PINELLAS PARK, Fla.— Transitions Optical, Inc. has named the finalists for its annual Transitions Awards program, recognizing optical labs, retailers, independent eyecare practices, vision benefits brokers and HR professionals for their commitment to the Transitions lens brand and promoting healthy sight within their businesses and communities. All of the Transitions Awards program finalists and winners will be recognized during a special awards ceremony, held on Jan. 29, 2013 during the 17th annual Transitions Academy at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Fla.

The three finalists for the 22nd annual U.S. Lab of the Year award are Diversified Ophthalmics, Expert Optics and Walman Optical. The U.S. Transitions Lab of the Year title has been awarded annually since 1991 to an independent lab that has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting Transitions Optical and its products and programs.

“The investments that each of our Lab of the Year finalists make within their communities and the work they do to go the extra mile to provide value to eyecare professionals and their patients, reflect the values and vision we have at Transitions Optical,” said Scott Betcher, associate director, U.S., ECP sales, Transitions Optical.

The 2012 Lab of the Year winner will be inducted into the Heritage Lab Ambassador’s Club and receive benefits including business consultation and marketing support to help them develop a strategic marketing plan for 2013 and beyond.

For the third year, Transitions Optical will honor one National and one Regional Retailer of the Year for their commitment to encouraging healthy sight through superior vision care offerings. All of the 2012 finalists are either returning finalists and/or winners of the award.

Finalists for the third annual National Retailer of the Year award include Costco Optical, National Vision, Inc. and Visionworks. Finalists for the Regional Retailer of the Year award include Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, Henry Ford OptimEyes and SVS Vision Optical Centers.

“Eye health promotion and education for staff and customers about sight-enhancing lens options, like Transitions lenses, were two common threads shared among our finalists in 2012,” said Brian Hauser, general manager, North America, Transitions Optical. “These retailers consistently implement programs within their locations that are both relevant and engaging—helping to elevate interest in the Transitions family of products and eye health among consumers.”

Additionally, the second annual Eyecare Practice of the Year finalists are Arizona Family Vision Center, Clarus Optical and Complete Family Vision Care. This is the second year that Transitions Optical has formally recognized an Eyecare Practice of the Year. The award celebrates loyal eyecare practice partners who are actively promoting the Transitions lens brand and healthy sight to their patients and within their local communities. “Finding ways to connect with a patient to then open the door for further conversations about their lifestyle and eye health needs is where this year’s Eyecare Practice of the Year finalists excel,” said Scott Henning, director, U.S. ECP sales and marketing, Transitions Optical.

Finalists for the Vision Benefits Broker of the Year award will be announced in January, and three HR Visionary of the Year finalists will be announced later in December. Supported by Transitions Optical’s Healthy Sight Working For You Initiative, the third annual Vision Benefits Broker of the Year Awards program is designed to recognize professionals who are educating their employer customers about the value of vision benefits and sight-enhancing vision wear options.

New in 2012, Transitions Optical created the Transitions HR Visionary of the Year award to recognize HR professionals who are promoting healthy sight to their workforce through superior vision care benefit offerings and employee education. This new award is also sponsored by the Institute for HealthCare Consumerism (IHC).