Wait! An optometrist was a victim of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre?! On the morning of Feb. 14, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, 30-year-old optometrist Reinhart H. Schwimmer (also spelled Reinhardt) was found among the shotgun and Thompson machine gun-sprayed dead of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Learn more about this Bruno (tough guy, in 1920s slang) here
CooperVision names vice president of Myopia Management & Cornea Care
CooperVision appointed Jennifer Lambert as its vice president, Myopia Management & Cornea Care. Lambert has spent the past four years as senior director, Global Myopia Management. The company is also adding managerial roles specific to customer engagement and new product market development, collectively designed to transform the myopia category for long-term success, according to a press release.
Norlase names chairman of board of directors
Norlase appointed Jacob Philipsen, PhD, CEO of Advalight and co-founder of Norlase, as its new chairman of the board of directors. Dr. Philipsen served as a board member prior to his recent appointment and succeeds co-founder David Hardwick. Hardwick will remain a valued member on the board. Norlase develops laser solutions for the treatment of retina and glaucoma diseases.
Prevent Blindness seeking nominations for two of its awards
Prevent Blindness is looking for nominations for its “2025 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health,” and its sixth annual “Rising Visionary Award.” The submission deadline for both awards is Monday, March 10 at noon EDT. Award recipients will be named at the 2025 Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Summit, to be held virtually on May 14, 2025. For additional information regarding each award, visit 2025 Jenny Pomeroy and Rising Vision Awards Call for Nominatios.
Transitions Optical names 2024 Transitions Innovation Award winners
Transitions Optical announced the winners of its annual Transitions Innovation Awards program. The Transitions Healthy Sight Ambassador award went to Ric Peralta, ABOC, consultant, senior optician/lab manager at Focal Point Optometry (Fullerton, California). The Eyecare Practice of the Year, North America award went to Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, P.A. (Auburndale, Clermont, Haines City, Lakeland – Harden, Lakeland – Highlands, Lake Wales, Sebring, and Winter Haven, Florida) Retailer of the Year, North America was awarded to Theodore & Pringle Optical. Channel Partner of the Year, North America was awarded to Vision Source.
The Vision Council to host Market InSights report webinar
On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 1 pm EDT, the Vision Council will host a webinar on its recently released 2024 Market InSights report. Specifically, the webinar will dive deeper into this analysis of US optical industry performance, as well as give attendees an opportunity to ask questions about the research and its impact on the optical community. Zoom details will be provided upon registration.
Virtual Vision Health launches visual acuity test on established platform
Virtual Vision Health, which makes Virtual Reality (VR) eyecare technology, launched visual acuity (VA) testing on its Virtual Eye VR platform. The platform also includes a variety of tests, including visual field, progression analysis, and color sensitivity. For more information about Virtual Vision Health and its Virtual Eye platform, visit virtualvision.health.
Vision Expo East to showcase Italian eyewear manufacturers
Vision Expo East will feature a collection of Italian eyewear manufacturers at its Orlando meeting. Specifically, the event will feature a dedicated Italian Pavilion representing Italian craftsmanship and design innovation during the meeting at the Orange County Convention Center from Feb. 19 to Feb. 22. For additional information, visit east.visionexpo.com.