(Press Release)
PINELLAS PARK, FL — The National Optometric Association (NOA) and Transitions Optical Inc. have entered into a national partnership to help advance the eye health of growing ethnic minority populations – a priority for both the NOA and the Transitions Cultural Connections initiative. Through the partnership, Transitions Optical will support the NOA in its efforts to provide ongoing education and resources to eyecare professionals to help them serve their diverse patients.
To kick off the partnership, Transitions Optical will participate in the upcoming 2016 NOA Annual Convention, held July 6-10 in Chicago. In addition to providing information and resources to the approximately 350 optometrists and NOA members in attendance, Transitions Optical will co-host a “Multicultural Millennial Matters” panel event on July 7 to explore the needs of today’s multicultural millennial patients.
Moderated by NOA vice president, Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, the panel will include a mix of experienced and millennial eye doctors, each having strong familiarity with both multicultural and millennial patients. The panelists will explore key topics, such as why millennials are an important group to target; what the unique eye health needs are of minority populations; style and fashion trends among millennials; and tips for marketing to this group.
“Today’s eyecare professionals are seeing an increasingly diverse patient base – both in terms of ethnicity and age,” says Dr. Reynolds. “The opportunity presented by the multicultural millennial patient is hard to ignore – and so is the great need to better serve this group by providing strategies for alleviating eyestrain and fatigue caused by an increased usage of digital devices. We are thrilled to be partnering with Transitions Optical to bring this important topic to the NOA Annual Convention.”
Participants in the “Multicultural Millennial Matters” panel include:
- Lina T. Arango, OD, independent contractor, LTA Vision Corp., Miami
- Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, partner, EyeLux Optometry, San Diego
- Darryl Glover, OD, Owner, Eye See Euphoria, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Edwin Marshall, OD, MS, MPH, professor emeritus of optometry and former vice president for diversity, equity an multicultural Affairs, Indiana University
- Vincent K. Young, MD, chairman, Division of Ophthalmology, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia
Recognizing the need for patient education on the link between ethnicity and eye health risk, the NOA has agreed to co-brand Transitions Optical’s popular “What to Expect” brochure series and promote use through its membership. Newly refreshed with information and statistics relevant to the largest and fastest-growing ethnic groups in the United States, the brochures are designed to educate patients about their unique risks at different life stages and to encourage them to take charge of their eye health.
Available brochures include:
- Adult Eyes
- Kids Eyes
- African American Eyes
- Hispanic Eyes (English and Spanish)
The brochures are available electronically through the NOA’s website, and print versions can also be ordered free-of-charge through MyMulticulturalToolkit.com.