Inspirations

Reminding Patients to Use It or Lose It

By Staff
Monday, November 20, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—The end of the year is looming. With the holidays just around the corner, things are picking up steam, and we’re all getting busier. It’s easy to let things fall through the cracks in the end of year rush, which is why now is the perfect time to remind patients to use their flexible spending dollars before the year runs out.

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

By Staff
Monday, November 6, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—In addition to ushering in the holiday season and bringing on the end of the year, November is also National Native American Heritage Month, a time set aside to “celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation,” as the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs explained.

Indies Dive Into Fall, in Store and Online

By Staff
Thursday, October 19, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—Fall is in full swing, Halloween is on the horizon, and there’s no better time than now to get into the cozy, autumnal spirit. From lighting your favorite pumpkin scented candle to decorating with orange leaves and green gourds, there are countless ways to bring Fall into your office space or onto your work social media accounts this year—and plenty of time left to do it. We’re taking inspiration from some indies who have already gotten started.

Bringing the Pink: Indies Shine Spotlight on October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Efforts

By Staff
Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—Independents around the country are joining in the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign to support women who are impacted by the disease. Practices are showing their own individual support, participating in community activities, sharing their stories to support the search for a cure. Throughout the country, members of the optical community are doing their part to increase the number of breast cancer survivors worldwide. Many are encouraging purchases of an increasing number of eyewear and sunwear branded products that donate to the cause and supplementing patients’ commitment with their own donations. The Independent Eye is showcasing just a few examples here.

Celebrating Guide Dogs This September

By Staff
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—We never really need an excuse to celebrate dogs, but there is something extra special about celebrating man’s best friend in September, which is National Guide Dog Month. Guide dogs work hard and change lives every day, making them pretty easy to celebrate—but it can be helpful to get some ideas anyway. Here, we’re taking a look at how people are celebrating National Guide Dog Month this September, from those in the industry to vets and others. Feel free to get inspired, and make sure to take some time to celebrate all the work guide dogs do.

Get Involved This Color Blindness Awareness Month

By Staff
Thursday, September 7, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—In August, EnChroma announced that more than 160 organizations and influencers committed to support September as International Color Blindness Awareness Month 2023. Throughout the month of September, EnChroma and all those who committed to getting involved (including major museums, universities, businesses, libraries, school districts, state and federal parks, tourism agencies, influencers, and Lions and Kiwanis Clubs) will share information to educate the public about color vision deficiency, both online and in person. And with September just beginning, there’s plenty of time for ECPs and other organizations to get involved, too.

Getting Inspired for the Back-to-School Season

By Staff
Thursday, August 24, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—The back-to-school season has arrived. While some students are already in the classroom, plenty of others don’t get started again until after Labor Day. So there's no time like the present to squeeze in those back-to-school eye exams—and it’s up to ECPs to remind parents about the importance of getting their children’s eyes checked even if they've already started the school year. This week, we’re taking a look at a few inspiring social media posts that do just that.

A Few Ideas to Make the Most of National Eye Exam Month

By Staff
Thursday, August 10, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—With August set aside as National Eye Exam Month, there’s no better time than now to remind patients about why an annual eye exam is so important—from aesthetic to medical reasons. August is just beginning, so there’s still plenty of time to remind your patients to take advantage of this month—and this week, we’re taking a look at how some indies around the country are doing exactly that. Feel free to get inspired.

Get Inspired for Europa’s Annual DB4K Design Duel

By Staff
Wednesday, July 26, 2023 8:20 AM CHICAGO—Each year, Europa encourages customers to flex their creative muscles and enter its annual DB4K Design Duel, an eyewear design contest that gives customers and patients the chance to design the frame of their dreams. Winning designs will be selected to be produced and appear in a future DB4K collection.

Kicking Off Dry Eye Awareness Month

By Staff
Thursday, July 6, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Awareness Month in an effort to educate the public on dry eye, which the National Eye Institute reports affects nearly 16 million Americans. To further its efforts, Prevent Blindness has put together a variety of resources including fact sheets and shareable social media graphics, available in English and Spanish, as well as a dedicated web page. Independent ECPs are getting involved with Dry Eye Awareness Month, too. There’s still plenty of time to get involved so take a look at how some indies have set aside social media posts for Dry Eye Awareness Month.

Indies Celebrate Pride With Displays, Collections and Color

By Staff
Monday, June 26, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—Each June, millions of people around the world come together to celebrate Pride—30 days set aside to remember the Stonewall Uprising, Pride marches and LGBTQ+ liberation movements, as well as to celebrate the inclusive future ahead of us. From Pride parades in cities and towns to commemorative memorials for those who lost their lives due to their sexuality, there are countless ways to celebrate Pride month. The optical community has been celebrating Pride too, with special collections, décor and parties to show support for the community.

Indies’ Ideas for Cataract Awareness Month

By Staff
Thursday, June 8, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—June is Cataract Awareness Month once again, as declared by Prevent Blindness to bring attention to the leading cause of blindness worldwide. This month, Prevent Blindness’ goal is to provide patients, care partners and professionals with information on topics related to types of cataract, risk factors, symptoms, cataract surgery and available financial assistance resources. Of course, Prevent Blindness isn’t alone in this mission. Throughout June, ECPs across the country step up to spread awareness of cataract too, through online and in-person initiatives. We’re taking a look at some of the social media posts that independent ECPs have created to help spread the word about Cataract Awareness Month. There’s still plenty of time to go this June, so feel free to get inspired.

#AAPIinHealthcare Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month

By Staff
Thursday, May 25, 2023 8:20 AM NEW YORK—In 1992, Congress passed Public Law 102-450, which designates May as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month each year. May, chosen because of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, now represents “a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States,” according to The Library of Congress. There’s no better time to learn about the incredible impact Asian Americans have had on the U.S. in all areas—and particularly in health care.

Barton Perreira Supports Elle Women of Impact Event With Bidens as it Showcases Its Women’s Coalition

By Staff
Thursday, May 11, 2023 8:20 AM WASHINGTON, D.C.—On April 29, Elle hosted its Women of Impact Event at the Ciel Social Club in Washington, D.C., with Barton Perreira as a sponsor. The luxury eyewear brand showcased its collections at the event, with the main spotlight on its Women’s Coalition styles, which is part of the brand’s ongoing series of partnerships with women-led businesses across fashion, art and culture. Throughout this partnership, Barton Perreira highlights female visionaries and collaborate with these women to create limited-edition products that benefit non-profit organizations supporting women entrepreneurs.

Celebrating Earth Day With Indies

By Staff
Thursday, April 27, 2023 2:20 PM NEW YORK—Last Saturday, everyone, everywhere celebrated the same special holiday: Earth Day. As is the case every year, Earth Day fell on April 22 and gave us all a moment to reflect on the beauty and importance of our planet—and to think about how we can continue to protect and nurture our unique home. For a look at the evolution of Earth Day, read Still Trying to Save the Planet as Earth Day Hits Its 53rd Year. Everyone celebrates Earth Day a little bit differently—so here’s a look at how some independent ECPs spent their April 22.