By Daniel Breeman, Sarah McGoldrick
Friday, October 11, 2024 8:30 AM
While residents of Florida braced for back-to-back devastating storms from Hurricanes Helene and Milton over the past few weeks, the optical community was busy taking steps to provide disaster relief to those affected by the natural disasters. Hurricane Helene’s devastation was felt primarily across six states, with more than 200 deaths reported from Florida to Tennessee. The death toll and damage from Hurricane Milton, which hit a major swath of Florida this past week, is still being assessed.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, September 6, 2024 8:30 AM
With the new school year underway and the fall sports season kicking into high gear, athletes of all ages are preparing to give their best on the field and maximize their performance. Keeping athletes safe and well-protected remains paramount, with eye safety at the top of the list. Similar to team sports, this task of protecting the eye health of athletes, whether amateur or professional, is a group effort, with optometrists playing a key role. “First and foremost, (ODs can) recommend sports eyewear and/or contact lenses whenever appropriate. Secondly, we should be educating our patients, coaches and trainers on the importance of sports eye safety,” said Fred Edmunds, OD, FAAO, who runs a sports vision only practice devoted to the visual performance enhancement of athletes.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, August 9, 2024 8:30 AM
With the middle of August comes the final few weeks of the summer season, a look ahead to Labor Day, the start of another school year and a busier time in general for most of us. But mid-August can also mean something else for allergy sufferers: an early start to the “fall allergy” season—a time when eye allergies can negatively impact the last few weeks of summer fun. “When fall allergies start really depends upon the location, climate and individual reactions to pollen levels and types,” said Susan A. Primo, OD, MPH, FAAO, director of Optometry and Vision Rehabilitation Services, program coordinator, Optometric Residency, Emory Eye Center and professor of ophthalmology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, July 21, 2024 2:59 AM
With the end of summer clearly in view and back-to-school and the fall optical trade show season just around the corner, we in the optical industry are once again reminded of the type of leadership and partnerships that make our industry special. Within
VM’s July/August issue, you will find our 22nd Annual Most Influential Women in Optical section, honoring women in the industry who continue to make a difference, day in and day out, through their leadership and dedication. Women’s growing influence in optical is undeniable, and today more women are playing vital roles at all levels of our industry.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, July 5, 2024 8:30 AM
July is Dry Eye Awareness month, calling attention to a disease that the
National Eye Institute (NEI) estimates affects nearly 16 million Americans—a number that is expected to grow. Symptoms of dry eye disease can include a stinging or burning feeling in the eyes, red eyes, sensitivity to light, blurry vision and itchiness. A broad range of treatment options are available, ranging from over-the-counter eye drops and nutritional supplements to prescription medications. And while it is highly treatable, dry eye disease does not discriminate; if left untreated, the NEI warns that it could lead to further medical and vision issues, especially in those with comorbidities. In light of these concerns, several initiatives are underway to help educate both optometrists and the general public about this common condition.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, June 7, 2024 8:30 AM
The good news is that cataracts is an easily treatable condition with simple and safe corrective surgery. But cataracts don’t go away on their own, experts warn, and ignoring the signs and symptoms could potentially lead to vision impairment or eventually vision loss. According to the National Eye Institute, cataracts affect more than half of all Americans aged 80 years or older. During June’s Cataract Awareness Month, ECPs should remind their patients, especially those over the age of 40, to have regular eye exams and to be aware of the symptoms related to the onset of cataracts. “The biggest risk factor is really age,” said Sila Bal, MD, MPH, a global ophthalmology fellow and a cataract, cornea and refractive surgeon.
By daniel breeman
Sunday, May 12, 2024 12:55 AM
According to the
World Health Organization (WHO), climate change presents a “fundamental threat to human health,” affecting the physical environment as well as all aspects of both natural and human systems—including social and economic conditions and the functioning of health systems. All aspects of health are affected by climate change, WHO noted, from clean air, water and soil to food systems and livelihoods. In fact, research shows that 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly susceptible to climate change.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, May 12, 2024 12:53 AM
While sustainability in the optical industry continues to make strides, major contact lens companies are doing more than their share in promoting initiatives and keeping an ear tuned to the sustainability requests and concerns of ECPs and consumers alike. Contact lens companies realize just how important it is to have support for these initiatives up and down the line, from their own employees, to ECPs and their patients, and they are developing many of their sustainability initiatives with these thoughts in mind.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, May 10, 2024 8:30 AM
The numbers are overwhelming and still climbing. Myopia is growing around the world, with a recent study estimating that on average, 30 percent of the world is currently myopic, and by 2050 almost 50 percent (5 billion people) will be myopic, according to the
International Myopia Institute. Myopia prevalence is also rising in the U.S., with a reported prevalence of 42 percent, a number that has almost doubled in three decades. The week of May 13-19 has been designated as Myopia Awareness Week 2024, a global event that aims to raise awareness about juvenile-onset myopia and encourage eyecare professionals to take necessary actions.
By Daniel Breeman, Senior Editor
Sunday, April 14, 2024 1:59 AM
NEW YORK—Samantha Jordan, head of computing and technology at the
Future Today Institute, doesn’t predict the future. Instead, she and her group utilize what they call strategic foresight, a disciplined and systematic approach to identify where to play, how to win in the future, and how to ensure organizational resiliency in the face of unforeseen disruption. The proprietary strategic foresight methodology is intended to enable organizations to plan for unpredictable futures with certainty.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, April 12, 2024 8:30 AM
There is a notable gender imbalance when it comes to eye health. In fact, two-thirds of all blindness and visual impairment occurs in women, according to the
National Eye Institute. Women also have a higher prevalence of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, dry eye, glaucoma, refractive error and thyroid eye disease. According to the
Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: Vision Beyond 2020 report, this gender imbalance can be attributed to both demographic factors and social factors. As we celebrate Women’s Eye Health and Safely Month during April, the optical industry is shining a light on this issue, with a sharp focus on prevention, education and eliminating the barriers to improved women’s eye health, including greater access to care.
By Daniel Breeman, Mary Kane
Friday, March 22, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—After nearly four decades of showcasing some of the best eyewear products, eyecare technologies and countless hours of continuing education at Vision Expo in New York City, attendees at this year’s Show soaked in every moment and celebrated Expo East held for the final time at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. More than 450 leading eyewear and eyecare companies showcased their latest products and technologies, and attendees were again treated to VisionEd, the accredited educational program of Vision Expo featuring nearly 200 sessions, new product launches, special events and company anniversary celebrations. Read on for a review of special events and photo highlights from the Show.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, March 8, 2024 8:30 AM
With an eye clearly focused on future scientific leaders, the
National Eye Institute (NEI) is again inviting teens in grades nine through 12 to submit their best videos for the
2024 Eye on the Future teen video contest. Now in its third year, the contest is open to high school students and encourages the next generation of scientists to share why science is essential in today’s world. The deadline to submit videos is April 14, 2024.
By Daniel Breeman
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 1:00 AM
From the Silent Generation to Generation Alpha, consumer attitudes and priorities are consistently shifting as retailers attempt to gain a handle on what makes each group tick and what is important to them when searching for new products. Consumers as young as 10 years and under (Gen Alpha) have their own set of purchasing criteria, such as influencers on social media, while Millennials may presently represent the most powerful and influential consumer group overall.