PEOPLE

Bausch + Lomb announced the addition of two new consultants to its specialty vision product team: Carri Rivera, FCLSA, NCLEM, joins the company as consultant and Robert Martin as senior manager of consultation and customer service.

The Leisure Collective, Inc., appointed Eric Carlson as president, Americas. He brings 25 years of experience to the role, most recently as global brand director, SVP, for Smith Optics, where he led brand, product, design, creative, social, and e-commerce teams on a global level.

BUSINESS UPDATES

ACEP, which received brand recognition in the U.S. with its Smart Mirror name and was originally American Bright Signs, Inc., announced it will begin operating under a new trade name in the U.S. market, ACEP USA.

EssilorLuxottica has entered into an agreement to acquire U.S.-based lab network Walman, which has 35 facilities across the country, including prescription lens-finishing labs and hubs for optical instruments and other vision care products.

Innovega, Inc., developer of smart glasses and contact lenses, has launched a reservations campaign for its upcoming Series A round with its partner, SeedInvest. The new public offering proceeds are slated to fund the following initiatives: the final phase of FDA clinical trials that are now in progress for smart contact lens market clearance, preparation for the launch for the first application of the system for the visually impaired, expansion of Innovega’s patent portfolio, and development of reference designs for subsequent markets. The FDA process includes a 510(k) clinical trial for the new lens material and a De Novo submission for use of the contact lens to view a near-eye display.

New Look Vision Group, Inc., announced its plans to become private once again, under new ownership. The company has entered into an arrangement agreement to be acquired by NL1 AcquireCo, Inc., an entity created by a group composed of funds managed by FFL Partners, LLC, a San Francisco-based private equity firm; Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec; and the Dr. H. Doug Barnes Family.

Optometry Giving Sight announced that Hoya Vision Care has become a national partner in Canada.

AWARDS

▴ CooperVision recently announced its 2021 Best Practices honorees: Alamo Eye Care of San Antonio, TX; Bellaire Family Eye Care of Bellaire, TX; Blink of Albuquerque, NM; Bright Eyes of Tampa, FL; Broad View Eye Center of Broadview Heights, OH; Carbon Valley Eye Care of Frederic, CO; Clearvue Vision Center of Kent, WA; DuPage Optical of Addison, IL; Professional Eye Care Center of Niles, IL; and Socialite Vision of Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

TRADE SHOWS

Registration is open for Vision Expo East 2021, organized by The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions. Originally scheduled for the Javits Center in New York City from May 25-28, Vision Expo East will now take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, from June 2-5.

The MIDO international eyewear exhibition 2021, originally scheduled for June 5-7 at Fiera Milano exhibition and trade center in Milan, will now be presented in a digital platform. The next in-person edition of the show is postponed to Feb. 12-14, 2022.