyewear collection from Burberry, The Gabardine Collection, takes its inspiration from Burberry’s iconic gabardine fabric.
First invented by company founder Thomas Burberry in 1879, the lightweight and protective gabardine cloth is woven at the Burberry Mill in Yorkshire for the brand’s heritage trench coats.
MODO and DEREK LAM have expanded their relationship by entering into a worldwide licensing agreement for the design, manufacturing, and distribution of eyewear frames and sunglasses under the Derek Lam 10 Crosby brand. The partnership aims to extend the Derek Lam 10 Crosby brand that launched in 2011 as a new advanced, contemporary collection to include a new eyewear line that has a more accessible approach while maintaining the Derek Lam integrity of design.
Lam states, “What is unique to ‘Derek Lam 10 Crosby’ is its intelligent sense of style combined with surprising twists on classics. As with my ready-to-wear line, the Derek Lam 10 Crosby eyewear collection adds a distinctive downtown element to eyewear of highest quality and integrity of design.”
The collection will launch during Vision Expo West 2015 in Las Vegas, and will include both optical and sunwear to be distributed through select high-end optical stores and fashion retailers.
“We are extremely proud and excited about this collaboration,” says Alessandro Lanaro, CEO of MODO. “Derek is one of the most talented designers of our time. His subtle elegance and sophistication, and out-of-the-ordinary materials fit perfectly with Modo’s product philosophy. We are looking forward to positioning Derek Lam 10 Crosby eyewear as an exclusive alternative to the spirited luxury consumer.”
Changing the World With Special Olympics
last month in Los Angeles, Essilor and the Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) provided vision care to 3,000 athletes at the Special Olympics World Games. Athletes were able to get their eyes checked and choose from a selection of Transitions prescription lenses, sports goggles, and sunglasses at the Special Olympics–Lions Club International Opening Eyes tent.
Essilor volunteers also manned a temporary lab providing on-campus edging services so that many athletes could receive eyewear within 24 hours.
To celebrate their long-term partnership, Essilor and EVF hosted a reception with more than 75 guests at the Marshall B. Ketchum University, including Tim Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics. Shriver told attendees, “These athletes are the cream of the crop at this, yet 40% can’t see!” According to university president Kevin Alexander, O.D., the school brought in 22 doctors and 77 students to help those athletes see better.
Hubert Sagnières, chairman and CEO of the Essilor Group told guests, “Essilor and Special Olympics share the same passion for ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has the opportunity to live life to its fullest.” And talking about the role the games and better vision play, athlete and global messenger Stephanie Handojo from Indonesia brought the house down when she said, “I need my lenses to stay focused. Together, we can change the world.”
Athlete and global messenger Stephanie Handojo, left, with her mentor Anastasia
Essilor CEO Hubert Sagnières, left, with Special Olympics CEO Tim Shriver
Steve Shawler (center) with the Essilor Vision Foundation team
Essilor of America’s Eric Leonard (right) with restaurateur Patrick Esquerre
Institute Gains Momentum
The Vision Impact Institute reports it is continuing to gain momentum, as it recently completed its first advisory board meeting of the year, culminating in the recommitment of all five board members for an additional two-year extension. Additionally, the organization registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, fully funded by the Essilor Social Impact Fund.
As part of the two-day board meeting, Vision Impact Institute collaborated with the African Vision Research Institute (AVRI), reviewing current strategies and upcoming research studies, and examining the gaps that exist in global research on uncorrected refractive error. Having identified a gap in evidence for adults ages 18 to 64, the Vision Impact Institute added a new category of evidence to the site that focuses on adults and specifically presbyopia. The new section includes global studies on presbyopia as well as studies from specific regions including Tanzania, the Philippines, India, and Timor-Leste.
“We passionately believe that the key to impacting change for vision health is utilizing research to strengthen and support advocacy objectives,” says Maureen Cavanagh, president of the Vision Impact Institute. “Our growing body of evidence is critical as we aim to reinforce the importance of healthy vision and the benefits of vision correction and support the argument on a global scale that eye health should be considered a priority of general health.”
Envision Fellowships Available
Envision announced that it has initiated a search for two additional Postdoctoral Research Fellows to design and execute research projects in conjunction with the Envision Research Institute (ERI), launched earlier this year.
The new fellows will be sponsored by sister blind and visually impaired agencies Bosma Enterprises, the Indianapolis-based manufacturer and provider of job training, employment services, rehabilitation and outreach for those who are blind and visually impaired, and LC Industries, Inc., the Durham, NC-based manufacturer of Skilcraft-brand products and operator of distribution centers and retail stores on military bases.
ERI Research Fellows will work on their respective studies for up to two years, partnering with mentors at Envision and at educational, research, and medical institutions around the world. Their work puts them on a fast track to independent and impactful research careers, and provides a nurturing environment in which they can strive to pinpoint solutions to improve the quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation, the charitable foundation of the American Optometric Association (AOA), is accepting applications for four scholarship opportunities offered to optometry student members of the AOA and the American Optometric Student Association.
Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship, sponsored by Essilor $10,000 for one third-year student.
This scholarship honors Bernard Maitenaz, who worked at Essilor for 42 years and was the inventor of the Varilux lens.
InfantSEE Scholarship, sponsored by Vision West, Inc. First-place: $5,000 for a third-year student
Runner-up: $2,500 for a third-year student
The InfantSEE scholarship requires applicants to demonstrate their commitment to children’s vision and the InfantSEE program, which provides no-cost comprehensive eye and vision assessment for infants between six months and one year of age.
Dr. Seymour Galina Scholarship $2,500 for a third-year student
Applicants must demonstrate the qualities they have developed through financial planning/work experience during and/or before optometry school.
Dr. Pat and Patrick Cummings Scholarship, sponsored in part by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. $5,000 for a fourth-year student
In tribute to father and son, the Cummings family has established the Dr. Pat & Patrick Cummings Memorial Fund.
Live Eyewear announces the appointment of Jay Raftery as vice president of business development. In this newly created role, Raftery will manage a completely new segment of the company’s business, which will be launched during Vision Expo East in New York. Before leaving to join a private law firm, Raftery served as Live Eyewear’s in-house general counsel from 2010-2013.
Blanchard Contact Lenses has brought on Amy Chow as account manager covering Ontario and Beth Innarelli providing sales and marketing support in both the U.S. and Canada. Chow worked as an LDO at a Toronto practice owned and operated by her family. Innarelli brings with her 13 years of marketing experience including social media, event planning, and account management.
NSL Analytical Services, Inc., appointed Andrea Pierce to quality manager. Pierce was previously in the role of audit specialist. She joined NSL Analytical in 2012 as the document coordinator for the quality department.
{BUSINESS UPDATES}
Optifog lenses by Essilor have been awarded the Seal of Approval by the American Culinary Federation, the largest professional organization of chefs and cooks in the United States. The lenses were judged based on standard criteria including: ease of use, versatility of the product, consistency, and product guarantees and claims.
Super Systems Optical Technologies, maker of the FastGrind system, has updated its name and logo. It is now Super Optical International.
{AWARDS}
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) announces the recipients of the 2015 Special Recognition Awards: ASCO Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Alfred A. Rosenbloom (posthumously), former Dean and president of the Illinois College of Optometry; ASCO Rising Star, Dr. Todd Peabody; Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award, Dr. Mark Colip; ASCO Ophthalmic Industry Leadership Award, Dave Sattler, former director of professional relations at Alcon; Dr. Lester Janoff Award for Writing Excellence, Denise Goodwin, O.D., FAAO, John R. Hayes, Ph.D., and Len Koh; Student Award in Clinical Ethics, Molly Spatcher.
World Sight Day To Raise Needed Funds
Now in its 9th year, and coordinated by Optometry Giving Sight, the World Sight Day Challenge invites eyecare professionals, their staff, patients, industry partners, and students of optometry to raise funds throughout September and October to help the 600 million people around the world who are needlessly vision impaired.
World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. It is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) as part of the VISION 2020 Global Initiative.
This year’s World Sight Day is on October 8, and its call to action is: Eye Care for All.
“Participation in the challenge is fun and easy to do,” says Clive Miller, CEO of Optometry Giving Sight. “Whether you choose to write a check, purchase a wristband, become a monthly donor, run a practice promotion such as I Care & Share, or get involved in fundraising, this is the time when the global optometric profession and industry rallies together to ensure that all people can gain access to the vision care they need.”
Fundraising activities in the practice, office, or school are always a highlight of the campaign. Last year saw practitioners shaving their heads; practice staff proudly wearing their t-shirts throughout October; and companies finding creative ways to engage their staff and management. Optometry Giving Sight has t-shirts and wristbands for purchase and materials to help you promote your involvement in the practice, at work, or at your school.
To donate or pledge your participation, visit givingsight.org or call 888-OGS-GIVE.
On the Town
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Summer fun was worked into the business plan of Zyloware’s “We Are Zyloware “initiative. The company hosted the amazing Ice Cream Emergency vehicle at its Long Island City, NY, office, and invited employees, the local and optical press, and local residents to join in on the ice cream fun. Unsurprisingly, it was a great success and created lots of smiling faces.
The “We Are Zyloware” campaign celebrates what makes Zyloware the success it is: family, history, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Zyloware employees and friends enjoy the Ice Cream Emergency vehicle
CLEAR SAILING
Blackfin was one of the official sponsors for the Dart18 European Championship, the catamaran championship held in August at Marina di Grosseto in Tuscany. Over 150 sailors from six different nations took part in a series of races resulting in the crowning of the number-one crew of the Dart18 class of catamarans, designed and built in 1976 in England by Rodney March.
Blackfin provided all the top teams in the competition with “Blackfin for DART18 European 2015,” a personalized edition of two pairs of sunglasses: BF735 Black Gravity and BF729 Shanks. These two iconic models have a sporting soul combining the height of style and performance, entirely designed and manufactured in Italy according to the precepts of the “neomadeinitaly” brand.
A sailor works in her Blackfin BF735 Black Gravity
Style BF729 Shanks and BF735 Black Gravity were personalized for sailors in the Dart18 European Championship
Claudio Gottardi and Anthony Izzo with Gianluca Traina’s “Private Eye”
Anh Tran of Hark + Hark alongside her work, “Refract”
The band plays on in front of “How Do You See the World” by Timothy Gabriel
PRETTY AS A PICTURE
The art scene and the green scene met in New York City this summer as Marchon held a cocktail event at its Manhattan showroom to celebrate the summer and the art of re-using/re-purposing eyewear in creative ways. The “Revisions of Art” exhibit featured eight pieces produced by artists from around the country using whole and pieces of frames and lenses to create a variety of works.
Puzzle
Eyewear and Fashion
EYE ON TRENDS
{WORD SEARCH}
Apparel and home fashion trends spill over into the world of frames, and each year we are able to see how eyewear colors and designs are affected by trends in these markets. Much of this change is due to the impact of the colors chosen by the Pantone Institute as popular colors for each season.
See if you can find each term in this puzzle that relates to eyewear fashion, design, and manufacturing.
By Jenean Carlton, ABOC, NCLC
WORD BANK
Balance Facial Features
Block Zyl
Color
Color Theory
Color Trends
Complimentary
Colors
Designer Brands
Enamels
Etchings
Facial Shapes
Fashion Trends
Frame Shape
Glossy
Handmade Frames
Jeweled
Laser Cuts
Luxury
Luxury Cases
Materials
Matte
Metals
Multiple Laminates
Niche Product Lines
Ornate
Perceived Experience
Point of Purchase
Materials
Precious Stones
Private Label
Skin Tones
Sunwear
Textures
Wraps
{SOLUTIONS}
The answers to the July 2015 Word Search
The solution to the Back to Basics (p. 98) crossword puzzle on Necessary Measurements:
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