By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 23, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Last week, thousands of members of the optical community arrived at New York City's Javits Center to attend Vision Expo East 2023. From some of the biggest companies in the world to mom-and-pop shops in small towns, Vision Expo offered something for everyone—and indies were well represented at this year’s show. Here, we’re taking a look at social media to see how Vision Expo East shaped up for some of the visiting independent ECPs.
By Staff
Thursday, March 23, 2023 8:25 AM
The team at Eyes of Cresta Bella in San Antonio, Texas, is excited to up their merch game with mugs.
Image via eyesofcrestabella on Instagram
By Staff
Thursday, March 23, 2023 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—At sundown on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, the month of Ramadan officially began. Celebrated by over 1 billion Muslins worldwide, Ramadan is the holiest month in the Muslim calendar. For thirty days (this year, from March 22 to April 21), millions will fast from sunup to sundown every day. The month also involves prayer, charity, community time and introspection for Muslims everywhere, including those who do not fast during the month. Islam is the third most popular religion here in the U.S.
By Staff
Thursday, March 23, 2023 8:15 AM
The growth in entrepreneur-led businesses has taken off, but women-led businesses still account for a minority of those enterprises even though the percentages have increased. In 2021, there were some 49 percent of entrepreneur-led businesses. But there are over a dozen government-led agencies and organizations out there to help female-led businesses. A great wrap-up on these can be found at
CO - The Chamber of Commerce resource site for small business. A special article,
recently posted to CO, explains 16 sources of funding and a brief summary of how they work as well as links.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 9, 2023 2:45 PM
NEW YORK—On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, billions of people around the world took the time to celebrate International Women’s Day in their own way. First officially
recognized by the UN in 1977, International Women’s Day recognizes the achievements and struggles of all women around the world. From protests to parties and everything in between, there are countless ways to celebrate and honor International Women’s Day. This week, we’re taking a look at how the optical community honored women this International Women’s Day.
By Staff
Thursday, March 9, 2023 2:40 PM
The team at Progressive Eyecare in Pearland, Texas, wished patients and followers a happy Holi.
Image via progressiveeyecare1 on Instagram.
By Staff
Thursday, March 9, 2023 2:35 PM
NEW YORK—March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, a month headed up by Prevent Blindness to help keep eyes healthy, safe and protected on the job. Thousands of workers in the U.S. sustain eye injuries at work each year, many of which are preventable. The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that 90 percent of these eye injuries could be avoided by wearing the proper eye protection. There’s still plenty of time to get involved and spread the word to your patients and teams—here are just a few ideas.
By Staff
Thursday, March 9, 2023 2:30 PM
NEW YORK—On March 8, International Women’s Day, the people at
Family Business announced the women chosen by a panel of their staff members and advisors who will be featured in the May/June 2023 issue of
Family Business Magazine, “Transformational Women of 2023.” As part of their Transformational Women in Family Business 2023 Event, the women will be celebrated at a special awards ceremony and dinner to be held in Denver, Colo. on June 7-8.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 2, 2023 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, knew she wanted to be an ophthalmologist from a young age—but she had no idea that she wanted to be the founder of a makeup brand called
twenty/twenty beauty. Her father, neuroradiologist Sadek Hilal, MD, influenced her desire to enter the medical field in some way, but, as she tells
VM, “it was as a young girl, when I first visited ophthalmologist Dr. Stephen Trokel, one of the inventors of the excimer laser that is used to perform Lasik, that I became fascinated by ocular health. He prescribed me my first pair of glasses, and being able to see the beauty of the world with such clarity changed my life.”
By Staff
Thursday, March 2, 2023 8:25 AM
The team at
Socialite Vision in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is showcasing Black-owned and designed eyewear in honor of February's Black History Month.
By Staff
Thursday, March 2, 2023 8:20 AM
LONDON—This past weekend, thousands of ECPs headed to London for the U.K.’s largest optical exhibition, 100% Optical, which ran from February 25—27 at ExCeL London. On the heels of Mido and situated right at the beginning of the year, 100% Optical draws visitors from across Europe, showcasing the beauty and innovation of British eyewear to a large audience. This week, we’re taking a look at a few shots from indies’ busy, successful and exciting 100% Optical.
By Staff
Thursday, March 2, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Independent Retailer Month encourages consumers to shop local and celebrate indie retailers, creating more sustainable cities, towns and communities. Its organizers developed this “shop local” event that runs annually throughout July encouraging consumers to shop at independent retailers; highlighting their positive social and economic impact locally, nationally and globally. On the group’s
website its team helps members around the country to encourage people to shop independent retail year-round and to use July as a time to celebrate the independent retailers that help build the country’s economy, creating more sustainable cities, towns and communities.
By Marge Axelrad
Thursday, February 23, 2023 8:30 AM
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—A leading optometric innovator has brought several elevated eyecare and patient experience concepts to her newest location in Southern California. Nikki Iravani, OD, the founder and CEO of
eyeXam Optometry in Silicon Valley’s Santa Clara, Calif. opened a bright, bold second luxury practice in the Crystal Cove Shopping Center in upscale Newport Beach in Orange County last fall.
By Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023 8:25 AM
l.a.Eyeworks celebrated its 44 years in business with a special Valentine’s Day themed window display.
By Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—Last Tuesday, people all around the world spent their Valentine’s Day sharing love. Whether it’s romantic, platonic, familial or self-love, Valentine’s Day always offers up the perfect opportunity to spread love—however that looks for you. Most importantly, of course, Valentine’s Day provided a perfect opportunity for ECPs everywhere to remind their patients that loving their eyes is a vital part of self care. This week, we’re taking a look at how indies celebrated this Valentine’s Day, from in-office gatherings to special treats for patients.