By Staff
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 5:14 PM
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla.—ABB Verify is launching an enhancement to its vision care benefits optimization platform from ABB Optical Group. ABB Verify’s new feature allows ECPs who utilize ABB Verify to retrieve medical plan information in addition to the current vision insurance search offering. This will provide ECPs with a centralized location to review both vision and medical eligibility and benefits information. Part of the ABB Business Solutions suite, ABB Verify provides ECPs with a centralized source for gathering vision care eligibility and connecting with their patients to help them maximize benefits.
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By Staff
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 5:11 PM
Many patients with sight-threatening conditions such as AMD and glaucoma lost vision during the COVID-19 pandemic due to missed eye care appointments. In this new era, digital technology is likely to play a major role in patient care. A recent study analyzed the ways COVID-19-related pressures have affected digital technology acceptance in ophthalmology and found that there may be a new precedent for digital innovations in health care. The literature review spanned the use of digital technology during COVID-19 and, in particular, the transformation of medicine, ophthalmology and AMD screening through digitalization.
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By Staff
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 4:29 PM
GLENDORA, N.J.—Lincoln Road Advisors Inc., an investment company operated by optical industry veteran Eric Bertrand, has acquired the holding company Refac Optical Group, which owns the U.S. Vision optical business, from its majority owner ACON Investments. U.S. Vision operates roughly 375 optical locations in licensed retail spaces at J.C. Penney, Meijer, Boscov’s and Optical Center/AAFES Exchange locations. Bertrand, a former chief executive of OptiCare Health Systems of Connecticut and Vision Center at Meijer, confirmed the acquisition by Lincoln Road to
VMAIL earlier today. He is the principal at Lincoln Road, and also manages the digital marketing agency Mod Op.
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By Staff
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 4:26 PM
What are the most common complaints from consumers about their experiences in optical shops? According to an article in Consumers’ Checkbook in April 2020, “complaints usually relate to second-rate customer service—rude salespeople, long waits, indifferent advice—and high prices.” The article continues, “But many things can go wrong when buying glasses: Lenses can be positioned wrong or be defective. Opticians and optometrists must understand a slew of complex matters including matching your lenses to your eyes, fitting frames to your face (the contour of your nose is critical) and knowing what to recommend for people who need big corrections.”
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By Staff
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 11:26 AM
What does it really mean when reports say that the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has an
efficacy of 72 percent? It's actually not as straightforward as it might sound, and can be a little tricky to calculate, but the bottom line is that all three vaccines authorized in the U.S. greatly reduce the risk of getting COVID-19. Head over to
The New York Times for a deeper dive into how efficacy percentages are calculated and what they mean.
By Staff
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 11:23 AM
Many COVID-19 vaccine recipients have reported pretty
unpleasant side effects after their second shot. But why is the second shot so much worse than the first, and why are there side effects in the first place? Head over to
Forbes for a look into some potential reasons why.
By Staff
Monday, March 1, 2021 5:16 PM
NEW YORK—Spring is in the air—at least we can hope. Yes, it does appear the tide is finally starting to turn against this awful year-long pandemic and perhaps even the harshest days of winter are winding down across the country. But another sure sign that a new spring isn’t far off is the start of the Major League Baseball season. Those magic words—pitchers and catchers are reporting—resonated against a wintry backdrop just two weeks ago and, thankfully, the real spring training games began this weekend. It may not be a return to what we’re used to at a ballgame, but just having players on the field and fans in the stands marks a turning point of sorts in 2021.
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By Staff
Monday, March 1, 2021 5:13 PM
As a private practice owner, I am always looking for ways to differentiate our practice and drive new and profitable growth. With two locations in the Jacksonville, Florida, area, we are positioned as higher end and have always offered the latest patient care technology and services. I’ve watched the myopia management market with interest over the past few years but had been reluctant to jump in until I felt the market was ready and we could execute it as a comprehensive program. I decided last fall that the time was right and want to share my early experience going from “zero to 60” in only a few months of implementing myopia management.
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By Staff
Monday, March 1, 2021 3:00 PM
Did you follow the optical news this week? Take VM’s News Quiz to see how much you know. This week's quiz takes a look at how ODs are joining the vaccine effort, the best airport ever and losing an optical pioneer.
By Staff
Monday, March 1, 2021 11:46 AM
A bittersweet Bright Spot for the team at
Columbus Ophthalmology: celebrating the retirement of their beloved clinic manager Terri Troyer, who spent 20 years at the Dublin, Ohio location.
By Staff
Saturday, February 27, 2021 5:33 PM
NEW YORK—According to Google, Google Ads are the best way to get a steady supply of new customers for every business. The experts at EyeCarePro are going to share their perspective on this important topic in a new webinar that can help ECPs better understand what Google ads can and can’t do for their practice. The webinar, PowerUp 2021, is being hosted this week by EyeCarePro and Review of Optometric Business. It will also be made available for on-demand viewing by March 3. EyeCarePro’s CEO Daniel Rostenne and Jeff Magaha, senior digital marketing analyst will discuss a range of optics along with Dr Josiah Young of Opticare Vision.
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By Staff
Saturday, February 27, 2021 5:30 PM
There’s truly no place like home, and no one knows this better than Sara Dawson, OD, who started her practice, Just Eyes Optometry, in her own home in Ossining, New York. After graduating from SUNY College of Optometry, she spent several years working in corporate locations in Manhattan, but the longing to own a practice grew. When Dr. Dawson moved to the suburbs, that dream began to feel more attainable. Being a practice owner wasn’t something Dr. Dawson always envisioned for herself, though. “When I graduated, I never pictured myself as a business owner… I’m still terrified of ownership,” she said with a laugh.
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By Staff
Friday, February 26, 2021 11:33 AM
According to
a new investigation from Kaiser Health News, many COVID-19 vaccination information and registration websites are in violation of disability rights laws—and specifically make it next to impossible for people with vision impairment to book a vaccine appointment without help. Head over to the
Los Angeles Times for more on the investigation.
By Mark Tosh
Friday, February 26, 2021 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Spring is in the air—at least we can hope. Yes, it does appear the tide is finally starting to turn against this awful year-long pandemic and perhaps even the harshest days of winter are winding down across the country. But another sure sign that a new spring isn’t far off is the start of the Major League Baseball season. Those magic words—pitchers and catchers are reporting—resonated against a wintry backdrop just two weeks ago and, thankfully, the real spring training games began this past weekend.