ODs Earn Millions in Bonuses from EHR

Optometrists reportedly earned more than $21 million in top-level bonuses during the first year of the Medicare Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program, according to the latest in a series of monthly reports from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Read more.

New Harley-Davidson Line

"Viva International Group introduces 10 new styles for men and women from the Harley-Davidson Eyewear Spring 2012 collection," according to Midwest Lens. "The men’s styles evoke the masculine, yet trend-driven quality of the Harley-Davidson man, and deliver a unique mix of fashion-forward styles. The Ladies collection offers a fashionable blend of design elements, including subtle flame accents and stone embellishments. Supporting the new collection is a new campaign, shot in a classic location for an iconic brand." Read more.

Navigating Indoors for the Blind with a Smartphone

"University of Nevada, Reno computer science engineering team Kostas Bekris and Eelke Folmer presented their indoor navigation system for people with visual impairments at two national conferences recently," says Medical News Today. "The researchers explained how a combination of human-computer interaction and motion-planning research was used to build a low-cost accessible navigation system, called Navatar, which can run on a standard smartphone." Read more.

Swarovski Promotes New Line with AR App

"Swarovski is celebrating summer by rolling out a new eyewear line and doing it in a really festive way," reports Pop Sop. "The company has launched an augmented reality app on Facebook to 'give its fans 15 amazing seconds of fame.' Using the Be Amazing app, people can ‘try on’ a pair of Amazing Sunglasses, dance for the webcam, and submit their video to the Swarovski’s YouTube channel for a chance to win 1 of 15 real pairs of the cool accessory. The global campaign that also features a dedicated web site mostly targeting the young female audience." Read more.

New AR Glasses Finding Funding through Crowd Sourcing

"There is a bandwagon just starting to roll containing various pairs of video-capable and augmented reality glasses," notes Gizmo. "Google is currently in the driver's seat, but it's far from the only company working on ways to allow us all to record video from a first-person perspective and integrate what we see into our online lives. A case in point is Vergence Labs' Social Video Electric Eyewear, a project that aims to raise US$50K via crowdfunding site Kickstarter." Read more.

Listening Device (SSD) Helps Blind to "See"

It's like a scene from Star Trek--The Now Generation. "A method developed at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for training blind persons to 'see' through the use of a sensory substitution device (SSD) has enabled those using the system to actually 'read' an eye chart with letter sizes smaller than those used in determining the international standard for blindness," according to Science Digest. Read more.

 

Freeman's Eye Trouble Continues

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that "Freddie Freeman  spent part of his weekend switching between glasses and various contact lenses and trying out assorted eye drops in a somewhat successful effort to alleviate his dry eyes." The Atlanta Braves first baseman has been struggling even since the Braves played the Rockies in Denver this past week. Read more.

"Eyecare Business" Starts TV Show

Eyecare Business Magazine and OMG National, which has produced dozens of videos for companies in the optical industry, will launch EB-TV to some 40,000 subscribers by the end of May. It will feature information about frames, lenses, equipment and related products and services with added financial features. OMG will send subscribers videos to by email.  Short pre-roll messages from the industries top companies will precede each video release. Banner messaging will allow for click through to exciting vendor offers and videos. Future plans include a consumer edition to be developed in partnership with local ECP’s.Read more.

Warn Patients about Ring of Fire

"The western United States and eastern Asia will be treated this weekend to a rare solar spectacle when the moon slides across the sun, creating a "ring of fire,'" according to Fox News. "But scientists caution would-be viewers to be very careful because the sun's damaging rays will remain powerful even during the annular solar eclipse. The advice: Either wear specially designed protective eyewear or attend a viewing event — at a planetarium or amateur astronomy club, for example — to avoid risk of serious eye injury." Read more.

Dolced and Gabbana Release Marketing Campaign

"After releasing some teaser photos in February, Dolce & Gabbana has now unveiled the advertising film for its new line of eyewear -- frames and sunglasses," reports Yahoo! News. "Directed by Luca Finotti and photographed by Giampaolo Sgura, this new campaign features Italian model Bianca Balti, who appears in a retro look with strong 1950s influences." Read more.

Freeman Tries Then Drops Eyewear

"1B Freddie Freeman wore new glasses to play in the field Thursday," notes the Chicago Tribune. "He normally wears contact lenses, but dry air and wind in Colorado on last week's road trip caused abrasions in his eyes. He wasn't wearing the glasses, however, when he hit his seventh home run of the season in the third inning, and he kept them off when he went back out to first base after that." Read more.

Warby Parker Even Makes Headlines with the Look of Its Annual Report

"The Warby Parker 2011 Annual Report may change the game when it comes to the dissemination of corporate information," reports Trend Hunter Marketing. "The eyewear brand has released its 2011 data in the form of a clever and colorful infographic, capturing the attention of both marketers and interested consumers alike." Read more.

Study Says Smartphones Good for Visually Impaired but Doc's Not Recommending Them

"iPhones and other smartphones can be a huge help to the visually impaired, but few vision doctors are recommending them to patients, according to a study co-authored by a Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine ophthalmologist," according to a Medical News Today post. "Researchers surveyed 46 low-vision adults from The Chicago Lighthouse and the Spectrios Institute for Low Vision in Wheaton, Ill. Participants' best-corrected vision ranged from 20/70 to complete blindness." Read more.

Kids Glow in Dark with Converse Eyewear

"Converse keeps kids looking great as they head back to school this Fall, in colorfully bright fames from Converse Kids Eyewear. Kids won’t believe their eyes, when they see the new glow-in-the-dark Flutter and Zoom optical frames!" That's the word from Eye Surf. Read more.

Luottica Buys Out Remainder of Sun Planet

"Italy's eyewear heavyweight Luxottica SpA (LUX) said Thursday it has agreed to buy the remaining Sun Planet retail stores, about 120 locations in Spain and Portugal," reports Fox Business. "In a filing to the Italian stock exchange, the company said the operation, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year, has an enterprise value of about EUR20 million. Read more.

Eight Italian Eyewear Manufacturers Try to Break into the Canadian Market

"A two-day workshop to open the frontiers of the Canadian market’s eyewear sector to small- and medium-sized Italian firms," according to a post on Tandem. "That is the objective of [Toronto] Italian Eyewear Workshop – two days of encounter organized by Istituto Italiano per il commercio estero (ICE, Italian institute for foreign trade) in collaboration with l’Associazione nazionale fabbricanti di articoli ottici (ANFAO, association of optical products manufacturer)...An event [was] conceived to facilitate the entry of eight companies from Italy’s eyewear sector [yes, there are more than Luxottica and Safilo) into the Canadian market through a series of B2B (business-to-business) encounters with importers and distributors in the sector." Read more.

eInk Devices, like the Traditional Kindle, Better for Eyes

"According to Dr. Michael Pier, O.D., Director of Professional Relations for the Bausch & Lomb North American Vision Care, the drawbacks of the bland and colorless interfaces typical to grayscale eInk readers are outweighed by their ocular advantages," reports Tablet PC Review. "'The total benefit of eInk is the reduction of glare,' says Pier. 'Glare affects your ability to see the contrasts between the letters and the background, and this is virtually eliminated by eInk. The better the contrast, the easier it is on the eyes. Contrast allows us to grab focus faster, because we’re not trying to interpret what might appear as a blur on the edges of letters.' In other words, eInk devices like the traditional Kindle eReader are easier to view with a glaring sun or light overhead." Read more.

Online Retailer Hunts for Model for Its Brand

Online retailer Glasses Direct is looking for the face of its Scout brand of eyewear. The brand is said to boast an eclectic mix of bold and on-trend frames. On 12th June, the virtual retailer will shoot its Scout campaign and want stylish people to star in the campaign. It's not looking for the next top model but for the most individual and fabulous face. To enter, an individual must email scout@glassesdirect.com a picture of him/herself  along with a few lines describing her "unique" style. The company's style team reportedly will pamper the winners with an all expenses paid for the day and a supply of Scout glasses--with a prescription, clear lens, UV sun lens or all three!

New Styles for Candie's Eyewear

"Viva International Group introduces eight tantalizing new ophthalmic styles to the Candie's Eyewear collection this spring," notes Midwest Lens. "The new styles reflect the trend-setting design elements featured in Candie's apparel and accessories. Exciting trends, including floral accents, animal prints, filigree detailing and stud treatments are showcased throughout the collection, to deliver a cohesive blend of fashion and style for today’s Candie's girl." Read more.

Vision Council Issues Report about UV

More than 55 percent of adults in the United States lose or break their sunglasses every year, according to a new consumer media report by The Vision Council. For these and the 27 percent of adults who do not ever wear sunglasses, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation could end up costing them a lot more than a new pair of shades. The report, Finding Your Shades, Protecting Your Vision, outlines trends in UV-protective behavior as well as the major health effects that can occur as a result of cumulative UV exposure, and the protective measures necessary to prevent them. Copies of the report have been issued to consumer health and lifestyle reporters nationwide. The council also has developed free educational materials, including a UV-focused poster, children's activity booklet, and waiting room/community magazine, Under the Sun, to help eye care professionals inform their patients about the importance of vision protection year-round. These complimentary marketing materials are available through the council's online store. To download a copy of the Finding Your Shades, Protecting Your Vision report, visit the Bureau of Missing Sunglasses. Read more.