News

{MAY 2014}
Hot List

1
START HERE

Google’s “Mobile Path to Purchase: Five Key Findings” report revealed the most common starting points for mobile research when purchasing products:
48%
start on search engines such as Google
33%
start on branded websites
26%
start on branded apps

2
HIGH FIVE

According to STORES magazine’s 2013 Top 100 Retailers list, the highest-ranking retailers in the U.S. include the following, three of which have optical centers:
Walmart^*
Kroger
Target^*
Costco^*
The Home Depot

3
SPRING AWAKENING

The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that retail and food services sales for March 2014 were up 1.1 percent from the previous month and 3.7 percent above last year.

4
GOING UP

In its 2014 economic forecast, The National Retail Federation is predicting that online sales will grow between 9 and 12 percent this year.

PILOT PROGRAM STARTED FOR NEW O.D.S

Nassau Lens Company, Emerging Vision, and Vision One are testing a concept created to assist select new graduates entering independent practice in the North and South Dakotas. The program is designed to support independent ECPs by providing financing to optometrists looking to open first-time practices, while providing practice management, marketing expertise, and the trusted brand of optical franchisor, Emerging Vision.

Statistics show that the majority of third-year optometry students want to start their careers as independent practice owners; but because of college-related debt, only 15 percent actually become owners in their first year. Meanwhile, approximately 500 independent practices close each year primarily because of the lack of proper succession planning. The three companies have come together in an effort to increase the number of students who can realize their aspirations for private practice, with the backing of a successful franchise model.

Emerging Vision will provide guidance with site selection and purchase, practice management and product selection, human resources and branding and marketing support, and all key areas to run a successful practice.

GUNNAR to Debut Computer Eyewear at Staples

GUNNAR Optiks, LLC, which designs and engineers computer and gaming eyewear, has teamed up with Staples, Inc., to bring computer eyewear to the office supply chain. A suite of GUNNAR’s advanced computer eyewear will now be available in more than 400 Staples retail locations across the United States.

The new collection available at Staples stores includes the following GUNNAR models: WI-FIVE in espresso, as well as the VINYL, EMISSARY, ANIME, HAUS, and PHENOM—each available in onyx.

GUNNAR introduced the Advanced Computer Eyewear category in 2008 to reduce eyestrain and fatigue associated with long-term viewing of digital screens.

The company ‘s portfolio also includes non-polarized outdoor eyewear engineered for digital viewing in bright light and outdoor applications.

For more information, visit staples.com.

CRIZAL PRODUCTS EARN GOOD HOUSEKEEPING SEAL

Essilor of America has announced that all of its Crizal products have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal after being evaluated by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI). It is currently the only lens brand to be backed by the seal.

To celebrate this achievement, Essilor brought several ECPs on a tour of the extensive GHRI testing labs at the Hearst publications headquarters in New York City, and had lunch in the famed Hearst dining room.

For more than 100 years, the Good Housekeeping seal has been awarded to products that, after independent evaluation, perform in the manner they are advertised to do, and comes with its own limited warranty that will refund, repair, or replace a product that does not live up to its claims.

INFO: crizal.com, goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews

Touring: (l to r) Patricia Haegele of Hearst publications/Good Housekeeping, Essilor’s Cherie Gifford and Kristan Willingham, and Crizal’s Sheree Rajan

On the Town

last month, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) welcomed members to its newly established Circle of Sight, which honors OGS’ monthly donors, with a special event sponsored by HOYA at the Vision Source Exchange meeting in Boston. At the event, Dr. and Mrs. Bobby Christensen were honored as the 2014 Philanthropists of the Year. Other recognitions include the following: Practice of the Year, Dr. Donald Matsumoto and Dr. Randall Yumori, Pacific Eyecare; World Sight Day Challenge Outstanding Contribution, Dr. Moes Nasser and Dr. Gordon and Mrs. Denise Price.

Tura Inc. recently announced the opening of its state-of-the-art design studio and showroom in Manhattan’s Bryant Park neighborhood. Located on the 21st floor, the custom-built showroom features a sunlit design studio with sweeping views of the Empire State Building and Bryant Park. The new space will house Tura’s company executives, as well as the product design and marketing teams. To celebrate the grand opening, Tura hosted a cocktail reception at its new space.

Safilo recently launched the Safilo by Marc Newson capsule collection at Salone del Mobile in Milan. To celebrate the debut, the company hosted two special events, both on April 7: an exclusive preview of the collection for the press at Triennale di Milano and a cocktail reception at Corso Como 10 store. The celebration at the Triennale di Milano continued throughout the week with an exhibition open to the public from April 8 to 13.

1. At the Optometry Giving Sight Circle of Sight Reception, (l to r) HOYA Vision Care’s Barney Dougher, Dr. and Mrs. Gordon Price, Dr. Mary Anne Murphy, Dr. and Mrs. Bobby Christensen, Dr. Moes Nasser, and Clive Miller, Global CEO; 2. Tura’s new showroom in New York’s Bryant Park neighborhood; 3. Marc Newson wearing style SMN 005 (UFO style) from the Safilo by Marc Newson capsule collection

TRANSITIONS, DISNEY ANNOUNCE EVENT SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT

Transitions Optical, Inc., has signed an agreement with Walt Disney Resort to be a sponsor of signature events at Epcot, including the runDisney series and Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney. Throughout the year, Transitions Optical will also sponsor the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and the Atlanta Braves Spring Training and the Summer Festival, both held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The event sponsorship agreement will encourage wearers of prescription eyeglass lenses to enhance their visual experiences with Transitions adaptive lenses via designated areas that allow them to experience enhanced vision firsthand.

To amplify its campaign as the “Official Sponsor of Sightseeing,” Transitions Optical will bring brand ambassadors Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., GRAMMY and CMA Award-winning country artist Darius Rucker, and celebrity chef and Food Network star Robert Irvine to several of these signature events to interact with consumers and share their own stories about how wearing Transitions lenses has impacted their lives. As part of its on-site activation at each of these Walt Disney World events, Transitions Optical will also offer giveaways and the chance to win prizes, including signed memorabilia from each ambassador.

To learn more about Transitions lenses and the Official Sponsor of Sightseeing program, visit transitions.com.

Transitions Optical at the latest runDisney event and the Gardener’s Palette

FYI

News bits from the industry

{PEOPLE}

OPTELEC has appointed Joseph S. Chung as director of sales, Western U.S. In his new role, Chung will expand the referral channels of Optelec’s professional optical solutions, electronic video magnification, and speech devices for increased low vision rehabilitation and develop and drive outreach campaigns.

TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC., has announced the renewal of its Diversity Advisory Board members for 2014. Returning members include Allert Brown-Gort, faculty fellow, Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies, University of Notre Dame and senior research fellow, Institute for Work and the Economy; Brian Chou, O.D., F.A.A.O., EyeLux Optometry, San Diego; Edwin Marshall, O.D., M.S., M.P.H., professor emeritus of optometry and former vice president for diversity, equity and multicultural affairs, Indiana University; Drake McLean, optician, president, Dietz-McLean Optical Company, San Antonio, TX; Charlotte Parniawski, R.N., M.S.N., C.N.E., cultural diversity trainer, National Multicultural Institute and nurse educator, Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing at Bridgeport Hospital; Kirk Smick, O.D., F.A.A.O., chief of optometry services, Clayton Eye Center, Atlanta; Madeline L. Romeu, O.D., F.A.A.O., president, Dr. Romeu Eye Associates, West New York, NJ; David K. Yoo, Ph.D., professor and director, Asian American Studies Center, University of California at Los Angeles; and Vincent K. Young, M.D., chairman, division of ophthalmology, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia.

{PASSINGS}

EYEWEAR DESIGN’s Thomas R. Maskery, Jr., passed away last month at the age of 52. He is survived by his wife Kathleen and his two daughters, Nicole and Melissa.

Joseph S. Chung, Optelec

Attendees of Nidek International’s 17th Annual Summit meeting gather for a group photo

Bollé-sponsored skier Maddie Bowman

{BUSINESS UPDATES}

ZYLOWARE EYEWEAR has expanded business into Canada, opening Zyloware Eyewear Canada ULC. The company plans to sell nationwide, beginning in Ontario. All of the selected brands’ products on the company’s website are available to the Canadian market.

INFO: 844-AYLO-CAN, zyloware.com

THE OPTOMETRIC HISTORICAL SOCIETY (OHS), a small organization that exists to provide original historical research on the optometric profession, is now accepting new membership. Dues are $25 per year and membership includes a subscription to the organization’s quarterly historic journal, Hindsight. For more information, contact OHS.

INFO: aoafoundation.org/historical-gems

VISION SOURCE has announced that its South Florida area members are joining with Baptist Health Quality Network (BHQN), a physician-led network of healthcare providers working together to improve the health of patients within the greater South Florida metropolitan areas including Broward, Monroe, and Miami-Dade counties. BHQN patients will have access to the clinicians in the Vision Source network of optometric practices in the region.

ADLENS has announced its new partnership with Canadian eyewear distributor Superclip Canada Inc. and its parent company, Perfect Optical Group. The agreement will facilitate the sale of Adlens’ Emergensee, Adjustables, and Sundials lines across Canada, in addition to its Fluid-injection lens technologies, The John Lennon Collection and Hemisphere lines.

SANTINELLI INTERNATIONAL was one of three Nidek lens edger distributors to present at Nidek International’s 17th Annual Summit meeting.

FATHEADZ EYEWEAR is the latest industry partner to support Think About Your Eyes, a public eye health initiative sponsored by a non-profit organization under The Vision Council designed to promote the importance of vision health and comprehensive eye exams.

BOLLÉ is the official sponsor of athlete Maddie Bowman, who recently made headlines when she won the gold medal in the Women’s Halfpipe event at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

{AWARDS}

THE OPTICIANS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (OAA) is accepting entries for The Great American Optician Video Contest, sponsored by Transitions Optical, Inc. To participate, entrants must create and upload a 30- to 90-second video to YouTube explaining the role of an optician and promoting the professional to the general public. Submissions must include an entry form and a video consent and release form, which can be downloaded from the OAA website. The contest runs through June 20. The top three winners will be awarded $3,500, $2,000 and $1,000 respectively, and have their videos published on the OAA website and be shown at Vision Expo West 2014.

INFO: oaa.org

Puzzle
Game On
SPORTS EYEWEAR

{WORD SEARCH}

It’s import to protect our patient’s vision with appropriate sports eyewear. Not only can the right combination of frames, lenses, and coatings improve athletic performance, but it’s also critical in protecting vision for patients who participate in sporting activities. Try to find all of the terms in this puzzle that relate to sports eyewear.

By Jenean Carlton, ABOC, NCLC

WORD BANK

Anti-reflective

Blue light

Color-enhancing tints

Comfort

Enhanced contrast

Enhanced vision

Fit

Goggles

Impact resistance

Improved performance

Performance

Photochromic

Polycarbonate

Reduced glare

Safety

Safety frames

Secure eyewear

Selective filters

Shatterproof

Sport specific

Sports eyewear

Sports vision

Swim goggles

Tints

Trajectory

Trivex

UV protection

Wraps

{SOLUTION}

The answers to the April 2014 Word Search