Image via 100%
VM brings you the latest information from optical companies and organizations responding to the coronavirus pandemic. 100%, the San Diego-based sports performance company, reported that they sent a shipment of performance protective eyewear to the United FireFighters of Los Angeles City, an organization of the proud men and women that serve as firefighters and emergency medical personnel protecting the City of Los Angeles. The more than 3,600 members are serving the front line. 100% is also preparing PPE for front-line personnel in New York City, Denver, San Diego, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Phoenix and Louisville.

In addition to the PPE donation, 100% launched a fundraising page for the CDC Foundation's Combat Coronavirus Fundraiser. 100% Sport Performance sunglasses have always come with an additional clear, protective lens. So, when conditions change, 100% Sport Performance sunglasses let the wearer instantly swap in the lens they need. 100% also said it donated 1,000 goggles to Goggles For Docs (https://gogglesfordocs.com/).

“It started with a few of our employees getting calls from friends and family members requesting protective eyewear,” said 100% CEO Ludo Boinnard. “What these brave men and women are doing to protect all of us is truly heroic, and we’re honored to be able to contribute to keeping them safe."


Image via ClearVision        
ClearVision has launched a digital resource center that includes up-to-date information about COVID-19 in relation to the eyecare industry. The resource center also allows ECPs to connect with ClearVision for support and access materials related to financial resources, services available to the optical industry, health and wellness, human resources, legal, educational opportunities and digital training. ClearVision will update the center every day. The company is also sending resource newsletters out three times each week to its customer base via email, and is inviting customers to reach out to the organization for assistance or consultation. The company has developed a survey to determine how it can best help its customers.

In addition, ClearVision is heading up the #EyeCareStrong hashtag on social media and asking the eyecare community to share stories, encouragement and tips on how to stay safe and engaged with patients while navigating new work environments.

Hoya Vision Care donated 600 pairs of safety glasses that are ANSI-rated, anti-fog, with polycarbonate lenses in a wrap frame to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. These safety glasses were given directly to the staff on-site at one of the busiest hospitals within 100 miles. Staff were able to wear their new safety glasses immediately.

Scott Berg, vice president, philanthropy, Baystate Health and executive director, Baystate Health Foundation said, "We are thankful to Hoya Vision Care for its donation of protective eyewear to Baystate Health. Your support of our community during these uncertain times has been incredible and we are so grateful that you have gone above and beyond to give back." Shelley Hazlet, manager of public affairs added, "Thank you, Hoya, for your incredibly generous donation. These critical PPE items are saving lives. You are saving lives though your donation. I can't thank you enough."

Eyecare providers offering services and materials to local first responders can contact Richard Sol at richard.sol@hoya.com for information about potential contributions or donations from Hoya.


       Image via Inspecs Group Ltd
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Bath, U.K.-based Inspecs Group Ltd (AIM:SPEC) said that in light of COVID-19, the company has made 5,000 donations of safety frames to National Health Service (NHS) Trust hospitals, practices and clinics in the South West of England. They are continuing to supply until stocks last. This is being rolled out to supply around 30,000 frames nationally. U.S. subsidiaries are also looking into supporting where they can, the company said.

NHS staffers are pictured wearing their gifted safety eyewear from Inspecs.

Sama Eyewear has begun producing various PPE products, including KN95 masks, hand sanitizer, goggles, medical face shields and gowns. Sama plans to distribute these products to hospitals on both a local and international level. In addition, individual customers can purchase masks along with any eyewear order placed online through Sama's website or authorized retailers.

Schneider has teamed up with the local Phillips-University of Marburg, Germany to refine and produce a scaled-down version of a ventilator that may serve as a last line of defense against the corona virus. Within a few days’ time, the team of physicists and engineers successfully took the idea and brought it to fruition. The prototype was developed, practical tests were conducted, and the supply chain was secured. The final product meets and even exceeds the expectations of the medical staff and could be produced in large numbers in no time, according to Schneider.

The scaled-down ventilators are supposed to prevent a bottleneck in intensive care ventilation technology. They can be applied with those patients needing support in breathing both before they enter an acute state and afterwards, until they recover. The scarce number of professional ventilators can be deployed in the most acute and severe cases.

Schneider is awaiting approval by German health care authorities to start producing and distributing the ventilators.

Find the latest COVID-19 news you need in VM's Coronavirus Briefing.