EyeCare Partners Announces Significant Growth, as Recent Affiliations Expand Group’s Locations to 18 States

ST. LOUIS—EyeCare Partners LLC (ECP), a leading network of integrated ophthalmology and optometry providers serving patients across the entire vision care continuum, has announced 16 new partner practices that have been added to the organization since October 2020. Despite the enormous challenges of 2020, EyeCare Partners “adapted and continued to expand its footprint in the vision care field,” the announcement noted. Since the third quarter of last year, EyeCare Partners said it has added 95 offices, 11 ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and 165 doctors. The terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Transitions Optical Cancels Transitions Academy 2021

PINELLAS PARK, Fla.—Transitions Optical announced this morning that it is cancelling Transitions Academy 2021, scheduled for June 13 – 16, 2021 in Orlando, Fla. The annual meeting is one of the industry’s most well-recognized educational events, bringing together independent eyecare professionals, national and regional retailers, educators, optical laboratories, managed vision care companies, and other industry professionals from across North America and around the globe. In lieu of Transitions Academy 2021, Transitions Optical said it will continue to connect with and support the optical industry through virtual events like Transitions The Pulse, which brought together over 10,000 global attendees, and its Innovation Awards, virtual education and customized training events.

Third VM ‘Micro Chat’ Explores Access to Care and Social Determinants of Health

NEW YORK—With millions of Americans facing job losses and other economic hardships resulting from the pandemic, providing access to healthcare for those in need has taken on new urgency. The crisis is prompting healthcare policy makers and researchers to sharpen their focus on the underlying causes that prevent many people from getting the healthcare services they need. In a new video, “Access to Care: The Social Determinants of Health,” VM editorial director Marge Axelrad and lens and technology editor Andrew Karp discuss this timely topic and how it impacts vision care. The video, the third in a series of “Micro Chats on Macro Topics,” can be viewed here.

J&J Vision Launches Global Collaboration With Menicon Aimed at Managing Myopia Progression in Children

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Johnson & Johnson Vision announced Wednesday a global strategic collaboration with contact lens maker Menicon aimed at creating a portfolio of products and services to manage the progression of myopia in children. "For decades, Johnson & Johnson Vision has invested in research collaborations with academic centers, research institutes and leading global health organizations who share our vision of leading with science to reshape the future of myopia and eye health," said Peter Menziuso, global president, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.

National Optical Sales Experience Significant Declines for Week of March 29 to April 4, Jobson Practice Performance Tracker Says

NEW YORK—Over a holiday weekend during which the U.S. reached a record four million COVID-19 vaccine doses given in 24 hours, according to the CDC, national optical sales experienced significant declines. Over the course of last week (March 29-April 4), optical service/product categories were down on a national basis by -4 index points for frame units and lens pairs and -5 index points for gross revenue, exams/refractions, and contact lenses, according to the latest Jobson Practice Performance Tracker.