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VM brings you the latest information from optical companies and organizations responding to the coronavirus. Eyewear by R.O.I. based in Phoenix Arizona reported that the majority of its associates are working from home. Those whose job responsibilities cannot be conducted while at home are being paid their full salaries to stay at home and to be safe, as are all of the company’s associates. Eyewear by R.O.I. said its customer focus team is still available by phone to take orders, as the company has a skeleton crew in its distribution center, maintaining social distancing while processing and shipping orders. Sales representatives have been conducting remote Zoom meetings with their customers and have been in constant contact with key customers to assist in procuring P.P.E.’s from their factory partners.

“Eyewear by R.O.I. knows that we will all get through these challenging times together and is fully committed to making sure that our associates and customers safety is the most important consideration during these unprecedented times,” said company founder and CEO John Alofs.

Indiana-based Fatheadz Eyewear has shifted production with its partners and is now producing personal protective equipment (PPE) for the frontlines. The state of Indiana is working with federal and local partners including the CDC. As part of this, the state is sourcing PPE from Indiana companies and has ordered more than 320,000 pieces of equipment to be supplied by these businesses in the coming weeks. The PPE Fatheadz produces will be provided all across the U.S.

Rico Elmore, founder and CEO of Fatheadz said, “Fatheadz is proud to assist in this effort and we are working to deliver one of many rounds of equipment today. We want to do our part to provide this vital equipment to the state, for them to distribute to those putting their lives on the line to help those in need.”

In a letter to customers, IOT (Indizen Optical Technologies of America) confirmed that its team members worldwide have ceased all non-critical air travel. In addition, the company has launched a contingency plan to allow certain employees from both the American and European office to work remotely. In addition, the company is taking "appropriate preventive hygiene measures to minimize the potential risk of infection within our facilities," and said it is using technological resources that are already in place to continue to provide remote service to its customers.

At presstime, IOT reported no delays in shipments of IOT Neochromes. In the statement, the company said, "We at IOT want to wish you and your loved ones well. Our thoughts go out to all those who have been affected and all the caregivers working tirelessly to keep us all safe."

STAAR Surgical Company released a COVID-19 status report ahead its Q1 2020 financial results. According to the report, STAAR, which develops and makes implantable lenses and companion delivery systems, is continuing to pay all of its employees’ salaries, commissions, wages and benefits while many of them work remotely. STARR suspended most of its production on March 17 with the exception of continuation of critical late-staged processes. The company said it anticipates resuming production this month and achieving full production during Q2.

Additionally, STAAR said, “We have shipped inventory to our global packaging and distribution center in Nidau, Switzerland to support all of our expected global requirements with the exception of the U.S., which is serviced out of Monrovia, California. We have shipped to China requested quantities of billable units and several pallets of consignment inventory to support Q2 busy season requirements.

"We did this out of an abundance of caution to be sure China would be able to meet the demand they are forecasting. We also shipped billable and consignment inventory to Korea which experienced a significant increase in implants over prior year in March. Our business in Japan remains strong and we have stocked our STAAR owned distribution center there to meet demand.”

Find the latest COVID-19 news you need in VM's Coronavirus Briefing.