By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—The week of March 17–23, 2024 was World Optometry Week, culminating in World Optometry Day on March 23. With the theme “Advancing Optometry’s Commitment to Global Eye Care,” World Optometry Day aims to shine an annual spotlight on the profession of optometry and the contribution of optometrists worldwide to increasing access to eye health care as a human right, as
reported in
VMAIL. Here, we’re recapping how some independent optometrists across the country celebrated their profession’s special day.
By Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:15 AM
Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice of more than 33 million U.S. small businesses, has announced the selection of 17 new
Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), 13 of which will be hosted by established Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across 10 states. “We have seen a historic Small Business Boom, with women, especially women of color, filing new business applications at double the rates of men,” said administrator Guzman.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 28, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—There is less than a month to go until Earth Day, April 22, giving us all plenty of time to prepare for the holiday. This year, the official
Earth Day theme is “Planet vs. Plastics,” an initiative dedicated to demanding a 60 percent reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040. This goal is something the eyewear industry is already getting on board with, as more and more eyewear manufacturers switch to bio-acetates and other natural materials in place of traditional plastics.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Last week, the optical community descended on New York City for Vision Expo East, the show’s final edition in the Big Apple before it heads to Orlando beginning in 2025. In addition to the thousands of ECPs, buyers, students and sellers, Vision Expo East 2024 showcased the second annual NOW Awards, over 450 exhibitors and more than 200 education sessions. As
reported in
VMAIL, Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo at RX, said, “We could not be happier to close out our final show in New York City on such a high note." As we set our sights on Las Vegas for Vision Expo West in September, and Orlando for 2025, let’s take a look back at how some Indies spent their last Vision Expo East in New York.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:30 AM
ATLANTA—On March 3, SECO 2024 closed its five-day annual event of optometric education. As
reported in
VMAIL, the event, which featured special sessions, breakfast symposiums, hot topic breakfasts, awards events and an exhibit hall featuring more than 160 exhibitors, welcomed thousands of ECPs here. From executives to education professionals to tech experts to ODs, SECO 2024 created a hub for optometric minds.
By Staff
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—March is Save Your Vision Month, first proposed by the American Optometric Association as a way to remind all of us to keep eye health at the forefront of our minds. With its wide-ranging theme, Save Your Vision Month provides countless opportunities for the optical community to reach out, interact with our local communities, and champion the importance of keeping our eyes healthy and protected. There’s still plenty of time to get involved—and plenty of ways to make a difference.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:30 AM
ORLANDO, Fla.—From February 11 through 14, hundreds of ECPs gathered here for the 2024 edition of Transitions Academy. In front of more than 1,300 attendees from around the world, Chrystel Barranger, president, Transitions Optical, and president, EssilorLuxottica Wholesale EMEA, announced the launch of Transitions Gen S, as
reported in
VMAIL from Academy. In addition to this major product launch, the three-day event included breakout educational sessions, a brand experience and a number of networking opportunities. Here, we’re taking a look at a snapshot of Transitions Academy through the eyes of independent ECPs who were on-site.
By Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:15 AM
CHICAGO—
Main Street America has announced that it will be accepting applications for its Backing Small Business grant program from March 14 through April 7, 2024. Offered in partnership with
American Express, the program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach. This year, according to Main Street America, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their business by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change.
By Staff
Thursday, February 15, 2024 2:59 PM
When I was in optometry school, myopia management wasn’t as front and center as it is now. Indeed, the pandemic and the increased use of digital devices has made it a more pressing concern. While juvenile-onset myopia was covered sporadically in our curriculum, there were few educators specializing in it. Since last year, I’ve taken ownership of a practice in New Jersey from an optometrist who was planning to retire and reduce their workload. This transition has afforded me the opportunity to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to myopia management. With newfound autonomy, I became empowered to engage in extensive parental education initiatives and deliver comprehensive myopia management solutions to my patients.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Monday, January 29, 2024 7:30 AM
NEW YORK—January was Glaucoma Awareness Month, offering ECPs many ways to educate patients and the public about one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. Prevent Blindness is helping patients, care partners and professionals with a number of resources including a dedicated webpage, downloadable fact sheets that include financial assistance resources, shareable social media graphics in English and Spanish, educational videos, podcasts and much
more.
By Staff
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 1:51 PM
Spelling words backward and forward? Reading upside down? Counting steps? How do these visualization strategies help children succeed at school? Brenda Montecalvo, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, FCSO, is an optometrist and vision therapist in Beaver Creek, Ohio. She’s the author of Visual Secrets for School Success, and in this podcast, she explains methods she encourages chairside and in vision therapy to help students use all of their visual skills for academic success.
By Staff
Friday, January 12, 2024 9:15 AM
NEW YORK—According to a recent survey conducted by Jobson Research, independent eyewear is sold by 83 percent of independent optical retailers and this segment of the market comprises close to half of their sales. Built on an optical heritage, independent eyewear brands continue to resonate with those seeking frames with a unique soul and character. Conducted by Jobson Research, this study surveyed independent eyecare professionals dispensing independent eyewear on their offerings, sales and opinions on this category.
By Staff
Wednesday, December 27, 2023 11:15 AM
Lauren Dickerman, OD, MA, received a surprising offer in 2001—the chance to take over an established practice. The doctor who was retiring had not been pursuing new patients, so the practice was dwindling a little, but Dr. Dickerman saw it as a great opportunity—even though the timing was difficult. It was just after 9/11 and days after she realized she was pregnant. Today, Harvard Square Eye Care in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has now grown to a four-location business with four other doctors. Three offices are in Cambridge, and one is on Martha’s Vineyard. “Contact lenses have been extremely important in our growth,” she said.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—As Christmas approaches, there’s no shortage of errands and tasks to add to our lists—and that includes gift shopping. Finding the right gift can be tricky—and pretty stress inducing—but shopping and gifting season also offers the eyewear industry a moment in the spotlight. With the holiday just around the corner, many independent ECPs are taking a moment to showcase some unique and fresh gift ideas: frames. This week, we’re taking a look at some fun, bold and opti-themed gift ideas from indies.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—This year, like every year, November marked Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. The month served as a time to bring light to the many diabetes-related eye diseases, and to educate patients and the general public on how diabetes can affect the eyes. As
reported in
VMAIL, the CDC states that approximately 37.3 million people have diabetes, and 96 million people aged 18 years or older have prediabetes—making information about diabetes-related eye diseases valuable to most Americans. ECPs across the country stepped up to educate patients this past November.