CARLSBAD, Calif.— SynergEyes, Inc. has promoted James Kirchner, OD, to the position of president of SynergEyes. Kirchner previously served as the senior vice president of clinical and professional relations at SynergEyes where he provided professional leadership of product development and product management, according to the company.

“The promotion of Dr. Kirchner demonstrates the company’s renewed focus on the practice of optometry and a commitment to the profession,” said Jay Watkins, chairman of the SynergEyes Board of Directors. “We are excited to have greater optometric influence within the company as we work to transform SynergEyes into a highly valuable and indispensable partner of independent eyecare professionals.”

Prior to joining SynergEyes, Kirchner was chief professional officer for Eyefinity/OfficeMate, a VSP Global company. With more than 35 years in private practice optometry, Kirchner also has been president and CEO of more than a dozen start-up companies, both within and outside the ophthalmic industry.

As SynergEyes’ president, Kirchner will guide the company as it seeks to become a leading global contact lens company for independent ECPs, according to a statement from the company. “This is a turning point for SynergEyes,” Kirchner said. “We have made significant changes in the past year to make our lenses easier to fit and our policies practitioner-centric. I look forward to even more positive change as we seek to support the practice of optometry and deliver products that offer the best possible vision for patients.”

The SynergEyes lens portfolio includes ClearKone, the manufacturer and marketer of the Duette and UltraHealth families of contact lenses.