By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Last week, millions of North Americans turned their eyes to the skies for a solar eclipse—total for some, partial for others, but special for all. Leading up to the big day, ECPs spent months educating their communities on how to
watch the eclipse safely, and when the eclipse finally arrived, they were able to enjoy watching the astronomical phenomenon with proper eye protection. Here, we’re taking a look back at how indies watched the solar eclipse.
By Staff
Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, offering 30 days to focus on the eye health-related issues that women around the world face. As
reported in
VMAIL, more women than men live with vision loss, and women have a higher prevalence of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, dry eye, glaucoma, refractive error and thyroid eye disease. As always, Prevent Blindness is offering
free resources, including fact sheets, shareable social media graphics, educational videos and web pages, on a range of eye health issues that predominantly affect women this month. On the local level, many ECPs use social media to spread important eyecare messages to women.
By Staff
Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:15 AM
The
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the launch of the SBA’s new Investing in America
Small Business Hub, a digital portal that provides industry-specific resources to help small businesses tap into new and existing opportunities. “The SBA’s new Investing in America Small Business Hub will help more small businesses connect to the resources, funding opportunities, and support they need to capitalize on these opportunities and strengthen their businesses,” said administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the SBA.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—The week of March 17–23, 2024 was World Optometry Week, culminating in World Optometry Day on March 23. With the theme “Advancing Optometry’s Commitment to Global Eye Care,” World Optometry Day aims to shine an annual spotlight on the profession of optometry and the contribution of optometrists worldwide to increasing access to eye health care as a human right, as
reported in
VMAIL. Here, we’re recapping how some independent optometrists across the country celebrated their profession’s special day.
By Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:25 AM
The team at
Eyes on Trade in Winston-Salem, N.C., was excited to receive a 3D printed nightlight featuring their storefront from a patient.
By Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—Next Monday, millions will turn their eyes to the sky for a solar eclipse. For those in certain areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, the eclipse will be total—but a partial eclipse will be visible throughout the entire continental United States. For ECPs throughout the country, reminding patients about the dangers of watching the eclipse unprotected has been a central focus for the past few months, as
reported in
VMAIL Weekend earlier in March.
By Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:15 AM
Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice of more than 33 million U.S. small businesses, has announced the selection of 17 new
Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), 13 of which will be hosted by established Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across 10 states. “We have seen a historic Small Business Boom, with women, especially women of color, filing new business applications at double the rates of men,” said administrator Guzman.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Last week, the optical community descended on New York City for Vision Expo East, the show’s final edition in the Big Apple before it heads to Orlando beginning in 2025. In addition to the thousands of ECPs, buyers, students and sellers, Vision Expo East 2024 showcased the second annual NOW Awards, over 450 exhibitors and more than 200 education sessions. As
reported in
VMAIL, Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo at RX, said, “We could not be happier to close out our final show in New York City on such a high note." As we set our sights on Las Vegas for Vision Expo West in September, and Orlando for 2025, let’s take a look back at how some Indies spent their last Vision Expo East in New York.
By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:25 AM
The team at Woolf Eye Lab in Pasadena, Md., welcomed Ramadan.
By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—No matter what the weather feels like where you are, Spring is officially here, bringing with it longer days, warmer air, gorgeous florals and that optimistic feel that comes with the change in seasons. As we warm into March and welcome Spring, there’s no better time than now to decorate the office, refresh your practice social media accounts or bring some new, brighter energy into your everyday. This week, we’re taking a look at how some indies are welcoming the start of Spring on social media. Feel free to get inspired for your own Spring celebration.
By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:15 AM
Finding funding can be a challenge for businesses of all sizes, whether it’s starting a new small business or looking to grow one you already own. The
U.S. Chamber of Commerce can help small businesses secure loans or grants. Each week, the organization updates its list of loans, small business grants, and other programs and organizations that can help small businesses.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:30 AM
ATLANTA—On March 3, SECO 2024 closed its five-day annual event of optometric education. As
reported in
VMAIL, the event, which featured special sessions, breakfast symposiums, hot topic breakfasts, awards events and an exhibit hall featuring more than 160 exhibitors, welcomed thousands of ECPs here. From executives to education professionals to tech experts to ODs, SECO 2024 created a hub for optometric minds.
By Staff
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:25 AM
In Houston, Texas, the
Eye Shop Eyecare team is preparing for the upcoming solar eclipse.
By Staff
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—March is Save Your Vision Month, first proposed by the American Optometric Association as a way to remind all of us to keep eye health at the forefront of our minds. With its wide-ranging theme, Save Your Vision Month provides countless opportunities for the optical community to reach out, interact with our local communities, and champion the importance of keeping our eyes healthy and protected. There’s still plenty of time to get involved—and plenty of ways to make a difference.