LEWISVILLE, Texas— Hoya Vision Care announced the creation of the “Hoya Learning Center,” an educational resource for independent eyecare professionals.

Initially, the Center will address four specific needs— technical and medical education, practice development, new media optics, and dispensing. Complimentary training will be available in multiple formats including, in-person, instructor-led webinars, and self-directed web-based training programs. Training can be customized to meet the needs of each practice and each individual so all can meet their respective goals, the company said.

“Every day I talk to our customers and I see the need to provide more specific expertise,” said Barney Dougher, president of Hoya Vision Care, NA. “For independent practices to be successful they need to have a ‘go-to’ person that can be a definitive resource. The technology combined with the business climate has gotten so complex the average practice can’t keep up. Regardless of your level of expertise in a particular area, Hoya is now the place you can turn to for the right answer.”

Hoya has appointed several veteran optometrists to staff the Hoya Learning Center. Anne-Marie Lahr, OD will be responsible for technical and medical education. She will be engaged in new product development and technical education, and will help doctors understand the impact of Hoya technology on the improvement in optics of Hoya’s lens designs, materials and treatments. She will also be responsible for conducting and managing all of Hoya’s patient case studies and white papers.

Dr. Lahr has more than 18 years’ experience as an instructor in the field of optics. Most recently, she served as an assistant professor at Salus University.

Gregory W. Hicks, OD, a partner in a three-location practice in Sandusky, Ohio, is the concierge of professional affairs. He will offer his perspective on practice development to practice owners looking to expand their thinking, make positive changes to their business model and improve their capture rate.

Thomas Gosling, OD an independent practice owner in Littleton, Colo., is responsible for new media optics. Dr. Gosling will be educating his peers on the advantages of taking and using personalized patient measurements. As a Hoya ambassador at trade shows and events Dr. Gosling will give demonstrations on proper and efficient techniques for using various measurement tools. In addition, he will pilot and report on new lens products and treatments that impact patients and their use of new media.

Brad Main, director of training, will continue to be centered on working with opticians. His primary responsibility is dispensing education and all activities required of a licensed optical dispenser. Main will conduct hands-on training, in office or off-site that includes topics such as, how to order, frame selection for the right lens, adjustments, fitting techniques, and general dispensing.