By Daniel Breeman
Friday, September 22, 2023 8:30 AM
Cooling temperatures, shorter days and the turning of leaves to bright autumn colors can also bring unwelcomed seasonal allergies, among them ocular allergies that can include irritating symptoms such as red, swollen, or itchy eyes, burning or tearing of the eyes, and an increased sensitivity to light. According to the
American Optometric Association, ocular allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, is one of the most common ocular surface diseases in primary eyecare. Yet allergic conjunctivitis is often unaddressed largely due to its relatively benign nature. The good news for fall eye allergy sufferers is that prevention and treatment for seasonal allergies is well within reach.
By Sarah McGoldrick
Friday, September 15, 2023 8:30 AM
Fall means the launch of new products and styles across all sectors of the optical industry. Whether shopping for the latest frames to carry in your office or finding the most cutting edge equipment to improve production times in your lab, now is the time to check out what’s new in optics. In this week’s Today’s Read, we talk to industry insiders who are sharing what they see as this fall's hottest trends in design and technology. We will be highlighting these and many more new and innovative fashion and equipment trends in upcoming issues as we report on
Vision Expo West, scheduled to take place September 27–30 at the Venetian Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Friday, September 8, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—September is Healthy Aging Month, 30 days dedicated to promoting healthy habits as people age. Staying healthy as you get older is an all hands on deck activity, of course, involving healthy eating, regular exercise, visits to the doctor, and keeping your eye health at the forefront of your mind. Older adults are at higher risk for a number of eye diseases including AMD, glaucoma and cataract, but, as the National Eye Institute (NEI) said, “getting older does not have to mean losing your vision.” As members of the eyecare community it is part of our duties this month to make that reminder clear—and to ensure older adults have all the resources they need to keep their eyes healthy as they age.
By Mary Kane
Friday, September 1, 2023 8:30 AM
September arrived yesterday signaling the lazy days of summer are coming to an end. And with Vision Expo just around the corner, it’s time to get down to business again. In less than a month, the optical industry will be gathering in Las Vegas for Vision Expo West, and this time around, it will have a palpable post-pandemic feel, despite the fact that COVID 19 seems to be rearing its ugly head again. (Click
here to find out what some of our top docs think about the state of COVID today and what might be in store for us). This year’s Vision Expo has a lot to offer attendees including new exhibitors, new neighborhoods on the show floor, a robust curriculum of continuing education and a spate of special events so we opti folk can do what we do best—network with our colleagues.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, August 25, 2023 8:30 AM
The hopes and dreams of college football fans and school alumni alike kick off on Saturday August 26, also known as Week 0, with a handful of games scheduled. And the more things change, the more they apparently stay the same as two-time defending national champion Georgia enters the 2023 season as the top-ranked team in most preseason polls. The Bulldogs, 29-1 over the past two seasons, are expected to be challenged by the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, LSU, USC, Penn State, Florida State, Clemson, Washington, Texas, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Utah and Oregon. Of course, the anticipation of another college football season brings out the fan and weekend warrior in many of us, including those in the optical industry. We asked some optical leaders where their loyalties stand on the gridiron and what their predictions are for the upcoming season.
By Sarah McGoldrick
Friday, August 18, 2023 8:30 AM
With the end of summer fast approaching, many in the optical industry are focused on professional development and experiencing an exceptional roster of learning opportunities. Events like Silmo and Vision Expo West offer learning and continuing education opportunities that help industry members grow their knowledge base and explore new products. Many companies also offer their own in-house learning opportunities for clients to build their practice. Here are just a few of the learning opportunities some eyecare industry members are taking part in this fall.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Friday, August 11, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—On August 4, Google’s logo looked a little different. Google often replaces its standard logo with what it calls a Google Doodle—an adaptation of its classic logo to celebrate a holiday, a person, a historical event, a work of art, or anything, really—and the subject of August 4’s Doodle was Altina Schinasi, most well-known as the designer of the Harlequin eyeglass frames. August 4, 2023, marked what would have been Schinasi’s 116th birthday, Google
reported, and with the help of her son Terry Sanders, Google created a logo that showcased her iconic design.
By Mary Kane
Friday, August 4, 2023 8:30 AM
For more than 20 years,
Vision Monday has been shining a spotlight on women in the optical industry who check all the boxes. They are high achievers, difference makers and trendsetters who just plain stand out and every July we are honored to share their stories of success in our
Most Influential Women in Optical Report. This year’s “class” of honorees does not disappoint. Having finally emerged from the shadows of the pandemic, this year’s honorees are at long last looking forward to a brighter and more promising future. Their positivity and can-do attitudes are apparent as we chronicle their achievements in an ever-changing optical landscape.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, July 28, 2023 8:30 AM
As summer calendars creep toward August, thoughts of last-chance family vacations and barbecues and back-to-school shopping quickly become foremost in our minds. Once the long beach days end, the focus may quickly turn to getting the kids ready for back-to-school. Shopping for the best outfit for their first day in the classroom, making sure they have all the basic supplies they need are all on most parents’ checklists. But what about making sure children are prepared to face all the challenges ahead like studies and sports by making certain they are up-to-date on their eye exams? Here’s how are some ECPs and organizational supporters are spreading the word about children’s eye health just in time for the back-to-school season.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Friday, July 21, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—With just about a week left in July, there’s no denying it anymore—the back-to-school season is dawning on us. The back-to-school season is a long one, extending from July through September, according to
Pew Research, which found in 2019 that schools in the U.S. kick their academic years off any time between the last week of July and the week after Labor Day. So, whether it feels like summer or not, school is just about back in session.
By Sarah McGoldrick
Friday, July 14, 2023 8:30 AM
This month marked the launch of Meta’s new social media platform Threads. Designed to be a more positive experience than its rival Twitter, the platform has already seen significant buy-in and generated threats of lawsuits from Twitter owner Elon Musk. In an age where traditional forms of print advertising have been passed over for social media marketing strategies, many companies are feeling confused about which medium is right for them.
VMAIL Weekend asked industry several experts what social media platforms they find most effective in growing sales and reaching their target audience. Here’s what they had to say.
By Mary Kane
Friday, July 7, 2023 8:30 AM
Most people over 40 are familiar with the perils of presbyopia, a vision condition in which the lens in your eye becomes harder and less flexible as you age. As a result, the lens loses its ability to focus light correctly on the retina, which makes it difficult to focus on close objects. Many presbyopes can be identified by their reading glasses which often sit on top of their head until it’s time to look at or read something up close. Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process of the eye. It is not a disease, and it cannot be prevented. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t solutions out there for the nearly 128 million Americans affected by the condition.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, June 30, 2023 8:30 AM
Nothing says summer like Fourth of July family barbecues, beach gatherings, trips to a favorite amusement park, and fireworks. Many of these gatherings on our nation’s birthday conclude with a fireworks display, with most as spectators and others as active participants. But just how safe are fireworks in terms of overall injuries and specifically ocular injuries and what precautions can be taken in order to avoid an uninvited Independence Day disruption? Eyecare professionals can play a critical role in knowing about what can happen and making sure to warn patients and parents about some of the dangers.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Friday, June 23, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—National Sunglasses Day is often a day when those both within and outside the optical industry can celebrate together—and this Tuesday, June 27, is gearing up for exactly that. For those of us within the industry, National Sunglasses Day offers a perfect opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of protecting their eyes from UV rays, and for those outside the industry, the day offers the perfect moment to learn about UV protection while showing off their best sunglasses selfie. We’re just a few days out from National Sunglasses Day 2023, but there’s still plenty of time to get ready and get involved with the big day.
By Sarah McGoldrick
Friday, June 16, 2023 8:30 AM
The optical industry was built by many families who started out as small dispensaries or labs and grew into globally respected leaders in optics. Today, many of these pioneering companies have been passed onto second, third and even fourth generations. With the passing of the torch comes advice on how to keep the business going and keep the family legacy alive. In today’s edition of Today’s Read, we are pleased to share with you the advice that a few industry leaders and colleagues have received from their own fathers, many of whom started the businesses that have become iconic in the optical world.