By Daniel Breeman
Friday, November 17, 2023 8:30 AM
In just a few days, many of us will gather with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving, a time set aside to be with the ones we love and to remember those close to us that are no longer with us. Serving as the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season (no football pun intended), Thanksgiving is the special day when many of us will begin to dream about the weeks ahead and the continuing festivities. But for one special day this November 23, many of us put aside thoughts of Black Friday shopping to remember all we have to be grateful for in a time of both economic and global instability. In that spirit, we asked some optical industry professionals what they are most thankful for this holiday season, both on a professional and personal level.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, October 22, 2023 1:30 AM
NEW YORK—With every passing year, millions of aging Baby Boomers lose some, or all, of their sight due to age-related eye disease. Gen X is not far behind. The fact is that as we live longer due to advances in healthcare, the number of people suffering from low vision and blindness continues to increase. According to 2021 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, 20 percent of all people aged 85 and older in the U.S. experience permanent vision loss. As a result, the need for assistive technologies and improved access to them has never been greater.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, October 20, 2023 8:30 AM
Visual impairment and its impact on mental health and overall quality of life both in adults and children presents many challenges for patients, health care providers and caregivers. Fortunately, it’s an issue that appears to be garnering much-needed attention of late, with resources being developed to aid in this ongoing battle for improved quality of life for patients and their families.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, September 22, 2023 8:30 AM
Cooling temperatures, shorter days and the turning of leaves to bright autumn colors can also bring unwelcomed seasonal allergies, among them ocular allergies that can include irritating symptoms such as red, swollen, or itchy eyes, burning or tearing of the eyes, and an increased sensitivity to light. According to the
American Optometric Association, ocular allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, is one of the most common ocular surface diseases in primary eyecare. Yet allergic conjunctivitis is often unaddressed largely due to its relatively benign nature. The good news for fall eye allergy sufferers is that prevention and treatment for seasonal allergies is well within reach.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, August 25, 2023 8:30 AM
The hopes and dreams of college football fans and school alumni alike kick off on Saturday August 26, also known as Week 0, with a handful of games scheduled. And the more things change, the more they apparently stay the same as two-time defending national champion Georgia enters the 2023 season as the top-ranked team in most preseason polls. The Bulldogs, 29-1 over the past two seasons, are expected to be challenged by the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, LSU, USC, Penn State, Florida State, Clemson, Washington, Texas, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Utah and Oregon. Of course, the anticipation of another college football season brings out the fan and weekend warrior in many of us, including those in the optical industry. We asked some optical leaders where their loyalties stand on the gridiron and what their predictions are for the upcoming season.
By Daniel Breeman
Monday, July 31, 2023 8:25 AM
In the broadest sense, “sustainability” may refer to the ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time. In business, sustainability seeks to prevent the depletion of natural or physical resources, so that they will remain available for the long term. While a specific definition may be difficult to agree on, in 2023, major contact lens companies have all agreed on one thing: the time to implement sustainability initiatives is now.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, July 28, 2023 8:30 AM
As summer calendars creep toward August, thoughts of last-chance family vacations and barbecues and back-to-school shopping quickly become foremost in our minds. Once the long beach days end, the focus may quickly turn to getting the kids ready for back-to-school. Shopping for the best outfit for their first day in the classroom, making sure they have all the basic supplies they need are all on most parents’ checklists. But what about making sure children are prepared to face all the challenges ahead like studies and sports by making certain they are up-to-date on their eye exams? Here’s how are some ECPs and organizational supporters are spreading the word about children’s eye health just in time for the back-to-school season.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, June 30, 2023 8:30 AM
Nothing says summer like Fourth of July family barbecues, beach gatherings, trips to a favorite amusement park, and fireworks. Many of these gatherings on our nation’s birthday conclude with a fireworks display, with most as spectators and others as active participants. But just how safe are fireworks in terms of overall injuries and specifically ocular injuries and what precautions can be taken in order to avoid an uninvited Independence Day disruption? Eyecare professionals can play a critical role in knowing about what can happen and making sure to warn patients and parents about some of the dangers.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, June 2, 2023 8:30 AM
Imagine stepping into the batter’s box and attempting to hit a baseball coming at you at 90-plus miles per hour. According to the
International Sports Vision Association (ISVA), the time it takes for a pitched ball to reach the plate is approximately 0.4 seconds. Baseball batters have about 0.17 seconds to decide to hit a pitch and choose where to swing. In that time, the batter needs to spot the pitch, assess the rotation and direction of the ball, and make a decision whether to swing or not. Now imagine attempting this sports scenario without your vision at its best. That’s where sports vision, the science of helping athletes reach peak levels of performance through enhancement of visual skills, is becoming more important in training for all ages and skill levels.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, May 5, 2023 8:30 AM
Today marks the 149th anniversary of the
Kentucky Derby, which brings with it all the history and pageantry (mint julep, fancy hats, anyone?) spectators and participants alike have grown accustomed to at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Ky. Traditionally held the first Saturday in May, the Derby is the longest running sporting event in the U.S., dating back to 1875. It also makes up one third of the coveted Triple Crown along with the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes. These days, the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby is one of celebration and can be a boon for many local businesses, including ECPs and optical retailers, including
Kenmark Eyewear which celebrated its 50th anniversary throughout 2022 with a variety of giveaways and promotions, some of which centered around this year’s Derby.
By Marge Axelrad and Daniel Breeman
Thursday, April 27, 2023 1:00 AM
NEW YORK—2023’s vision care space will see a more measured pace of new deals and practice acquisitions. At the same time, in many cases, internal investments in infrastructure, systems and support will accelerate for both private equity-based groups and practice transition facilitators in the U.S. optical market this year.
By Marge Axelrad and Daniel Breeman
Sunday, April 23, 2023 12:59 AM
AEG Vision finished calendar year 2022 with 350 practices, and “we are on track to eclipse 400 practices this year,” noted CEO Eric Anderson. “We have grown consistently over the past three years and expect to continue to do so in 2023 and the foreseeable future. We are confident in our approach and have not experienced any material challenges in how we operate.”
By Marge Axelrad and Daniel Breeman
Sunday, April 23, 2023 12:58 AM
Innumerable objective and subjective factors can influence a practitioner or an independent optical owner’s decision to pursue acquisition possibilities, or determine if other types of practice transition and practice exits are better for themselves, their associates, staff and practice. These are two groups which offer advice and options.
By Daniel Breeman
Friday, April 7, 2023 8:30 AM
Tick, tick, tick…what’s that unfamiliar sound at the ballpark? For both the lifelong baseball fan as well the newcomer to America’s pastime, some of the sights and sounds of the ballpark may not ring familiar this season. Sure, there will still be the sound of the home plate umpire bellowing out ball and strike calls, the call of hot dog vendors peddling their confections up and down the aisles, and the amplifying of a player’s favorite “walk-up” song to home plate. But the sound (be it silent) of a pitch clock? Read on for a summary of what the pitch clock and other new rules will mean for this year’s season as well as predictions from some optical industry baseball fans.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, February 26, 2023 1:00 AM
From continuing supply chain issues to private equity acquisitions and consolidation, to staffing issues and finally to an uncertain economy with the looming possibility of recession in the coming months, independent eyecare professionals are carefully navigating their next moves as they look to remain profitable and expand their practices in 2023. To help alleviate some of these pressures and stresses, ECP alliances and buying groups are clearly stepping up their game with new and enhanced programs and services with the goal of helping ECPs navigate their way through a challenging business environment that presents both observed obstacles and unforeseen challenges on the horizon.