VisionMonday

De Rigo Vision and Marr International Group Sign Joint Venture Agreement for U.S. and Canadian Market

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:33:00 GMT

LONGARONE, Italy and NEW YORK—De Rigo Vision S.p.A., one of the leading international companies in the eyewear business, has announced its direct expansion into the U.S. and Canadian market through a new joint venture with Marr International Group, which will take effect in January 2011.

Lacoste to Change Eyewear Partnership in 2011; Marchon to Launch New Sun and Optical Lines

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:30:00 GMT

PARIS—After what the two companies describe as a five-year-long “fruitful and productive cooperation,” Lacoste S.A. and Charmant Group announced yesterday their decision to end their partnership for eyewear products.

International Vision Expo West Reports Increase in Pre-Registration Figures

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:27:00 GMT

NORWALK, Conn.— Show management reports that over 8,400 eyecare professionals and buyers have registered for the upcoming International Vision Expo West, representing an increase of nearly 10 percent over pre-registration figures for the same time period in 2009, five weeks prior to the start of the show.

REM Hires Pace as Director of Sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:24:00 GMT

SUN VALLEY, Calif.—REM Eyewear has announced the appointment of Mary Pace, a 22-year veteran of the international luxury and fashion eyewear business, to director of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Tom Tooma, MD, Purchases Interest in All 12 Southern California TLC Laser Eye Centers, Changing Name to NVISION Laser Eye Centers

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:21:00 GMT

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—All 12 TLC Laser Eye Centers have been sold to medical director Tom Tooma, MD. The new brand will operate as NVISION Laser Eye Centers and will retain the same Southern California locations, same surgeons and staff, the company said in an announcement.

TearLab Enters Into Cooperative Marketing Agreement With Abbott Medical Optics’ Canadian Subsidiary

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:18:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO—TearLab Corporation (TSX:TLB and Nasdaq: TEAR) and Abbott Medical Optics Inc.’s Canadian subsidiary, AMO Canada, have entered into a cooperative marketing agreement. Under the agreement, AMO Canada’s sales force will directly sell the TearLab Osmolarity System in Canada while TearLab will help promote AMO Canada’s products for the relief of dry eye symptoms, including Blink Moisturizing Eye Drops. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Timing Is Everything at VisionMonday.com

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:15:00 GMT

NEW YORK—It’s almost time for Vision Expo West and attendees and exhibitors alike are beginning to plan their time at the show. Be sure to take a look at VisionMonday.com’s list highlighting some of the major parties, receptions, and special events, and put together your networking plan for Vision Expo West.

For some, it’s always time for golf. And Transitions Optical has a long and fruitful association with the PGA. Read the latest edition of High Visibility: It’s “T” Time to learn how Transitions, the Official Eyewear of the PGA tour, educates players and spectators about how healthy eyesight impacts performance.

And it’s Trash to Treasure time again! Optical laboratories have turned trash into a treasure by using finishing pads to make works of art in this annual art contest sponsored by LabTalk, DAC Vision and Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics. A $500 American Express Gift Card will be awarded to the first place winner during Labapalooza, the lab party at Vision Expo West. Learn how you can enter in Laboratories.

Alcon Independent Director Committee Pledges to Work for Best Deal for Stockholders in Wake of Novartis’ Purchase of Nestle’s Shares

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:33:00 GMT

HUENENBERG, Switzerland—In the wake of last week’s acquisition by Novartis (NYSE: NVS) of Nestle’s remaining shares in Alcon (NYSE: ACL), the committee representing Alcon’s remaining independent shareholders of Alcon said the transaction’s closing does not impact its position.

Altair and bebe Sign New License for Eyewear and Sunwear

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:30:00 GMT

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—Altair and bebe stores, inc. (Nasdaq: BEBE), a specialty retailer of women’s apparel and accessories, have announced a worldwide license agreement for the design and distribution of sunglasses and ophthalmic eyewear.

FDA Approves SynergEyes Application for Silicone Hydrogel Hybrid Contact Lenses

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:27:00 GMT

CARLSBAD, Calif. – SynergEyes, Inc., the manufacturer of hybrid contact lens technology, reported that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s application for a next generation silicone hydrogel hybrid contact lens.

AMD Week 2010, Set for Sept. 18-26, Includes Congressional Briefing

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:24:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C.— AMD Alliance International (AMDAI), along with the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research, is sponsoring a congressional briefing here titled "New Developments in Age-related Macular Degeneration Research: An International Perspective" on Thursday, Sept. 23 as part of AMD Week.

Less than a Quarter of Infants Receive Comprehensive Eye Assessments, AOA's Latest Eye-Q Survey Shows

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:21:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS—One in 10 infants in the U.S. have undetected vision problems, ranging from crossed eyes to cancer, according to the American Optometric Association's (AOA) Eye-Q survey released last week.

VSP 'Eyes of Hope' Program Tops 50,000 Mark in Distributing Eyeglasses

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:18:00 GMT

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP’s Vision Care’s Eyes of Hope charitable program, established in December 2008, has so far collected and distributed more than 50,000 pairs of eyeglasses to people in need worldwide, the company said last week.

Media Madness at VisionMonday.com

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:15:00 GMT

NEW YORK—Nothing says summer like an action-packed blockbuster movie. This summer is no exception, with action stars turning up in styles from Marchon, Sama, and Marcolin. See them now in Bold Face: Give Me Action!, only at VisionMonday.com.

Technology is enabling consumers to experience sunwear purchasing in many new and different ways, and Sunglass Hut is getting in on the social media craze with Social Sun, a proprietary interactive retail concept that allows consumers to try on sunglasses, take pictures of themselves, add clever captions, and share images with their friends via Facebook or email. Learn more in Online Trends.

The creators of the fun animated video currently playing on VM WebTV foresee a world in which parents complain that all they ever hear on the radio are songs about visiting the optometrist, and they hope that “The Optometrist Song” is the catalyst. Watch it now!

Essilor Reports More North America Acquisitions in First-Half Financial Report

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:30:00 GMT

CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—Essilor International [ISIN: FR0000121667] continued its acquisition pace in all international regions this year and announced several more in North America during the release of the company's first half financial results earlier today.

Novartis Completes $28.3 B Purchase From Nestle of Majority Interest in Alcon

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:45:00 GMT

HUENENBERG, Switzerland—In an announcement earlier today, Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) and Nestle S.A. said that they have completed the purchase and sale of approximately 156 million shares of Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL) for US$28.3 billion in cash.

14th Annual EastWest Eye Conference Set for Cleveland Oct. 7-10

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:27:00 GMT

CLEVELAND—Plans are set for the 14^th annual EastWest Eye Conference to be held here Oct. 7–10.

Marchon Taps EyeRock Band for Vegas ‘Fun Raiser’

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:24:00 GMT

MELVILLE, N.Y.—Marchon is teaming up again with The EyeRock Band raise funds for optical non-profit organizations in Las Vegas during Vision Expo West.

EyeCare America Promotes Healthy Eyes During September's Save Your Sight Month

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:21:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO—EyeCare America, a national non-profit organization, the public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is reminding the public that September is Save Your Sight Month.

Starmount Life Insurance Named One of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies by Inc. Magazine

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:18:00 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La.— Inc. magazine has ranked Starmount Life Insurance Company as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for the third time in four years, according to an announcement from the company.

Promoting Optometry on VisionMonday.com

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:15:00 GMT

NEW YORK—In order to win the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry’s (ASCO) first ever EnVision Video Competition, Marc Schmitt created “Optometry Movie Trailer,” a clip that captures all the excitement of the optometric field. For his efforts, Schmitt was awarded $5,000. We think the Pacific University College of Optometry student more than met the “promoting optometry” theme and so does ASCO (they plan to use the video as a recruiting tool.) See for yourself now on VM WebTV.

ECPs are using the Twitter platform to promote eye health and wellness, as well as other optical information. Find out who’s tweeting in New & Noteworthy.

And most ECPs would promote annual eye exams—turns out consumers who belong to stand-alone vision care plans are twice as likely to get an annual comprehensive eye exam as those whose vision coverage is “bundled” with their major medical plan, according to a study sponsored by the National Association of Vision Care Plans. Learn more in Managed Vision Care.

OAA to Elect Officers at National Opticians Convention

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:33:00 GMT

LAKELAND, Tenn.—Members of the Opticians Association of America (OAA) will be electing new OAA officers during the organization’s 2010 Delegate Assembly at the National Opticians Convention, to be held Sept. 16 through 19 in conjunction with the ABO/NCLE Education Conference in Cincinnati.

Tallier Becomes Equity Partner in OGI/Scojo

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:30:00 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.—Joseph Tallier, who joined OGI/Scojo Eyewear in September 2008 as vice president of global sales, has become an equity partner in the company.

Johnson & Johnson Recalls 1•Day Acuvue Lenses in Japan, Asia and Europe

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:27:00 GMT

MANALAPAN, N.J.—Responding to complaints of eye irritation by contact lens wearers in Japan and parts of Asia and Europe, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care initiated a voluntary recall on Friday of its 1•Day Acuvue TruEye contact lenses.

Hoya Vision Care Opens Salina, Kansas Lab

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:24:00 GMT

LEWISVILLE, Texas—Hoya Vision Care, North America is expanding its network of prescription laboratories with opening of a new facility in Salina, Kansas.