Warby Parker Enters Contact Lens Category With New Scout Lens and Other CL Brands

NEW YORK—Today, Warby Parker moves into new optical territory as it enters the contact lens arena in the U.S., with the debut of a branded daily wear contact lens called Scout. The new daily lens was developed by the company, executives said, with a Japanese contact lens manufacturer. The lens is described as "made from a super-moist, breathable material that resists drying for lasting hydration. The lenses incorporate Centraform technology for wearing comfort." The lenses will be priced $55 per eye for a 90-day pack, $110 for a 90-day supply of two lenses, or approximately $440 a year. Each Scout lens comes in an innovative, space-saving flat pack that’s easier to transport and store than a traditional contact blister pack, the company noted, adding that it uses almost 80 percent less packaging than traditional contact packs. Dave Gilboa, co-ceo of Warby Parker, told VMAIL, "We have been thinking about contact lenses for several years. Being a direct-to-consumer brand, we get a lot of feedback from our end customers, and roughly 40 percent of them wear contact lenses. We're hopeful that they will love the opportunity to get their contact lenses prescriptions from us, when they see our ODs. In addition, he said, " If you are a customer not near one of the WP stores, or want to go to a doc you've been seeing, that doctor, outside of the WP system, can request one of the six-day trial kits as well." Warby has been piloting contact lenses in some of its offices during the past year, he noted (the company currently operates 112 locations and has 80 optometrists.)

'The Future of Healthcare: Beyond 2020' Registration Opens for the VM March 25 Global Leadership Summit

NEW YORK—The healthcare industry is being shaken by powerful forces that are creating new forms of competition and transforming patients into consumers who are seeking pathways to wellness that offer convenience, affordability and personalized care. New market leaders are emerging, and established brands are reinventing themselves with fresh approaches and enhanced customer experiences. Doctor-patient relationships are being redefined. How will these transformative changes impact vision care providers and payors? Suppliers? VM’s 14th annual Global Leadership Summit will explore these and other pivotal questions as part of its program, “The Future of Healthcare: Beyond 2020.” Thought leaders and influential thinkers will share their visions of healthcare’s future and discuss how the optical industry can play a broader, more significant role in it. Attendees will take away actionable ideas and practical strategies that will help them compete in today’s consumer-centric business environment.

Teaching the World How to See

Where do you turn to for information on protecting your eyesight? That’s an easy question nowadays. Medical information is everywhere. In fact, people are inundated with it on the web and TV. A simple Google search on “eyecare” comes back with more than 30 million results. Health care companies keep adding to this by spending billions on direct-to-consumer advertising each year. But none of this existed a generation ago.

Modern Workplace (Rx) Eye Safety

NEW YORK—Did you know that more than 2,000 people injure their eyes at work every day? And of these injuries, an estimated 10 percent to 20 percent will cause temporary or permanent vision loss, Prevent Blindness points out. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) believes that the right eye protection can lessen the severity of those injuries and even prevent 90 percent of them.

Specialized Optometry

NEW YORK—We are living in an age of specialization. Today we can get virtually anything we want from a business whose only business is delivering a certain type of product or service, whether it’s a vegan restaurant or Victoria’s Secret. Optometry, like many medical professions, is being reshaped by the specialization trend. Modern living has changed the way we use our eyes, and many optometrists, particularly those in private practice, have responded by developing specialties to address specific patient needs. Some specialties, such as pediatrics and low vision, have been long established in optometry, while others, like dry eye management and neuro-optometry are more recent additions. Yet all seem to be benefitting from the advent of new technologies and treatment methods which are bringing exciting changes to vision care.