NEW YORK—Sandbox Stories, a podcast from industry veteran Dr. Scott Jens, has published its latest episode featuring GPN's Ed Buffington, who is receiving the Prevent Blindness “2024 Person of Vision” Award tomorrow in New York. In this episode, Buffington reflects on his 45-year career in the eyecare industry while also sharing some very personal stories about his upbringing and family. Check the YouTube video out here.  The Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award gala, to be held on March 14, 2024, will honor a variety of leading professionals in the optical industry.

The event will once again be held at 583 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y., in conjunction with Vision Expo East. Buffington, president and CEO of GPN Technologies, will be presented with the Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award, which recognizes an individual, corporation and/or organization whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life. In addition, special recognition will be given to 20/20 Magazine in celebration of its 50th Anniversary of publication.

Tickets are selling quickly and only a few available tickets remain. All proceeds from the event help support the sight-saving mission of Prevent Blindness.

 
 
The Platinum-level sponsor for the 2024 Person of Vision gala is Kavanagh, Stadlen & Binkowitz. Gold sponsors are EssilorLuxottica and GPN Technologies. Regeneron is a Silver-level sponsor. Bronze-level sponsors include Advancing Eyecare, Amgen, Bausch + Lomb, Jobson Interactive, and Vision Service Plan (VSP). Additional sponsors are Acep, Anagram/EyeCarePro/Foxfire/NVM Institute, CooperVision, DigitalOptometrics, Europa Eyewear, Keplr Vision, IDOC, Marchon, MyEyeDr., National Vision, Optical Women’s Association, Ocuco, Oyster Point Pharma, PECAA, Safilo USA, Texas State Optical, The Vision Council, Vision Expo and Vision Source. Zyloware is the Nightcap Reception sponsor.

Donations made to Prevent Blindness will be generously matched up to a total of $15,000 by Kavanagh, Stadlen & Binkowitz. All those who are unable to attend the gala in-person and would still like to support Prevent Blindness and the honorees are invited to make a gift at PreventBlindness.org/donate, or by texting SIGHT to 1-833-711-1621 (message and data rates may apply).

For more information on the 2024 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Gala, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact Albert Muci at (312) 363-6020 or amuci@preventblindness.org, or click here.