Registration Opens for IDOC's Annual Conference, The Connection 2025

ROUND ROCK, Texas—IDOC, an independent, service-focused alliance supporting more than 3,200 independent ODs, has announced that its annual conference, The Connection, is scheduled for February 13-16, 2025, at the Kalahari Resort located here. The theme, “Ignite Your Vision,” was designed to spark innovative ideas and strategies for independent optometrists, optical staff and practice managers across the country, according to the group. The Connection offers members and prospective members a chance to grow, innovate, and connect, IDOC said.

Vision Monday Launches Survey to Gauge the Effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton on the Industry

NEWARK, N.J.—Due to the devastating effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the U.S., Vision Monday has launched a survey to gauge the effects of the hurricanes on the optical industry. Click here to let us know how your business has been affected by these two historic hurricanes. If your company or organization is providing disaster relief to the optical community, we want to hear from you too. Stay tuned to VMAIL for results of the survey.

Johnson & Johnson Announces 2024 Third Quarter Sales Growth in All Segments, Contact Lens Sales Show Double-Digit Growth

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.—Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced results for its third quarter 2024 on Tuesday, with the company reporting overall sales growth of 5.2 percent to $22.5 billion, operational growth of 6.3 percent and adjusted operational growth of 5.4 percent compared with the same period last year. Sales in the U.S. grew 7.6 percent in the third quarter to $12.9 billion. In the vision care sector, contact lens sales for the third quarter showed significant increases on a worldwide basis and within the U.S.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Remained Flat for the Week of October 7–13, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations remained flat last week, October 7–13, when compared with the previous week. That places gross revenue at a level 16 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 41) when compared with last year (2023), 18 points above the same period in 2022, 27 points above 2021, 21 points above 2020 and 32 points above 2019, according to Jobson’s most recent Practice Performance Tracker.

In Hurricane Aftermath, AOA Reports That Donations to Support Doctors, Students Surpasses $233,000

ST. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association (AOA) announced yesterday that it has received more than $233,000 in combined individual and industry donations following an appeal made just about 2 weeks ago to help support doctors and students in hurricane-impacted areas. Soon after Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Southeastern U.S., the AOA Foundation issued its emergency appeal to the optical community for donations to its Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR), which provides support to optometrists, and optometry students, affected by disaster. The request for relief, made in early October, was soon extended to those impacted by Hurrican Milton last week. Since the inception of the OFDR in 2005, the group noted, it has issued more than $1,000,000 in grants.