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.

CooperVision Best Practices Roundtable Addresses Hot Topics in the Optical Industry

By Staff
Thursday, June 20, 2024 12:27 AM NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Recent best practice honorees and student award recipients weighed in on hot topics relevant to the optical industry and profession on Wednesday during a roundtable discussion hosted by CooperVision at Optometry’s Meeting here. Topics selected by the honorees and discussed included new and emerging technologies, contact lenses and myopia management, according to CooperVision. Back in March, as reported by VMAIL, CooperVision announced its 2024 Best Practices honorees and student award recipients.

Fielmann Group Acquires Shopko Optical, Expands in Upper Midwest

By Staff
Monday, June 10, 2024 11:15 AM HAMBURG, Germany and GREEN BAY, Wis.—The Fielmann Group, a global eyewear provider, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement in which its U.S. subsidiary, Fielmann USA, will acquire 100 percent equity ownership in Shopko Optical, an optical retailer based in Green Bay, Wis., from Monarch Alternative Capital LP. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of this year, the group said, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Shopko Optical operates more than 140 stores across 13 states and generated $168 million in sales in 2023, according to the announcement.

VSP Vision Welcomes Usha Patil as Chief Insurance Officer, Bids Farewell to Renwick-Espinosa

By Staff
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 12:27 AM RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Vision announced that Usha Patil has joined the company effective June 3 as chief insurance officer, and in that role will lead VSP Vision Care, the organization’s not-for-profit vision benefits business that serves more than 85 million members. Patil joins VSP Vision from UnitedHealth Group, where she spent the last 14 years in a variety of senior leadership roles, most recently leading operations for UnitedHealthcare’s individual and family Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, the company stated.

The Vision Council Releases New inSights Research Spotlighting Q1 Consumer and Market Trends

By Staff
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 12:27 AM ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council, the leading trade association for the optical industry, has announced the release of two new reports offering a comprehensive view of the optical industry for the first quarter of 2024. The Market inSights Q1 2024 and Consumer inSights Q1 2024 reports feature market data and analysis estimating the performance of the optical industry, and highlight consumer behavior related to managed vision care, eye exams, eyeglasses, frames, lenses, contact lenses, readers and plano sunglasses, according to the announcement.

Time Is Running Out—The Nomination Deadline for VM's Most Influential Women in Optical Special Report Is May 27

By Staff
Friday, May 24, 2024 12:15 AM NEW YORK—The nominations deadline for VM's Most Influential Women in Optical special report is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 27. Vision Monday will once again be highlighting The Most Influential Women in Optical in our July-August issue, marking the 22nd year of our signature Special Report saluting women in the eyewear/eyecare industry. We are currently seeking nominations via an electronic survey form.

Nominations Deadline for VM's Most Influential Women in Optical Special Report Is Extended to May 27

By Staff
Thursday, May 23, 2024 12:15 AM NEW YORK—The nominations deadline for VM's Most Influential Women in Optical special report has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 27. Vision Monday will once again be highlighting The Most Influential Women in Optical in our July-August issue, marking the 22nd year of our signature Special Report saluting women in the eyewear/eyecare industry. We are currently seeking nominations via an electronic survey form.

Time Is Running Out—Nominate a Supportive Business Partner for Jobson’s 2024 'Ultimate Partners' Program by May 22

By Staff
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 12:15 AM NEW YORK—The readers of Vision Monday and 20/20 Magazine are being asked once again to share nominations to tell their stories for the Ultimate Partners annual editorial initiative. But time is running out—the deadline for submissions is May 22. Now in its fourth year, Jobson’s 2024 Ultimate Partners program allows readers to highlight their great business support partners and showcase their support. Open to all eyecare professionals, the program is looking to spotlight your most successful collaborations and celebrate the crucial support shared during both challenges and opportunities.

Do You Know an Influential Woman in Optical? Nominate Her by May 23 for Vision Monday's Special Report

By Staff
Monday, May 20, 2024 12:15 AM NEW YORK—Vision Monday will once again be highlighting The Most Influential Women in Optical in our July-August issue, marking the 22nd year of our signature Special Report saluting women in the eyewear/eyecare industry. We are currently seeking nominations via an electronic survey form but time is starting to run out—the deadline for submitting nominations is May 23. Women’s influence in optical is undeniable, and today more women are playing vital roles at all levels of our industry. In retailing, wholesaling, product design, manufacturing, distribution and vision care, talented women are shaping the direction of the companies and organizations they work for, and, in many cases, lead.

Deadline Is Extended to May 22 for Jobson’s 2024 'Ultimate Partners' Program—Nominate a Supportive Business Partner Now

By Staff
Thursday, May 16, 2024 12:15 AM NEW YORK—The readers of Vision Monday and 20/20 Magazine are being asked once again to share nominations to tell their stories for the Ultimate Partners annual editorial initiative. The deadline for submissions has been extended to May 22. Now in its fourth year, Jobson’s 2024 Ultimate Partners program allows readers to highlight their great business support partners and showcase their support. Open to all eyecare professionals, the program is looking to spotlight your most successful collaborations and celebrate the crucial support shared during both challenges and opportunities.

Safilo North America Names Gabriele Cusani Sodano President and Chief Commercial Officer

By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 12:30 AM SECAUCUS, N.J.—Safilo North America has announced the appointment of Gabriele Cusani Sodano as president and chief commercial officer, effective April 2024. Cusani brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to succeed in this new role, which will focus on accelerating the implementation of the Group’s strategic plan in the North American market, the company stated. He joined Safilo in 2015 and has held various roles of increasing responsibility throughout his tenure, with experience that spans commercial strategy and planning, brand management, business development, sales operations and direct to consumer.

April 26 Deadline Is Approaching for Submissions to VM's 2024 Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Report

By Staff
Friday, April 19, 2024 12:15 AM NEW YORK—Vision Monday will be publishing its signature Annual Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Report in its upcoming June print/digital edition this year. VM's annual survey of regional and national retailers will collect and present sales and operations data for the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2023. The deadline to submit information is April 26. "The Top 50 report and ranking will continue to examine U.S optical retail and ECP group revenues, and serves as a valuable resource to readers," said Anne Cooper, editorial director of Vision Monday and 20/20.

Are You a Top U.S. Optical Retailer? Take VM's Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Survey Now

By Staff
Monday, April 15, 2024 12:15 AM NEW YORK—Vision Monday will be publishing its signature Annual Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Report in its upcoming June print/digital edition this year. VM's annual survey will include regional and national retailers for the exclusive report.

Thinking Sustainably About Those Eclipse Glasses

By Gwendolyn Plummer
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 8:30 AM NEW YORK—Monday’s solar eclipse was a once-in-20-years natural phenomenon that left millions of Americans with a sense of wonder and excitement—and with a pair of eclipse glasses that they have no idea what to do with. With two decades to go until the next major eclipse here in North America, holding onto the protective glasses might not make sense (though, as USA Today reports, modern eclipse glasses don’t expire, according to the American Astronomical Society), but, thankfully, there are a few ways to recycle or repurpose eclipse glasses that are both sustainably-minded and helpful to others.

Are You a Top U.S. Optical Retailer? VM Opens its Annual Top 50 U.S. Retailers Survey, Sets April 26 Deadline

By Staff
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 12:27 AM NEW YORK—Vision Monday will be publishing its signature Annual Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers Report in its upcoming June print/digital edition this year. The industry's leading news platform is kicking off its annual survey among regional and national retailers for the exclusive report, which will collect and present sales and operations data for the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2023. "The Top 50 report and ranking will continue to examine U.S optical retail and ECP group revenues, and serves as a valuable resource to readers," said Anne Cooper, editorial director of Vision Monday and 20/20.