News

Hot List: February 2012

Alicia Isenberg Hoglund

1 Team Effort

According to the Michigan Optometric Association, a market sampling in Michigan determined the following.

97% of high schools do not have a Sports Vision Program.
98% of high school coaches would be interested in one.
99% of high schools have never been approached regarding the establishment of a Sports Vision Program.

2 THE OLD COLLEGE TRY

The National Eye Health Education Program's “Sports-Related Eye Injuries: What You Need to Know and Tips for Prevention” speaker's guide revealed that one in 18 college athletes will sustain an eye injury; the odds are 1 in 10 for basketball players.

3 STREET SMARTS

According to the National Eye Institute, sports participants using “street wear” (corrective eyewear or sunwear that does not conform to ASTM standard F803) are at a far more severe risk of eye injury than those using no eye protection at all.

4 Yearly ROUNDUP

Prevent Blindness America reports that more than 40,000 people suffer from a sports-related eye injury each year.

Vision Expo East Sneak Peek

The industry is gearing up for next month's International Vision Expo East, to be held March 22 to 25 at the Javits Center in New York City. With an even bigger showfloor than last year, and new sections (Optometry Club and International Sourcing Area), the show promises to deliver the latest in fashion, technology, and equipment from companies from all over the world, as well as top-notch continuing education opportunities, parties, giveaways, and celebrity sightings galore.

• EDUCATION. Attendees will have 325 hours of continuing education at their disposal, divided into five categories—Allied Health, Business Solutions, Clinical, Contact Lenses, and Optical Technology—for easy planning. Eyecare Business is once again co-sponsoring the Frame Buyer Certificate Program, and is the trade media partner for the Visionomics series of business-building programs. Other highlights include the Social Media & Marketing courses, a French language track, as well as the new UV Symposium, which will be moderated by EB editor-in-chief Stephanie De Long.

• EVENTS. Attendees will have plenty of time to mix and mingle at various parties and events throughout the show. Friday events include the Optical Women's Association networking event (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Top of the Standard). On Saturday, attendees can network at the Job Search Meet and Greet (8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.) and the International Visitor Reception (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

• TECHNOLOGY. A new, streamlined website helps attendees and exhibitors locate important information quickly and easily. The Vision Mobile Online Directory and My Show Planner can be accessed via a smartphone to help navigate the new floorplan before and during the show. Mobile Geniuses will be available throughout the showfloor to help point you in the right direction, and cell phone charging stations will be on hand in key locations.

More events and specials are being added daily. For more information, or to register, visit visionexpoeast.com. You can also stay connected with the latest show updates and giveaways coming to VEE via Facebook (facebook.com/visionexpo) and Twitter (@visionexpo).

Essilor Meets in Miami

Essilor of America's National Sales Meeting, held at the Fontainbleau in Miami Beach Jan. 4 to 6, celebrated the success of independent and partner labs as well as company sales leaders.

A combination of general sessions, keynotes, workshops, and award events, attendees also learned more about the company's latest innovations: Optifog technology, launched this fall in the U.S. and introduced at the meeting as a separate, new product category; and Crizal UV, which provides protection against backside reflections as well as lens surface UV exposure and reflections. Sessions also addressed new marketing and advertising messaging, including the launch of the E-SPF (Eye Sun Protection Factor) system for UV protection.

1. Bob Colucci, president of the Independent Distributors Division (IDD), gives award winners a hand; 2. Essilor USA president and CEO John Carrier (l) in the front row with Hubert Sagnieres, Essilor International chairman and CEO; 3. VSP receives IDD Managed Care Lab of the Year Award; 4. Rain doesn't dampen spirits at opening night festivities; 5. Three Rivers Optical receives the Xperio Award of Excellence; 6. Attendees check out Optifog and Crizal UV demonstrations

PixelOptics Appoints New President, CEO

PixelOptics recently announced the appointment of Brett H. Craig as its newest president and chief executive officer. Craig brings 14 years of optical industry experience to his new post, most recently serving as president and CEO of Transitions Optical.

Former president and CEO Dr. Ronald Blum will become chief visionary officer and remain chairman of the board.

2011 Transitions Partner Labs Announced

Aspen Optical and Pech Optical have been honored as the 2011 Transitions Partner Labs, Most Valuable Partner (MVP) of the Year award winners. Aspen Optical received the award in the small/medium lab division, and Pech Optical won in the large lab division.

The award celebrates Transitions Partner Labs who have shown a high level of commitment to growing their businesses with Transitions Optical's products and programs over the past year. The award winners were announced at the Essilor National Sales meeting in January.

Transitions' Alex Louw (back), congratulates (from left) Aspen Optical's Vickie Kathe, Linda Atwood, and Dave Kathe, president of Aspen; Transitions' Alex Louw (c), with Pech Optical's Luann Mosier and Doug Pech, president of Pech Optical

good idea

Help your patients start the new year on the right foot with All About Vision's 2012 Checklist for Better Vision & Eye Health. Created as a way for ECPs to encourage consumers to make their eyes a priority this year, the checklist includes 21 simple steps patients can follow to not only improve visual acuity and comfort, but also their overall health and appearance as well.

A few of the tips included on the checklist include the following:

■ Boost your nutrition through healthful diets that include lots of fruits and green, leafy vegetables.
■ Schedule an eye exam for all family members.
■ Use safety eyewear while performing indoor and outdoor household chores.
■Wear sunglasses outdoors.
■ Rearrange your workstation to reduce computer eye strain.
■ Check your 2012 insurance coverage to ensure you're taking full advantage of your vision benefits.
■ For those using glaucoma drops, use a reminder tool so you never miss an application.

To view the complete list, or to print a copy to hang in your office, visit All About Vision's website: allaboutvision.com/resources/checklist.htm.

Modo Names Fay CEO-North America

Modo Eyewear has appointed Pierre Fay to the position of CEONorth America. In his new role, Fay will be responsible for leading the company's expansion in the U.S. and Canada.

Fay has a combined 25 years experience in the optical industry. From 2005 to 2010, Fay headed the North America wholesale division at Luxottica Group. Most recently, Fay served as president ecommerce global business as Essilor.

In other company news, founder Alessandro Lanaro will assume the role of CEO-Global, focusing on developing the company's activity in Europe and Asia. Lanaro will partner with Fay on the development of the Modo's brand portfolio and product offering.

STAR Gazers

Do you recognize these stars behind their designer shades? See if you can identify all four celeb sightings.

1. This singer sported Carrera style CA1BS shades by Safilo while filming the music video for her hit single “The One That Got Away.”

2. This comedian and host of the 68th Annual Golden Globes was recently photographed wearing Karl Lagerfeld sunwear in style KL718S by Marchon.

3. This “Valentine's Day” actress and mother of two was spotted wearing Derek Lam sunglasses in style Audra by Modo Eyewear.

4. The “Go Rest High on That Mountain” crooner sampled a pair of Aloha Friday shades by Maui Jim.

1. Katy Perry; 2. Ricky Gervais; 3. Jessica Alba; 4. Vince Gill

On The Town

Viva International Group sales associates gathered in San Antonio, Texas, for its annual North American Sales Summit, which included professional development training sessions and brand and product presentations, as well as achievement awards and a charity team-building event that benefited the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas.

The Charmant Group recently held its 2011 National Sales Meeting at Secrets Wild Orchid Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The three-day event included the introduction of new products and programs and a beach party, as well as a sales achievement awards ceremony.

(Top) Viva International Group's sales team assembled bikes to benefit limited-income families in the San Antonio area; (bottom) The Charmant Group team gathered for a photo during its National Sales Meeting

WebWatch

Best Image Optical's “Let Love Take Over” online campaign

Virtually try on the latest Silhouette styles at silhouette.com

Vision Source has entered the social media arena. Get up-to-date information on practice-building service offerings as well as hands-on educational opportunities and marketing tools through the company's YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook pages, all accessible via its website, visionsource.com.

In coordination with its “Let Love Take Over” campaign—and just in time for Valentine's Day—Best Image Optical invites Plume Paris Eyewear lovers to share photos of themselves wearing eyewear from the collection as well as their own love stories at plumeparis.com. To participate, send photos and stories to love@plumeparis.com.

Tech-Optics International's newly launched professional website, techopticsinternational.com, features a full catalog of low-vision products as well as the ability to create an online account.

Silhouette's new website features a new filter and virtual try-on capability, making it faster and easier for consumers to find the right eyewear for you. The site also features an ECP locator tool that identifies Silhouette dealers on an innovative map and lists dispensary details.

Aspex Eyewear has launched a new e-commerce website, myaspexeyewear.com, for ECPs. The site features a zoom capability for enhanced viewing of all of Aspex's brand lines and real-time product availability. Visitors can also view point-of-purchase materials and display products to consumers with or without prices.

Shamir's website, shamirlens.com, has a whole new look and layout, making it easy for visitors to locate and access necessary information.