CFDA Eyewear Designers Launch 2023 Pride Collection With Percentage of Proceeds to Benefit the TransLatin@ Coalition

By Staff
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 12:18 AM NEW YORK—In honor of Pride Month in June, five independent CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) eyewear designers are uniting to launch the second annual edCFDA Pride Eyewear Initiative.

VSP Vision Releases Inaugural Social Responsibility Impact Report

By Staff
Thursday, February 16, 2023 12:18 AM RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Vision has released its 2022 Impact Report, which spotlights key initiatives undertaken by the organization in alignment with its decades-long commitment to social responsibility.

Rock4Sight to Return to Vision Expo East 2023

By Staff
Monday, January 30, 2023 12:21 AM NEW YORK—Rock4Sight 2023, will be back at the Hard Rock Café to celebrate the optical industry and raise funds for ECN Purpose, a 501c3 Charity dedicated to providing both eye health education and connection to vision care to the underserved. The party begins on Saturday, March 18 at 8:30 pm at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, New York City. As in the past, this will be a fun night of music, dancing, camaraderie and industry fellowship, however, this year features a new twist.

ARVO Foundation Announces 2023 Recipient of Genentech Career Development Award for Underrepresented Minority Emerging Vision Scientists

By Staff
Friday, January 20, 2023 12:15 AM ROCKVILLE, Md.—The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Foundation has announced the winner of the 2023 Genetech Career Development Award for Underrepresented Minority Emerging Vision Scientists. Edmund Arthur, OD, PhD, will receive a two-year grant totaling $100,000 to support research and personnel costs for establishing an independent vision research program. The Genentech Award is intended to provide early-career URM investigators with an opportunity to explore novel and innovative research project ideas.

Transitions Names 2022 Students of Vision Scholarship Recipients, Celebrates Second ‘The Studio’ Event

By Staff
Thursday, December 29, 2022 12:18 AM OTTAWA, Ontario—On November 8, Transitions Optical Canada hosted the second edition of its Transitions The Studio, an educational event that saw over 80 industry professionals gather at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier located here.

VSP Vision and Black EyeCare Perspective Celebrate 1st Year of Partnership to Increase Awareness of Optometry Among Black Students

By Staff
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 12:21 AM RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Vision and Black EyeCare Perspective a not-for-profit dedicated to redefining the color of the eyecare industry, one percent at a time, have completed the first year of their multi-year partnership.

RestoringVision Launches New Program Serving Indigenous Populations

By Staff
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 12:21 AM SAN FRANCISCO—RestoringVision, supported by funding from longtime corporate donor, National Vision, Inc., is launching a new program this Native American Heritage Month to serve indigenous populations in the U.S.

Shining a Spotlight on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

By Gwendolyn Plummer and Marge Axelrad
Friday, November 4, 2022 11:30 AM NEW YORK—Long term societal issues, like those of diversity, equity & inclusion, have been fighting the hard fight for many years. With the escalation of the disruption unleashed by the global pandemic, the brighter spotlight on the topic from media, and a groundswell among individuals and organizations that more vocal and active commitment was needed, DE&I initiatives continue to expand. Voices from within health care, business, family, politics and culture are starting to join with those in structured organizations along with more assertive storytelling from groups victimized or impacted by the lack of inclusion in hiring, in receiving or accessing fair and equitable business or health care services and more. Individuals, groups and organizations across the optical industry and vision care profession, are stepping up to support these as part of an expanding commitment.

SUNY Optometry's Eye-CARE Program Recognized for Its Positive Impact on Student Experience With CEO and Multicultural Programs

By Staff
Friday, October 28, 2022 12:15 AM NEW YORK—SUNY College of Optometry received recognition last week from the State University of New York for the impressive achievements of its Eye-CARE Camp program, which has helped to raise awareness of the College and bolster its strategic efforts toward greater diversity, equity and inclusion.

ASCO's New Eye on Diversity Speaker Series Tackles a Range of Issues from Major Experts, With the Support of Johnson & Johnson Vision

By Staff
Wednesday, October 12, 2022 12:27 AM ST. LOUIS—A new webinar series is underway, with registration still open and available, for a series tackling issues about diversity, equity & inclusion, hosted by the Association of Schools & Colleges of Optometry with the support of Johnson & Johnson Vision.

Black Eyecare Perspective Will Host 3rd Impact HBCU Virtual Event on Oct. 18 to Increase Awareness of Optometry and the Eyecare Industry Among Students

By Staff
Wednesday, October 5, 2022 12:18 AM NEW YORK—Black Eyecare Perspective  and optometrists of the Black community are once again being intentional in their impact and on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, will create a pipeline for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and beyond to raise awareness and provide assistance to students to bring attention to the field of optometry.

The Visioning The Future Mentorship Program, Inspired By Dr. Marvin R. Poston, Celebrates 12 New Optometry Students

By Staff
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 12:15 AM RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—Students participating in the Visioning the Future Mentorship Program representing eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were recently recognized at a virtual ceremony for being accepted into schools of optometry. The group of 12 students were also awarded nearly $48,000 toward their education. Additionally, the program helps the students with long-term career planning, networking opportunities and other educational resources, according to a recent VSP Vision announcement. The students represent the third cohort of the Visioning the Future Mentorship Program launched in 2019 by the Dr. Marvin R. Poston Education and Development Foundation, the National Optometric Association (NOA) and VSP Vision to recognize students at HBCUs and foster their professional advancement in the field of optometry.

Black Eyecare Perspective Spotlights Black-Owned Independent Eyewear Brands

By Staff
Wednesday, June 22, 2022 12:15 AM PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.—Black Eyecare Perspective is sharing its support for a number of Black-owned independent eyewear brands and encouraging the optical community to do the same.

SUNY College of Optometry to Host Panel June 22 - Race and Optometry: Where Are We Now?

By Staff
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 12:15 AM NEW YORK—SUNY College of Optometry's Office of Continuing Professional Education will host another webinar this week on June 22 to explore the topic of race in optometry. For the last two years, the group has hosted sessions which took a hard look at the experiences of Black optometrists s students, residents, faculty and practitioners, with a goal of fostering a dialogue that would lead to changes in optometric education and in the eyecare industry. This week's webinar, in conjunction with the Juneteenth celebration, brings back many previous participants to discuss whether substantive improvements have been made and where additional efforts are needed.

See & Be Seen Frame Benefit for Opening Your Eyes Scholarship Kicks Off on June 18

By Staff
Thursday, June 16, 2022 12:27 AM NEW YORK—The See & Be Seen Frame Benefit will kick off on Saturday, June 18 and will remain active until June 25 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. The benefit, presented by Tarrence Lackran (@TheOpticalPoet on Instagram), features frames with special significance designed by leading independent designers to support The Vision Council's Opening Your Eyes Scholarship (OYES). OYES provides full scholarships and paid internships to high school seniors from underrepresented communities who have an interest in pursuing a career in the optical industry.