Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Dec. 28, 2021 — The World Council of Optometry (WCO) is partnering with CooperVision to host a virtual event focused on myopia management on Feb. 12.
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Dec. 28, 2021 — Prevent Blindness has declared 2022 the “Year of Children’s Vision.” The organization shares that its goal is to highlight and address the diverse and critical vision and eye health needs of children and to improve outcomes through advocacy, public health, education, and awareness.
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Dec. 28, 2021 — When examining optical sites, do patients see what they are looking for? To gain insight into top websites, we checked in with Mark Clark ABOC, MBA, vice president of digital solutions at Modern Optical International. Clark has been in the optical Industry for 20 years and has owned his own private office. He has an MBA in health care administration and is an ABO speaker.
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Dec. 28, 2021 – Assistive technology changes lives. Now, thanks to a two-year partnership between eSight and the non-profit Sight Savers America, five visually impaired students in Texas will return to school with eSight 4 vision enhancement devices.
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Dec. 23, 2021 — Mia Burton, an online retailing platform that specializes in designer eyewear, has secured 1.5 million euros in funding during 2021, which has been a year of growth for the Milan-based company.
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Dec. 23, 2021 — Trade show organizers have shared updates and approaching deadlines for Mido 2022, scheduled for February 12-14 at Fiera Milano Rho in Milan.
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Dec. 23, 2021 – As part of its Consumer Behavior & Sentiment Survey, data and tech company Numerator identifies shifts in consumer behavior by tracking purchasing data and surveying purchasers.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Dec. 21, 2021 — As 2021 comes to a close, we’re sharing EB's top 10 articles from this year, the titles and topics that resonated most with our readers.
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Dec. 16, 2021 – Nearly half of small business owners participating in Alignable’s Omicron Pulse Poll (44%) are concerned about the coronavirus variant impacting their business and impeding an already challenging recovery.
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Dec. 15, 2021 — Registration has opened for Vision Expo East 2022, scheduled for March 31 to April 3 at the Javits Center in New York City. Show organizers The Vision Council and RX announced the upcoming trade show experience will feature a new “neighborhood” show floor destination, several special events, and versatile eyecare education opportunities spanning more than 230 hours, including the return of the OptiCon@Vision Expo program and hub.
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Dec. 15, 2021 — Luxury goods company LVMH and eyewear producer/distributor Marcolin have released a joint statement on the future of Thélios, the eyewear venture started by the companies in 2017.
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Dec. 9, 2021 — Trade show organizers have shared updates on Mido 2022, scheduled for February 12-14, 2022, at Fiera Milano Rho in Milan.
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Dec. 9, 2021 – Euromonitor International, a global provider of business, market, and consumer insights, has adjusted its global and U.S. domestic economic forecasts for both Q4 2021 and all of 2022.
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Dec. 9, 2021 — Applications are now being accepted for the second annual Vision Expo Global Talent Search, a competition designed to pinpoint and support emerging eyewear designers and promote their work within the industry.
Friday, December 3, 2021
Dec. 3, 2021 – Safilo Group and Special Olympics have renewed their 18-year partnership. In addition to donating frames and sunglasses (1.3 million pairs since 2003), Safilo employees remain involved, participating as volunteers, and as well in initiatives surrounding Opening Eyes events for the athletes themselves. The partnership also contributes to providing athletes with eye exams and referrals for follow-up.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Dec. 1, 2021 — Transitions Optical has announced the members of its Diversity Advisory Board for 2021-2022. Originally formed in 2010, Transitions shares that the 11-member board works closely with the company on new programs designed to help improve Black and Hispanic representation in optometry, ophthalmology, and opticianry. In addition, the board works to identify opportunities to support eyecare professionals in their efforts to provide the best care for diverse patients.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Dec. 1, 2021 – New Look Vision Group has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Luxury Optical Holdings, Inc (LOH). The LOH acquisition will more than double New Look’s foothold in the U.S. and expand its position in the luxury market.
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Nov. 30, 2021 — The New England College of Optometry recently announced its partnership with Noodle, an online learning network, to develop a distance education doctor of optometry program.
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Nov. 30, 2021 — Black Optical, which announced its partnership with New Look Vision Group in August, recently shared the partnership’s first acquisition: St. Louis, MO-based The Eye Bar and its two retail locations.
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Nov. 23, 2021 — The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness (NCCVEH) announced it is working with leading stakeholders to establish the Children’s Vision Equity Alliance (CVEA).
The alliance will work to advance equity in children’s vision and eye health through education, access, polices, and partnerships. NCCVEH has shared CVEA’s goals, including fostering education about the role of vision in the learning, health, and development of children in the target population of underserved communities of color, beginning with a social media campaign to educate targeted populations; advocacy for policies and practices to support equitable access to vision care for children; establishing partnerships to support healthy vision and eye health equity for children; and continuing to attract leaders from the fields of ophthalmology, optometry, public health, school nursing, early childhood care and education, medical care, and parent education and engagement who work toward health equity.
Prevent Blindness shares that according to a recent report from the NCCVEH, “Children’s Vision and Eye Health: A Snapshot of Current National Issues, 2nd Edition,” children experiencing health and socioeconomic inequities have lower rates of vision testing, experience disparities in visual impairment, and have reduced access to care. Latino and Black/African American children are two to three times more likely to have unmet vision needs, shares the organization.
“Since our founding in 1908, Prevent Blindness has worked to ensure all children have the eye care access they deserve to enjoy healthy vision across their lifetimes,” says Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Through the new Children’s Vision Equity Alliance, coordinated by our National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness, we are working collaboratively with leaders, stakeholders, and advocates to make sure we evolve and grow to effectively and strategically respond to the needs of families in underserved populations and communities.”
Learn more about CVEA here.
Monday, November 22, 2021
Nov. 22, 2021 — Tom Bowen has been in the optical industry for nearly four decades. A founding principal of Williams Group, Practice Coach, Optometric Consulting Systems, and the Silvermark Agency, he is now the founder and CEO of Thrive Practice and Life Development, based in Roca, NE. Here, Bowen shares part one of strategies for establishing and maintaining a winning team culture, part two.
Monday, November 22, 2021
Nov. 22, 2021 — Tom Bowen has been in the optical industry for nearly four decades. A founding principal of Williams Group, Practice Coach, Optometric Consulting Systems, and the Silvermark Agency, he is now the founder and CEO of Thrive Practice and Life Development, based in Roca, NE. Here, Bowen shares part one of strategies for establishing and maintaining a winning team culture.
Monday, November 22, 2021
Nov. 22, 2021 — Hilco Vision has acquired Belgium and Netherlands-based Simovision BV, a distributor of ophthalmic products with dedicated divisions providing consumables and equipment for refractive, cataract, and retina surgery and dry eye patients throughout Belgium and the Netherlands.
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Nov. 18, 2021 — To better serve West Coast customers, Warby Parker has opened a second U.S. lab, this one in the Las Vegas area. The new 69,000-square-foot lab, located in downtown Summerlin, NV, is designed to primarily serve customers whose facilities are located west of Texas.
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Nov. 16, 2021 — The Vision Council has announced the launch of “Advancing Diversity & Inclusion: A Cornell Certificate for Optical Professionals,” an online four-course and capstone certificate program customized specifically for members of the vision community by Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Nov. 18, 2021 — As doctor visits increase, consumer satisfaction with vision plans is bouncing back after dropping in 2020. That’s a key finding in the recently released J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Vision Plan Satisfaction Report, which is based on the responses of more than 1,110 vision plan members from the largest vision insurance providers in the U.S.
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Nov. 18, 2021 — Eyecare Business magazine, published by PentaVision LLC, announces its 2021 #EBGameChanger awardees in vision care, honoring men and women who are having a pronounced and positive impact on the optical and vision care industry.
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Nov. 11, 2021 — Vision Expo organizers The Vision Council and RX recently announced that ShopVISION, the global digital sourcing platform for the vision care community that has also served as an extension to the Vision Expo trade show experience, has doubled in size following its launch in June 2021.
Friday, November 5, 2021
Nov. 5, 2021 — Not-for-profit vision benefits company VSP Vision Care has acquired iCare Health Solutions, an integrated specialty network and administrator of comprehensive ocular care services, from Pine Tree Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on the investment in and expansion of health care services businesses.
Friday, November 5, 2021
Nov. 5, 2021 — Organizers of Vision Expo (The Vision Council and RX) have shared that more than 200 students and young professionals attended Vision Expo West 2021, which took place Sept. 22-25 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Friday, November 5, 2021
Nov. 5, 2021 — Prevent Blindness has announced that that the 2022 Person of Vision Award will be presented to Rick Gadd, president of Essilor North America.
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Nov. 4, 2021 — The Accessories Council hosted its 25th annual ACE Awards on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 2, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. The ACE Awards celebration honors individuals and companies who have furthered the awareness and use of accessories. Created in 1997, the awards continue to celebrate the accessories industry and aim to bring awareness to the categories prior to important shopping periods.
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Nov. 4, 2021 — Tom Bowen has been in the optical industry for nearly four decades. A founding principal of Williams Group, Practice Coach, Optometric Consulting Systems, and the Silvermark Agency, he is now the founder and CEO of Thrive Practice and Life Development, based in Roca, NE. We checked in with Bowen to hear more insights, and here he shares information on the paradigm shift from “hiring” to “recruiting” in landing and keeping great staff.
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Nov. 4, 2021 — Christian Roth and Eric Domège, designers of the eponymous luxury eyewear line Christian Roth, have announced they will be stepping down from the brand.
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Nov. 4, 2021 — Bausch + Lomb announced the launch of the Biotrue Eye Care Recycling program, which will allow consumers to properly recycle all brands of their eye drop single dose units, lens cases, and lens solution caps, as well as Biotrue Hydration Boost Lubricant Eye Drops multidose bottles through a collaboration with TerraCycle.
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Oct. 28, 2021 — National Vision, Inc., recently released its first corporate responsibility report, aligning with its efforts to increase transparency in its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities.
The company shares that to address areas of most relevance for its investors and stakeholders, the report is aligned with recognized guidelines, such as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, the Global Reporting Initiative, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
View the report here.
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Tom Bowen has been in the optical industry for nearly four decades. A founding principal of Williams Group, Practice Coach, Optometric Consulting Systems, and the Silvermark Agency, he is now the founder and CEO of Thrive Practice and Life Development, based in Roca, NE.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Oct. 26, 2021 — Coinciding with the launch of the Essilor Vision Care Center digital event platform, Essilor has opened registration for the center’s inaugural event: the Global Varilux Summit.
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Oct. 21, 2021 — Optometric alliance IDOC has shared that registration is now up for its annual national conference, The Connection, scheduled for Feb. 24-26, 2022, in Orlando, FL.
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Oct. 20, 2021 — Prevent Blindness announced this week that the Senate Appropriations Committee released its proposed legislation to fund programs under the Department of Health and Human Services in fiscal year 2022.
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Oct. 20, 2021 —Aligning with Hoya Vision Care’s Corporate Social Responsibility program (designed to bridge the vision care gap around the world), the company recently announced that it has partnered with Orbis International.
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Oct. 19, 2021 — Transitions Optical is hosting its 25th Transitions Academy on Jan. 16-19, 2022 at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, FL.
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Oct. 13, 2021 — The New England College of Optometry (NECO) recently announced that it is expanding its offerings to include a hybrid teaching and clinical training model, designed to make NECO’s optometric programs more accessible.
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Oct. 13, 2021 — CooperVision has launched a new U.S. education initiative, “Take Control: Myopia & You,” designed to increase myopia awareness and encourage parents to schedule eye exams for their children.
Friday, October 8, 2021
Oct. 8, 2021 — In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15), we reached out to Diana Canto-Sims, O.D., one of EB’s inaugural #EBGameChangers, to get some key tips to better serve your Hispanic patients.
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Oct. 6, 2021 — Transitions Optical, Inc. has announced the winners for its annual Transitions Innovation Awards program, which recognizes both individuals and companies for their innovative efforts to support Transitions lenses.
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Oct. 6, 2021 — Registration is now open for next year's Mido eyewear trade show, scheduled for February 12-14, 2022, at Fiera Milano Rho in Milan.
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Sept. 30, 2021 — The World Council of Optometry has teamed up with CooperVision to release a myopia management online resource, designed to enable busy eyecare professionals to apply a standard of care to manage myopia.
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Sept. 30, 2021 — To help educate the public on the best ways to protect their eyes through proper CL care, volunteer nonprofit eye health organization Prevent Blindness has declared October as Contact Lens Safety Month.
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Sept. 30, 2021 — Johnson & Johnson Vision recently announced a collaboration with Black EyeCare Perspective (BEP), an organization designed to cultivate and foster relationships between African Americans and the eyecare industry.
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Sept. 28, 2021 — VSP Global recently appointed Indar Chaudhuri as president of VSP Optics. Chaudhuri will report to Earnie Franklin, VSP Global chief operating officer, and will be responsible for VSP Optics’ laboratory network, ophthalmic sales, product development, and supply chain operations.
Friday, September 24, 2021
Sept. 24, 2021 — The International Opticians Association (IOA) has announced the shortlist for the 2021 Silmo IOA International Optician of the Year Award.
Friday, September 24, 2021
Sept. 24, 2021 — Canadian-based diversified health care provider FYidoctors has announced its expansion into the U.S. market.
Friday, September 24, 2021
Sept. 24, 2021 — CooperVision, Inc., announced its seventh annual search for the country’s best eyecare practices.
Friday, September 17, 2021
Sept. 17, 2021 — The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) has shared information on this year’s online auction, created to support OWA's various professional development programs of educating, mentoring, and connecting women in the optical industry.
Friday, September 17, 2021
Sept. 17, 2021 — The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) has announced its new president and three additional board members.
Friday, September 17, 2021
Sept. 17, 2021 — L’Amy America and Scene Eyewear, LLC, have announced an exclusive manufacturing agreement to produce eyewear in America.
Friday, September 10, 2021
Sept. 9, 2021 — The Vision Council and RX, organizers of Vision Expo, recently shared the latest VisionSAFE guidelines to be enforced at Vision Expo West from Sept. 22-25 at the Venetian Convention Center & Expo in Las Vegas.
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Aug. 31, 2021 — Three-time Grammy winner and modern soul star Maxwell recently honored three recipients of the Opening Your Eyes: The Vision Council Scholarship Fund at the Times Square Edition hotel.
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Aug. 31. 2021 — EssilorLuxottica has announced the launch of a share buyback program. With a view to implementing this share buyback program, the company has granted a mandate to an investment services provider for the purchase of up to 2 million EssilorLuxottica shares, depending on market conditions, over a period starting from Aug. 31, 2021, up until Oct. 29, 2021.
Monday, August 30, 2021
Aug. 30, 2021 — Silmo Paris optical trade show is gearing up to unite the industry in person from Sept. 24-27 at the Paris Nord Villepinte.
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Aug. 26, 2021 — The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) has announced that registration is now open for the International NORA 2021 online conference.
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Aug. 26, 2021 — The American Academy of Optometry Foundation, in collaboration with the Fredric and Marion Rosemore Family Foundation, has announced the 2021 recipient of the Fredric Rosemore Low Vision Educational Grant.
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Aug. 25, 2021 — The Vision Council and RX, organizers of Vision Expo, have announced that the Career Zone-Student Lounge will return to Vision Expo West 2021, scheduled for Sept. 22-25 in Las Vegas.
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Aug. 18, 2021 — The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health (NCCVEH) at Prevent Blindness has announced the recipient of the seventh annual Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award.
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Aug. 18, 2021 — National Vision Holdings, Inc., has shared that its received two awards for gender diversity.
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Aug. 17, 2021 — The Vision Council and RX, co-organizers of Vision Expo, have announced that more than 275 exhibiting companies have committed to Vision Expo West, scheduled for Sept. 22–25 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Aug. 12, 2021 — Aligning with Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, Lighthouse Guild has shared five healthy vision tips to share with parents, teachers, and children in order to safeguard the eye health of today’s kids.
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Aug. 12, 2021 — CooperVision, Inc. has released the results of a recent online survey of U.S. residents focused on sustainability and contact lenses. The research follows CooperVision’s partnership with Plastic Bank to make its clariti 1 day family of contact lenses the first net-plastic neutral CLs in the U.S.
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Aug. 11, 2021 — The VSP Global Premier Program has released a new continuing education course, “A Closer Look at Diabetes for Optometrists,” in its Focus on Diabetes series, available to all VSP-network doctors at no cost through Premier Academy360.
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Aug. 11, 2021 — The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) has announced upcoming events slated to take place during Vision Expo West 2021 in Las Vegas.
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Aug. 4, 2021 — The Vision Health Alliance, a new consumer education initiative from The Vision Council, has launched its website and social media channels ahead of its first consumer campaign, slated for late August.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Aug. 3, 2021 — The National Retail Federation has addressed Covid-19 vaccination and its potential effects on economic recovery.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Aug. 3, 2021 — Aligning with the back-to-school season, Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) and FitnessGram by The Cooper Institute are partnering to raise awareness about the importance of clear vision and physical activity among teachers, school nurses, and school staff through EVF’s Champions for Sight program.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Aug. 3, 2021 — ABB Optical Group has opened its signature community grants program, ABB Cares. Launched in 2014, ABB Cares has awarded more than $75,000 in grants to nonprofits across the U.S.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
July 29, 2021 — The Vision Council announced that the Opening Your Eyes Scholarship Program’s selection committee has chosen the first round of scholarship recipients.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
July 29, 2021 — Following a free virtual event for eyecare professionals through its See Tomorrow campaign, the Contact Lens Institute (CLI) has shared its new consumer research on changes to U.S. adults’ trust in information sources, spending habits, and plans for the future.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
July 29, 2021 — New England College of Optometry announced that National Vision, Inc., has donated $100,000 to establish a new scholarship geared towards first-generation students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
July 29, 2021 — Eyecare industry group Healthy Eyes Advantage has acquired Professional Eye Care Associates of America. The acquisition was completed on July 27. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
July 29, 2021 — Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) is highlighting back-to-school season and how essential vision is for success in school with its Champions for Sight and Kids Vision for Life programs.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
July 29, 2021 — ABB Specialty Vision Products, the specialty contact lens division of ABB Optical Group, has launched its first podcast/video series focused on the science and technology of specialty contact lenses and the techniques of successfully fitting specialty and scleral lenses.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
July 28, 2021 — With the goal of supporting eyecare professionals in enhancing patient flow and boosting profitability, the VSP Global Premier Program announced the rollout of new offerings for VSP-network optometrists.
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
July 21, 2021 — The National Retail Federation (NRF) has shared that back-to-class shopping will reach record levels, according to an annual survey recently released by the NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
July 21, 2021 — The Contact Lens Institute recently launched its See Tomorrow campaign, designed to reveal insights on patients’ changing mindsets surrounding vision (including proper contact lens wear), health care, and more over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, and how the eyecare community can successfully react and respond.
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
July 13, 2021 — EssilorLuxottica has announced the creation of a Smart Eyewear Technologies Center, located within its industrial facility in Dijon, France.
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
July 13, 2021 — ABB Optical Group, in conjunction with Paragon Vision Sciences, has announced that it is accepting abstract submissions for the seventh annual Optometry Student Challenge.
Monday, July 12, 2021
July 12, 2021 — The Vision Council has released its quarterly VisionWatch market research reports for the first quarter of 2021. The reports are designed specifically for the vision care industry and survey trends in consumer behavior regarding eye exams and eyewear, analyze developments in the U.S. eyecare market, and provide key market and product category statistics.
Thursday, July 8, 2021
July 8, 2021 — In honor of National UV Safety Month, Lighthouse Guild has shared several tips for protecting eyes from sun damage.
Thursday, July 8, 2021
July 8, 2021 — Kering Eyewear and Lindberg have signed an agreement for Kering Eyewear to acquire the Danish luxury eyewear brand.
Thursday, July 8, 2021
July 8, 2021 — Essilor Luxottica announced on July 1 that it has completed its acquisition of a 76.72% ownership interest in GrandVision from HAL Optical Investments, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HAL Holding pursuant to the block trade agreement entered into with HAL on July 30, 2019.
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
July 7, 2021 — On Tuesday, July 6, to mark the 100-day countdown to World Sight Day 2021, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) launched a global campaign, #LoveYourEyes.
Thursday, July 1, 2021
July 1, 2021 — The Optometry Divas organization has announced the launch of its its new CEO of YOU Scholarship for 2021, geared toward upcoming third-year female optometry students.
Thursday, July 1, 2021
July 1, 2021 — Marketing4ECPs has acquired Innexus, a marketing company, founded in 2009, that focuses on eyecare practice marketing solutions, including website design, social media, and digital advertising to boost patient bases, brand recognition, and overall profitability.
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
June 30, 2021 — EssilorLuxottica has joined the American Optometric Association's Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety.
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
June 30, 2021 — DaTE, an international trade show highlighting avant-garde eyewear, is returning to Florence, Italy, from Saturday, Sept. 11 to Monday, Sept. 13 at the Stazione Leopolda.
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
June 23, 2021 — Eyewear retailer Warby Parker has announced it has confidentially filed to go public.
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
June 23, 2021 — EyeQue has announced a partnership with EyecareLive to offer virtual eye health appointments with eyecare professionals. The company has announced that consumers can access EyecareLive’s network of more than 4,000 eye doctors via EyeQue.com.
Friday, June 18, 2021
New findings from a national survey commissioned by VSP Vision Care of 1,500 individuals revealed that 80% of Americans say pandemic-prompted screen time put their eyes in “overdrive.” Furthermore, two-thirds of respondents report experiencing some degree of eye discomfort daily and nearly a quarter say their eyes feel worse now than they did a year ago.
Thursday, June 17, 2021
June 17, 2021 — Luxottica of the EssilorLuxottica Group and Mazzucchelli announced a collaboration agreement to develop and produce a highly sustainable acetate material, which will be accessible to all market players.
Thursday, June 17, 2021
June 17, 2021 — Luxottica of the EssilorLuxottica Group and Mazzucchelli announced a collaboration agreement to develop and produce a highly sustainable acetate material, which will be accessible to all market players.
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
June 16, 2021 — Designed to offer flexible, regional industry trade experiences in response the Covid-19 pandemic, Copenhagen Specs and Silmo Paris have teamed up to introduce the latest addition to its family of events: “Specs and the City.”
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
June 15, 2021 — Essilor Vision Foundation has announced that it is committing $250,000 to support optometrists in their efforts to to prioritize charitable patients who need vision care through its new Changing Life through Lenses Relief Fund campaign.
Thursday, June 10, 2021
June 10, 2021 — Vision Expo East 2021, the first in-person Vision Expo since 2019 (prior to the Covid-19 pandemic), concluded on Saturday, June 5. The event took place June 2-5 in Orlando, FL.
Thursday, June 10, 2021
June 10, 2021 — The Mido trade show recently concluded its digital edition, which took place June 5-7. Show organizers have shared that digital edition attracted nearly 50,000 interactions on the business platform, 438 display pages, and more than 5,700 registered users (50% internationally). Organizers share that the majority of participants were European, followed by Americans and Asians. B2B interactions are still available on the Mido platform.
Thursday, June 10, 2021
June 10, 2021 — l.a.Eyeworks, independent eyewear brand of The Optical Foundry, announced a donation of $65,000 to the Art For Justice Fund. Proceeds were generated by the sale of the l.a.Eyeworks Wells frame, launched by the brand in August 2020 and named in honor of journalist and civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells.
Thursday, June 3, 2021
June 3, 2021 — Transitions Optical is hosting an educational experience for eyecare professionals, industry trainers, and sales reps from June 13-16 at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, FL.
Thursday, June 3, 2021
June 3, 2021 — The International Sports Vision Association (ISVA) and MacuHealth have launched “Sports Nutrition for Your Eyes,” a new educational resource on the ISVA website.
Thursday, June 3, 2021
June 3, 2021 — Put on your favorite pair of sunglasses sold at your eyecare business, and take a #SunglassSelfie to share on social media in honor of National Sunglasses Day, held annually on June 27.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
May 26, 2021 — EssilorLuxottica, which recently announced its plans to exhibit for the first time as a joint company at Vision Expo East (scheduled to take place June 2-5), has shared additional information of its physical and virtual experiences for the show.
Friday, May 21, 2021
May 21, 2021 — The Mido international trade show has announced that it will host a digital edition of the eyewear event, slated to take place June 5-7.
Thursday, May 20, 2021
May 20, 2021 — The VSP Global Innovation Center recently released findings from a new report that identified vision as a key component in innovative technologies and startup companies slated to shape the future of eye care and eyewear.
Thursday, May 20, 2021
May 20, 2021 — Vision Expo organizers, The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions, have announced the launch of Vision Expo+, a free digital extension of Vision Expo East (which is slated for June 2-5 in Orlando, FL).
Thursday, May 20, 2021
May 20, 2021 — Essilor recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted “Breakthrough Device” designation to its Essilor Stellest spectacle lens, the company’s new lens developed to correct myopia and slow down the progression of myopia in children.
Friday, May 14, 2021
May 14, 2021 — Johnson & Johnson Vision announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Acute Abiliti Overnight Therapeutic Lenses. The company shares that this marks the first and only FDA approved orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lens for the management of myopia.
Friday, May 14, 2021
May 13, 2021 — BostonSight, a nonprofit eye health care organization and research center, has announced the election of Howard Purcell, O.D., FAAO, and Ron Remy, MBA, to the BostonSight board of directors.
Thursday, May 13, 2021
May 13, 2021 — CooperVision has released the latest report of its Consumer Insights Series. The report, “A Global Perspective on Spectacle Fogging,” is available for download and aims to clear up questions about face mask-related eyewear fogging while offering in-practice guidance for eyecare professionals.
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
May 12, 2021 — CooperVision is currently accepting submissions for its 2021 Science and Technology Awards, a longstanding program designed to foster relationships between recipients and CooperVision scientists in order to explore innovations in vision care and translate these ideas into practical solutions.
Friday, May 7, 2021
May 7, 2021 — Online eyewear retailer Zenni Optical has announced an exclusive collaboration with style icon and self-proclaimed “geriatric starlet” Iris Apfel.
Friday, May 7, 2021
May 7, 2021 — Shamir Optical Industry has announced a new partnership with Alpine F1 Team, a Formula One auto-racing constructor, as Shamir is slated as Alpine F1 Team’s optical performance partner.
Thursday, May 6, 2021
May 6, 2021 — Silmo Paris organizers have announced the next in-person edition of the Silmo optical fair will take place Sept. 24-27, 2021 at Paris Nord Villepinte.
Thursday, May 6, 2021
May 6, 2021 — The American Optometric Association (AOA) member benefit initiative AOAExcel has announced an upcoming webinar focused on student loan refinancing for optometrists.
Thursday, April 29, 2021
April 29, 2021 — OneSight, a global nonprofit dedicated to providing vision care through charitable vision clinics and and permanent vision centers, is seeking volunteers optometrists to serve at charitable clinics across the U.S.
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
April 28, 2021 — Hoya Vision Care has shared the results of a three-year follow-up clinical study on its MiYOSMART spectacle lens with patented Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments Technology after releasing the information at the European Academy of Optometry and Optics 2021 conference, which took place April 23-25.
Friday, April 23, 2021
April 23, 2021 — The Vision Council has released its 2020 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Survey Report, designed to provide an in-depth analysis of the custom survey the organization fielded to the vision care community.
Friday, April 23, 2021
April 23, 2021 — Lighthouse Guild has shared sports-related resources and tips for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Thursday, April 22, 2021
April 22, 2021 — In recognition of Earth Day (April 22), the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness has declared a climate emergency and released a call to action for environmentally sustainable practices in the eye health sector.
Thursday, April 22, 2021
April 22, 2021 — Consumer insights company Numerator has shared top findings on current shopping behaviors compared to pre-Covid levels.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
April 14, 2021 — The World Council of Optometry shared that its board of directors unanimously approved a resolution advising optometrists to incorporate a standard of care for myopia management within their practices.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
April 14, 2021 — VSP Global has announced it has been selected as a 2021 U.S. Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies and the achievements of their management teams.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
April 13, 2021 — The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions, organizers of Vision Expo, have announced that the National Optometric Association will host an upcoming Regional Meeting on Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5 at Vision Expo East.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
April 13, 2021 — Black Eyecare Perspective, an organization created to cultivate lifelong relationships between African Americans and the eyecare industry, is hosting a Signing Day event to celebrate the achievements of the Black Eyecare Perspective Pre-Optometry Club members who have been admitted into the Class of 2025 at a school or college of optometry.
Friday, April 9, 2021
April 8, 2021 — The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions, organizers of Vision Expo, have announced that the Professional Opticians of Florida will join Vision Expo East 2021, taking place June 2–5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, as an official supporter.
Thursday, April 8, 2021
April 8, 2021 — The National Retail Federation anticipates that the unprecedented surge of imports at retail container ports which started last summer will continue, at least through the end of this summer, as retailers work to meet increased consumer demand.
Thursday, April 8, 2021
April 8, 2021 — Essilor Vision Foundation has announced two new board members: Marc Ferrara, president of Jobson Optical Group, and Lynn Fisher, director of corporate giving for the Rosewood Corporation.
Thursday, April 1, 2021
April 1, 2021 — The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) recently hosted its latest OWA Talks podcast, with special guest and award-winning ECP Kate Hamm, O.D., senior management of O.D. engagement at Luxottica.
Thursday, April 1, 2021
April 1, 2021 — The California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has recently relisted Bisphenol A (BpA) as a possible source of developmental toxicity, in addition to its existing listing as a possible source of reproductive toxicity.
Thursday, March 25, 2021
March 25, 2021 — EssilorLuxottica has entered into an agreement to acquire U.S.-based lab network Walman, which has 35 facilities across the U.S., including prescription lens-finishing labs and hubs for optical instruments and other vision care products.
Thursday, March 25, 2021
March 25, 2021 — EssilorLuxottica has shared this week that the European Commission has cleared its acquisition of GrandVision.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
March 24, 2021 — The National Retail Federation has shared that, according to results from its annual survey with Proper Insights & Analytics, consumers plan to spend an average of $179.7 this Easter.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
March 24, 2021 — The MIDO international eyewear exhibition 2021, originally scheduled for June 5-7 at Fiera Milano exhibition and trade center, will now be presented in a digital platform. The next in-person edition of the show is postponed to Feb. 12-14, 2022.
Monday, March 22, 2021
Registration is now open for Vision Expo East 2021, organized by The Vision Council (TVC) and Reed Exhibitions.
Thursday, March 18, 2021
March 18, 2021 — Visa and MasterCard announced this week that they are delaying a restructuring of credit care swipe fees that were set to be implemented in April. The increases were expected to total $1.15 billion, according to payments consulting firm CMSPI.
Thursday, March 18, 2021
March 18, 2021 — The VSP Global Premier Program has announced two upcoming webinar opportunities for supporting optometrists to earn no-cost, live, COPE-approved CE credit.
Thursday, March 18, 2021
March 18, 2021 — Visus Therapeutics, Inc., has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted its Investigational New Drug Application to proceed with the clinical development program for Brimochol.
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
March 17, 2021 — Recent data shared from the National Retail Federation reveals that retail sales gained notable year-over-year traction in February, despite a monthly slowdown from atypically high numbers in January.
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
March 17, 2021 — Amid Covid-19 and the financial uncertainty families are experiencing regarding their ability to pay for crucial expenses such as food and medical care, Essilor Vision Foundation is highlighting its See Kids Soar program.
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
March 17, 2021 — CooperVision recently announced its 2021 Best Practices honorees, celebrating peer-selected optometric practices across the U.S.
Thursday, March 11, 2021
March 11, 2021 — The Vision Council (TVC) has released the results of its February 2021 Eyecare Provider Insights Survey, which was fielded to the organization’s panel of more than 1,700 eyecare professionals during the last week of February.
Thursday, March 11, 2021
March 11, 2021 — Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has launched its 2021 grant funding cycle, with opportunities to submit in both the spring and fall.
Thursday, March 11, 2021
March 11, 2021 — Lighthouse Guild is calling for state officials to expand eligibility and access to Covid-19 vaccination for people who are blind.
Thursday, March 11, 2021
March 11, 2021 — National optical retailer Eyemart Express has announced the introduction of a flexible payment option, available to its store nationally by the end of March.
Thursday, March 11, 2021
March 11, 2021 — As the Covid-19 pandemic enters its second year, the Centre for Ocular Research & Education is releasing two infographics to help eyecare professionals continue ongoing patient communications regarding questions patients may have on proper eye care.
Friday, March 5, 2021
March 5, 2021 — The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) has announced its 2021 award honorees: Gai Gherardi, co-founder and co-designer of l.a.Eyeworks, and Deborah Myres, owner of Visual Inspirations.
Friday, March 5, 2021
March 5, 2021 — Eyefinity is hosting a virtual education conference, The Lodge, offering attendees Eyefinity practice management and Eyefinity EHR software training.
Thursday, March 4, 2021
March 4, 2021 — To provide access to health care services during the Covid-19 pandemic, Walgreens has expanded its digital health platform, Walgreens Find Care, to include 11 new and four expanded collaborations with providers.
Thursday, March 4, 2021
March 4, 2021 — The National Retail Federation (NRF) has responded to several states lifting mask mandates amid the Covid-19 pandemic by issuing a statement from Bill Thorne, NRF’s senior VP of communications and public affairs.
Thursday, March 4, 2021
March 4, 2021 — Edutainment webinar series “Optical Merchandising Profit Strategies” has launched, designed to enable optical practices to elevate their merchandising effectiveness and maximize profits in a post-Covid-19 world.
Thursday, March 4, 2021
March 4, 2021 — The Optical Foundry, founded in 2019, has announced the addition of Article One eyewear to its portfolio of independent eyewear brands (joining l.a.Eyeworks, Fiction, Ogi, Ogi Kids, Seraphin, Seraphin Shimmer, Red Rose, and Scojo New York).
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Feb. 24, 2021 — Essilor has shared that Bernard Maitenaz, the inventor of the Varilux progressive lens, passed away in his home city of Paris at the age of 94.
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Feb. 12, 2021 — Covid-19 (and its subsequent quarantine protocols and lockdown restriction) has brought a whole new meaning to togetherness. Here, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’ve culled four key tips for leading healthy relationships in the age of the coronavirus.
Friday, February 12, 2021
Feb. 12, 2021 — Prevent Blindness is holding its 16th annual Eyes on Capitol Hill advocacy event, held virtually this year, on Wed., Feb. 24 and Thurs., Feb. 25.
Friday, February 5, 2021
Feb. 5, 2021 — The Vision Council announced that more than $150,000 has been raised for the Open Your Eye Scholarship Program through a virtual auction, company pledges, and individual donations.
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Feb. 4, 2021 — Registration is open for this year’s MIDO international eyewear show in Milan, scheduled for June 5-7, 2021 at Fiera Milano exhibition and trade center.
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Feb. 4, 2021 — PPG and the PPG Foundation recently announced a commitment to invest $20 million by 2025 to address systemic racism and advance racial equity in the U.S. by funding educational pathways for BIPOC.
Friday, January 29, 2021
Jan. 29, 2021 — The Vision Council (TVC) and Reed Exhibitions, organizers of Vision Expo, today announced that Vision Expo East 2021, originally scheduled to take place at the Javits Center in New York City from May 25–28, 2021, will now take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL from June 2–5.
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Jan. 28, 2021 — VSP Global has announced that its sixth annual VSP Global Premier Program event, SHiFT, will take place virtually with a two-day experience (Feb. 26-27).
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Jan. 28, 2021 — Hilco Vision has released a new white paper: “Frame Materials & Cleaning Solutions—A Compatibility Study,” amid the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on how eyecare professionals deliver services to their patients.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Jan. 21, 2021 — The Vision Council has launched the Open Your Eyes Scholarship Program, a 501(c)(3) charity designed to support high school students in marginalized communities throughout the U.S. who have an interest in pursuing a career in the optical industry.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Jan. 21, 2021 — HG Vision, an organization dedicated to the success of independent optometry, recently announced an equity investment in The Power Practice, an industry consulting company led by Gary Gerber, O.D.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Jan. 21, 2021 — A recently released global survey from CooperVision underscores a gap between the concern of eyecare professionals and the understanding of parents regarding the growing myopia epidemic and the impact myopia can have on future eye health, shares the company.
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Jan. 14, 2021 — Prevent Blindness has announced its call for nominations for the 2021 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health and the second annual Rising Visionary Award.
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Jan. 14, 2021 — De Rigo and DIFF Eyewear have announced an exclusive distribution deal, effective immediately. Under the multiyear agreement, De Rigo will be the sole distributor of both DIFF Eyewear sun and optical frames in the North American optical market.
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Jan. 7, 2021 — Optometric alliance IDOC has shared its roster of keynote speakers for its upcoming national conference, The Connection 2021.
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Jan. 7, 2021 — Outskirts Press, Inc. has published “Making A Difference: How a little upstart eyewear company changed the optical industry” by Al Berg, as told to Frank Giammanco.
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Jan. 7, 2021 — CooperVision has launched the “Planet-Loving Practices Sustainability Contest,” designed to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability in eye care.
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Jan. 7, 2021 — The Vision Council has shared its quarterly VisionWatch market research reports for Q3 of 2020, revealing a net increase of 1.2 million vision correction users year over year from September 2019 to September 2020 and $37.46 billion in retail revenues during the same period.
