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PBA Becomes First Consumer Optical Group to Oppose FDA’s Changes to Lens Impact Test Guidelines

Posted: 5/15/2008 12:33 AM
CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness America, based here, is the latest optical organization to voice its opposition to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recently proposed changes to its long-standing guidelines for lens impact testing.

Mido Organizers Report 46,000 Visitors, Up 1 Percent from 2007

Posted: 5/15/2008 12:30 AM
MILAN, Italy—Mido organizers reported that attendance at the 38th edition of the show, which was held here May 9 through May 12, was nearly 46,000, an increase of 1 percent over 2007.

Joan Casaponsa Named New Executive Chairman of Indo

Posted: 5/15/2008 12:27 AM
BARCELONA—Joan Casaponsa has taken over as executive chairman of Indo, effective April 30. In addition to fulfilling duties as executive chairman, Casaponsa will also be the chairman of the board of directors, a position previously held by Jorge Cottet Sebile, who is retiring as chairman, according to an announcement from the company.

Advanced Medical Optics Gets FDA Clearance for iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser

Posted: 5/15/2008 12:21 AM
SANTA ANA, Calif.—Advanced Medical Optics (NYSE: EYE) has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for the iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser, the company announced this week.

AOA’s 10th ‘Caring for the Eyes of America’ Survey Analyzes ODs’ Role

Posted: 5/15/2008 12:18 AM
ST. LOUIS—Private practice optometrists are maintaining their position as the nation’s primary eyecare providers, according to the American Optometric Association’s just-released “Caring for the Eyes of America” survey.

LCA-Vision Exec Says Recent FDA Hearing Has Not Caused Laser-Surgery Cancellations

Posted: 5/15/2008 12:15 AM
CINCINNATI—Steve Straus, LCA-Vision’s (Nasdaq: LCAV) chief executive officer, said during the company’s annual shareholders meeting this week that the recent inquiries by the Food and Drug Administration into the safety of laser eye surgery have not cause cancellations among LCA-Vision’s patients—but bookings are down nevertheless.

Italian Eyewear Exports Rose 11.6 Percent in 2007

Posted: 5/15/2008 12:12 AM
MILAN—Italian eyewear production rose to €2,773 million in 2007, a 10.9 percent increase over the previous year.

Bruce Sauer, Founding Manager, VSP Lab Dies at 69

Posted: 5/14/2008 2:18 PM
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Bruce Sauer, who founded VSP’s Sacramento-based laboratory, died of liver cancer on May 10.

HAL Holding Buys Optical Chains in U.K., Chile

Posted: 5/12/2008 12:31 AM
MONTE CARLO—HAL Holding, parent of Pearle Europe, has acquired optical chains in two countries so far this month.

CooperVision Names Aragon President, Asia Pacific

Posted: 5/12/2008 12:28 AM
FAIRPORT, N.Y.—CooperVision, a division of The Cooper Companies (NYSE: COO), has appointed Juan Carlos Aragon to the position of president for the Asia Pacific region.

J&J Vision Care Institute Adds Sixth Satellite Center

Posted: 5/12/2008 12:25 AM
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE: JNJ)Vision Care Institute has added its sixth partner institution: the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry now hosts a Vision Care Institute satellite learning center.

Enliven Your Work Week With VM 's WebTV

Posted: 5/12/2008 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—Get your work week going on a lighter note with fun videos on VM's WebTV.

VSP Diversifies into Dental Via Consumer Plan With Careington Int’l

Posted: 5/8/2008 12:30 AM
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—VSP Vision Care is making its first significant move into the dental-care field through a new Dental & Vision Savings Plan, administered by Careington International. The new plan, available to individuals and families, provides discounts on dental and vision care as well as the option to pay on a monthly basis.

Sàfilo Appoints New Executive Vice Chairman, Reconfirms Chairman and CEO

Posted: 5/8/2008 12:27 AM
PADOVA, Italy—The board of directors of Sàfilo Group S.p.A. (SFLG.MI), which met on April 30 to release the company’s first quarter results, also confirmed Vittorio Tabacchi as chairman and Claudio Gottardi as chief executive officer.

SynergEyes Names David Fancher VP, Global Sales

Posted: 5/8/2008 12:24 AM
CARLSBAD, Calif.—Contact-lens manufacturer SynergEyes recently named David E. Fancher its vice president, global sales.

VisionWeb Kicks Off ‘Webinar’ Series on Practice Automation on May 15

Posted: 5/8/2008 12:21 AM
AUSTIN, Texas—Next week industry Internet portal VisionWeb launches a free Webinar series, “The Automated Practice,” designed to educate eyecare providers on technology and services available to help them automate daily processes and increase efficiency in their businesses.

Joffe Withdraws Minority Slate of Directors to TLC Vision Board

Posted: 5/8/2008 12:18 AM
CINCINNATI—Yesterday Stephen Joffe, MD, founder of LCA-Vision (Nasdaq: LCAV), withdrew the minority slate of directors he had nominated for election to the board of TLC Vision (Nasdaq: TLCV) at that company’s annual meeting next month.

Do You Know An Influential Woman?

Posted: 5/8/2008 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—Vision Monday will once again be highlighting The Most Influential Women in Optical in our upcoming July 21 issue, the sixth anniversary of our signature Special Report saluting women in the eyewear/eyecare industry.

B&L Names New Presidents for Global Vision Care, Surgical Products

Posted: 5/5/2008 9:20 AM
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Bausch & Lomb today announced that Stuart Heap, a former CIBA Vision executive, has joined the company as corporate vice president and global president, vision care. In addition, J. Andy Corley—co-founder of eyeonics, which B&L acquired earlier this year—has been named corporate VP and global president, surgical products.

American Academy of Ophthalmology and the International Council of Ophthalmology to Collaborate on Education

Posted: 5/5/2008 12:30 AM
SAN FRANCISCO—The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) today announced that they will collaborate on efforts to enhance training and continuing education of ophthalmologists in developing countries.

Better Vision Institute to Host May 28 to 29 Summit on Low Vision

Posted: 5/5/2008 12:27 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Low vision experts will gather here at the end of May for the second annual Vision Summit hosted by The Better Vision Institute (BVI), an advisory board to The Vision Council.

Nouveau Hires Jim Slattery to Manage Umbro Brand

Posted: 5/5/2008 12:24 AM
CARROLLTON, Texas—Nouveau Eyewear, based here, has appointed Jim Slattery as vice president of Umbro Eyewear.

H. Dunbar Hoskins, Jr., MD to Receive 2009 Catalyst Award from Glaucoma Research Foundation

Posted: 5/5/2008 12:21 AM
SAN FRANCISCO—H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, will be the recipient of the 2009 Catalyst Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) acknowledging exemplary leadership in sustaining innovative research and education.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Releases ‘Eye Health’ Brochure

Posted: 5/5/2008 12:18 AM
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— To help allergy sufferers who complain of eye allergies better understand and manage their condition, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, is offering a free educational brochure titled “Eye Health and Allergies” to ECPs.

Jump Start Your Work Week With VM 's WebTV

Posted: 5/5/2008 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—Get your work week going on a lighter note with fun videos on VM 's Web TV. Take time out to see what’s new on WebTV by checking out playful, fresh content every Monday. VM’s WebTV, features new content updated weekly, including the Video of the Week and YouTube Videos selected by VM’s editors and updated regularly with a focus on eyecare and eyewear videos offering a different take on the world of optical.

Vision Monday’s WebTV is the industry’s first video network where you’ll find all of your current favorites. Watch informative videos covering every facet of the eyecare industry. Current channels highlight: Scene & Heard optical editorial coverage. Optical Events, Educational Video Press Releases, Progressive Lenses, Lens Coatings & Treatments, Finishing Equipment, Frames, and Practice Management Technology.

You’ll find VM’s WebTV on the Vision Monday homepage at www.visionmonday.com.

Pennsylvania House Panel Addresses Vision Insurance Policies for ECPS, Labs

Posted: 5/1/2008 12:21 AM
PITTSBURGH—The House of Representatives Insurance Committee for the state of Pennsylvania held a public hearing here earlier this week to look into issues surrounding  House Bill 2101, which if passed, could have far reaching implications for managed vision plans around the country which mandate which ophthalmic labs providers must use.

CooperVision Taps McLean to Lead Global Commercial Strategies

Posted: 5/1/2008 12:18 AM
FAIRPORT, N.Y.—CooperVision (COO: NYSE) has named Jeffrey A. McLean executive vice president of commercial strategies.

Prevent Blindness America Warns Public on Dangers of UV Rays to Vision, Dedicates May as UV Awareness Month

Posted: 5/1/2008 12:15 AM
CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has dedicated May as UV Awareness Month in an effort to educate the public on the best way to protect their eyes from UV damage.

Optical Coalition Responds to Proposed FDA Guidelines for Lens Impact Testing

Posted: 4/28/2008 12:27 AM
WASHINGTON—A coalition of eight optical groups joined together last week and submitted recommendations to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the FDA’s proposed changes to lens impact testing guidelines.

FDA Holds Hearing on LASIK Surgery

Posted: 4/28/2008 12:24 AM
GAITHERSBURG, Md.—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration held an open public hearing last Friday during the regular meeting of its ophthalmic devices division to explore the impact LASIK eye surgery has had on consumers’ lives.

NAVCP Elects New Officers, Sets Priorities for Year Ahead

Posted: 4/28/2008 12:21 AM
AMELIA ISLAND, Fla.—The National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) hosted a record attendance of close to 100 at its annual meeting here last week. During the meeting, the group elected new officers and directors, and heard talks on a variety of topics related to eye health and vision care.

Experience the VM Global Leadership Summit on VM’s Redesigned WebTV

Posted: 4/28/2008 12:18 AM
NEW YORK—Get up close and personal with today’s top industry leaders during VM’s 2nd Annual Global Leadership Summit: “Harnessing the Power of Consumer Communities.” Watch videos and download presentations of Summit speakers as they speak to four key elements impacting the business of optical today: technology, retailing, luxury and health care.

Videos and presentations are available by going to the VM Summit box on www.visionmonday.com or by accessing WebTV directly on the Events channel. While viewing Summit videos, check out Vision Monday's redesigned WebTV, now featuring fresh content updated weekly, including a new feature, the Video of the Week. Be sure to take a look at our YouTube Videos, selected by VM’s editors and updated regularly with a focus on the fun side of eyecare and eyewear.

Vision Monday’s WebTV is the industry’s first video network where you’ll find all of your current favorites. Watch informative videos covering every facet of the eyecare industry. Current channels highlight: Scene & Heard optical editorial coverage. Optical Events, Educational Video Press Releases, Progressive Lenses, Lens Coatings & Treatments, Finishing Equipment, Frames, and Practice Management Technology.

This Month in Vision Monday

Posted: 4/28/2008 12:15 AM
NEW YORK—Now LIVE on VisionMonday.com, is the April 28 issue’s cover story, “Seeing Green: The Optical Industry Goes Eco-Friendly,” VM reaches out to optical businesses to see how they are addressing environmental concerns and sustainability. This is the first in an exclusive series of Seeing Green special reports that Vision Monday has planned for throughout the year. Look for our next report on this ‘hot’ issue in VM’s June 19 edition.

Don’t miss this month’s exclusive, top news stories including VM’s coverage of its Global Summit in “2nd VM Leadership Summit Tackles Industry’s Key Issues.” Follow the coverage and see pictures of the sold-out crowd of nearly 300 top optical industry executives who gathered in New York on the eve of Expo to hear industry experts speak to key issues affecting today’s business climate. And speaking of Expo, don’t miss “Themes of ‘New York’ to Transform Show Floor of Expo.” Get all the details about a brand new floor plan scheduled for next year’s 2009 edition of Vision Expo East.

To get an overview of Vision Expo East, turn to “Expo Gets High Marks From Exhibitors, Attendees.” Read how despite the country’s gloomy economic climate, this month’s show was rated a success by organizers and attendees alike. Also in Scene & Heard, don’t miss the “Accessories Council Hall of Fame Tribute” to Vision Monday’s own Marge Axelrad. The event, held at New York’s “Top of the Rock” venue heralded Axelrad’s contributions to the Jobson family and brand including 20 years as a journalist, editor and reporter.

And every issue of VM features Inside the Lab, Exam Lanes, Business Essentials and Balance Sheet.

Read the current issue, view prior issues and see exclusive Only-on-the-Web features, highlighting special reports at www.visionmonday.com including Slide Shows of industry movers and shakers and in-depth analysis in the New & Noteworthy section.

Nouveau Eyewear Signs Umbro License

Posted: 4/24/2008 12:21 AM

Tune Into the New VM WebTV

Posted: 4/24/2008 12:15 AM

Expo Thrives, Despite U.S. Economic Woes

Posted: 4/13/2008 12:24 AM

VisionWeb Names Two New Top Execs

Posted: 4/11/2008 12:27 AM

Julius Tart Dies at 93

Posted: 4/3/2008 12:18 AM

This Month in Vision Monday

Posted: 3/31/2008 12:15 AM
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Financial News  

ECCA Posts Increases in Revenues, Net Income for Q1

Posted: 5/15/2008 12:17 AM
SAN ANTONIO—The Eye Care Centers of America chain reported a strong first quarter to the Securities and Exchange Commission last week, with gains in both revenues and net income.

Marcolin Reports Increased Sales, Profits for Q1

Posted: 5/15/2008 12:14 AM
MILAN, Italy—The board of Marcolin S.p.A [MCL-IT] reported earlier this week that the company’s turnover for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007 reached €56 million euros, a 4.4 percent increase, or a 7.8 percent increase at constant exchange rates, compared to € 53.7 million euros in the previous year’s comparable period.

Staar Surgical Posts Loss in Q1 Despite Record Sales

Posted: 5/12/2008 12:20 AM
MONROVIA, Calif.—Staar Surgical (Nasdaq: STAA) saw its net loss grow to $8.9 million in its first quarter ended March 28, despite record sales in the period.

OptiStock’s Conference Calls

Posted: 5/12/2008 12:17 AM
FGX International (FGXI: Nasdaq) will be presenting at the Robert W. Baird, 2008 Growth Stock Investor Conference at The Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago on May 14 at 3:05 p.m. CT. Access is at http://www.wsw.com/webcast/rwbaird22/fgxi/.

Sàfilo Releases Q1 Results, Net Sales and Profit Down, Retail Up 56.9 percent

Posted: 5/8/2008 12:23 AM
PADOVA, Italy—The Board of Directors for Sàfilo Group S.p.A. (SFLG.MI) released the results for the first quarter 2008 and reported a 4.5 percent decrease in net sales and a 36.7 percent decrease in net profit.

TLCVision Sees Net Income Jump 75 Percent in Q1

Posted: 5/8/2008 12:20 AM
ST. LOUIS—Refractive surgery firm TLCVision (Nasdaq: TLCV) posted net income of $6.1 million in the first quarter of this year, a 75 percent increase over its $3.5 million net income in 2007’s Q1.

Allergan Posts 22.1 Percent Gain in Sales of Eyecare Pharmaceuticals

Posted: 5/8/2008 12:17 AM
IRVINE, Calif.—Allergan (NYSE: AGN) had a 22.1 percent increase (up 17.4 percent at constant currency rates) in its sales of eyecare pharmaceuticals in this year’s first quarter, to $492.2 million.

AMO 1Q ’08 Net Sales Up 20.7 Percent

Posted: 5/5/2008 12:23 AM
SANTA ANA, Calif.—Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) (NYSE:EYE) reported that first quarter 2008 net sales rose 20.7 percent to $303.7 million, including a 6.5 percent increase related to foreign currency exchange rate effects.

NovaMed Posts 39 Percent Increase in Income from Continuing Operations

Posted: 5/5/2008 12:17 AM
CHICAGO—NovaMed (Nasdaq: NOVA) posted net revenues of $33,813,000 for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008, up 11 percent from $30,568,000 in the prior year first quarter.

Hoya Posts Net Sales Gains in 4Q and FY 2007

Posted: 5/1/2008 12:23 AM
TOKYO—Hoya Corp. [TSE: 7741] posted fourth quarter net sales of 135.8 billion yen for the period ended March 31, 2008, a 36.5 percent increase over the same quarter of the prior year.

LCA-Vision Reports $79.6 Million in Revenue, Decline in Income for Q1 2008

Posted: 5/1/2008 12:20 AM
CINCINNATI— LCA-Vision Inc. (LCAV: Nasdaq) released financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.

OptiStock Conference Calls

Posted: 5/1/2008 12:17 AM
TLCVision (TLCV: Nasdaq) will host a conference call on May 6 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Access is at www.tlcv.com.

OptiStock Conference Calls

Posted: 5/1/2008 12:17 AM
TLCVision (TLCV: Nasdaq) will host a conference call on May 6 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Access is at www.tlcv.com.

OptiStock Conference Calls

Posted: 5/1/2008 12:17 AM

Sàfilo Group Predicts 2008 Sales Gains of 4 to 5 Percent Sales Growth This Year

Posted: 4/29/2008 11:38 AM Volume Number: 22:5
PADUA, Italy--Sàfilo Group expects its overall sales to grow by 4 percent to 5 percent during 2008, according to a company announcement in conjunction with Sàfilo’s board of directors meeting.

Pearle Europe Parent HAL Holding Optical Sales Rise

Posted: 4/29/2008 11:35 AM Volume Number: 22:5
MONTE CARLO--HAL Holding, which owns 97 percent of the Pearle Europe chain as well as optical stores under a number of other names, had a 4.4 percent increase in comparable-store sales of eyewear and eyecare in 2007, the company said last week.

Emerging Vision Sees Buying Group Revenues Boost Share of 2007 Total

Posted: 4/29/2008 11:32 AM Volume Number: 22:5
GARDEN CITY, N.Y.--Two significant buying-group acquisitions by Emerging Vision (OTC BB: ISEE.OB) in August 2006 and August 2007 have shifted the balance of the company’s revenues from its traditional retail base to its buying-group business segment, according to Emerging Vision’s recently released annual report for 2007.

Alcon's First Quarter Sales Rise 16.2 Percent; Net Income Increases 24 Percent

Posted: 4/28/2008 12:20 AM
HUENENBERG, Switzerland— Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) reported global sales of $1,536.4 million for the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 16.2 percent compared to the first quarter of 2007, or 9.4 percent excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations.

OptiStock Conference Calls

Posted: 4/28/2008 12:17 AM
LCA-Vision Inc. (LCAV: Nasdaq) , will present at the Morgan Stanley Global Healthcare Unplugged Conference on April 30 at 1:00 p.m. ET at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Florida. Access is at http://www.lasikplus.com/webcast/.

OptiStock Conference Calls

Posted: 4/17/2008 12:17 AM
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