Also Notable

• The AOA commended the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ report, “Reforming America’s Healthcare System Through Choice and Competition,” noting O.D.s have the skillset to provide the same services as other doctors and that states should consider scope-of-practice statute change to enable all healthcare providers to practice to the full extent of their skills. (See https://bit.ly/2QAOzRy for the full report.)
• Private equity firm Atlantic Street Capital announced it will form Advancing Eyecare Holdings , a partnership of Lombart Instrument, its portfolio company, and Marco Ophthalmic, according to a company press release. Upon the transaction’s completion, which is expected in the first quarter, David Marco will continue to serve as a meaningful investor and join Advancing Eyecare as co-chairman. He will oversee the operating and strategic guidance of assets in North America with Bryan Bevin, senior operating advisor to Atlantic Street, who will serve as co-chairman of Advancing Eyecare.
• Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. changed its name to Harrow Health, Inc. to “reflect the company’s commitment to the future of healthcare,” according to a company-issued press release. The newly named company will continue to use the name of its wholly owned subsidiaries, including ImprimisRx.
• The New England College of Optometry (NECO) named Clifford Scott, O.D., M.P.H., as its president emeritus in, “recognition of his accomplishments during a significant decade of leadership and 50 years of service to the College,” according to a NECO-issued press release.
• Optical Women’s Association (OWA) announced its 2019 Award honorees: Holly Rush (Costa Del Mar, Pleiades award), Laura Lewis (MyEyeDr., Pyxis award) and Jessica Goebert (De Rigo REM, Emerging Leader award). Recipients will be honored at the OWA’s annual Champagne Breakfast, Thursday, March 21, at NYC’s Edison Ballroom.
• SECO International has partnered with the American Society of Optometric Surgeons for SECO 2019 to bring demonstrations “showing radiosurgical technology, Botox and YAG laser education to the show floor,” reports SECO.
• Think About Your Eyes announced its 2019 advisory board: Chairman Rick Weisbarth, O.D., Alcon vice president of professional affairs; Vice Chairwoman Jacqueline Henderson, Johnson & Johnson Vision vice president of marketing and e-commerce; Ken Bradley, The Vision Council chairman and Eschenbach president; Jacquie Bowen, O.D., AOA trustee; Renee Himel, NVI senior vice president of marketing; Sherrianne James, Essilor of America chief marketing officer; and Carl Spear, O.D., Luxottica senior vice president of Eyecare.
• The Vision Council’s VisionWatch Q3 report reveals that more than 3.65 million pairs of prescription glasses were bought online, comprising about 4.9% of all such purchases during the 12-month period ending in September. During this time, about 7.9 million plano sunglasses were sold online, making up roughly 7.5% of all plano sunglass purchases.