As Tariffs Loom, the Optical Industry Responds, and Braces for Change

By Evra Taylor and Anne Cooper
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 12:24 AM The optical industry continues to marshal resources and adapt as it assesses the impact that tariffs ordered by the Trump administration may have on revenue, materials, products and staffing. With President Trump having inked executive orders over the weekend that were slated to take effect on February 4 that imposed 25 percent tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada, with a 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy products, and a 10 percent tariff on imports from China, reliable news outlets reported that U.S. consumers and businesses could expect costs to rise on products ranging from groceries to gasoline to technology, leaving few sectors unaffected.

Practice Performance Partners Is Formed to Assist ECPs With Practice Management

By Staff
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 12:18 AM NEWARK, N.J.—In a collaboration designed to help eyecare professionals better manage their practices, four industry-leading companies—Practice Compliance Solutions, CodeSAFEPLUS, Practice Resource Management and EyeCode Education—have merged to form Practice Performance Partners.

Two Canadian Universities Explore Creation of School of Optometry in Saint John to Serve Atlantic Canada

By Staff
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 12:15 AM NEWARK, N.J.—The University of New Brunswick and the University of Waterloo have signed a memorandum of understanding, to explore the establishment of a school of optometry in Saint John, New Brunswick, to serve Atlantic Canada, the universities announced in a statement.

Treehouse Eyes Partners With Dr. Maria Liu on Flagship Myopia Management Center

By Staff
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 12:24 AM PLEASANTON, Calif.—Treehouse Eyes has announced the grand opening of its new flagship center for children’s myopia management care in Pleasanton, Calif., in partnership with Maria Liu, OD, Ph.D.

WestGroupe to Support UC Berkeley’s New Satellite Campus With Donation

By Staff
Monday, January 13, 2025 12:21 AM PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. and EMERYVILLE, Calif.—WestGroupe announced that it has donated $30,000 toward a new satellite campus in Emeryville, Calif., currently being built by The University of California, Berkeley’s Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science.

The Indiana University School of Optometry Receives $1.3 Million Donation of Eyeglass Frames From Eyemart Express

By Staff
Monday, January 13, 2025 12:18 AM BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—The Indiana University School of Optometry announced that it received a donation of more than $1.3 million in eyewear from Eyemart Express that will help make eyeglasses and frames available to medically underserved populations in Indiana.

President Biden Signs Veterans Affairs OD Physician-Level Recognition Legislation Into Law

By Staff
Thursday, January 9, 2025 12:27 AM WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Jan. 2, President Joe Biden signed into law the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The reform bill is notable for its sweeping list of Veterans Affairs (VA) policies, including adding optometry to the physician pay scale.

Vision Monday’s VMAIL Newsletter Launches VM’s Health Watch Department

By Staff
Thursday, January 9, 2025 12:18 AM NEWARK, N.J.—As the effects of COVID-19 and the pandemic begin to fade, and the global sense of urgency around the virus has waned, Vision Monday’s VMAIL newsletter is rebranding its Coronavirus Briefing News department to VM’s Health Watch.

The Vision Council’s Newest Focused inSights Report Explores Behaviors of Eyewear Frame Buyers

By Staff
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 12:21 AM ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council released a new research report that provides a detailed look at how eyecare providers source and select eyeglass frames for their practices. The report, titled Focused inSights 2024: Frame Buyers, investigates the motivations and choices of ECPs who are responsible for frame inventory purchases.

2025 VM Leadership Summit Taking Place on February 19, Prior to Vision Expo East

By Staff
Monday, January 6, 2025 12:18 AM NEWARK, N.J.—Excitement around the 2025 VM Leadership Summit continues to build, with an all-star lineup of ECPs, thought leaders, and business and philanthropic minds planning to descend in Orlando on February 19 to explore the topic of "Elevating Vision Care's Superpowers." Scheduled to take place at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, a state-of-the-art new venue located in downtown Orlando that's just 20 minutes away from the Orange County Convention Center, the event features cutting-edge presentations, ample opportunity for networking, and a sit-down luncheon. The current lineup of presenters includes:

The Vision Council’s Government and Regulatory Affairs Team Shares Recording and Slides From Tariff Discussions

By Staff
Friday, January 3, 2025 12:21 AM ALEXANDRIA, Va.—In December, The Vision Council’s Government and Regulatory Affairs team held two all-member discussions to address the present and future state of China 301 Duties; a recording of these meetings as well as slides presented during the sessions are now available.

Review of Myopia Management Hosts THE Myopia Meeting in Markham/Greater Toronto Area

By Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025 12:18 AM MARKHAM, Ontario, Canada—On Sunday, December 8, leaders in the eyecare field gathered here for THE Myopia Meeting. The event featured four hours of COPE-approved continuing education courses interspersed with clinical reviews from some of the most influential companies and practitioners in the myopia management space.

Jobson Optical Research Report Examines ECPs’ Use of Digital Solutions

By Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025 12:15 AM NEWARK, N.J.—In December 2024, Jobson Optical Research surveyed eyecare professionals on their use of digital solutions. The 42-page report features insights on what type of social media presence optical locations use and the frequency of posting.

Glaukos Submits U.S. FDA New Drug Application for Epioxa

By Staff
Monday, December 30, 2024 12:18 AM ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—Glaukos Corporation has announced the submission of its New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Epioxa (Epi-on), its next-generation corneal cross-linking iLink therapy for the treatment of keratoconus, a progressive, sight-threatening corneal disease.

VM’s Top 10 News Stories for 2024

By Mary Kane
Friday, December 27, 2024 8:30 AM As 2024 comes to a close, it is once again time to take a look back at Vision Monday’s most read news stories of the year delivered by our VMAIL e-newsletter. Against the backdrop of a year filled with uncertainty—from the presidential election to stubborn inflation numbers and wars in the Middle East and Ukraine—VM’s readers remained loyal to our VMAIL news brand, week in and week out. Our readers were especially interested in an ongoing issue in the eyecare industry as the FTC announced in June the final updates to its Ophthalmic Practice Rules, known as the Eyeglass Rule, aimed at promoting competition and consumer choice—the story “FTC Announces Final Updates to ‘Eyeglass Rule’” occupies the top spot for 2024. Here’s a look at the 10 most read news stories for 2024.