Blog - Page 481 of 909

July 18, 2019July 17, 2019

Transitions Engages Consumers with Outdoor Boardroom, New Virtual Try-on Tool and Advertising Campaign

Transitions Optical has engaged consumers in a variety of ways this summer with the debut of a free outdoor boardroom for public use, a new consumer Facebook virtual try-on tool and the launch of this year’s consumer campaign.

In June, professionals in Toronto could book hour-long outdoor meetings in Transitions’ free Sun Session Boardroom to escape the fluorescent bulbs of indoors and experience Transitions^® Light Intelligent Lenses™. Located outside the lively Royal Bank Plaza, the boardroom was nearly full during its operation and allowed both boardroom visitors and passerby to have meaningful interactions with the Transitions^® brand, learn about Transitions^® lenses and test the product out first-hand.

Beyond the in-person experience, Transitions has also given consumers another way to try out Transitions Light Intelligent Lenses through a newly launched Facebook virtual try-on tool. With this tool, people can see how they look indoors and outdoors in the many colour options of Transitions^® Signature^® and Transitions^® XTRActive^® lenses, including Transitions Signature style colors and Transitions XTRActive style mirrors.

Additionally, Transitions launched a new consumer campaign in April which will generate over 200 million impressions nationwide through both television and digital. The campaign’s digital plan combines display banners, videos, paid search and social media reaching out to younger wearers. Eye care professionals interested in receiving POP materials to share in their practice/stores can contact Transitions customer service at customerservicecanada@transitions.com or 1-877-254-2590.

Source : Transitions Optical

July 17, 2019July 17, 2019

EssilorLuxottica Enters Talks with Mega European Optical Retailer GrandVision

Both EssilorLuxottica and European optical retail giant GrandVision NV of the Netherlands have confirmed ongoing discussion on the possible sale of HAL Holding NV’s majority stake in Grand Vision.

Who is GrandVision?
GrandVision is a Netherlands-based global optical retailing giant with over 7,000 stores in more than 40 different countries across Europe, North & Latin America and Asia and a significant online optical business.

GrandVision’s origins date back 128 years to an optical business in Finland. The group gained momentum when the international investment company HAL Holding entered the optical market in 1996 by first acquiring the Dutch and Belgian operations of Pearle Vision. The further growth was fueled by numerous further acquisitions including, eventually, the French based GrandVision SA in 2005.

In 2011 the two multi-national groups Pearle Europe and GrandVision merged into a single entity under the GrandVision name. Well-known local banners include Apollo-Optik in Germany, Générale d’Optique and GrandOptical in France, Pearle in the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria, and Vision Express in the multiple European countries, middle east and Europe.

In North America, For Eyes, a Pensylvannia-based optical retailer with now over 100 stores in USA, was acquired by GrandVision in 2005. There are no GrandVision banners operating in the Canadian optical market.

HAL Holding currently has a 76.72% stake in GrandVision

What’s the Deal?
According to GrandVision and EssilorLuxottica, HAL approached GrandVision for the possible sale of HAL’s stake in the retailer at a purchase price of 28 Euros per share. For the past year the stock has been trading between 18.35 and 22.96 Euros and closing at 21.04 Euros on July 16^th.

At the discussion price, the transaction would be in excess of $5 Billion Euros, (approx. 7.8 Billion $CAD).

Both companies indicate the discussions, including price, will be subject to continued evaluation and discussion during the coming weeks and further review by the parties’ boards of directors.

Press Release from GrandVision

EssilorLuxottica press Release

July 16, 2019July 16, 2019

American Academy of Optometry Announces 2019 Award Recipients

Each year the American Academy of Optometry recognizes distinguished individuals who have made countless important contributions to advancing the profession of optometry.

“Our Academy is only as good as the people we honor. In 2019 we are honoring the best; our best teachers, researchers, clinicians, and rising stars of the future,” remarked John G. Flanagan, PhD, FCOptom, FAAO, Awards Committee Chair.

The Academy is pleased to announce the 2019 award recipients:

Raymond A. Applegate, OD, PhD, FAAO
Charles F. Prentice Medal and Lecture Award

Susan A. Cotter, OD, MS, FAAO
Glenn A. Fry Award and Lecture
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Uduak C. Udom, OD, MPH, FAAO
(posthumously)
AAO-Essilor Award for Outstanding
International Contributions to Optometry

Thomas R. Stelmack, OD, FAAO
William Feinbloom Award

J. Daniel Twelker, OD, PhD, FAAO
Brien Holden Humanitarian Award

Andrew D. Pucker, OD, PhD, FAAO
Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award

Rami Aboumourad, OD
Julius F. Neumueller Award in Optics
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Thomas G. Quinn, OD, MS, FAAO
Vincent Ellerbrock Clinician Educator Award

Thomas A. Aller, OD, FBCLA, Maria Liu, OD, PhD, FAAO,
Christine F. Wildsoet, DipAppSci(Optom), PhD, FAAO
Garland W. Clay Award

Heather A. Anderson, OD, PhD, FAAO
Donald O. Mutti, OD, PhD, FAAO
Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Awards of the Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Philip B. Morgan, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO
Max Schapero Memorial Lecture Award

S. Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO
Founders’ AwardAwards of the Public Health and Environmental Vision Section

Robert N. Kleinstein, OD, PhD, FAAO
Henry B. Peters Award for Public Health and Environmental Vision
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Award winners will be recognized at the Joint American Academy of Optometry and World Council of Optometry Recognition Gala and Awards Program on Saturday, October 26, 7:00 to 10:00 PM, in the Plaza International Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The Fry and Prentice Lectures will be held on Friday, October 25, 8:00 to 9:00 AM, in Room W331. This session will feature lectures from both the Charles F. Prentice Award recipient and the Glenn A. Fry Award recipient.

Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies award recipients will be honored at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, October 23 in Room W221. The Public Health and Environmental Vision Section Henry B. Peters Awardee will be honored on Thursday, October 24 at 5:30 PM in Room W230 CD.

The joint meeting of the American Academy of Optometry and World Council of Optometry, Academy 2019 Orlando and 3rd World Congress of Optometry, will take place October 23-27, 2019, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. For more information, visit www.aaopt.org/2019.

Source: American Academy of Optometry

July 16, 2019July 16, 2019

FYidoctors Acquires Alberta Eye Health Clinic

FYidoctors announced it has acquired Edmonton-based Alberta Eye Health Clinic. The acquisition, which marks the fifth FYidoctors location in the Edmonton area, sees Dr. Aaron Patel, Dr. Rajan Mistry and staff joining the FYidoctors family.

“Our patients have trusted us to be forward-thinking and at the leading edge of great eye care,” said Dr. Aaron Patel. “Given that, we joined FYidoctors because we felt they are ahead of the field on where eye care needs to be and have existing technology and infrastructure which would allow us to provide a better patient experience. That coupled with the fact that they are a Canadian doctor-owned business that has established some of the best partnerships in the country made it an easy decision. We’re excited to start working together.”

With over 15 years of experience practicing primary eye care optometry, 12 years of which were practiced in Edmonton, Dr. Patel is an established professional who served as President of the Alberta Association of Optometrists and is currently a councilman of the Canadian Association of Optometrists. In addition to serving the residents of Edmonton, Dr. Patel believes in assisting those from underdeveloped countries and has travelled to Honduras, Peru, Nairobi and Jamaica with the goal of providing eye care to the less fortunate.

Dr. Rajan Mistry completed both his undergraduate degree and optometry degree at the prestigious University of Waterloo. During his studies, he practiced in various settings such as hospitals in Oklahoma, clinics in Australia and, similar to his colleague Dr. Patel, has provided care of those in underdeveloped countries like Nicaragua and Peru.

“We’re happy to be bringing Dr. Patel, Dr. Mistry and their staff on board to the FYidoctors team,” said Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO of FYidoctors. “The doctors have built strong reputations based on their service to the profession, dedication to excellence in eye care, and humanitarian efforts. As an organization, we are thrilled to bring the tools to them that will make them even more successful.”

The clinic has a special interest in low vision options, such as speciality 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.

Source: FYidoctors

July 15, 2019July 15, 2019

Transitions Announces Transitions Academy 2020 Dates and Ways to Attend

Now in its 24^th year as one of the industry’s most well-recognized educational events, Transitions Academy 2020 will be held February 2 – 5 at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla.

Industry professionals can earn an invitation to attend Transitions Academy 2020 through the following ways:

Become a Transitions Innovation Award Finalist – The awards are open to optical industry professionals, educators, retailers, optical laboratories and independent eyecare professionals and practices. The Transitions Innovation Awards categories include: 2019 Transitions Brand Ambassador (individual-only award), Retailer of the Year, Eyecare Practice of the Year, Best in Training and Best in Marketing.

Nominations for all Transitions Innovation Awards will be accepted online (at Transitions.com/Awards) from October 1 – 31, 2019. To enter, candidates must complete a nomination form and detail their 2019 efforts in the following evaluation areas: commitment and inspiration, goals, plan and creativity, and impact and results. Nominees are welcome to enter more than one category and can self-enter, or can be nominated by a lab, lens manufacturer, industry colleague or other industry organization representative. An Innovation Awards resource guide and past winner profiles are also available to assist interested industry professionals with the nomination process, as well as a structured way to focus on and track their goals throughout the year.

Ask Your Lens Supplier Representative – Industry professionals should let their Transitions^® lens supplier know they would like to register for Transitions Academy. Many lens suppliers are providing opportunities and promotions for customers to earn their way and attend.

Become a Transitions Change Agent – Transitions Optical is recruiting eyecare professionals who are millennials or serve many millennial patients and are looking to change the conversations their peers and patients are having around Transitions lenses.Industry professionals interested in becoming a Transitions Change Agent can visit TransitionsPRO.com/ChangeAgent to apply.

Request a Spot / Nominate Someone to Attend – Although Transitions Academy is an invitation-only event, Transitions Optical is reserving spaces for interested industry professionals from North America. Those interested can request to attend at TransitionsAcademy.com and more details regarding cost and arrangements will be provided.

Join the Speaker’s Bureau – qualified industry speakers can email Transitions Customer service (cservice@transitions.com) to learn more about becoming a part of the Transitions Speakers Bureau and to inquire about Transitions Academy benefits.

Source: Transitions Optical