FDA Fast Tracks Research and Review for Essilor’s Stellest Myopia Lens, Labeling it a 'Breakthrough Device'

CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—Essilor yesterday announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted “Breakthrough Device” designation to its Essilor Stellest spectacle lens, the company’s new generation lens developed to correct myopia and slow down the progression of myopia in children. The designation of the Essilor’s Stellest spectacle lens as a “Breakthrough Device” by the FDA, that will lead to further U.S. research and FDA review, builds on the publication of groundbreaking two-year results of an ongoing three-year clinical trial, in China, in myopic children.

New Look Vision Group’s Shareholders Vote Overwhelmingly in Favor of Sale to Investor Groups Led by FFL Partners

MONTREAL—New Look Vision Group Inc. announced Friday that its shareholders voted to approve a proposed deal that will have three investor groups take the Canadian optical retail company private. In its statement, New Look Vision referred to the results of the vote at the special meeting of the shareholders as a “positive outcome.” The vote was in favor of the previously announced plan for NL1 AcquireCo Inc. to take ownership of New Look Vision, which operates 407 locations, primarily in Canada. 

National Vision Reports a ‘Truly Remarkable Start to the Year’ as 18 Percent Comp-Store Growth Highlights Strong Q1 Results

DULUTH, Ga.—National Vision Holdings (NASDAQ: EYE) reported Thursday that its net sales rose 13.7 percent to $534.2 million (from $469.7 million a year ago) and net income increased 346 percent to $43.4 million in its first quarter, which ended April 3. The retailer said its adjusted operating income rose 77.8 percent to $67.7 million in the period, and chief executive officer Reade Fahs noted that the results marked “a truly remarkable start to the year, as patients and customers chose us at record levels.”

Walmart Health to Acquire Telehealth Provider MeMD as it Moves to Expand ‘Focus on Seamless Experience’

BENTONVILLE, Ark., and PHOENIX, Ariz.—Walmart Health and MeMD, a multi-specialty telehealth provider, announced that they have entered into an agreement for Walmart Health to acquire MeMD. This proposed deal will “reinforce Walmart’s commitment to integrated, omnichannel health delivery that leverages data and technology to improve engagement, health equity and outcomes,” the recent announcement noted. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Walmart Health, which debuted in September 2019, is designed to be a “first-of-its-kind health center to deliver primary care, vision care, urgent care, labs, dental, hearing, counseling, x-ray and diagnostics services all in one facility at affordable, transparent pricing regardless of a patient’s insurance status.”

Shopko Optical Hits a Milestone with the Opening of its 100th Eyecare Location and Plans for Further Expansion in 2021

GREEN BAY, Wis.—Shopko Optical, a leading provider of quality eyecare services across the Midwest, opened its 100th location late last month, in its home state of Wisconsin, and has subsequently added three more locations to its retail group. The 100th location is in Hartford Wis., and on Monday, Shopko Optical opened eyecare location #103 in Vadnais Heights, Minn., company executives told VMAIL.