By Staff
Friday, November 15, 2019 12:27 AM
NEW YORK—Optometry, like many medical professions, is being reshaped by the specialization trend. Modern living has changed the way we use our eyes, and many optometrists, particularly those in private practice, have responded by developing specialties to address specific patient needs. Some specialties, such as pediatrics and low vision, have been long established in optometry, while others, like dry eye management and neuro-optometry are more recent additions. Yet all seem to be benefitting from the advent of new technologies and treatment methods which are bringing exciting changes to vision care. VM explores this Megatrend and looks at 10 paths to practice differentiation in its
Cover Topic.
By Staff
Friday, November 15, 2019 12:21 AM
HARRISBURG, Pa.—
MacuLogix Inc., a company that equips eyecare professionals with instruments, tools and education to effectively diagnose and treat patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), appointed Christine Silverberg, MBA, BSN, RN, as director of national accounts. In this role, Silverberg will lead business development and partnerships across the industry to make “dark adaptation” testing more readily available to consumers across the U.S., according to an announcement earlier this week. “Christine brings a depth and breadth of experience calling on the C-Suites of major independent delivery networks and accountable care organizations in the U.S.,” president and chief executive officer William McPhee said in the announcement. “Her knowledge of population health, business operations and data analytics to execute successful programs in corporate settings will be invaluable in supporting our mission.”
By Staff
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 12:21 AM
DALLAS—
Eyecare Services Partners (ESP), a leader in integrated eyecare services, has announced the appointment of Dakon H. Montgomery as chief operating officer, effective Monday (Nov. 11). Montgomery comes to ESP with 12 years of leadership experience in outpatient health care services. Most recently he was a senior vice president in the ambulatory surgery division (ASC) of HCA Healthcare in Dallas, where he was responsible for four divisions encompassing seven markets and 37 ambulatory surgery centers, according to the announcement.
By Staff
Wednesday, November 13, 2019 12:18 AM
ST. LOUIS—Citing the significant public and economic burden posed by diabetes in the United States, the
American Optometric Association (AOA) has issued its revised, evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the disease for doctors of optometry and other health professionals who deliver care to patients with diabetes.
By Staff
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 12:27 AM
SAN RAMON, Calif.—One in four children in the U.S. is myopic, but according to
The Harris Poll survey results released yesterday by
CooperVision, only 33 percent of parents know what that term means, or how it can affect their children’s future eyesight. This corroborates the finding that 97 percent of ECPs agree parents should know more about the ways they can help protect children’s vision. The survey was conducted among U.S. eyecare professionals (ECPs), including optometrists and ophthalmologists, and more than 1,000 U.S. parents with children between 8 to15 years old regarding their knowledge of myopia.
By Staff
Thursday, October 24, 2019 12:24 AM
NEW YORK—From health care to retail, data has become an invaluable resource for businesses and practitioners. It’s what many see as the key ingredient to meeting, and exceeding, patients’ expectations, and it provides a critical yardstick for measuring business success. In eyecare and optical retailing, the growing interest in data also has led to an increase in the number of options partner companies are developing that collect, track and analyze the data for ECPs to draw upon to manage their practice.
By Staff
Thursday, September 12, 2019 12:15 AM
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Available at Vision Expo West on Saturday, Sept. 21, only, the new
Career Zone will offer an environment designed to connect corporate optical companies and associations with potential hires. “Following its success at Vision Expo East, the Career Zone will provide attendees a comfortable location to explore career and leadership opportunities from a variety of well-respected businesses,” said Joanne Mohr, Vision Expo event director of Reed Exhibitions. “Attendees can take advantage of unique access to discussions focused on career resources and hiring advice that could transform their professional endeavors.”
By Staff
Monday, September 9, 2019 12:24 AM
NEW YORK—A practicing optometrist and the CEO of a fast-growing retail/eyecare group will share their views about telehealth's potential in eyecare and how such new technologies can build bridges from the ECP to their patients in a session that's now part of the upcoming VM LIVE forum, "Smart Solutions at the Speed of Sight," to be held in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Sept. 18 just prior to the opening of Vision Expo West in Las Vegas.
By Staff
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 12:18 AM
GENEVA, Switzerland—
Alcon (SIX/NYSE:ALC) has named Dr. Carla Mack its global head, professional affairs, according to an announcement this week. In her new role, Dr. Mack leads professional affairs within Alcon’s global vision care franchise and reports to Andy Pawson, president and general manager, global vision care franchise. As global head, Dr. Mack is responsible for coordinating and consolidating the company’s vision care professional affairs strategy and initiatives, working in partnership with regional professional leaders and teams within the global franchise.
By Staff
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 12:24 AM
NEW YORK—Three innovative optometry innovators will discuss the ways they are bringing new ideas to both vision care environments and retail to address today’s customers and patients who expect easy, seamless interactions, speedier, more convenient service and new experiences in both retail and health care environments. Brief presentations and a conversation among the three practices will be a featured highlight of Vision Monday's Sept. 18 VM LIVE forum, "Smart Solutions at the Speed of Sight," to be held just prior to the opening of Vision Expo West in Las Vegas.
By Staff
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 12:18 AM
CALGARY, Alberta—
FYidoctors, an optometrist-owned eyecare company, has acquired Edmonton-based Alberta Eye Health Clinic, according to an announcement Tuesday. The acquisition, which marks the fifth FYidoctors location in the Edmonton area, brings Dr. Aaron Patel, Dr. Rajan Mistry and their staff to the FYidoctors family. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Alberta Eye Health Clinic has a special interest in low vision options, such as specialty contact lenses (known as scleral lenses), as well as dry eye treatments, and “prides itself in using the latest technology to monitor, diagnose and educate on eye diseases,” the announcement noted.
By Staff
Monday, July 15, 2019 12:18 AM
BEDFORD, Mass.—Biopharmaceutical company
Ocular Therapeutix has appointed Patricia Kitchen as chief operations officer. Kitchen brings nearly 25 years of biotechnology and pharmaceutical experience, including roles managing global operations and manufacturing relating to complex product development, technology transfer, supply chain management, and process-scale up and validation. Prior to joining Ocular, she held a number of senior management positions at Mundipharma, including global director of technical operations (ex-U.S.) where she was responsible for leading the transformation of manufacturing operations, supply chain, technical services, and other technical development teams across Mundipharma’s global markets and manufacturing suppliers.
By Staff
Monday, July 8, 2019 12:18 AM
ATLANTA—
EyeSouth Partners has completed an affiliation with
Montgomery Eye Physicians and Prescription Eyewear, which marks the firm’s first partnership in Alabama, according to an announcement late last week. EyeSouth also noted that Alabama “will be a priority growth state for the company in the future.” Montgomery Eye Physicians will continue to operate under its brand, with no changes to its staff, physicians or locations, according to the announcement. EyeSouth, an eyecare-focused management services organization committed to partnering with leading physicians in the Southeast, is backed by
Shore Capital Partners, a lower middle-market health care private equity firm.
By Staff
Wednesday, July 3, 2019 12:21 AM
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—
Covenant Surgical Partners here said it has formed a new partnership with Los Angeles-based
De La Pena Eye Clinic, A Medical Group, one of the largest private eyecare practices in Southern California. De La Peña Eye Clinic offers a full spectrum of ophthalmologic, optometric and optical services, according to the announcement earlier this week. Whereas typical eyecare clinics only focus on one or two elements of eyecare, De La Peña Eye Clinic offers multiple services in its one facility, including ophthalmology, optometry, optical and surgical capabilities, among others, the announcement noted. Covenant is acquiring the majority ownership of De La Peña Eye Clinic through this partnership transaction, a spokeswoman told
VMAIL.