The Expo Experience: Where Innovation Meets Insight and Connections Are Made

LAS VEGAS—Vision Expo West 2023 continues today with an impressive lineup of special events and education, both on and off the Show Floor. On the Show Floor, the Innovation Stage will kick off at 9:45 am with an EYEnovate session featuring presenting companies Topology, Yolia Health, Silk Tears, and VisionWEARx. EYEnovators will showcase the latest breakthroughs in automation, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, VR/AR and other emerging technologies. At 11:45 am, the Innovation Stage will host a panel discussion in which the Contact Lens Institute and The Vision Council are poised to reveal initial findings from a new study among the U.S. eye care community, unraveling the mysteries of creating a positive contact lens culture.

Vision Expo West 2023 Kicks Off in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS—Vision Expo West 2023 has just begun at The Venetian Convention Center & Expo here in Las Vegas. We extend a warm welcome to all attendees on behalf of the show organizers, The Vision Council and RX. This year's event boasts over 400 exhibiting companies on the lively show floor, premieres the brand-new EYEnovate series, enhances education opportunities, streamlines the attendee experience, and presents an exciting lineup of engaging sessions and energetic events centered around buzzworthy industry topics.

Ray-Ban and Meta Launch Their Next Generation of Smart Glasses

MENLO PARK, Calif. and CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—Meta Platforms, Inc. (META: NASDAQ) and EssilorLuxottica (ESLX:PA) introduced their next generation of smart glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, Wednesday during the annual Meta Connect event. Ray-Ban Meta represents a significant upgrade in features and performance from Ray-Ban Stories, the first collaboration between Meta and Ray-Ban’s parent company, EssilorLuxottica, released in September, 2021. The new collection offers the first ever eyewear with live streaming and Meta AI built-in, higher quality camera, and improved audio and microphone systems paired with a redesigned, more intuitive app and charging case.

Optical Women’s Association Announces New Leadership—Lorie Lippiatt, OD, Is Named New President, Succeeding Deb Bulken

DALLAS—The Optical Women’s Association announced the addition of a new president and four new board members. Dr. Lorie Lippiatt, optometrist for MyEyeDr. in Salem, Ohio, and previous vice president of the OWA, has assumed the position of president, effective immediately. Additionally, the following women will be joining the OWA board of directors: Dr. Beverly Bianes, optometrist and co-owner of Pack & Bianes Vision Care; Christina Perraud, director of Planning and Inventory for MyEyeDr.; Kerri Ann Raimo, managing editor at Broadcast Med; and Erika Plank, director, Provider Communications at VSP.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Increased for the Week of Sept. 11–17, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations increased last week, Sept.11–17, when compared with the previous week at a rate of 20 index points. That places gross revenue at a level 4 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 38) when compared with last year (2022), 14 points above the same period in 2021, 4 points above 2020 and 17 points above 2019, according to Jobson’s most recent Practice Performance Tracker.