Registration Remains Open for VirtualEYZE!, the June 23 VM Virtual Summit Session on Remote, Comprehensive Eye Exams

NEW YORK—With just two days to go before the opening session of the 2021 Vision Monday Leadership Summit, event organizers said that late registrations are still being accepted. The one-time-only session, VirtualEYZE!, will explore how virtual health is expanding eyecare’s boundaries. It will be held Wednesday, June 23, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET. Virtual eyecare, in the form of comprehensive eye exams performed remotely with the direct involvement of an optometrist, is rapidly gaining favor with both patients and practitioners.

Texas Expands ODs’ Scope of Practice to Include Oral Meds, Glaucoma Authority

AUSTIN—Texas optometrists scored a significant win on June 11 when Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that expands their scope of practice to include the authority to prescribe oral eye medications and independently manage glaucoma. The news was first reported by the American Optometric Association. The new law, originally known as S.B. 993, will take effect Sept. 1, 2021.

Digital Diagnostics and Orbis International Announce Study to Help Save Sight in Bangladesh

CORALVILLE, Iowa—Digital Diagnostics, developers of IDx-DR, an FDA De Novo-cleared autonomous AI system for the detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), and Orbis International, the influential nonprofit dedicated to fighting avoidable blindness around the world, have partnered on a study that will bring high-quality disease detection to communities in Bangladesh.

Optical Sales Recovered for the Week of June 7-13 Following Steep Declines During Memorial Day Holiday, Jobson’s Latest Weekly Tracker Shows

NEW YORK—Optical sales recovered last week, June 7-13, following the steep declines experienced during the Memorial Day holiday of the previous week (May 31-June 6), according to data from Jobson’s latest Practice Performance Tracker. Gross revenue recovered and surpassed the -17 index points it lost the previous week by adding 23 index points last week. Not only did gross revenue recover last week (Week 24), but it also surpassed the comparable weeks of both 2019 and 2020.

Consumers' Online Eyewear Purchases and Research Before Buying Increased Significantly in 2020, Per Latest Vision Council Internet Influence Research Report

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—In 2020, more than 44 percent of adults who purchased eyeglasses used the internet to assist in their acquisition of prescription eyeglasses, up from 22 percent in 2017. With 14.1 percent of 2020 eyeglass buyers using the internet to directly purchase eyeglasses throughout the year, about 30 percent of 2020 eyeglass buyers used the internet to compare prices, find the type or style of eyeglasses they wanted to buy or find the ECP or retailer they bought from in-person later. These are among the conclusions of a new 2020 Internet Influence Report from The Vision Council.