ASCO Adds Two New Doctors of Optometry to its 'Optometry Gives Me Life' Campaign

ROCKVILLE, Md.—The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is updating it national awareness campaign, Optometry Gives Me Life (OGML), by adding two new doctors of optometry to the program, refreshing its related FutureEyeDoc.org website and extensive social media and video resources, and sharing the successful metrics of the initiative, which launched in March 2019. The goal of the OGML campaign is to increase the number of highly qualified applicants to optometry schools and colleges from a wider variety of demographic backgrounds, specifically Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino students, so that doctors of optometry are better prepared to serve all communities. illustrating more about what optometrists can do and who they can be.

More than 240 Exhibitors Commit to Vision Expo East 2022, Taking Place In-Person from March 31-April 3 at NYC's Javits Center

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The organizers of Vision Expo, The Vision Council and RX, announced that more than 240 exhibitors have committed to Vision Expo East. Vision Expo East 2022 will take place from March 31-April 3 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. “We are looking forward to hosting a dynamic Show. With more than 240 exhibitors already committed and more than 75 additional exhibitors expected to join, representing a diverse range of companies across the vision care landscape, the momentum is strong and reflects industry-wide excitement to be back in-person in New York City for the first time since 2019,” said Mitch Barkley, vice president of Trade Shows and Events at The Vision Council.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Increased for the Week of Jan. 10-16, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations increased last week, Jan. 10-16, at a rate of 5 index points. That places gross revenue at a level well below (-13 index points) where it was at this point in time (Week 3) last year, slightly below (-4 index points) where it was in 2020, and slightly above (2 index points) where it was in 2019, according to Jobson’s most recent Practice Performance Tracker.

VSP Ventures Moves Into Texas With Acquisition of Six-Location Eye Trends of North Houston

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Ventures announced late last week that Eye Trends, a six-location practice spread across North Houston, Texas, has chosen VSP Ventures as its acquisition partner. Co-owners Dr. Douglas Inns and Dr. Michael Toups lead the practice and have provided health-focused vision care to generations of Texas families for more than 30 years, the announcement noted. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The new partnership marks a significant milestone as it signals the entry of VSP Ventures into “a new state via a practice respected within its community and throughout the optometric industry, alike,” the announcement noted.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Optical Industry: Transitions Optical’s Diversity Advisory Board Creates Inspirational New Video

NEW YORK—In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, four members of Transitions Optical’s Diversity Advisory Board  are sharing actionable ways eyecare professionals can foster diversity, equity and inclusion in their lives and careers in a new video, being shared for the first time today, on the national holiday honoring the leader. Viewers can understand the impact of the most visible spokesman and leader in the American Civil Rights Movement from conversations with Dr. Darryl Glover, Defocus Media and MyEyeDr., Dr. Essence Johnson, Black Eyecare Perspective, Dr. Janette Dumas Pepper, Southern College of Optometry and Dr. Devin Sasser, Eye Clarity. The Transitions Diversity Advisory Board members also share their dreams for the optical industry and world and how eyecare professionals can honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s principle of equality.