By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, May 2, 2024 8:30 AM
FOLSOM, Calif.—Small business owners hear it all the time: social media is a nonnegotiable item if you want to grow. But the prospect of getting started can be daunting. What platforms should you be on, and what should you be posting once you’re on there? How do you gain followers and find a community? And what value is all of this offering both to you and your patients? For Jennifer Wademan, OD, jumping into social media was a slow but steady process—and one that has ultimately grown into a career-changing and life-altering move.
By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 8:25 AM
The team at
The Vision Gallery in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, celebrated Employee Appreciation Day.
By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—May is Healthy Vision Month. This year, because it overlaps with Mental Health Awareness Month, the
National Eye Institute (NEI) has dedicated Healthy Vision Month to “shining a light on vision loss and mental health—and sharing steps people with a visual impairment can take to thrive in their daily lives.” The NEI noted, “The United States is facing an
epidemic of loneliness and isolation with half of adults saying they feel lonely. That’s why Healthy Vision Month 2024 is focused on helping people with a visual impairment know how to access vision rehabilitation services, mental health support and social connection.”
By Staff
Thursday, May 2, 2024 8:15 AM
Main Street America, an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhoods, has announced that 1,188 programs have achieved designations as Main Street America programs in recognition of their commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach. The 2024 network of designated Main Street members includes 800 programs that earned accredited status—the organizations’ top designation tier—for demonstrating a proven track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach and exceptional performance in the six standards of community evaluation.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Last week, millions of North Americans turned their eyes to the skies for a solar eclipse—total for some, partial for others, but special for all. Leading up to the big day, ECPs spent months educating their communities on how to
watch the eclipse safely, and when the eclipse finally arrived, they were able to enjoy watching the astronomical phenomenon with proper eye protection. Here, we’re taking a look back at how indies watched the solar eclipse.
By Staff
Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, offering 30 days to focus on the eye health-related issues that women around the world face. As
reported in
VMAIL, more women than men live with vision loss, and women have a higher prevalence of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, dry eye, glaucoma, refractive error and thyroid eye disease. As always, Prevent Blindness is offering
free resources, including fact sheets, shareable social media graphics, educational videos and web pages, on a range of eye health issues that predominantly affect women this month. On the local level, many ECPs use social media to spread important eyecare messages to women.
By Staff
Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:15 AM
The
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the launch of the SBA’s new Investing in America
Small Business Hub, a digital portal that provides industry-specific resources to help small businesses tap into new and existing opportunities. “The SBA’s new Investing in America Small Business Hub will help more small businesses connect to the resources, funding opportunities, and support they need to capitalize on these opportunities and strengthen their businesses,” said administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the SBA.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—The week of March 17–23, 2024 was World Optometry Week, culminating in World Optometry Day on March 23. With the theme “Advancing Optometry’s Commitment to Global Eye Care,” World Optometry Day aims to shine an annual spotlight on the profession of optometry and the contribution of optometrists worldwide to increasing access to eye health care as a human right, as
reported in
VMAIL. Here, we’re recapping how some independent optometrists across the country celebrated their profession’s special day.
By Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:25 AM
The team at
Eyes on Trade in Winston-Salem, N.C., was excited to receive a 3D printed nightlight featuring their storefront from a patient.
By Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—Next Monday, millions will turn their eyes to the sky for a solar eclipse. For those in certain areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, the eclipse will be total—but a partial eclipse will be visible throughout the entire continental United States. For ECPs throughout the country, reminding patients about the dangers of watching the eclipse unprotected has been a central focus for the past few months, as
reported in
VMAIL Weekend earlier in March.
By Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:15 AM
Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice of more than 33 million U.S. small businesses, has announced the selection of 17 new
Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), 13 of which will be hosted by established Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across 10 states. “We have seen a historic Small Business Boom, with women, especially women of color, filing new business applications at double the rates of men,” said administrator Guzman.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Last week, the optical community descended on New York City for Vision Expo East, the show’s final edition in the Big Apple before it heads to Orlando beginning in 2025. In addition to the thousands of ECPs, buyers, students and sellers, Vision Expo East 2024 showcased the second annual NOW Awards, over 450 exhibitors and more than 200 education sessions. As
reported in
VMAIL, Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo at RX, said, “We could not be happier to close out our final show in New York City on such a high note." As we set our sights on Las Vegas for Vision Expo West in September, and Orlando for 2025, let’s take a look back at how some Indies spent their last Vision Expo East in New York.
By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:25 AM
The team at Woolf Eye Lab in Pasadena, Md., welcomed Ramadan.
By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—No matter what the weather feels like where you are, Spring is officially here, bringing with it longer days, warmer air, gorgeous florals and that optimistic feel that comes with the change in seasons. As we warm into March and welcome Spring, there’s no better time than now to decorate the office, refresh your practice social media accounts or bring some new, brighter energy into your everyday. This week, we’re taking a look at how some indies are welcoming the start of Spring on social media. Feel free to get inspired for your own Spring celebration.