MOM VS. MYOPIA

Known for her on-screen role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar is now on a mission to slay a new threat in real life: myopia. The actress and mother of two was recently announced as the spokesperson for CooperVision’s Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program.

The cornerstone of the program is the brand’s award-winning MiSight 1 day, a daily, single-use contact lens (which Gellar’s son will wear)—FDA-approved to slow the progression of myopia in children ages 8-12.

Here, Gellar dishes on screen time, coping amid Covid, and more. —KERRI ANN RAIMO

EB: How have you worked to maintain healthy vision for your children?

Gellar: Right now, [my daughter and son] are wearing glasses with blue light lenses in them. My son is really looking forward to getting his contacts so that he can play sports, and, as he says, “look cooler.”

EB: How has the pandemic affected their screen time?

Gellar: Unfortunately, we can’t really maintain screen time because it’s their only way to have school. Also, it’s their only form of communication. So, at the end of the day, when I want to take their devices away, it’s the only way they can talk to their friends.

EB: How has nearsightedness affected you?

Gellar: I didn’t know that I had sight issues until I was on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” We had a full-time lens tech and eye doctor [on set] because we had so many specialty lenses.

For me, there were no options to slow that progression—[but] now, to have the information that there are ways to slow it down, I want to do everything I can in the best interest of my child.

ON OUR RADAR

AMPING UP

Feeling bogged down with business management in today’s challenging world?

Enter a new optometry practice acquisition option for those O.D.s looking to focus their time on patient care and medical specialties—Amplify Eyecare.

Formed by a group of industry veterans with an eye to amping up medical specialties such as low vision and vision therapy, Amplify Eyecare aims to acquire practices across the country to enable optometrists to hand off the management side while remaining to focus on the medical side of the business.

“The goal is to take as much as possible off the doctor’s plate,” says Avner Evan Engel, co-founder and CEO, who notes that Amplify Eyecare is (at press time) in the process of acquiring eight locations with the future goal to acquire 30 to 50 more. “This model has not been out there before. Private equity wants them to exit.”

Indeed, Amplify Eyecare is homing in on working with optometrists who want to stay on board, focus on patient care, strengthen their focus on specialties such as low vision and specialty contact lenses, and help mentor others in the growing network of practices.

“We want to build a culture of clinical excellence along with bringing other colleagues along to build the next generation in optometry,” says Mark Kahrhoff, O.D., chief medical officer. Learn more at amplifyeyecare.com . —ERINN MORGAN

VITAL VITAMINS

Like Mom always said, “Don’t forget to take your vitamins.”

Now, be sure to remind your patients to take their Eyetamins: made-in-the-U.S. eye supplements that boast natural ingredients to protect eye health.

“We appeal to consumers of all ages in search of modern eye care today by creating vegan, carefully sourced, doctor-formulated eye health supplements for blue light, dry eye, eye strain, and degenerative eye conditions,” says neuro-ophthalmologist Kaushal Kulkarni, M.D., founder and CEO of Eyetamins.

The Happy Eyes gummies, pictured, were formulated to reduce DES, improve sleep, and more.

Explore all offerings at eyetamins.co. —K.A.R.

VISIONARIES EN VOGUE

Feeling visionary? Dress like one.

Optician Jennifer Centeno, 2020 #EBGameChanger, recently released products in her Opticianista_LA collection, featuring chic, fashion-forward tees and totes emblazoned with eyewear-centric phrases like “Long Lashes, Bold Glasses.”

“The collection is all about feeling good and looking good,” says Centeno. “During these challenging times, I hope to share a piece of joy and bring a smile to everyone.”

Discover more on the apparel and accessories, plus Centeno’s sought-after consulting services, at opticianistala.com . —K.A.R.