CooperCompanies Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Record Revenue Growth

By Staff
Friday, December 8, 2023 12:27 AM CooperCompanies announces Q4 and Full Year 2023 record revenue growth; InfantSEE to support 2024 Call for National Pediatric Eye Health and Vision Mobilization; ECPs’ gross revenue increased, Jobson Tracker says; Microsoft’s Seeing AI App launches on Android; and VM explores diversity, equity & inclusion all topped this week’s VMAIL news feed. Click on the headlines below to catch up on anything you might have missed.

InfantSEE to Support 2024 Call for National Pediatric Eye Health and Vision Mobilization

By Staff
Thursday, December 7, 2023 12:24 AM ST. LOUIS—InfantSEE, a program that provides no-cost, comprehensive eye and vision health assessments for infants, will contribute and collaborate with the American Optometric Association (AOA) in their upcoming campaign focused on pediatric eye health. The program is concluding the year with 170,000 assessments since the initiative’s inception in 2005. Managed by Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation and backed from the beginning by longtime AOA visionary supporter Johnson and Johnson Vision, InfantSEE is a public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child’s quality of life.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Increased for the Week of Nov. 27–Dec. 3, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

By Staff
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 12:24 AM NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations increased last week, Nov. 27–Dec. 3, when compared with the previous week at a rate of 45 index points. That places gross revenue at a level 6 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 49) when compared with last year (2022), 11 points above the same period in 2021, 9 points above 2020, and 14 points above 2019, according to Jobson’s most recent Practice Performance Tracker.

Microsoft’s Seeing AI App Launches on Android, Expanding Access to More Blind and Low Vision Users

By Staff
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 12:24 AM REDMOND, Wash.—As part of the ongoing celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on Dec. 3, Microsoft has launched the newest version of its Seeing AI app on Android devices via the Google Play Store, sharing new app features and support in additional languages. The free app, designed for and with the blind and low vision community, uses the latest advances in AI at Microsoft to narrate the world from mobile devices.

VM Explores Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Vision Care Continues Its DE&I Evolution

By Staff
Monday, December 4, 2023 12:24 AM NEW YORK—The embrace of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) this year has continued to expand among many businesses, large and small, public and private. In health care, too, and vision care in particular, DE&I has continued its evolution. 2023 has been a dramatic year, one of accomplishment, for DEI awareness, widening new ways that diverse populations and people of color are represented (or introduced) to the potentials of the vision care profession as well as ways for retailers, professional offices and related product companies to address patients in new ways.

ReFocus Eye Health Further Expands its Partner Network

By Staff
Friday, December 1, 2023 12:30 AM ReFocus Eye Health expands its partner network; Registration opens for Vision Monday's 2024 Leadership Summit; ECPs’ gross revenue decreased, Jobson Tracker says; NORA appoints new executive and advisory board officers; and VM and 20/20 Magazine announce EyeVote Readers’ Choice Awards all topped this week’s VMAIL news feed. Click on the headlines below to catch up on anything you might have missed.

What's Your AI Acuity? Registration Is Now Open for Vision Monday's 2024 Leadership Summit in NYC on March 13

By Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2023 12:27 AM NEW YORK—Registration is now open for VM's 2024 Leadership Summit, which will be held in New York on Wednesday, March 13, just ahead of Vision Expo East. The program for the VM Summit is titled, "What's Your AI Acuity? Sharpening a Vision for the Future." Early bird tickets and registration have a deadline of 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 31. "The growing use of Artificial Intelligence in both health care and retail portends a seismic shift in how companies are operating," noted Marge Axelrad, SVP editorial director of Vision Monday and VMAIL.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Decreased for the Week of Nov. 20–26, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

By Staff
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 12:24 AM NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations decreased last week, Nov. 20–26, when compared with the previous week at a rate of -44 index points due to the extended Thanksgiving weekend. That places gross revenue at a level 3 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 48) when compared with last year (2022), 7 points above the same period in 2021, 5 points above 2020, and 8 points above 2019, according to Jobson’s most recent Practice Performance Tracker.

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association Appoints New Executive and Advisory Board Officers

By Staff
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 12:27 AM BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.—The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International (NORA) announced the appointments of its new executive and advisory board members. Charles Shidlofsky, OD, FCOVD, assumes the position of president, succeeding DeAnn Fitzgerald, OD, who now joins the NORA Advisory Board. Dr. Shidlofsky is clinical director of Neuro-Vision Associates of North Texas, a specialty clinic serving children and adults with neurological vision issues. He is a member of the medical staff at Baylor Scott and White Institute for Rehabilitation in Frisco, Dallas, and Fort Worth.

VM and 20/20 Magazine Announce EyeVote Readers’ Choice Awards for 2023

By Staff
Monday, November 27, 2023 12:24 AM NEW YORK—Vision Monday and 20/20 Magazine are pleased to announce the selections in the 15th annual EyeVote Readers’ Choice Awards, a special survey aimed at identifying readers’ favorite products and companies of the year. Optical retailers and ECP readers of the two Jobson Medical Information publications were asked to identify their “favorite” products in 22 distinct categories: optical frames, spectacle lenses, sunglasses, Rx sun lenses, contact lenses, optical equipment for wholesale prescription labs, optical supplies/consumables/tools, ECP/retail in-office lab equipment, diagnostic instruments, practice management software, EHR software, dispensing/measuring fitting systems, patient engagement systems, online ordering website, social purpose missions, online and social media marketing services, PPE, telehealth solution, virtual/ omnichannel sales tool, sustainable eyewear materials for frames, sustainable eyewear materials for sunwear, and low vision and assistive technology.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Increased for the Week of Nov. 13–19, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

By Staff
Wednesday, November 22, 2023 12:27 AM ECPs’ gross revenue increased, Jobson Tracker says; Services to be held for Standard Optical's CEO Aaron Schubach; WCO launches Pediatric Resource for optometrists; iCare Health Solutions achieves HITRUST certification; and Marcolin launches Leadership Academy session dedicated to women’s leadership all topped this week’s VMAIL news feed. Click on the headlines below to catch up on anything you might have missed.

Services to be Held for Standard Optical's CEO Aaron Schubach, 47

By Staff
Wednesday, November 22, 2023 12:21 AM SALT LAKE CITY—Services will be held here next week for Standard Optical's CEO, Aaron Schubach, 47, who passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 16. Aaron Richard Schubach was the fourth generation in the role of CEO at the optical company, one of the largest retailers and eyecare services providers in the state of Utah and the U.S. Standard Optical was started by his great grandfather in 1911. Schubach joined the company as VP marketing in 1999 and became CEO in 2017, succeeding his father, Stephen Schubach, who himself had followed in his father Richard's footsteps.

World Council of Optometry Launches the WCO Pediatric Resource for Optometrists

By Staff
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 12:24 AM ST. LOUIS—The World Council of Optometry (WCO) is celebrating World Children’s Day 2023 with the official launch of its Pediatric Resource, a clinical resource for optometrists as they deliver accessible, quality eyecare to children across the globe. The resource is available to the public and includes clinical information, assessment tools and references for clinicians to use to help children and their families in accessing the best eyecare possible. Resource sections on the WCO website include WCO key media messages for pediatric eyecare, pediatric equipment resource list, clinical practice guidelines surveys, materials for patient education and links to pediatric eyecare textbooks.

iCare Health Solutions Achieves HITRUST Certification for Information Security

By Staff
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 12:21 AM MIAMI—iCare Health Solutions, a VSP Vision company and managed ocular health organization that contracts with health plans and multi-specialty clinics, announced that its third-party administration processes, systems and online portals have earned certified status by HITRUST for information security.

Marcolin Launches Leadership Academy Session Dedicated to Women’s Leadership

By Staff
Monday, November 20, 2023 12:21 AM VENICE and LONGARONE, Italy—Marcolin is kicking off its third Leadership Academy, a training project dedicated to the company’s talents and future leaders, with a session dedicated to women’s leadership.