KINGWOOD, Texas— Vision Source, North America's largest, independent optometric alliance has achieved a company milestone by adding its 3,000th location, according to an announcement from the company. The optometrist whose practice officially became the 3,000th location is Ben Gaddie, OD, from Louisville, Ky.

Jim Greenwood, Vision Source president & CEO said, “We are excited about the company milestone, but even more excited about continuing the tradition of assembling the very best, independent optometrists in America. These clinicians will further bolster the strength of Vision Source, an organization that is already making a difference with respect to the population health management strategies and the effectiveness of an expanding list of leading medical groups and integrated health systems.”

Gaddie is the owner and director of the Gaddie Eye Centers, a multi-location, full-service practice in that was started by his father more than 40 years ago. He is also a noted lecturer and well-known industry advocate. “I chose to join Vision Source because of its commitment to independent optometry as well as the leverage it gives my practices,” said Gaddie.

Vision Source is the largest doctor alliance in optometry and the second largest optical retailer in the U.S., according to Vision Monday’s most recent Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Report. The retailer’s strong, diverse network gives independent optometrists support in areas such as managed care strategy and contracting, practice management, collective buying power and strategic marketing, Vision Source said.

Fourteen of the past 17 presidents of the American Optometric Association are also Vision Source members. In addition to Gaddie, many other notable independent optometrists have recently joined Vision Source. Some of those ODs include: Ron Hopping, OD, owner of Hopping Eye Associates in Houston, Texas and 2012-2013 president of the American Optometric Association; Alan Glazier, OD, who owns Shady Grove Eye and Vision in Rockville, Md. and leads the popular social media site ODs on Facebook; Kelly MacDonald, OD, a partner in Drs. Helfman, Lasky & Associates in Nashua, N.H. and a past president of the New Hampshire Optometric Association; Leah Ramos, OD and Shane Swatts, OD, at Eastern Virginia Eye Associates in Chesapeake, Va., specializing in corneal refractive therapy; and Tausha Barton, OD, Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, a former clinical and didactic instructor at the West Side VA and Hines VA Hospitals.