National Vision Names Mark Banner as New Chief Stores Officer

By Staff
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 12:27 AM DULUTH, Ga.—National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE), one of the largest optical retail companies in the U.S., has announced the appointment of Mark Banner as the company’s new chief stores officer, effective July 8, 2024. Banner is transitioning into the role previously held by Sharon Petitt due to her planned retirement. A specialty retailer who joins the company after a seven-year tenure at Sleep Number, the company stated, Banner brings team leadership expertise in sales, sales operations, digital, promotion and real estate.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Increased for the Week of June 24–30, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

By Staff
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 12:24 AM NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations increased last week, June 24–30, when compared with the previous week, at a rate of 2 index points.

Topcon Healthcare Appoints Lance Patton as Chief Commercial Officer

By Staff
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 12:21 AM OAKLAND, N.J.—Topcon Healthcare, Inc., a provider of ophthalmic devices and software solutions, has announced the appointment of M. Lance Patton as its chief commercial officer.

A Summer COVID Wave

By Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 9:04 AM As we've seen in years past, the changing of the seasons seems to bring with it an increase in COVID cases. Head over to WebMD to read up on this summer's COVID wave. 

Fielmann Group Closes Acquisition of Shopko Optical, Increases FY2024 Outlook and Adds to Leadership Team

By Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 12:24 AM HAMBURG, Germany, GREEN BAY, Wis. and DETROIT—The Fielmann Group, a global eyewear provider, announced yesterday that it had closed on its acquisition of Green Bay, Wis.-based retailer Shopko Optical. In the announcement, the company also upgraded its 2024 sales outlook and announced an addition to its executive team. The transaction was first signed on June 10, 2024, and calls for the group's U.S. subsidiary, Fielmann USA, to acquire 100 percent equity ownership in Shopko Optical from Monarch Alternative Capital LP, as reported in VMAIL last month.

Alcon Completes Acquisition of Belkin Vision, Expands Glaucoma Portfolio

By Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 12:21 AM GENEVA—Global eyecare company Alcon has announced the closing of a deal to acquire Israel-based Belkin Vision, developer of a first-line glaucoma laser treatment, with a total upfront consideration of $81 million, including a cash payment of approximately $65 million.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and Eyenovia Commence Co-Promotion Activities

By Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 12:15 AM EMERYVILLE, Calif. and NEW YORK—NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a developer of eyecare, skin care and wound care products, and Eyenovia, Inc., a commercial-stage ophthalmic technology company with two FDA-approved products and a late-stage asset in pediatric progressive myopia, have commenced co-promotion activities under an agreement that was first announced in March.

Optical Associations React to Final ‘Eyeglass Rule' Update

By Staff
Monday, July 1, 2024 12:24 AM WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, as reported in VMAIL, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced final updates to its 10-year Ophthalmic Practice Rules, known as the Eyeglass Rule. According to the FTC, the updates, which are scheduled to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, are designed to increase compliance with the rule’s long-standing requirement that ophthalmologists and optometrists who have a financial interest in selling prescription eyewear provide patients with a free copy of their prescription following a refractive eye exam. In addition, they will also be required to undertake the following:

Prevent Blindness Declares July as Dry Eye Awareness Month, Offers Free Resources

By Staff
Monday, July 1, 2024 12:18 AM CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness has announced that it is joining in support of July as Dry Eye Awareness Month to help educate the public and health care professionals on an eye disease that the National Eye Institute estimates affects nearly 16 million Americans.

National Vision Hosts More Than 1,000 Optometrists at Annual Continuing Education Symposium

By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 12:24 AM DULUTH, Ga.—National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE), one of the nation’s largest optical retailers, hosted more than 1,000 optometrists across two weekends for its Annual Continuing Education (CE) Symposium in Phoenix, Ariz., from June 1-4 and in Orlando from June 8-11. The conference was designed to empower doctors through education and camaraderie, giving them the tools they need to foster successful optometry careers, according to the company. “We are committed to empowering our network of optometrists to lead and innovate in their field," said National Vision chief medical officer Priti Patel, OD.

Karen Petrou Appointed as Board Chair of the Foundation Fighting Blindness

By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 12:21 AM COLUMBIA, Md.—The Foundation Fighting Blindness, an organization committed to driving the research for treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, has announced the appointment of Karen Petrou as board chair, effective July 1, 2024.

US Eye Partners With WhiteSpace Health for Analytics Platform

By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 12:18 AM BOCA RATON, Fla.—WhiteSpace Health, a company that works to transform data into intelligence and improve profitability of health care organizations, has announced the signing of US Eye to a three-year partnership for its revenue cycle and practice management analytics platform.

How the Optical Industry Views Artificial Intelligence

By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 12:15 AM NEWARK, N.J.—Despite a somewhat cautionary approach, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) appears to be gaining traction both among eyecare professionals and optical companies. In the June issue of Vision Monday, we take a look at the impact AI is making in the everyday professional lives of ECPs and among optical retailers. A growing number of optical businesses, including frame and lens manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, are employing AI for a variety of tasks.

FTC Announces Final Updates to ‘Eyeglass Rule’

By Staff
Thursday, June 27, 2024 1:15 PM WASHINGTON, D.C.—Concluding a comprehensive multi-year review, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced final updates to its Ophthalmic Practice Rules, known as the Eyeglass Rule, aimed at promoting competition and consumer choice. According to the FTC, the updates are designed to increase compliance with the rule’s long-standing requirement that ophthalmologists and optometrists provide patients with a free copy of their prescription immediately following a refractive eye exam. The changes announced on Thursday require that prescribers, after providing the prescription, request that their patients sign a statement confirming they received their prescription and keep a record of such confirmation for at least three years.

Renewable Carbon Initiative Publishes a Position Paper Outlining the Importance of Chemical and Physical Recycling

By Staff
Thursday, June 27, 2024 8:25 AM HÜRTH, Germany—Chemical and physical recycling play essential roles in realizing the objectives of the Green Deal and advancing the circular economy, according to the Renewable Carbon Initiative’s (RCI) latest position paper titled, Home - Goals and Vision of the Renewable Carbon Initiative. RCI advocates for a pragmatic approach, emphasizing that while closed-loop recycling is a noble goal for sectors such as packaging, textiles and automobiles, it should not be approached too dogmatically. Flexibility is essential to prevent environmental and economic inefficiencies, RCI said.