ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Think About Your Eyes, a national public awareness initiative in partnership with the American Optometric Association, has added two new partners, VFO Group (Optelec) and Compliancy Group.The two companies join the 21 current partners from across the vision industry in supporting the campaign to promote annual eye exams and grow the industry overall.

The addition of the new partners coincides with the hiring of a full-time director of development for Think About Your Eyes, according to an announcement. Ron Sallerson, who joined the team in August, is focused on growing industry support for the campaign as well as researching potential sources of support from non-vision health-related organizations. Sallerson has had a long career in non-profit fundraising with several organizations, including the National Kidney Foundation and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

“The addition of new partners allows Think About Your Eyes to continue to grow eye exams and the industry overall,” Jon Torrey, executive director of Think About Your Eyes, said in the statement. “We’re looking forward to putting Ron’s expertise to use and continuing the campaign’s expansion, and increased consumer influence, in support of the industry.”

VFO Group provides assistive technology for the visually impaired, specifically blind and low vision patients, and is comprised of several brands, including Optelec. Compliancy Group provides tools to ensure doctors’ offices are maintaining HIPAA compliance at both a state and federal level and is currently the preferred compliancy partner of the AOA.

In 2016, Think About Your Eyes generated 1.15 million new eye exams, and shortened the exam cycle by 45 percent, from 24 months to 14 months, according to the announcement.