DISTRACTION-FREE
PHOTO SHARING
It’s lunchtime. You post a photo on Facebook to get advice on a case, and before you know it, you’ve spent your break scrolling through friends-of-friends’ videos and status updates. Figure 1 is a free photo-sharing website and app for medical professionals, and that’s all it is. Share your findings and get advice while safeguarding patient privacy. Info: figure1.com
This article originally appeared in the June 2015 edition of INVISION.
EYEING A RECORD
Are you going to Optometry’s Meeting in Seattle? Want to help break a world record? Just in time for National Sunglasses Day, people attending the American Optometric Association conference will try to break the Guinness World Record for “the most people wearing sunglasses in the dark.” The current record is 1,675 people, set March 6, 2014, at Gilda’s LaughFest in Grand Rapids, MI. The attempt will take place during the 24th Annual Varilux Optometry Student Bowl June 25 in Ballroom 6BC at the Washington State Convention Center. (The Student Bowl starts at 7:30 p.m.; the record attempt will take place around 9:30.) So grab your shades, cheer on the student optometrists, and get ready to make history. For more info on the conference, set June 24-27: optometrysmeeting.org.
UPDATE: The AOA says the world record attempt will now happen between 8:45 and 9 p.m.
HALL OF FAMERS
The American Optometric Association will welcome three inductees into the National Optometry Hall of Fame during the Seattle meeting. They are Dr. Paul C. Ajamian, co-founder of the nation’s first optometric co-management and referral center, Omni Eye Services of Atlanta; Dr. Kenji Hamada, a much-honored optometrist and longtime contact lens expert from Oregon; and Dr. Earl L. Smith III, a noted vision researcher and professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry in Texas. The National Optometry Hall of Fame is administered by Optometry Cares — The AOA Foundation. Info: education@primaryeye.net. Info: aoafoundation.org.
TEAMING UP TO PROTECT EYES
Twelve 2015 Sports Eye Injury Prevention Center of the Year award winners have been chosen for their work to raise awareness of and reduce sports-related eye injuries. The businesses honored by Liberty Sport and Prevent Blindness are Accurate Eye Care, Manalapan, NJ; Belill Eye Care, Clio, MI; Buena Vista Optical, Chicago, IL; Envision Optics, Brooklyn, NY; Frontier Family Vision, Naperville, IL; Heffington Optical, Springfield, MO; Hero Management, Colorado Springs, CO; Linden Optometry of Pasadena, CA; Pediatric Eye Care, Overland Park, KS; University Optical, Omaha, NE; Young Eyes, Baltimore, MD; and Your Eyes, New Britain, CT. Info: libertysport.com/SEIPC
SERVING THE SOUTHWEST
VSP Optics Group has opened a new VSPOne Optical Technology Center in Denver, CO. The Denver facility expands the VSPOne Optical Technology Center network to a total of 14 locations, and it specializes in quick processing and turnaround of the entire Unity lens and coatings portfolio. Info: vspopticsgroup.com.
3,000 ATTEND THE EXCHANGE
About 3,000 Vision Source doctors, staff and vendors got together at the Vision Source Exchange in Phoenix to see new products; take complimentary continuing ed courses; and get the latest info on the Vision Source managed care initiative, which is helping ODs work with with primary care doctors on early detection and treatment of diabetes. Info: visionsource.com.
The new video from The Vision Council is available for use on the websites of eyecare professionals.
SMART SUNGLASSES
With National Sunglasses Day coming up June 27, use a new 30-second video from The Vision Council on your website or social media feeds to remind your patients and community why people of all ages need to wear sunglasses when they’re outdoors. “Sunglasses: They look great and also protect your eyes from dangerous UV rays,” the narrator says. See it at invmag.us/6166.