By Staff
Friday, April 3, 2020 12:27 AM
NEW YORK—Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,
Luxottica Group has taken a number of steps, both in North America and Italy, to protect customers, employees, partners and medical workers. In the U.S., Luxottica is donating 8,000 pairs of protective eyewear and 100,000 medical masks to hospitals in New York, California, Atlanta and Cincinnati, a company spokesperson told
VMAIL. The protective medical masks are usually used in Luxottica's manufacturing plants to protect against dust and debris. The protective eyewear will include a mix of goggles and protective wraparound glasses that help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
By Staff
Friday, April 3, 2020 12:24 AM
NEW YORK—For everyone’s health and safety, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other doctors are being urged to see only patients for urgent or emergent problems during the coronavirus pandemic. According to an announcement from Prevent Blindness, this is important for two reasons:
• To limit contact between patients and staff in offices, waiting rooms, exams rooms, and surgical facilities to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
• To conserve vital disposable medical supplies (like masks, gloves, face shields, and sanitizing wipes, etc.) so they can be used in hospitals where they are most needed right now.
By Staff
Friday, April 3, 2020 12:21 AM
VM brings you the latest information from optical companies and organizations responding to the coronavirus pandemic. California lifestyle brand
Blenders Eyewear has repurposed a portion of its manufacturing to make safety goggles for health workers in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The company will donate 10,000 goggles to Southern California hospitals in San Diego and Los Angeles. It is also partnering with
Direct Relief, an international humanitarian aid organization, through which it will provide an additional 20,000 pairs of goggles to high-need regions in the U.S. such as New York City. In addition, 5 percent of all Blenders' sales throughout the month of April will go to Direct Relief.
By Staff
Friday, April 3, 2020 12:15 AM
ALEXANDRA, Va.—Greg Chavez, The Vision Council’s executive vice president of operations and membership, is moving on from the organization to assume a new position as CEO of
The Dental Trade Alliance (DTA). Chavez has been with The Vision Council for 17 years. As Ashley Mills,The Vision Council’s CEO told members of his departure, she noted, “Greg has become part of the DNA of the organization as he’s worked tirelessly to grow The Vision Council’s membership from 80 companies to nearly 800. This incredible accomplishment can be credited to Greg’s leadership skills, authenticity and passion for the optical industry.
By Staff
Thursday, April 2, 2020 10:15 AM
MILAN—In an announcement today, the management board of
Mido said that they had made the difficult but unavoidable decision to move the 50th edition of the show to Feb. 6-8, 2021. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and its swift spread to the rest of the world, along with doubts about when the crisis will normalize globally, have forced us to make the painful, but crucial, decision,” said Mido president Giovanni Vitaloni.
By Staff
Thursday, April 2, 2020 12:27 AM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—To meet the needs of its members during the COVID-19 pandemic,
VSP Global has expanded access to essential medical eyecare services to include all
VSP Vision Care insured members and their covered dependents. The new policy, which VSP Global announced April 1, will provide access to services for 57 million insured VSP members who do not already have this benefit.
By Staff
Thursday, April 2, 2020 12:24 AM
VIENNA, Va.—As part of its ongoing community response to prevent the spread of COVID-19,
MyEyeDr., (MED) which operates approximately 600 offices around the U.S. has extended the temporary closure of its offices, furloughed some associates and staff and implemented other cost-cutting measures due to the crisis.
By Staff
Thursday, April 2, 2020 12:21 AM
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council has released results from the third round of its ongoing COVID-19 Eyecare Provider Study, and the most recent responses indicate several negative effects across all areas of practice operations as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The ongoing research project is designed to gain a broad understanding of how the market is reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Staff
Thursday, April 2, 2020 12:18 AM
LOS ANGELES—Visual prosthesis maker
Second Sight Medical Products (NASDAQ: EYES) has laid off approximately 84 of its 108 employees, effective March 31, 2020.
By Staff
Thursday, April 2, 2020 12:15 AM
VM brings you the latest information from optical companies and organizations responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Allergan announced several new program enhancements designed to assist ECPs and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Lowering copay savings card offerings for Restasis, Restasis Multidose, Lumigan, Combigan, and Alphagan P
By Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 12:27 AM
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—
Vision Expo is announcing Virtual Connections, a new program designed to encourage and facilitate conversations and virtual meetings for Vision Expo East 2020 exhibitors and attendees who had registered for the event that was postponed as a result of COVID-19.
By Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 12:21 AM
NEW YORK—The Elaine Gold Launch Pad program, created in a partnership of the
Accessories Council and the
Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA), is making a $250,000 donation to
A Common Thread, the new CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund initiative that supports those in fashion impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 12:18 AM
NEW YORK—Tom Coburn, an optical industry veteran who later gained prominence as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, died at his home here on March 28.
By Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 12:15 AM
VM brings you the latest information from optical companies and organizations responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) said its Allergan Foundation has awarded approximately $13 million in charitable grants in 2020 as part of its commitment to providing a lasting and positive impact in the communities in which Allergan employees live and work.