Posted: 9/2/2010 12:33 AM
LONGARONE, Italy and NEW YORK—De Rigo Vision S.p.A., one of the leading international companies in the eyewear business, has announced its direct expansion into the U.S. and Canadian market through a new joint venture with Marr International Group, which will take effect in January 2011.
Posted: 9/2/2010 12:30 AM
PARIS—After what the two companies describe as a five-year-long “fruitful and productive cooperation,” Lacoste S.A. and Charmant Group announced yesterday their decision to end their partnership for eyewear products.
Posted: 9/2/2010 12:27 AM
NORWALK, Conn.— Show management reports that over 8,400 eyecare professionals and buyers have registered for the upcoming International Vision Expo West, representing an increase of nearly 10 percent over pre-registration figures for the same time period in 2009, five weeks prior to the start of the show.
Posted: 9/2/2010 12:24 AM
SUN VALLEY, Calif.—REM Eyewear has announced the appointment of Mary Pace, a 22-year veteran of the international luxury and fashion eyewear business, to director of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Posted: 9/2/2010 12:21 AM
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—All 12
TLC Laser Eye Centers have been sold to medical director Tom Tooma, MD. The new brand will operate as
NVISION Laser Eye Centers and will retain the same Southern California locations, same surgeons and staff, the company said in an announcement.
Posted: 9/2/2010 12:18 AM
SAN DIEGO—TearLab Corporation (TSX:TLB and Nasdaq: TEAR) and Abbott Medical Optics Inc.’s Canadian subsidiary, AMO Canada, have entered into a cooperative marketing agreement. Under the agreement, AMO Canada’s sales force will directly sell the TearLab Osmolarity System in Canada while TearLab will help promote AMO Canada’s products for the relief of dry eye symptoms, including Blink Moisturizing Eye Drops. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Posted: 9/2/2010 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—It’s almost time for Vision Expo West and attendees and exhibitors alike are beginning to plan their time at the show. Be sure to take a look at VisionMonday.com’s list highlighting some of the major parties, receptions, and special events, and put together your networking plan for
Vision Expo West.
For some, it’s always time for golf. And Transitions Optical has a long and fruitful association with the PGA. Read the latest edition of
High Visibility: It’s “T” Time to learn how Transitions, the Official Eyewear of the PGA tour, educates players and spectators about how healthy eyesight impacts performance.
And it’s Trash to Treasure time again! Optical laboratories have turned trash into a treasure by using finishing pads to make works of art in this annual art contest sponsored by LabTalk, DAC Vision and Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics. A $500 American Express Gift Card will be awarded to the first place winner during Labapalooza, the lab party at Vision Expo West. Learn how you can enter in
Laboratories.
Posted: 8/30/2010 12:33 AM
HUENENBERG, Switzerland—In the wake of last week’s acquisition by Novartis (NYSE: NVS) of Nestle’s remaining shares in Alcon (NYSE: ACL), the committee representing Alcon’s remaining independent shareholders of Alcon said the transaction’s closing does not impact its position.
Posted: 8/30/2010 12:30 AM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—Altair and bebe stores, inc. (Nasdaq: BEBE), a specialty retailer of women’s apparel and accessories, have announced a worldwide license agreement for the design and distribution of sunglasses and ophthalmic eyewear.
Posted: 8/30/2010 12:27 AM
CARLSBAD, Calif. – SynergEyes, Inc., the manufacturer of hybrid contact lens technology, reported that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s application for a next generation silicone hydrogel hybrid contact lens.
Posted: 8/30/2010 12:24 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C.—
AMD Alliance International (AMDAI), along with the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research, is sponsoring a congressional briefing here titled "New Developments in Age-related Macular Degeneration Research: An International Perspective" on Thursday, Sept. 23 as part of AMD Week.
Posted: 8/30/2010 12:21 AM
ST. LOUIS—One in 10 infants in the U.S. have undetected vision problems, ranging from crossed eyes to cancer, according to the
American Optometric Association's (AOA) Eye-Q survey released last week.
Posted: 8/30/2010 12:18 AM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP’s Vision Care’s Eyes of Hope charitable program, established in December 2008, has so far collected and distributed more than 50,000 pairs of eyeglasses to people in need worldwide, the company said last week.
Posted: 8/30/2010 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—Nothing says summer like an action-packed blockbuster movie. This summer is no exception, with action stars turning up in styles from Marchon, Sama, and Marcolin. See them now in
Bold Face: Give Me Action!, only at VisionMonday.com.
Technology is enabling consumers to experience sunwear purchasing in many new and different ways, and Sunglass Hut is getting in on the social media craze with Social Sun, a proprietary interactive retail concept that allows consumers to try on sunglasses, take pictures of themselves, add clever captions, and share images with their friends via Facebook or email. Learn more in
Online Trends.
The creators of the fun animated video currently playing on
VM WebTV foresee a world in which parents complain that all they ever hear on the radio are songs about visiting the optometrist, and they hope that “The Optometrist Song” is the catalyst. Watch it now!
Posted: 8/27/2010 8:30 AM
CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—Essilor International [ISIN: FR0000121667] continued its acquisition pace in all international regions this year and announced several more in North America during the release of the company's first half financial results earlier today.
Posted: 8/26/2010 8:45 AM
HUENENBERG, Switzerland—In an announcement earlier today, Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) and Nestle S.A. said that they have completed the purchase and sale of approximately 156 million shares of Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL) for US$28.3 billion in cash.
Posted: 8/26/2010 12:27 AM
CLEVELAND—Plans are set for the 14
th annual EastWest Eye Conference to be held here Oct. 7–10.
Posted: 8/26/2010 12:24 AM
MELVILLE, N.Y.—Marchon is teaming up again with The EyeRock Band raise funds for optical non-profit organizations in Las Vegas during Vision Expo West.
Posted: 8/26/2010 12:21 AM
SAN FRANCISCO—EyeCare America, a national non-profit organization, the public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is reminding the public that September is Save Your Sight Month.
Posted: 8/26/2010 12:18 AM
BATON ROUGE, La.— Inc. magazine has ranked Starmount Life Insurance Company as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for the third time in four years, according to an announcement from the company.
Posted: 8/26/2010 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—In order to win the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry’s (ASCO) first ever EnVision Video Competition, Marc Schmitt created “Optometry Movie Trailer,” a clip that captures all the excitement of the optometric field. For his efforts, Schmitt was awarded $5,000. We think the Pacific University College of Optometry student more than met the “promoting optometry” theme and so does ASCO (they plan to use the video as a recruiting tool.) See for yourself now on
VM WebTV.
ECPs are using the Twitter platform to promote eye health and wellness, as well as other optical information. Find out who’s tweeting in
New & Noteworthy.
And most ECPs would promote annual eye exams—turns out consumers who belong to stand-alone vision care plans are twice as likely to get an annual comprehensive eye exam as those whose vision coverage is “bundled” with their major medical plan, according to a study sponsored by the National Association of Vision Care Plans. Learn more in
Managed Vision Care.
Posted: 8/23/2010 12:33 AM
LAKELAND, Tenn.—Members of the Opticians Association of America (OAA) will be electing new OAA officers during the organization’s 2010 Delegate Assembly at the National Opticians Convention, to be held Sept. 16 through 19 in conjunction with the ABO/NCLE Education Conference in Cincinnati.
Posted: 8/23/2010 12:30 AM
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.—Joseph Tallier, who joined OGI/Scojo Eyewear in September 2008 as vice president of global sales, has become an equity partner in the company.
Posted: 8/23/2010 12:27 AM
MANALAPAN, N.J.—Responding to complaints of eye irritation by contact lens wearers in Japan and parts of Asia and Europe, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care initiated a voluntary recall on Friday of its 1•Day Acuvue TruEye contact lenses.
Posted: 8/23/2010 12:24 AM
LEWISVILLE, Texas—Hoya Vision Care, North America is expanding its network of prescription laboratories with opening of a new facility in Salina, Kansas.
Posted: 8/23/2010 12:21 AM
AURORA, Ohio—The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is marking August as National Children's Vision & Learning Month, the 15
th year of the initiative which helps educate parents and educators about the critical link between vision and learning.
Posted: 8/23/2010 12:18 AM
BOSTON—Dr. Eli Peli, senior scientist and vision rehabilitation researcher at Schepens Eye Research Institute, has won the 2010 Edwin H. Land Medal.
Posted: 8/23/2010 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—The TV series “Glee” has become a smash hit due to its sharp wit and even sharper young talent. Find out which celebs are bona fide “Gleeks” (rabid “Glee” geeks) and which eyewear styles they choose from Marchon, Luxottica, Safilo, and Marcolin in
Bold Face: Gleeks!
HPC Puckett & Company SVP Jason A. Meyer has a sharp financial sense. After all, his company specializes in mergers and acquisitions of wholesale optical laboratories. In Part 2 of his series, Leasing vs. Borrowing, Meyer continues to explore options that lab owners and managers may consider for financing large investments in new technologies. Read more in
Laboratories. (
Read Part 1 here.)
And find out how new Bausch + Lomb CEO Brent Saunders made sharpening the company’s focus on its customers a key priority for the 157-year-old eyecare giant in
New & Noteworthy.
Posted: 8/20/2010 11:47 AM
OBERKOCHEN, Germany—Carl Zeiss AG announced it has obtained approval from creditors for a proposal to restructure the corporate financing of Carl Zeiss Vision, the eyeglass lens business it jointly owns with the private equity firm EQT. In a statement issued today, Carl Zeiss AG said that for the agreement to become effective, a majority of at least two-thirds of the lending banks with voting rights was necessary.
Posted: 8/19/2010 12:30 AM
NEW YORK— Independent ECPs’ attitudes about business improved in July, compared to June, according to the latest edition of Jobson Optical Research’s Optical Business Barometer which is designed to gauge the optical business trends of eyecare professionals at independent optical locations.
Posted: 8/19/2010 12:27 AM
ORMOND BEACH, Zurich and LOS ANGELES
—Polaroid Eyewear, a division of Stylemark AG, and RealD Inc., a leading provider of 3D technology for cinema, consumer electronics and professional applications, announced they have signed a global license agreement to use the RealD brand in conjunction with the launch of a new generation of curved 3D glasses, Polaroid Premium 3D Eyewear.
Posted: 8/19/2010 12:24 AM
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.—Walman Optical Company, based here, has named Bryan G. Schueler vice president and general manager for the Walman Ophthalmic Division.
Posted: 8/19/2010 12:21 AM
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—Eyefinity/OfficeMate has formed a partnership with Optical Distributor Group (ODG), a major contact lens distributor, to provide Eyefinity users access to ODG’s full catalog of soft contact lenses for ordering through eBuy.
Posted: 8/19/2010 12:18 AM
MONTE CARLO—HAL Holding–parent of the about-to-be-merged GrandVision and Pearle Europe optical chains as well as other international eyewear retailers–announced late last week it plans to sell its 60 optical stores in Australia to Luxottica Group’s (NYSE: LUX) retail subsidiary there.
Posted: 8/19/2010 12:15 AM
LAS VEGAS—An interactive panel discussion—Secrets of the Successful Optical Woman—will be the new format for this year’s Professional Optical Women’s Workshop event sponsored by the Optical Women’s Association on Wed., Oct 6
th, just prior to Vision Expo West.
Posted: 8/19/2010 12:12 AM
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.—The American Board of Clinical Optometry recently appointed two more members to its board of directors.
Posted: 8/19/2010 12:09 AM
NEW YORK—The goal of
Vision Monday’s Telling Stories Action Plan is to offer tips every retailer can use to create more powerful relationships with their best advocates—the customer—because truly connecting with consumers is ultimately what increases sales. Learn 10 tips for making that connection in
Retailers.
Optical industry companies and associations including Safilo Group, ClearVision Optical, and The Vision Council are taking action to raise their visibility using social media platform Facebook. Find out how they’re doing it in
High Visibility.
And be sure to check out the action on
VM WebTV featuring video from Boston Magazine's "Best of Boston 2010" party, where award winner Vizio Optical asks attendees to discuss their fun eyewear on camera.
One difficulty employers find in complying with the Americans with Disability Act is the definition, or lack thereof, of “reasonable accommodation” under the Act. Take action to understand this law by clicking on
HR Corner.
Posted: 8/16/2010 12:24 AM
ALEXANDRIA, Va.— Jon Landau, co-producer of the 3D blockbuster
Avatar, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Vision Council’s 2011 Executive Summit, according to an announcement from the organization.
Posted: 8/16/2010 12:21 AM
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.—Revo, in association with Expedition Blue Planet and Sunglass Hut International, has announced that National Geographic Emerging Explorer and Revo Ambassador Alexandra Cousteau will make in-store appearances at five of Luxottica Groups’ Sunglass Hut locations across the country throughout August and September.
Posted: 8/16/2010 12:18 AM
NEW YORK—Nothing can make up for the loss of an eye, but as shown in Ellen Frick’s short documentary A Healing Art, artificial eye makers Christy Erickson and Todd Cranmore combine artistry, skill and compassion to rekindle hope for their patients and families.
Posted: 8/16/2010 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—There’s little doubt that digital is hot, and when it comes to digital lens processing, laboratory owners are getting ahead of the curve.
Vision Monday asked executives from optical labs to describe the process of “going digital” and explain how the new technologies are transforming their lab’s operations, workforce, inventory, product mix and service. They also discussed the up-front investment that is required for a digital lab and the expected return on that investment. Read all about it in
New & Noteworthy. And for an in-depth case study, Group Editor Andrew Karp took a look at Green Bay, Wis. lab, Cherry Optical’s
Digital Immersion.
What else is hot? Exceeding patient expectations. So hot, in fact, that the Management & Business Academy recently held a special one-day program titled, “Exceeding Patient Expectations for Amazing Financial Results.” Around 87 optometrists and staff showed up to participate—find out more in
Meetings.
And in
Bold Face: Hot Summer Nights, check out five Hollywood hotties steaming up our summer nights in styles from Marchon, Altair, Charmant, Oliver Peoples, and Safilo—only at
VisionMonday.com.