By Mary Kane
Friday, April 19, 2024 8:30 AM
Just how valuable are a pair of reading glasses? According to a recent study, having access to a pair of readers can make all the difference, especially if you are presbyopic and live in a part of the world with limited access to eyecare and eyewear products. This past week,
VisionSpring, a nonprofit provider of affordable eyeglasses to people in need,
BRAC, an international development organization that works with marginalized communities, and
Queen’s University Belfast released the findings of their collaborative THRIVE study, which found that a pair of reading glasses increases the earnings of people in low-income communities by 33 percent. Ella Gudwin, CEO of VisionSpring, summed it up best when she said, “THRIVE strengthens the case that it’s not about the eyeglasses—it’s about everything that comes after.”
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, April 12, 2024 8:30 AM
There is a notable gender imbalance when it comes to eye health. In fact, two-thirds of all blindness and visual impairment occurs in women, according to the
National Eye Institute. Women also have a higher prevalence of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, dry eye, glaucoma, refractive error and thyroid eye disease. According to the
Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health: Vision Beyond 2020 report, this gender imbalance can be attributed to both demographic factors and social factors. As we celebrate Women’s Eye Health and Safely Month during April, the optical industry is shining a light on this issue, with a sharp focus on prevention, education and eliminating the barriers to improved women’s eye health, including greater access to care.
By Sarah McGoldrick, Contributing Editor
Friday, April 5, 2024 8:30 AM
All eyes will be on the sky on Monday, April 8, as North America experiences the first total solar eclipse since 2017. The event will offer sky gazers a chance to experience a total solar eclipse throughout most of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and will be the last time a solar eclipse will be visible in the contiguous U.S. until 2044. Making sure people view the eclipse safely is the top priority of eyecare specialists and optical industry leaders, who have spent the last few months sharing tips and resources to reduce the chances of eye damage during the event.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Friday, March 29, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Spring officially arrived in the Northern Hemisphere mid-March, and it brought allergy season with it. The 2024 allergy season is expected to start earlier and potentially feel worse than other years;
The New York Times reports, “Spring allergy seasons are beginning about 20 days earlier than they had, according to an analysis of pollen count data from 60 stations across North America from 1990 to 2018.” But why, and what does that mean for those of us who suffer from sneezing, itching and coughing every Spring?
By Daniel Breeman, Mary Kane
Friday, March 22, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—After nearly four decades of showcasing some of the best eyewear products, eyecare technologies and countless hours of continuing education at Vision Expo in New York City, attendees at this year’s Show soaked in every moment and celebrated Expo East held for the final time at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. More than 450 leading eyewear and eyecare companies showcased their latest products and technologies, and attendees were again treated to VisionEd, the accredited educational program of Vision Expo featuring nearly 200 sessions, new product launches, special events and company anniversary celebrations. Read on for a review of special events and photo highlights from the Show.
By Sarah McGoldrick, Contributing Editor
Friday, March 15, 2024 8:30 AM
On April 8, millions of people will have their eyes on the sky for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a rare total solar eclipse that will be visible throughout North America as it passes across Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. The April eclipse will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous U.S. until 2044. Experts estimate that the solar eclipse will cover a lot of ground and has the potential to be viewed by millions of people. For several months, optical safety experts have been sounding the alarm about the upcoming eclipse, warning eyecare providers and their patients to take steps to avoid significant eye damage.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, March 8, 2024 8:30 AM
With an eye clearly focused on future scientific leaders, the
National Eye Institute (NEI) is again inviting teens in grades nine through 12 to submit their best videos for the
2024 Eye on the Future teen video contest. Now in its third year, the contest is open to high school students and encourages the next generation of scientists to share why science is essential in today’s world. The deadline to submit videos is April 14, 2024.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Friday, March 1, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—In 1978, in California, The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women planned the first-ever Women’s History Week, the National Museum of Women’s History
reports. Organizers chose the week of March 8 to line up with International Women’s Day, an already established holiday, and, from there, the holiday grew. It was in 1981, according to the
Library of Congress, that Congress first passed Pub. L. 97-28, which authorized and requested then-President Ronald Reagan to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to pass Pub. L. 100-9, which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.”
By Sarah McGoldrick, Contributing Editor
Friday, February 23, 2024 8:30 AM
With March just around the corner, eyecare professionals (ECPs) are focusing their attention on Workplace Eye Awareness Month. Each year, thousands of Americans experience some form of workplace eye injury. These types of injuries can be the result of many things, ranging from chemical spills to sharp objects. Many ECPs are also trying to educate their patients about the risks of spending too many hours in front of the computer, which can cause digital eyestrain. According to the
American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 25,000 Americans are sent to the emergency room each year with a workplace eye injury.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Friday, February 16, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Eye stroke, or central retinal artery occlusion, happens when the main artery that supplies blood to the retina is blocked, typically by a clot, depriving the retina of oxygen. Often categorized by painless, sudden loss of vision in one eye, it is similar to a stroke in the brain and can lead to permanent vision loss if the clot is not dissolved as soon as possible. At
New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE), though, ophthalmologists have created a novel protocol to rapidly diagnose eye stroke and expedite care to prevent this potentially irreversible vision loss. Based on a recent study, the protocol describes using high-resolution retinal imaging in the emergency room along with rapid remote consultation to confirm diagnosis and expedite care.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, February 9, 2024 8:30 AM
With Valentine’s Day just a few short days away on February 14, The National Retail Federation (NRF) reminded the public just how much joy it takes in spending money on gifts for our loved ones, such as flowers, candy and jewelry. In fact, this year’s
NRF annual survey revealed that total spending on significant others for the holiday is expected to reach a record $14.2 billion. Consumers expect to spend $185.81 each on average, nearly $8 more than the average Valentine’s Day spending over the last five years. Read on for some interesting fast facts about today’s holiday shoppers as well as some historical background about the origins of St. Valentine's Day.
By Mary Kane
Thursday, February 8, 2024 8:30 AM
The Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) program is on the cusp of making whole functional eye transplantation to restore vision for the blind and visually impaired a reality in our lifetime. Last month, the
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced that the THEA program intends to transplant whole human eyes to restore vision by reestablishing visual connection to the brain. Dr. Calvin W. Roberts, president and CEO of
Lighthouse Guild, is the program manager of ARPA-H’s transplantation program.
VMAIL Weekend reached out to Dr. Roberts to get his thoughts about how the THEA program will work and what it will mean to the millions who are experiencing severe vision loss.
By Sarah McGoldrick, Contributing Editor
Friday, January 26, 2024 8:30 AM
As the U.S. population ages, the number of Americans with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to rise. A recent study published in
JAMA Ophthalmology,
The Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the U.S. in 2019, found that the number of Americans with age-related macular degeneration has risen to nearly 20 million people. This is nearly three times previous estimates. There are many new treatment options available that, with early detection, can help slow the progression and make living with AMD easier for patients and their families. This is why eyecare professionals around the world are boosting their education programs to keep patients in the know when it comes to AMD diagnosis and treatment. Here are descriptions of some of those efforts posted on Instagram by ECPs.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Friday, January 19, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—
National Eye Care Month, which falls each January, gives us all a chance to celebrate the important work the eyecare industry does every day. From saving sight around the world to helping a nervous child choose their first pair of glasses, there is no limit to the lives this industry changes—and a month like National Eye Care Month allows us to truly take time to recognize that work. National Eye Care Month gives ECPs the opportunity to remind patients and their communities of the importance of taking care of their eye health and, thus, their overall health. This weekend, we’re taking a look at how some members of the community have been celebrating on social media so far.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, January 12, 2024 8:30 AM
With the start of each New Year comes resolutions for many of us for improved physical and mental health, better financial management, spending more time with loved ones and perhaps finally getting that job or promotion you’ve been seeking. According to a
YouGov survey of American adults conducted in December of 2023, one-third (34 percent) plan to make New Year’s resolutions or set a goal for 2024. Along with making resolutions, the turn of the calendar also dictates that many “experts” share their own personal lists of must-read books for the New Year or the most highly-anticipated movies to hit the screen in 2024. Self-help media of all forms is also high on many lists. Podcasts have become a big part of many Americans’ normal routine and so we asked some optical industry leaders to share their recommended podcasts and blogs, be it industry, business-related or personal.