News

{AUGUST 2014}
Hot List

1
PROBLEM SOLVED?

How do employees handle conflict at work? Depends on their age.

TRADITIONALISTS

(born 1927-1945) show loyalty to the organization above all.

BABY BOOMERS

(born 1946-1964) implement unconventional solutions to conflict.

GENERATION X

(born 1965-1980) have an aversion to risk and high confidence levels.

GENERATION Y

(born 1981+ ), value their individuality and like being rewarded for individual achievements.

Source: Demand Media: “Workplace Trends in the 21st Century”

2
OPPORTUNITY LOST

According to a Transitions Optical, Inc., ECP survey:

 96% of ECPs serve a culturally diverse patient base

but

 ⅔ do not use bilingual or in-language resources

 ½ do not employ a diverse or bilingual staff

 ¾ do not participate in activities targeting ethnic populations

3
LOSING POPULATION

According to Time magazine, the only two states that lost population in 2013 were Maine and West Virginia, both of which have older, non-Hispanic populations. It’s a trend that has been happening over a few years.

Maine – in 2011, more people died there than were born

W. Virginia – young residents are moving away as the coal industry jobs disappear

4
OPTICAL PURCHASES

As a result of economic conditions in the U.S.,

14.9% consumers have been increasing their eyewear purchases over the past year

22.4% of consumers are decreasing their eyewear purchases

Source: The Vision Council’s VisionWatch May 2014 Economic Situation Survey

Eyeing Las Vegas

A preview of what’s awaiting optical at next month’s Vision Expo West

for four days in September, Sin City will become See City, as the 26th Annual International Vision Expo West sets up shop in the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas Sept. 17 to 20 (exhibit hall open Sept. 18 to 20). More than 400 companies are scheduled to exhibit, showcasing the latest in full-scope eyecare, optical technology, and frame fashion. Registration is now open (visionexpowest.com). Here are some highlights of what awaits attendees this year.

EDUCATION

• NEW! The education conference is expanding this year, with new tracks and special focus on business and technology, including the Customer Experience track (14 hours), New Technology (38 hours), and Wearable Technology (6 hours). The new Global Contact Lens Forum offers four hours of free contact lens programs. Also, several courses will be using Crowdsourced Learning and audience response systems technology that lets the audience steer the information presented.

• SPOTLIGHT SERIES. Five hours of early-morning and lunchtime sessions cover business education and industry insights, including a State of the Industry presentation by The Vision Council (Thursday, Sept. 18, 7 to 8 a.m.) and a keynote address by Scott Deming on Friday (see sidebar). The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center will share its service delivery expertise with attendees in a two-hour CE course, “Radar On-Antenna Up: The Ritz-Carlton Method of Fulfilling Unexpressed Wishes and Needs,” Saturday, Sept. 20, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. These events are in the EYEMAX Theater.

• BUSINESS BUILDERS. In addition to the many CE hours devoted to clinical topics, hands-on workshops, spectacle lenses, sunwear, and optical boot camps, several tracks are devoted to helping ECPs build their businesses through better retail strategies and business operations. Eyecare Business is proud to be the media sponsor of several of them, including Visionomics, the Chief eXperience Officer (CXO) certification program, and the Frame Buyers Program.

INFO: visionexpowest.com/continuing-education/highlights

FOR THE LABS

Vision Expo West serves as home base for the annual meeting of The Vision Council’s Optical Lab Division.

• EDUCATION. Baseball’s Pete Rose leads the keynote session on Wednesday, Sept. 17 with “Be Aggressive and Three Ways to Treat a Person.” Special lab-focused events include networking and presentations on technology, regulatory updates, and management.

• CELEBRATION. The 15th Annual Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame Banquet and Directors Choice Award will be held Wednesday, Sept. 17, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The banquet is free to members; tickets must be reserved in advance. For updates and a list of honorees, visit: thevisioncouncil.org/members/optical-lab-division-meeting/

Clarity and Vision

With Philadelphia home to Optometry’s Meeting (its 117th Congress) in late June, the event’s tagline was “clarity and vision for all.” The three-day meeting hosted education and events for practicing O.D.s, their staffs, and, of course, students, who attended a full schedule of AOSA events.

Highlights of the conference included 200 hours of education featuring several specialty-focused tracks, plus poster, branding style, and practice pathways sessions, as well as lunchtime symposia, House of Delegates sessions, and election of new officers. Those officers include David Cockrell, O.D., who took the reins from outgoing president Mitchell Munson, O.D. Bernard Maitenaz, inventor of the progressive lens and chairman and CEO of Essilor from 1980 to 1991, was presented with the presitigious Apollo Award for distinguished service to the visual welfare of the public.

Also included at the meeting were two days of exhibit hall opportunities, and several not-to-be-missed events, including an opening session with Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton, the Varilux Optometry Super Bowl (won by SCCO), the Optometry Cares 5K run/walk and donor reception, presentation of the HOYA Vision Care Scholarship to Susannah Lee from UC Berkeley, and the HOYA-sponsored Celebration of Optometry featuring Martin Short.

Next year’s meeting will be held June 24 though 28 in Seattle.

1. Comedian Martin Short entertains at the HOYA-sponsored Celebration of Optometry; 2. Students enjoy Eye Docs of Rock at Luxottica Live; 3. AOA’s new Board of Trustees (including new president David Cockrell, O.D., front row center) gather at Optometry’s Meeting; 4. SCCO’s David Nguyen celebrates his win at the Varilux Optometry Student Bowl; 5. Keynote speaker Scott Hamilton “hams” it up with (l) Essilor’s Rod Tahran, O.D. ,and (r) Howard Purcell, O.D.
Photo credit: Jacob Slaton

Industry Loses Influential Frame and Lens Veterans

DARRYL MEISTER, LENS GURU

Darryl Meister, ABOM, who has been described by many in the industry as one of the great young minds of optical, passed away unexpectedly July 20.

Meister, 41, served as technical marketing manager for Carl Zeiss Vision, and made countless contributions to the lens category through his research, software development, and distribution of knowledge.

Meister was mostly self-educated in optics, and had been an active member of the industry since 1990. He was one of the youngest opticians ever to earn the ABO’s Master certification (he also held the OAA Refractometrist certification). He was a key contributor to many industry initiatives, including the Vision Council of America’s Lens Description Standard and ANSI’s Z80.1 Standards.

An author and regular lecturer on ophthalmic optics, lenses, and dispensing, and he was a key member of The Vision Council’s Technical Lens Committee. Meister was also a recipient of the NFOS’ Advancement of Professional Education Award. His workbook, written with James Sheedy, Introduction to Ophthalmic Optics, is currently in use at many schools of optometry and opticianry. He held multiple patents on ophthalmic lens design.

“Darryl was one of our global experts in eyeglass lens optics,” says Uli Krauss, chairman and CEO of Carl Zeiss Vision. “His selfless contributions to industry forums, committees, education, and product development are too numerous to recount. His passing leaves a great gap in our company, our industry, and our hearts.”

Meister is survived by his children, Korey and Samantha; his sister and brothers, Monica Netter, Chris Meister, and Derrick Meister, his father, Darryl E. Meister.

A memorial fund has been established to help his children continue their college educations: gofundme.com/by2nzc.

FRED FRIEDFELD, FOUNDER OF CVO

Fred Friedfeld, founder and patriarch of ClearVision Optical, passed away July 4 at the age of 87. Friedfeld became an optician after serving in the U.S. Navy and worked for several years in New York City, learning the optical trade. In 1949, he founded ClearVision Optical at the age of 21. With his wife, Mimi, who joined him in 1955, Friedfeld grew his one-man organization into one of the largest family owned eyewear distributors in North America.

A true pioneer in the optical industry, Friedfeld became one of the first direct importers of eyewear. He later traveled to China in the early ‘70s, becoming one of the first American business groups to visit the communist country, and began importing the ClearVision Goliath frame, which sold for the next 20 years.

His son Peter joined the company full time in 1981and son David followed in 1985. Friedfeld’s advice to his children and the ClearVision family was always, “How would you want to be treated in this case?” Today, ClearVision memorializes this motto by asking, “What would Fred do?” The answer is always, “Do whatever it takes; always care for your customers and each other.”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by son David and Vicki Friedfeld; by son Peter and Patrick McLaughlin; by son Douglas and Cari Friedfeld; by daughter Elizabeth Friedfeld-Gebaide and Eric; and by nine grandchildren.

The family has established a Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society fund to assist members of the U.S. Navy. Those interested in supporting can visit donate.nmcrs.org/page/contribute/nmcrs-donate. The family has also established a Fred Friedfeld Scholarship at the SUNY College of Optometry, which can be supported by donations to the school’s Optometric Foundation. To make a donation, visit sunyopt.edu/giving/make_a_gift.

HOYA TO TEST “EASY” RETINAL IMAGING DEVICE

HOYA has entered into a multi-year agreement with I-Optics to market the EasyScan retinal imaging device to practices, and has begun a pilot program among U.S. optometrists to determine how best to leverage the device as a business builder.

EasyScan can create medical-grade retinal images within three minutes and without the need for dilation.

The pilot program, according to HOYA, is to determine the best way to utilize the tool for early diagnosis of eye disease and educate patients about disease prevention. According to I-Optics, the three-minute scan creates a unique consumer experience that allows the practice to differentiate from competition and boost revenues.

FYI

News bits from the industry

{PEOPLE}

PFO Global has appointed Ken Elstad as director of sales for PFO Optima, a subsidiary division that manufactures Resolutions polycarbonate lenses and several lines of free-form lenses. He will be responsible for the lens business of PFO Optima and PFO Technologies’ new laser tracer. He previously worked for Pech Optical in several positions.

Tom Breen has joined eyecare management consulting firm Williams Group as assistant vice president of practice transition services, and also will play a role in marketing practices to prospective buyers for Williams Group’s recently introduced practice brokerage services. He was formerly senior consultant and director of business development for Wiliams Group before heading up his own firm.

Transitions Optical, Inc., has named Sherianne James director, global marketing, and Patience Cook associate director, North America marketing. Most recently, James was director of North America marketing, and Cook was global brand manager and managed the redevelopment of the company’s brand and the Life Well Lit campaign. The company has also named Larissa Bryan as director, sunwear. She has been with Transitions for 10 years, most recently as director, global analytics and intelligence.

Sales veteran Walt Bailey has joined Cablz eyewear retainers in the newly created position of vice president, sales. Cablz is known for its “stay off the neck” eyewear retention system.

Don Coulson has joined Modern Optical Canada, a division of Modern Optical International, as vice president of Canadian sales and operations, a newly created position. He brings more than 25 years of eyewear industry experience to the role.

{BUSINESS UPDATES}

Italian eyewear designer brand Vanni has signed a distribution partnership with a new division of Match Eyewear, Design Gallery. The goal of the partnership is to expand Vanni’s distribution and development in U.S. market.

The Safilo Group has strengthened its presence in the Eastern European markets with a new showroom in Budapest. The new showroom, which is Safilo’s first one in Hungary, is located in western Budapest, on the first floor of a historic building called Dorottya Udvar, which in 2003 won the award for “The best office building in Budapest.”

Coburn Ikuvu, Ltd., a new joint venture between Coburn Technologies, Inc., and Ikuvu Optical Equipment Co., Ltd., announce a new office in Danyang, Jiangsu Province, China. It will store spare parts and aftermarket consumable items for local customers, and be a central hub for the company’s service in China. It will be headed by Richard Zhang, who has been named vice president.

For the second year in a row, Essilor of America has earned the esteemed Good Housekeeping Seal for the entire Crizal No-Glare lens product portfolio.

Low Vision International (LVI) of Växjö, Sweden, announces that Eschenbach Optik of America has been named exclusive distributor of LVI’s line of video magnification products in the U.S. and Mexico. Eschenbach will also have non-exclusive distribution rights for Canada and South America.

1. Tom Breen, Williams Group; 2. Sherianne James, Transitions Optical, Inc.; 3. Patience Cook, Transitions Optical, Inc.; 4. Celebrating the MBKU’s newly named student center are (l-r) MBKU’s Kevin L. Alexander, O.D., Ph.D. and Julie A. Schornack, O.D., M.Ed.; Essilor’s Bob Colucci; MBKU student president Tiffany Chen; Essilor’s Rod Tahran, O.D.; and Stanley Woo, O.D., MS, MBA, of Southern California College of Optometry; 5. Agnes Wong, M.D., Ph.D., FRCSC.; 6. Safilo’s new showroom in Budapest

{AWARDS}

Agnes Wong, M.D., Ph.D., FRCSC, has been given Prevent Blindness’ Joanne Angle Investigator Award for her study, “Screening for Eye Problems in Preschool Children.” Dr. Wong is the chair in vision neurosciences and ophthalmologist-in-chief at The Hospital for Sick Children, and vice chair of research and academic affairs, department of ophthalmology and vision sciences at the University of Toronto.

Luminita Tarista-Nistor, Ph.D, author of the research abstract, “Identification of Preferred Retinal Loci During Binocular Viewing in Patients with Central Vision Loss,” is the 2014 recipient of the Envision-Atwell Award for Low Vision Research.

{GOOD DEEDS}

A dedication ceremony was held this spring for the Essilor Student Center at the Marshall B. Ketchum University’s (MBKU) Fullerton, CA, campus. The naming of the student center, along with the Essilor Conference Center at MBKU’s University Eye Center at Los Angeles, recognizes the company’s history of support to the institution.

The Pujols Family Foundation (PFF), founded by Albert and Deidre Pujols, will join forces with TLC Laser Eye Centers, to send a team of eye doctors with thousands of glasses and optometric equipment to treat and prevent eye diseases in the Dominican Republic.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) and Optometry Cares—the AOA Foundation have awarded 16 Healthy Eyes Healthy People (HEHP) grants for 2014. The grants provide financial assistance to community outreach projects that promote the importance of quality eye and visual health for the American public, and are made possible through a grant from Luxottica.

INFO: aoafoundation.org/hehp

OPTICIANS CONFERENCE GOES TO MUSIC CITY

OptiCon 2014 (formerly known as the National Opticians Conference), will be held Sept. 5 to 7 in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Events will begin Thursday evening, Sept. 4, with a welcome reception and continue through Sunday afternoon, Sept. 7.

As always, the conference will offer opticians a variety of educational courses, offering ABO or NCLE credits, to assist attendees in enhancing their career and increasing their professional experience in the industry. Courses will focus on five areas: spectacle, contact lens, business, hands-on, as well as the popular ABO and NCLE Exam Review. And back by popular demand is the ocular dissection class.

The College Bowl will take place Saturday, Sept. 6 from 6 to 7 p.m.

New this year are two special events:

Friday, Sept. 6, 5:30 to 9 p.m. A networking reception will be held in at the Grand Ole Opry House in Studio A, once home to TV’s “Hee Haw” and still the location of many shows, including “Nashville.” Dr. Warren McDonald’s band, Classic Soul, featuring Terri Gore, will perform.

Saturday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m. to midnight. Europa Eyewear will sponsor bus transportion to and from the hotel and downtown Nashville’s Broadway, referred to as the “Honky Tonk Highway.” It’s the perfect location for getting some great barbecue and hearing the best of the Nashville performers.

INFO: abo-ncle.org/conference

HONG KONG FAIR GROWING

The Hong Kong Optical Fair is scheduled for November 5 to 7 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Home for three days to leading international suppliers, this fair enjoys growing attendance and a strong reputation among optical professionals. The exhibition hall includes booths featuring spectacle lenses, frames, instruments, accessories and more from suppliers around the globe. Last year did, in fact, break previous records, with a total of 700 exhibitors from 26 countries and regions and 14,000 buyers from 100 countries.

In addition to attracting suppliers from around the globe, Hong Kong itself is the third largest exporter of spectacles and frames in the world, and as shown by its annual design competitions (see photo), also has a vibrant design community.

On the show floor, there are a number of specialized zones, including the Brand Name Gallery, which will feature more than 180 brands, as well as other product zones—ranging from Sporting & Professional Eyewear to Diagnostic instruments.

The fair also features a series of seminars on hot topics and product trends, and also will be host to the 12th Hong Kong Optometric Conference.

INFO: hktdc.com/ex/hkopticalfair/11

Competition is keen at the design competition.

Models wear the latest styles on the show floor.

ALCON TEAMS WITH GOOGLE FOR ‘SMART’ CONTACT LENS

Contact lens and IOL manufacturer Alcon has entered into an agreement with a division of Google Inc. to in-license its “smart lens” technology for all ocular medical uses. The agreement represents an important step for Novartis, Alcon’s parent company, to leverage technology to manage human diseases and conditions.

“We are looking forward to working with Google to bring together their advanced technology and our extensive knowledge of biology to meet unmet medical needs,” said Novartis CEO Joseph Jimenez. “This is a key step for us to go beyond the confines of traditional disease management, starting with the eye.”

Under the agreement, Google and Alcon will develop a “smart lens” that has the potential to address ocular conditions. The smart lens technology involves non-invasive sensors, microchips, and other miniaturized electronics which are embedded within contact lenses. Novartis’ interest in this technology is currently focused in two areas: helping diabetic patients manage their disease by providing a continuous measurement of the body’s glucose levels via a “smart contact lens;” and presbyopia, in which the “smart lens” has the potential to provide accommodative vision correction to help restore the eye’s natural autofocus on near objects in the form of an accommodative contact lens or intraocular lens as part of the refractive cataract treatment.

Silmo Set for 2014

A new set of days and a new layout are in the works for the 2014 edition of Silmo in Paris, slated for Sept. 26 through 29.

Show representatives note Silmo is making “a number of important changes in order to boost its appeal and continue to stand out as a must-visit gathering: a schedule more in sync with visitors, a clearer layout, and a more extensive program of events.”

The changes are expected to “help participants meet clients, recruit prospects, network, and get better informed,” show representatives add.

Silmo is adjusting its schedule very slightly by opening on Friday, Sept. 26, and closing on Monday, Sept. 29. The additional scope provided by these dates is expected to offer new business opportunities to exhibiting companies by enabling more professionals to attend the fair.

Services for exhibitors and visitors are expected to blend new and ongoing favorites, including: Silmo Academy for education, as well as style insights and awards such as Silmo d’OR Awards, Silmo Fashion Style, MO by Silmo, Silmo TV by ACUITE, Link by Silmo, and more.

In addition, Silmo is revamping the positioning of industry segments spread out over 80,000 square meters for time savings and providing easy show navigation thanks to new pictograms of each of the event’s 11 sectors: Frames, Lenses, Optician’s Equipment, POS Equipment, Ab Fab Lab, Luxury, Sport, The Village, Connected Optician, Contact Lens, and Basse.

With the same graphic vitality as the 2013 campaign and the enduring “Silmo effect” tagline, the new 2014 brand image still assumes an off-beat feel but places visitors firmly in the spotlight. A series of four portraits of opticians, photographed by Pierre-Antony Allard during last year’s exhibition, illustrates its appeal by presenting visitors happily embracing the “Silmo effect.”

INFO: silmo.fr

On the Town

Though summer in full swing means vacation time for many, some still found the chance to celebrate optical fun

CELEBRATING THE SOLSTICE

Solstice Sunglasses and Safilo USA celebrated the official first day of summer with a Summer Solstice Soiree. Actress Dakota Fanning attended and Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor served as DJ for the affair. Guests included members of the consumer fashion and optical trade press, stylists, bloggers, and other VIP guests of Solstice and Safilo USA.

DJ Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor (l), in Fendi sunglasses, and actress Dakota Fanning in Marc Jacobs sunglasses at the Summer Solstice Soiree
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Solstice Sunglasses and Safilo

ON DISPLAY

John Varvatos Eyewear by REM Eyewear hit the runway recently. His men’s show at the Spring Ready-To-Wear fashion show in Milan featured models in the latest menswear, including up-to-the-minute sun styles.

Styles shown are V602 sun style, and the V149 with sun lenses

ON THE ROCKS

Marc by Marc Jacobs presented its summer 2014 eyewear collection at the #MBMJSUNNIES event at the Mariana Hotel in Calvi, a picturesque beach town on the coast of Corsica, during the Calvi on the Rocks electronic music festival. This is the fourth and last of the #MBMJSUNNIES events, after the celebrations in Coachella, Rome, and Spain. Personalities such as actresses Adèle Exarchopoulos, Ana Girardot, and Marie Ange Casta were in attendance, along with DJ Pierre Sarkozy, The Jillionaire, Walshy Fire, and Greg Boust.

The Jillionaire (l) and Walshy Fire at the #MBMJSUNNIES event

Puzzle
Hi-Tech Talk
DIGITAL DISPENSING DEVICES

{WORD SEARCH}

Digital dispensing systems are available in free-standing, table-top, or even tablet applications. These devices are able to determine the advanced measurements needed to accurately fit advanced lenses. Why take a chance on profit-draining remakes? Embrace electronic dispensing tools to precisely and quickly capture the measurements needed to fit advanced lenses.

By Jenean Carlton, BA, ABOC, NCLC

WORD BANK

3D imaging

Apps

Column

Customization

Digital measuring

Dominant eye

Educational tools

Electronic dispensing

Exacting measurements

Eye rotation center

Frame measurements

Freestanding

Monocular measurements

Ocular physiology

Pantoscopic tilt

Patient perception

Pupillary distance

Reading distance

Remakes

Table-top

Tablet

Try-on features

Vertex distance

Visual behavior

Wrap angle

{SOLUTION}

The answers to the July 2014 Word Search