Indies Celebrate World Optometry Day

NEW YORK—The week of March 17–23, 2024 was World Optometry Week, culminating in World Optometry Day on March 23. With the theme “Advancing Optometry’s Commitment to Global Eye Care,” World Optometry Day aims to shine an annual spotlight on the profession of optometry and the contribution of optometrists worldwide to increasing access to eye health care as a human right, as reported in VMAIL. Here, we’re recapping how some independent optometrists across the country celebrated their profession’s special day.

Preparing for the Eclipse

NEW YORK—Next Monday, millions will turn their eyes to the sky for a solar eclipse. For those in certain areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, the eclipse will be total—but a partial eclipse will be visible throughout the entire continental United States. For ECPs throughout the country, reminding patients about the dangers of watching the eclipse unprotected has been a central focus for the past few months, as reported in VMAIL Weekend earlier in March.

Small Business Administration Announces 17 New Women’s Business Centers

Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice of more than 33 million U.S. small businesses, has announced the selection of 17 new Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), 13 of which will be hosted by established Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across 10 states. “We have seen a historic Small Business Boom, with women, especially women of color, filing new business applications at double the rates of men,” said administrator Guzman.

Indies Take on New York for Vision Expo East

NEW YORK—Last week, the optical community descended on New York City for Vision Expo East, the show’s final edition in the Big Apple before it heads to Orlando beginning in 2025. In addition to the thousands of ECPs, buyers, students and sellers, Vision Expo East 2024 showcased the second annual NOW Awards, over 450 exhibitors and more than 200 education sessions. As reported in VMAIL, Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo at RX, said, “We could not be happier to close out our final show in New York City on such a high note." As we set our sights on Las Vegas for Vision Expo West in September, and Orlando for 2025, let’s take a look back at how some Indies spent their last Vision Expo East in New York.

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Indies Celebrate World Optometry Day

By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:30 AM NEW YORK—The week of March 17–23, 2024 was World Optometry Week, culminating in World Optometry Day on March 23. With the theme “Advancing Optometry’s Commitment to Global Eye Care,” World Optometry Day aims to shine an annual spotlight on the profession of optometry and the contribution of optometrists worldwide to increasing access to eye health care as a human right, as reported in VMAIL. Here, we’re recapping how some independent optometrists across the country celebrated their profession’s special day.

Eyes on Trade

By Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:25 AM The team at Eyes on Trade in Winston-Salem, N.C., was excited to receive a 3D printed nightlight featuring their storefront from a patient.

Preparing for the Eclipse

By Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:20 AM NEW YORK—Next Monday, millions will turn their eyes to the sky for a solar eclipse. For those in certain areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, the eclipse will be total—but a partial eclipse will be visible throughout the entire continental United States. For ECPs throughout the country, reminding patients about the dangers of watching the eclipse unprotected has been a central focus for the past few months, as reported in VMAIL Weekend earlier in March.

Small Business Administration Announces 17 New Women’s Business Centers

By Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024 8:15 AM Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice of more than 33 million U.S. small businesses, has announced the selection of 17 new Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), 13 of which will be hosted by established Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across 10 states. “We have seen a historic Small Business Boom, with women, especially women of color, filing new business applications at double the rates of men,” said administrator Guzman.

Indies Take on New York for Vision Expo East

By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:30 AM NEW YORK—Last week, the optical community descended on New York City for Vision Expo East, the show’s final edition in the Big Apple before it heads to Orlando beginning in 2025. In addition to the thousands of ECPs, buyers, students and sellers, Vision Expo East 2024 showcased the second annual NOW Awards, over 450 exhibitors and more than 200 education sessions. As reported in VMAIL, Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo at RX, said, “We could not be happier to close out our final show in New York City on such a high note." As we set our sights on Las Vegas for Vision Expo West in September, and Orlando for 2025, let’s take a look back at how some Indies spent their last Vision Expo East in New York.

Woolf Eye Lab

By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:25 AM The team at Woolf Eye Lab in Pasadena, Md., welcomed Ramadan.

Welcome, Spring

By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:20 AM NEW YORK—No matter what the weather feels like where you are, Spring is officially here, bringing with it longer days, warmer air, gorgeous florals and that optimistic feel that comes with the change in seasons. As we warm into March and welcome Spring, there’s no better time than now to decorate the office, refresh your practice social media accounts or bring some new, brighter energy into your everyday. This week, we’re taking a look at how some indies are welcoming the start of Spring on social media. Feel free to get inspired for your own Spring celebration.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Can Help Small Businesses Secure Loans or Grants

By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:15 AM Finding funding can be a challenge for businesses of all sizes, whether it’s starting a new small business or looking to grow one you already own. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce can help small businesses secure loans or grants. Each week, the organization updates its list of loans, small business grants, and other programs and organizations that can help small businesses.

Indies at SECO Enjoy Optometric Education and Networking

By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:30 AM ATLANTA—On March 3, SECO 2024 closed its five-day annual event of optometric education. As reported in VMAIL, the event, which featured special sessions, breakfast symposiums, hot topic breakfasts, awards events and an exhibit hall featuring more than 160 exhibitors, welcomed thousands of ECPs here. From executives to education professionals to tech experts to ODs, SECO 2024 created a hub for optometric minds.

Eye Shop Eyecare

By Staff
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:25 AM In Houston, Texas, the Eye Shop Eyecare team is preparing for the upcoming solar eclipse.

March Is ‘Save Your Vision Month’ and Here’s How Indies Are Celebrating

By Staff
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:20 AM NEW YORK—March is Save Your Vision Month, first proposed by the American Optometric Association as a way to remind all of us to keep eye health at the forefront of our minds. With its wide-ranging theme, Save Your Vision Month provides countless opportunities for the optical community to reach out, interact with our local communities, and champion the importance of keeping our eyes healthy and protected. There’s still plenty of time to get involved—and plenty of ways to make a difference.

Small Business Administrator Guzman Kicks Off the Investing in America Tour

By Staff
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:15 AM Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, traveled to Detroit, Mich., recently to kick off the Investing in America tour to shine a spotlight on the Black Small Business Boom.

Transitions Academy Brings Indies Together in Florida

By Gwendolyn Plummer
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:30 AM ORLANDO, Fla.—From February 11 through 14, hundreds of ECPs gathered here for the 2024 edition of Transitions Academy. In front of more than 1,300 attendees from around the world, Chrystel Barranger, president, Transitions Optical, and president, EssilorLuxottica Wholesale EMEA, announced the launch of Transitions Gen S, as reported in VMAIL from Academy. In addition to this major product launch, the three-day event included breakout educational sessions, a brand experience and a number of networking opportunities. Here, we’re taking a look at a snapshot of Transitions Academy through the eyes of independent ECPs who were on-site.

Edge Optics

By Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:25 AM The team at Edge Optics in Fort Collins, Colo., got all dolled up for Star Staff Celebration Night.

ECPs Take to Social Media for Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Awareness Month

By Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:20 AM NEW YORK—Prevent Blindness declared February as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Awareness Month, encouraging the eyecare community to spread awareness and education about these conditions throughout the month. On their end, Prevent Blindness is offering a variety of free educational resources to the public and professionals, including fact sheets and social media graphics in English and Spanish, dedicated online resources and informative videos, as reported in VMAIL.