LAS VEGAS—CooperVision, Inc. unveiled a new Best Practices initiative EyeCareBestPractices.com—kicking off a nationwide search for honorees among U.S. optometrists. Best Practices will discover and recognize U.S. eyecare practices that have found unique ways to make their businesses thrive and can share a refreshing perspective with the entire profession, the company said in its announcement, adding that the program is “about recognizing success in optometry, bringing to light the innovative and unexpected things that eyecare practitioners do every day to provide the best possible care to their patients and building prosperous practices.”

“Being an eyecare practitioner is more challenging than ever, with pressures and stresses coming from sources far and wide,” said Gary Orsborn, OD, vice president of global professional and clinical affairs, CooperVision. “Yet every day, we hear stories about how practices are overcoming these challenges in new, inventive and exciting ways.Through our Best Practices initiative, CooperVision is partnering with the profession to recognize creativity and success, and then share these stories to inspire new ways of thinking and drive excellence in eyecare.”

All U.S. optometry practices currently fitting contact lenses are invited to participate. Best Practices candidates are encouraged to submit practice profiles and stories, sharing their insights and experiences in one or more of the following areas:
  • Innovation will be evaluated on contributions to the betterment of eye health and education, leveraging technology in interesting ways to grow the practice, and advancing the eyecare profession among the public.
  • Patient Experience will be judged on how a practice delivers excellent eyecare experiences and education to its patients, and unique aspects of patient care.
  • Business Culture will be rated on a cultivation of staff, an enriching working environment and community impact in relation to the overall success of the office.

Candidates can choose to submit their stories via written responses or video at EyeCareBestPractices.com. Applications will be accepted through Monday, Nov. 23, 2015. A Cooper spokesperson said, "Practice applications will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of your professional peers, in addition to a board member from the American Optometric Association (AOA) and representatives from Best Practices curator CooperVision."

The inaugural Best Practices recipients will be announced in January 2016. Honorees will be broadly recognized among their peers, and be presented with opportunities to help educate and elevate the profession through the telling of their stories across the U.S. Practices receiving the honor may be invited to serve on high-profile professional panels, meet with members of the eyecare and medical news media, and contribute to knowledge-building white papers. In addition, honorees will be able to participate in enhanced training and educational meetings at CooperVision facilities or in other locations.
For more information about the Best Practices initiative, or to apply, visit www.eyecarebestpractices.com.

CooperVision is a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses.