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
Sunday, May 14, 2023 12:57 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, 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.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:59 AM
Founded in 1984 by a small group of private optometrists,
ABB OneBill is a division of ABB Optical Group focused on enhancing the independent professional optometrist’s ability to compete in a rapidly changing marketplace. This includes providing a consolidated billing service, favorable purchasing arrangements, vendor discounts and programs, business management and marketing support, educational programs for practitioners and staff, medical billing services via a third party, and other support services.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:58 AM
Acquios Alliance is a three-year alliance group featuring a membership program “aimed at mitigating the unique challenges private practice optometrists face while helping them to thrive independently.” It grew out of the Acquios Advisors organization that was founded in 2015 as an advisory firm for eyecare professionals and is adding new programs this year to help its members reach their full potential and practice goals, management said.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:57 AM
ADO Practice Solutions prides itself on keeping practices in “complete control of their business.” A division of Walman, ADO offers its members more than discounts—it is an optometric doctor alliance that provides a variety of practice management and growth services with the expertise and industry partnerships to help grow eyecare professionals’ practices, according to the company. The goal is to function as an extension of its members’ practices, helping them become more efficient, productive and profitable.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:56 AM
CECOP USA, an affiliate of the global CECOP organization, has been active in the U.S. since May 2020 and helps independent optical practices thrive and increase their bottom-line profit. CECOP USA offers discounts, promotions, consolidated billing, marketing services, HR services, training, continuing education and financial consulting resources. With no membership fees and a growing vendor base, the group continues to strive to be the ECP’s trusted partner.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:55 AM
Established in 1984 by optometrists in Rhode Island, the
I Care Co-op is a true cooperative of independent optometrists (55 offices) who, by their membership, help chart the direction of the buying group, according to the group’s executives. Members are currently located in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Southeastern Massachusetts. The doctors created the ICC to provide a local, if not regional, option for independents to make purchases associated with running an independent eyecare practice, according to Tim Bonin, chief executive officer of ICC.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:54 AM
The past year has been a busy one at the
IDOC organization, including the recent merger with Three Rivers Optical laboratory and a continued effort toward helping independent ODs grow their practices by being a full service provider that offers much more than an alliance/buying group, its leaders stated.
By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:53 AM
Founded over 20 years ago,
Opti-Port is a national alliance of leading multi-office eyecare providers which leverages the combined strength of its member practices to create revenue-enhancing, cost-saving and market-expanding opportunities. Opti-Port is the only eyecare alliance dedicated solely to supporting large, regional multi-office practice groups, according to the group.