What a long, strange year it’s been. 2020 included a pandemic, shutdowns, crime and other unfortunate news. If you’re like us, you’ve tried to find joy where possible, but you’re looking forward to a much better 2021.
But before we ring in the New Year, we wanted to pause for a look back at the year’s biggest news. These are the 10 most-read INVISION newsletter stories of 2020. Click through for the full articles. (Note that there may have been further news developments that aren’t reflected here.)
1-800 Contacts in May rolled out Boomerang, an online lens replacement service that brings old glasses back to life with new lenses.
In April, thieves took about 100 frames from an optometry office in Kansas City, MO.
Hackers reportedly hit Luxottica with a ransomware attack, leading to problems for the eyewear giant worldwide.
In December, INVISION reported that the Federal Trade Commission staff had sent 28 letters to eyeglass prescribers warning them of potential violations of the agency’s Ophthalmic Practice Rules, known as the Eyeglass Rule.
Tonya Bonjer, optician manager at Image Optometry Orchard Park in Kelowna, British Columbia, asked that everyone be considerate of industries where there is direct human contact.
The California Optometric Association in March recommended that the state’s optometrists “voluntarily suspend nonessential or nonurgent optometry care for the next 14 days” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
News broke in September that 1-800 Contacts would be acquired by global investment firm KKR.
EssilorLuxottica in July began legal proceedings to obtain information from GrandVision, which it was seeking to acquire in an $8 billion deal, on how the company is dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.
A judge ruled in the summer that a Florida ophthalmologist had to remain in jail after a court upheld his conviction for health care fraud.
In March, the American Optometric Association announced a $5.5 million crisis relief and recovery assistance package for eyecare providers.