By Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 4:03 PM
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.
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By Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 4:00 PM
So, what is inflation, how does it affect your practice and what can you do about it? The great Nobel Prize economist Milton Friedman said it best: “Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon, in the sense that it is and can be produced only by a more rapid increase in the quantity of money than in output.” In recent years, the M2 money supply expanded by approximately 40 percent, decreasing dollar purchasing power in kind. Additionally, the last time debt to GDP in the U.S. was at similar levels was after World War II when financial repression, inflation and illiquidity events took over 30 years to resolve. As a small business owner, it is vital to understand the current economy we find ourselves in, the time frame it can potentially last and what our options are to navigate it.
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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.
By Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 12:18 AM
PARIS—
Silmo 2024 organizers are preparing for this year’s edition, which will feature over 900 exhibitors and 1,500 brands from 144 countries, according to an announcement from show organizers.
By Staff
Monday, July 1, 2024 2:03 PM
In 2024, many of us are making
Fourth of July plans that involve time outdoors, barbecue and fireworks. But how did early Americans celebrate Independence Day? Head over to
Mental Floss for a look back in time.
By Staff
Monday, July 1, 2024 1:45 PM
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.
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By Staff
Monday, July 1, 2024 1:35 PM
With the Olympic summer’s Paris games less than a month away, two decorated professional athletes are sharing how Lumenis OptiLIGHT technology has improved their symptoms of dry eye disease so they can get back to living their lives—and “going for gold.” For years, beach volleyball legend Kerri Walsh Jennings battled dry eyes on and off the court before finding the right treatment. The three-time gold medalist in the summer games partnered with Lumenis and shared her experience with OptiLIGHT on Instagram. Lumenis light therapy is the first and only FDA-approved option for dry eye management.
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By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 2:10 PM
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.
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By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 2:05 PM
Our world is ruled by the sun. It tells us when to rise and shine. It keeps us warm with its bright rays. It powers our need for sunglasses and the reasons we wear them. Just as the sun lights up the world, the impact of sunwear shines powerfully in our optical arena. It continues to reign as the most coveted frame category—today and for the past 50 years of
20/20’s history. In our eyes, sunwear is the dream accessory, protecting our sight while giving us the opportunity to make our own style statements. This month,
20/20 took up residence at the Dream Downtown hotel in NYC to play out their sunny daydreams. Here, they present to you their selection of sun specs to make all your sunwear ambitions and dreams come true.
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By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 12:56 PM
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to penetrate nearly every industry and aspect of our everyday lives, ECPs and optical retailers are taking a hard look at the technology, and appear to be in various stages of implementing it into their business models and strategies. It also appears that AI is ready to permeate the optical industry as well, with the promise of more efficient processes that can benefit both providers and patients/consumers. For this feature,
VM reached out to ECPs, optical retailers, eyewear companies, and contact lens companies to find out how they are applying AI in their businesses. The “potential of AI” was mentioned frequently, with some companies taking a more cautious approach to AI with concerns over security and privacy at the forefront.
By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 12:35 PM
Summer
travel season is upon us, and it's expected to be busier than ever. Head over to
TIME for some tips and tricks to help you prepare and travel as painlessly as possible.
By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 8:10 AM
This print, titled “Big Cats in Fancy Glasses,” is a fun, colorful addition to any practice—especially ones with plenty of pediatric patients. You can purchase it in a variety of sizes on Etsy
here. #WeShareIt