Third-Annual Cricket Match Sees Essilor Outscore Transitions, National Vision Teams

By Cathy Ciccolella, Contributing Editor
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 7:00 AM SARASOTA, Fla.—Teams from Essilor, National Vision and Transitions Optical took to the Sarasota International Cricket Club’s field here on Saturday, May 4, for what has become a three-year eyecare-industry tradition—a day-long cricket match in which first-time participant Essilor ultimately claimed the top spot.

VM’s view of the largest optical chains’ sales performances in 2010

By Cathy Ciccolella
Monday, May 16, 2011 12:06 AM NEW YORK—Despite continuing economic challenges, the country’s 50 largest eyewear/eyecare retailers and optometric practices achieved a new high in combined optical sales last year.

Economy Impacts Mass Merchants, Warehouse Clubs

By Cathy Ciccolella
Monday, May 16, 2011 12:02 AM NEW YORK—Despite ongoing issues in the U.S. economy—particularly high unemployment levels often resulting in consumers’ loss of insurance benefits—some of the mass merchandising chains and warehouse clubs hosting vision centers saw their optical sales increase during 2010.

How VM’s Top 50 Optical Retailers List Is Compiled

By Cathy Ciccolella
Monday, May 16, 2011 12:01 AM The VM Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers report ranks the 50 leading companies in optical retailing, based on their revenues in the 2010 calendar year.

Transitions Honors Lab, Retailers of Year at 15th ‘Academy’

By Cathy Ciccolella
Monday, February 14, 2011 9:00 AM ORLANDO—About 1,300 people gathered here Jan. 23 through Jan. 25 for the 15th annual Transitions Academy.

Elections May Bring Health Care Reform Changes: AOA’s Ellis

By Cathy Ciccolella
Monday, November 15, 2010 12:00 AM As a result of the Republicans’ sweep of many national and state elections earlier this month, the health care reform legislation passed last March may be facing some changes, according to Joe Ellis, OD, the president of the American Optometric Association (AOA).

VM's Top 10 Managed-Vision Players

By Cathy Ciccolella
Thursday, October 28, 2010 4:45 PM VM's Top 10 Managed-Vision Players

What's New in Managed Vision Plans for 2011?

By Cathy Ciccolella
Thursday, October 28, 2010 4:40 PM The industry’s managed vision companies regularly tinker with their plan offerings to keep them as current as possible with new developments in vision care, new technologies and new trends in consumers’ eyecare patterns.

How Today’s Managed Vision Landscape Is Changing

By Cathy Ciccolella
Thursday, October 28, 2010 12:10 AM NEW YORK—Recession, health care reform bring challenges and opportunities for plans, providers.

VSP, Costco Testing Vision Benefits in Costco Vision Centers

By Cathy Ciccolella
Thursday, October 28, 2010 12:10 AM After years of emphasizing its exclusive use of private-practice eyecare practitioners for its provider network, VSP Global recently launched a “pilot” program with Costco Wholesale through which those employees of a number of employer groups (and current VSP clients) who are Costco warehouse club members can use their VSP vision benefits at the vision centers in Costco’s stores.

What ECPs Are Asking About Health Care Reform

By Cathy Ciccolella
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 11:00 PM After all the turmoil surrounding this year’s passage of health care reform legislation—and all the confusion about what happens between now and the 2014 implementation of many of the legislation’s provisions—eyecare providers are wondering about their position in this new health care landscape.

What’s New in Managed Vision Plans for 2011?

By Cathy Ciccolella
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 10:31 AM NEW YORK—The industry’s managed vision companies regularly tinker with their plan offering to keep them as current as possible with new developments in vision care, new technologies and new trends in consumers’ eyecare patterns.

Corporate ODs Explore Consumer Attitudes

By Cathy Ciccolella
Wednesday, October 20, 2010 10:41 AM LAS VEGAS—Consumers’ attitudes about eyecare and eyewear—and how the current economy is impacting them—were in the spotlight here during a meeting of the Corporate Optometry Professional Advisory Panel prior to the start of Vision Expo West.

Humana/EyeMed Deal Puts Chains on Provider Panel

By Cathy Ciccolella
Monday, September 20, 2010 12:00 AM LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Health-care giant Humana will offer members of its HumanaVision Vision Care Plan the option of obtaining eyecare and eyewear at Luxottica Retail stores, beginning next year.