By Staff
Friday, May 3, 2024 3:46 PM
An employee's resilience and problem-solving skills may keep them ahead of the implications of generative AI technology in the workplace. The new
Workforce Well-Being study from meQuilibrium found a quarter of employees with low positivity rates are concerned about the impact of AI threatening their job security. Meanwhile, just 16 percent of workers who consider themselves highly positive felt the same threat.
The study found that strong problem-solving skills make employees 66 percent more likely to experience positive productivity gains from the use of generative AI and half are as likely to be concerned about job security. More than 68 percent of employers, however, report feeling safe from generative AI job replacement, compared to 18 percent of employees overall.
The study found that 31 percent of companies have implemented guidance on the use of Gen AI, however, just 9.3 percent of employees reported they are getting enough practical support to use these technologies.
Gaps were also found within employment fields, with 5.1 percent of health services employees reporting they have been provided with day-to-day AI guidance tools, compared with more than 56 percent of technology employees.
By Staff
Friday, May 3, 2024 3:22 PM
The EssilorLuxottica Annual Shareholders’ Meeting was held in Paris on April 30. The Shareholders’ Meeting approved the staggered reappointment of all previous directors to the new EssilorLuxottica board of directors. At the end of the Shareholders’ Meeting, the board of directors met and appointed the company officers, confirming Francesco Milleri as chairman and CEO and Paul du Saillant as deputy CEO.
By Staff
Friday, May 3, 2024 8:05 AM
ECPs’ gross revenue decreased, Jobson Tracker says; Safilo North America names Gabriele Cusani Sodano president and chief commercial officer; EssilorLuxottica holds annual shareholders meeting; CLI issues report on new and returning contact lens wearers; and Bausch + Lomb receives FDA approval of Lumify Preservative Free all topped this week’s
VMAIL news feed. Click on the headlines below to catch up on anything you might have missed.
By Staff
Friday, May 3, 2024 12:27 AM
NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations decreased last week, April 22–28, when compared with the previous week at a rate of -2 index points. That places gross revenue at a level 5 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 17) when compared with last year (2023), 11 points above the same period in 2022, 14 points above 2021, 102 points above 2020 (during COVID) and 19 points above 2019, according to Jobson’s most recent Practice Performance Tracker.
By Staff
Friday, May 3, 2024 12:24 AM
ALISO VIEJO, Calif.—
Glaukos Corporation, an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company focused on therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases, has announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.
By Staff
Friday, May 3, 2024 12:21 AM
PADUA, Italy—
Safilo Group reported yesterday that the company has signed a perpetual license agreement with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) for David Beckham Eyewear, which substitutes the previous contract expiring at the end of 2030.
By Staff
Friday, May 3, 2024 12:15 AM
BOSTON—
20/20 Onsite, a mobile eyecare company, is partnering with Southbridge Public Schools (SPS) and the
Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts to provide comprehensive eye exams and glasses to SPS students at no cost to their families through the “Vision for Southbridge” program.
By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 2:48 PM
To help advance myopia management as a standard of care, the World Council of Optometry (WCO) is partnering with CooperVision to introduce an interactive and educational resource for eyecare practitioners worldwide. The WCO CooperVision Myopia Management Navigator takes you on a journey through the three M’s of myopia management: mitigation, measurement and management.
By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 2:18 PM
U.S. automotive sales are predicted to slide slightly in April, however, the overall market remains positive. As the month closes out, new
sales forecasts from Cox Automotive
predicts a drop in April new-vehicle sales compared to last year. Despite this new data, the automotive services and technology provider predicts the market will remain in recovery mode with new vehicles selling at a healthy pace.
Experts with Cox Automotive predict 2024 will still beat pre-pandemic new vehicle sales with sales volume expected to fall slightly by 2.2 percent as compared with April 2023. Seasonally adjusted figures put the overall new vehicle selling pace at 15.9 million for the year, up 0.2 million over last year's pace and 0.4 million from March, when auto sales for the year reached 15.5 million.
April is a shorter month, and this can have an impact on overall new vehicle sales, Cox Automotive said. The company said that despite lower figures, there will be an increase in the overall sales pace which is predicted to continue into 2024.
April’s final new vehicle sales volume is predicted to fall to 1.34 million units, a 2.2 percent decrease from one year ago and a 6.8 percent decrease from March.
Increased vehicle incentives have also got car buyers looking to make a purchase. In April, vehicle supply was up 46 percent compared to last year. Paired with other aggressive dealer incentives, sales will continue to push upward as the year progresses, according to Cox Automotive.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, May 2, 2024 8:30 AM
FOLSOM, Calif.—Small business owners hear it all the time: social media is a nonnegotiable item if you want to grow. But the prospect of getting started can be daunting. What platforms should you be on, and what should you be posting once you’re on there? How do you gain followers and find a community? And what value is all of this offering both to you and your patients? For Jennifer Wademan, OD, jumping into social media was a slow but steady process—and one that has ultimately grown into a career-changing and life-altering move.
By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 8:25 AM
The team at
The Vision Gallery in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, celebrated Employee Appreciation Day.
By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—May is Healthy Vision Month. This year, because it overlaps with Mental Health Awareness Month, the
National Eye Institute (NEI) has dedicated Healthy Vision Month to “shining a light on vision loss and mental health—and sharing steps people with a visual impairment can take to thrive in their daily lives.” The NEI noted, “The United States is facing an
epidemic of loneliness and isolation with half of adults saying they feel lonely. That’s why Healthy Vision Month 2024 is focused on helping people with a visual impairment know how to access vision rehabilitation services, mental health support and social connection.”
By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 8:15 AM
Main Street America, an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhoods, has announced that 1,188 programs have achieved designations as Main Street America programs in recognition of their commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach. The 2024 network of designated Main Street members includes 800 programs that earned accredited status—the organizations’ top designation tier—for demonstrating a proven track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach and exceptional performance in the six standards of community evaluation.
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.
By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 12:27 AM
VAUGHAN, Ontario—
Bausch + Lomb Corporation (NYSE/TSX: BLCO), a leading global eye health company, has announced its first-quarter 2024 financial results. The company reported that revenue grew 18 percent (20 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the first quarter of 2023, driven by growth across all business segments. The company also raised full-year 2024 constant currency revenue growth guidance to 13 percent to 15 percent and the full-year revenue range to between $4.600 billion and $4.700 billion.