Eye-trepreneurs

Acuity Eyecare Opens Dallas Service Center to Support Regional Optical Practices and Field Teams

By dba Staff

Thursday, July 5, 2018 12:40 PM DALLAS—Acuity Eyecare Group recently celebrated the official opening of its new Dallas Service Center (DSC). The facility, which is designed to serve as the official Acuity headquarters, will be the primary center to serve and support Acuity doctors, regional optical stores/practices and field teams in their local markets, according to an announcement.

Total Eye Care Partners Acquires Leading Eyecare Practices in Tennessee and Kentucky

By dba Staff

Thursday, July 5, 2018 12:35 PM WEST CHESTER, Ohio—Total Eye Care Partners (Total ECP) has finalized two more acquisitions. Late last month, the group acquired Eyewear Gallery in Memphis, Tenn., from Dr. Warren Johnson, according to an announcement. In addition, Total ECP acquired Drs. Ditto & Musick Eye Care Center in Nicholasville, Ky., from David Ditto, OD, and John Musick, OD, FAAO.

For Eyes Unit of GrandVision Plans to Add 25 Additional Locations by Year’s End

By dba Staff

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 10:15 AM MIRAMAR, Fla.—It looks like 2018 will be a busy year for For Eyes, the U.S. unit of GrandVision N.V. The U.S. group plans to open up to 25 new locations over the next seven months, which will add about 20 percent to its existing retail base of about 120 locations across the U.S.

Eyemart Express Offering Veterans and Military Families a Discount Program

By dba Staff
Monday, May 21, 2018 10:05 AM DALLAS—Eyewear retailer Eyemart Express has announced a new “thank you” program to show appreciation to veterans, retired, active- and non-active duty military personnel and their families. The program features a nationwide discount program that began May 14. To celebrate the program launch, all individuals who have served in the U.S. military, and their families, will receive 20 percent off eyewear purchases through June 2, according to the announcement.

EyeCare Partners Completes Two Acquisitions and Expands in Alabama and Kentucky

By Staff
Thursday, April 19, 2018 11:30 AM ST. LOUIS—EyeCare Partners LLC (ECP), a growing management group operating vision care practices primarily in the Midwest, reported last week that it has expanded into the Alabama ophthalmology market with the acquisition of Alabama Vision Center, a Birmingham-based ophthalmology practice. The practice is led by Price Kloess, MD, Andrew Velazquez, MD, Andrew Bartlett, MD, and Holly Young, OD, and also operates a second location in Hoover, Ala. In a separate transaction, ECP reported that it has taken its first steps into the Kentucky ophthalmology market with the acquisition of The Ophthalmology Group, a Paducah, Ky.-based practice of Mark Gillespie, MD, Landen Meeks, MD, Jeffery Taylor, MD, and Carl Baker, MD.

Hong Kong-Based Eyewear Firm Mujosh Makes U.S. Debut With Three California Stores

By dba Staff
Friday, April 13, 2018 12:15 PM HONG KONG—Mujosh, a fashion-focused eyewear brand based here, made its initial move into the U.S. market with the opening of new stores in the San Francisco and Los Angeles markets. The new stores are located at the Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton, the Westfield in San Francisco, and the Glendale Galleria in Glendale. The openings occurred in late February and March, according to an announcement by the company.

Eyemart Express Donates 1,100 Eyeglasses to Cedar Springs Vision Nonprofit

By dba Staff
Friday, April 13, 2018 12:10 PM DALLAS—National eyewear retailer Eyemart Express donated more than 1,100 eyeglasses to Cedar Springs Vision, a Dallas-based nonprofit that provides vision and eyecare to those who could not otherwise afford it. "We are delighted to assist in providing a healthier quality of life through better eyesight with our eyewear and Cedar Springs Vision," said Teresa Mason, Eyemart Express director of product merchandising. "The ability to see clearly should not be a right determined by economic status."

Acuity Eyecare Adds OD Offices in Denver, Phoenix Markets and Names New CEO

By Staff
Thursday, March 22, 2018 10:15 AM DALLAS—Riata Capital Group announced earlier this month that its portfolio company Acuity Eyecare Group has acquired two regional eyecare groups: One Hour Optical of Denver and 20/20 Image Eye Centers, which is based in the Phoenix market. One Hour Optical operates four full-service locations, including in the cities of Denver, Aurora, Greenwood Village and Thornton, Colo., and one location in the Denver Health Hospital. 20/20 Image Eye Centers has five full-service locations, including offices in Fountain Hills, Tempe, Scottsdale, Glendale and Chandler, Ariz.

EyeCare Partners on Track for 275 Locations by End of 2018

By Staff
Thursday, March 22, 2018 10:10 AM ST. LOUIS—EyeCare Partners LLC, a growing network of full scope medical optometry and ophthalmology practices, reports that the group, backed by private equity firm FFL Partners, has been continuing on its acquisition path and projects it will reach 275 locations by the end of 2018. EyeCare Partners (ECP) has successfully acquired and integrated more than 240 optometry and ophthalmology practices over the past three years, the company pointed out, throughout the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Vision Monday reported on the company’s formation and previous acquisitions in May 2017. 

CEOs, OD Speakers Join Program for Live Expo Event About Private Equity’s Impact on Optometry

By Staff
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 2:27 PM NEW YORK—OD speakers along with a panel of CEOs and executives from major private equity-backed vision care management companies will be on the program for the special live event to be held at Vision Expo East on March 17. “Private Equity Takes Root – What Does It Mean for Optometry?” is being presented in cooperation with Review of Optometric BusinessVision Expo and Vision Monday.

Texas State Optical Debuts New Store Model, With More to Follow

By dba Staff
Friday, January 26, 2018 11:05 AM RICHARDSON, Texas—Texas State Optical is debuting a new store model in a recently opened optometric office here. The office, which is owned by Valenta Carter, OD, is the first example of a new store concept for TSO, which secured the location, designed the office and provided a turnkey program of inventory, exam equipment and standard operating procedures, the company said in a statement. The new office design is open, contemporary, has no front desk and utilizes iPads instead of desktop computers for working with patients. The design was developed in conjunction with Eye Designs.

OWA’s Jan. 16 ‘Tuesday Talks’ to Feature MyEyeDr.’s Christine Dellecave

By dba Staff
Thursday, January 11, 2018 11:10 AM DALLAS—MyEyeDr.’s chief people officer, Christine Dellecave, will be hosting the Optical Women’s Association’s Jan. 16 episode of “Tuesday Talks.” The episode, titled, “Making a Transition Successfully,” will air at 1 p.m. EST. Dellecave is a seasoned executive who has spent time leading people strategy in a variety of organizations and industries. According to OWA’s announcement, Dellecave thrives in situations that require transformation and brings vision, planning and execution to bear. Her 20-year career spans Fortune 500 companies, as well as midsize companies going through various phases of growth.

Specs Eyewear Finds Success With Eyewear Junkie Format

By dba Staff
Thursday, December 28, 2017 3:10 PM WICHITA, Kan.—Innovative independent optical retailer Specs Eyewear, which operates six locations in Kansas, is expanding its Eyewear Junkie concept with the opening of a second stand-alone location at a shopping center here, according to the company’s co-owner.

My Eyelab Readies Entry into Orlando Market and Expansion in Fort Lauderdale With New Franchise Agreement

By dba Staff
Thursday, December 14, 2017 10:45 AM PALM SPRINGS, Fla.—Adding to its presence in Florida, My Eyelab announced the signing of a three-location, multi-unit franchise agreement that marks its first move into the Orlando area, according to an announcement earlier this month.

[Partner Post] Kansas City Practice Increases Percentage of Dailies CL Sales by More Than 20 Percent

By dba Staff
Thursday, December 14, 2017 10:15 AM ST. LOUIS—Two years ago, Eye Associates, a six-location practice in Kansas, decided to make a push to move not just more, but the majority, of its contact lens patients into daily disposable lenses.